5(5 A VOYAGE TO Book VIL 



peratnre of ilie air healthy and regular. For though 

 it is notuiihout a sensible (iifibrencc in the seasons, 

 yet the cold of the winter, and the heats of summer, 

 are both easily supportable. 



In proceeding on our journey from Guaniiey v.'^e 

 met with a great many remains of the edifices of the 

 Yncas. Some were the walls of palaces ; others, as 

 it were large dykes, by the sides of spacious high- 

 ways ; and others fortresses, or castles, properly si- 

 bilated for checking the inroads of enemies. One of 

 the latter monuiuents stands about 2 or 3 leagues 

 north of Pativirca, not far from a river. It is the 

 ruins of a fort, and situated on the top of an enii- 

 jicnce at a small distance from tlie sea; but the ves- 

 tiges only of the walls arc now remaiiiing. 



From Guaura wc came to the town of Chancay ;^., 

 and though the distance between thi» is reckoned ^'^ 

 only twelve leagues, we concluded, by the time we 

 were travelling, it to be at least fourteen. From an 

 observation we found its latitude ll*" 33' 47" S. 

 The town consists of about 300 houses, and Indian 

 huts; is very populous, and among other inha- 

 bitants can boast of many Spanish families, and 

 some of distinguished rank, Besides its parish 

 church, here is a convent of the order of St. Francis, 

 and an hospital chiefly supported by the benevolence 

 of the inhabitants. It is the capital of the jurisdic- 

 tion of its name, and belongs to that of Guaura. 

 The Corregidor, whose usual residence is at Chan- 

 cay, appoints a deputy for Guaura. The adjacent 

 country is naturally very fertile, and every where 

 well watered by canals cut from the river Passamayo, 

 which runs about a league and a half to the south- 

 ward of the town. These parts are every where 

 sowed with maize, for the purpose of fattening hogs, 

 in which article iscarried on a ^ery considerable trade; 

 the city of Lima being furnished from l;ence. 



"We left Chancay the 17th ; and after travelling 



a lea^'ue 



