HASTA LA VISTA

Delightful, though laying no claims to importance. A brief, entertainingly written account of ""Chris"" Morley's trip through the Canal, down the West Coast of South America to Lima, and back. But it is more than that, for with his customary charm, Morley takes his readers on official side trips not included in the itinerary, into astronomy, with dissertations on the Southern Cross, reflections and musings on Henry Morgan, on Pizarro, on other buccaneers and conquistadores that are associated with this part of the world; on books and their authors; and a disquisition on the merits of small ships over large. Characteristically whimsical, with much lovely reading, highlights on sights, sounds and smells, on people, incidents and bits of color. Sell as travel gift book -- essay -- etc.