Oil. V. SOUTH AMERICA. 53 



betwoíMi the sevornl towns ; ana, consoqiirntl y, T mny 

 sav, from the diffciout fíc^^^niíi^cs and dispositions oftlie 

 }>eoplo. And though Lima is Ihi* cajjihil of thecou i- 

 trv, it vviil ap])ear that it is not a madei to othiCi' j^laccs, 

 with regard to dres.-', customs, and manner of living. 



The inhabitants of Lima are composed of v/hites, 

 or Spaniards, Negroes, Indians, Mestizos, and other 

 oasis, proceeding from the mixture of all three. 



The Spanish families are \ery numerous ; Lima 

 according to the lov»est computation, containir.g 

 sixteen or eighteen tliousand whites. Among these 

 are reckoned a tliird or fourth part of the most distin- 

 guished nobility of Peru; and many of these digni- 

 fied with the stile of ancient or modern Castilians, 

 among v/hich are no less than 45 counts and marquises. 

 The number of knights belonging to the several mi- 

 litary orders is also very considerable. Besides these 

 are many families no less respectable and living in 

 cqUal sple'idour ; particularly 24 gentíemen of large 

 estates, but witliout titles, tliough most of tliem have 

 ancient seats, a proof of the antiquity of their fami- 

 lies. One of these traces, with undeniable certainty, 

 his descent from the Yncas. The name of this fa- 

 mily is Ampuero, so called from one of the Spani'^h 

 commanders at the conquest of this country, who 

 married a Coya, or daughtef of the Ync^i. To this fa- 

 mily the kings of Spain have been pleased to grant 

 several distinguishing honours and privileges, as 

 marks of its great quality : and many of the most emi- 

 nent families in the city have desired intermarriages 

 Y*ith it. All tliose families live in a manner becom- 

 ing their rank, having estates equal to their gene- 

 rous dispositions, keeping a great number of slaves 

 and other domestics, and those who añect making 

 the greatest figure have coaches, while others content 

 themselves with calashes or chaises, v. hich are here 

 so common, that no family of any sabstance is without 

 one. It must bt owned that these carriag-es are more 



necess.irv 



