Ch. hi. south AMERICA. 39 



tlie pillars, walls^ and ccilinp;, to the lower part of the 

 cliuich, it is eqiiaiij dazzled svitli gJitteiing' objects^ 

 presenting themsches on all sides : among: which arc 

 eandiesticks of massive silver/ si?^ or seven feet high, 

 placed ill two rows along the nave of the church ; em- 

 bossed tables of the sai?ic nietalj supporting sniailer 

 candlesticks ; and in the intervals betwixt thern pede- 

 stals on \vhich stand the statues of angels, in faie, the 

 v> holechnrchis covered with plate, or something equal 

 to it in value; so that divine service, in these churciieSj 

 is performed \vith a magnificence scarce to be ima- 

 gined ; and the ornaments, even on common dajs, with 

 regard to their quantity and richness, exceed those 

 which many cities of Europe pride themselves w illi 

 displa) iag on the most conrnon occasions. 



If snch immense riches are bcstovvcd on the body 

 of tlie church, how can imagination itself form an 

 idea of those more immediately used in divine wor- 

 ship, suchas the sacred vesseh, the chalices, ostcn- 

 soriums^ &c. in the richness of which there is a sort 

 of emulation between the several churches? In thes^ 

 the gold is covered with diamonds, pearls, and pre- 

 cious stores, so as to daz'/ie the eye of the spectator. 

 The gold and silver stuff ibr \estinciits and other dc- 

 toraíioíífl, are always" of the richest and most valuable 

 among these brought over by tlie regisier ships, in 

 line, whatever is empíoyed in ornamenting the 

 churches, is always the richest of ihc kind possible 

 to be procured. 



The princii)al convenís are very large, \vit!i con- 

 venient and airy apartmeuts. Some parts of them, as 

 the outward walls wjiich inclose them, are of un- 

 burnt bricks; but the building itself of quinchas or 

 baxarecpies. The roofs of many are arched with brick, 

 others only with quinchas; but of snch curious archie 

 tecturc as entirely to conceal the materiais ; so that 

 the frontispieces and principal gates have a inajestié 

 uppearance. The col mnnjij friezes, statues and cor riice» 



a vy 



