432 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 102 



Chapter XX 



Continuing the Description of the City of Lima and of Its Holy 

 MetropoHtan Church. 



1238. This holy church has five ranks of dignitaries : eight Canons, 

 six Prehendaries (Racioneros), six half-time Prebendaries, six Chap- 

 lains, and other ministers and functionaries, the whole with sufficient 

 income for their support. Besides these they have many chaplaincies 

 and sing Masses for the Confraternities and in especial for the Most 

 Holy Sacrament and for souls in Purgatory ; in regard to this, there 

 was one year in which they said 16,000 Masses, at 8 silver reals each, 

 the only currency they have ; for the Masses are innumerable that 

 are said in this holy church for the benefit of blessed souls. 



1239. Services are held with great majesty and authority, by 

 priests of distinction, for in their chapter they have men who are 

 remarkable in letters, as professors and pulpit orators ; in fact, His 

 Majesty has selected many Bishops from among them, as from a 

 nursery or plantation. Since this holy church is so large, it has four 

 curates with benefices, who, with the minor chapter, serve the 

 ciborium chapel, which has a remarkable altarpiece and decoration, 

 and also the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament, which is 

 very rich ; and since this is a matter of great piety, I would state 

 that in few centers of Christendom the Most Holy Sacrament comes 

 forth so well escorted, both by the priests (who carry crucifix wands 

 and maces, and wear pelisses and stoles with the insignia : they give 

 them 2 reals each time they attend, and they serve this holy church 

 with the 300 priests under obligation) and by people in general ; the 

 Confraternity supplies the candles and everything, and there is great 

 attendance and devotion on everyone's part, at whatever hour of day 

 or night they set out, with the ministrils (tipstaffs) and flageolet 

 players (chirimias). 



1240. Connected with this holy Confraternity is that of the slaves ; 

 on the first Sunday of each month they celebrate their holy day in 

 the presence of the Viceroy, the Circuit Court, and the city's nobility, 

 with sermons by the best preachers, music, and a procession with 

 many candles through the naves of the church ; it should serve as a 

 stimulus to devout communities, for their devotion to the Holy Sacra- 

 ment is admirable. Outside of this Cathedral, in all the convents of 

 friars and nuns, not only is a most solemn Mass said every Thursday 

 with many candles and much music, but on certain Sundays of each 

 month, now in one part of the city, now in another. But the most 

 admirable is the celebration of the Holy Sacrament and the octaves 



