50 A VOYAGE TO Book VIÍ. 



ception of the viceroy, fhcy are deferred^ and given 

 atone and the same time as above recited. 



The bull-feasts are succeeded bv that ceremony^ 

 in which the university, the colleges, the convents 

 and nunneries acknowledged him as their viceroyal 

 protector. This is also accomj)anied with great splen- 

 dour; and valuable prizes are bestowed on those who 

 make the most ingenious con5])Osilions in his praise. 

 These ceremonies, which greatly heighten the mag- 

 nificence of this city, are so little known in Europe, 

 that I shall he excused for enlarging on them. 



They are begun by the university, and the rector 

 prepares a poetical contest, adapted to display either 

 the wit or learning of the competitors. After pub- 

 lishing tlie themes, and the prizes to be given to 

 those who best handle the subjects they have chosen, 

 he waits on the Aiceroyto know when he will be 

 pleased to honour the university with his presence; 

 and, the time i)eing fixed, every part of the principal 

 court is adorned w ith the utmost magnificence. The 

 prizes which are placed in order distinguish themselves 

 by their richness, while the pillars and columns are 

 hung w ith endjlematical devices, or pertinent apo- 

 thegms on polished shields, surrounded by the most 

 beautiful mouldings. 



The reception is in the following order. On the 

 viceroy's entering the court he is conducted to the 

 rectorial chair, which, on this occasion, glitters with 

 the magnificence of an Eastern throne. Opposite to it 

 sits the rector, or, in his absence, one of the jnost emi- 

 nent members of that learned body, who makes a 

 speech, in which he expresses the satisfaction the 

 whole university feels in such a patron. After this 

 the viceroy returns to his palace, where, the day fol- 

 lowing, the rector presents him with a book, contain- 

 ing the poetical contest, bound in velvet, and plated 

 at the corners with goldj accompanied with some 



elejjant 



