Ch.III. south AMERICA. 45 



are equal to other improvements. The cliief of these 

 seminaries is the university of St. Mark, and the 

 colleges of St. Toribio; St. Martin, and St. Philip. 

 In the former are chairs for all the sciences^ and filled 

 by suffrage ; a method always favourable for persons 

 of learning and uuderstandins^. Some of these pro- 

 fessors have, notwithstanding the vast distance, gained 

 the applause of the literati of Europe. 



The university makes a stately appearance without, 

 and its inside is decorated with suitable ornaments, ¡t 

 has a large square court, with a handsome vaulted 

 piazza round it. Along the sides are the halls, where 

 lectures are read ; and in one of its angles is the theatre 

 for the public acts, adorned with the portraits of the 

 several great men who had their education in this seat 

 of learning, in frames finely ornamented with sculpture, 

 and richly gilded; as are also the two rows of seats, 

 which extend entirely round the theatre. 



From what has been said it suiHciently appears, 

 that Lima is not only large, magnificent, and dis- 

 tinguished, as the capital of the kingdom, by the 

 residence of the viceroy, and the superior courts and 

 offices, but also that it has an acknowledged superiority 

 over the other cities in these parts from the public 

 nurseries erected for the advancement of learning and 

 the sciences. 



The richness of the churches, and the splendour 

 with which divine service is performed, we have al- 

 ready described. The magniücence of its inhabitants 

 and of its public solemnities are proportional, and 

 displayed with a dignity peculiar to minds inflamed 

 with a de.sire of honour, and who value themselves 

 on celebrating the principal solemnities in a manner 

 which distinguishes Lima from the other cities of its 

 kingdom : though the latter are not wanting in their en- 

 deavours to vie with their capital. 



Of all the solemnities observed in America, th« 



public 



