Cu ÍV^ SOUTH AMERICA. 49 



to the cathedral in his coach, with the retinue and 

 pomp usual in solemn festivals, and public ceremo- 

 nies, lie is preceded by the whole troop oí* horse- 

 guards, the members oí" the several tribunals in their 

 coaches, and after them the viceroy himself with 

 his family, the company of halberdiers bringing up the 

 rear. On this occasion all the riches and ornaments 

 of the church are displayed; the archbishop celebrates 

 in his pontifical robes the mass of thanksgiving; and 

 the sermon is preached by one of the best orators 

 of the chapter. From hence the viceroy returns 

 to the palace attended by all the nobility, who omit 

 nothing to make a snlendid figure on these occasions. 

 In the evening of this, and the two follow ing days^ 

 the collations are repeated, with all the plenty and 

 delicacy imaginable. To increase the festivity, all 

 women of credit have free access to the halls, galle- 

 ries, and gardens of the palace, when they are fond of 

 shewing the dispositions of their genius, either by the 

 vivacity of repartees, or spirited conversations, in 

 which they often silence strangers of very ready wit. 



This shew and ceremony is succeeded bv bull- feasts 

 at the city's expence, which continue five dajs ; the 

 three first for the viceroy, and the t\^ o latter in com- 

 pliment to the ambassador who brought advice of his 

 arrival, and the great honour conferred on him by the 

 sovereign in the government of this kingdom. 



This ambassador, who, as I before observed, is al- 

 ways a person of eminent quality, makes also a pub- 

 lic entrance into Lima on horseback on the day of 

 his arrivalj and the nobility being informed of his 

 approach, go out to receive and conduct him to the 

 palace, from whence they carry him to the lodgings 

 prepared for him. This ceremony used to be im- 

 mediateiy followed by feasts and public diversions ; 

 but in Older to avoid that inconvenience, just when 

 the city is every where busied in preparing for the re- 



VoL. IL K ceptioii 



