Ch. XIV. SOUTH AMERICA. 159 



The city is of a mkldlii^g size^ and from if? situation 

 among; the bleaches of the cordillera, the grouid of 

 which it stands is not only unequal, but also sur- 

 rounded by mountains, v, ithout any other prospect 

 than the channel of the river, and the adjacent moun- 

 tains, "avilen its river is increased either by rains, or 

 the melting- of the snow on the mountain, its current 

 fwrces along huge masses of rocks, with some grains 

 of gold^ which are found after the flood has subsided. 

 Hence some idea may be formed of the riches inclosed 

 in the bowels of these mountains; bula more remark- 

 able demonstration appeared in the year 17S0, when 

 an India», happening to wash his icet in the river, dis- 

 covered a lump of gold, of so large a size that tiie 

 marquis de Castel-Fueiie, gavetwelve thousand pieces 

 of eight for it, and sent it to Spain, as a present 

 V. orthy the curiosity of his sovereign. 



This city is governed by a corregidor, under 

 whom are regidores, and ordinary alcaides, as in all 

 other towns- Besides the cathedral, and the parish 

 church del Sagrario, where two priests officiate, here 

 are also those of St, Barbara, St. Sebastian, and St. 

 Peter: the religious fraternities of Franciscans, Do- 

 minicans, Augustines, the fathers of mercy, a colleoe 

 of Jesuits, and a convent and iiospital of St. Jaun de 

 Dios ; together with a nunnery of the order of the 

 Conception, and another of Santa Teresa. Here is 

 also a college of St. Jerom, for the education of youth, 

 whether designed for ecclesiastic or civil employ- 

 ments. 



In 1608 the church de la Paz was separated from 

 the diocess of Chuquisaca, to which it before bejong- 

 ed, and erected into a cathedral. Its chapter, besides 

 the bishop, consists of a dean, archdeacon, chanter, 

 four canons and prebendaries; but with regard to 

 other circumstances, being the same with several cities 

 already described, I shall proceed to the provinces in 

 its diocess. 



I. Bish- 



