193 A VOYAGE TO Book. VIII. 



in their tpensur^tions of the two bases, which served 

 to prove the accuracj of the operations. And,, lastly, 

 he was present ¿^t mg-king the astronomical observations. 

 But before the repetition was undertaken, M. de la 

 Condamine employed himself in erecting two obe- 

 lisks at the extremities of the base of Yaruqui^ as 

 monuments of this transaction : this spot having been 

 the foundation of the whole work. Various were the 

 sentiments with regard to the inscription proper to be 

 engraved on them; and indeed the difiiculties attend^ 

 ing this particular, seemingly of no great importance, 

 were such, as could not be removed till the a^air 

 was entirely dropt, on account of other things ofrejij 

 concern, and which would admit of no delay. It 

 was however unanimously concluded, that the whole 

 afiair should be referred to his majesty's pleasure 

 after our arrival in Spain. Accordingly in the year 

 1746, the marquis de la Ensenada, equally distin- 

 guished as a statesman, and a patron of real know-» 

 ledge, being at that time secretary of state for the 

 Indies, sent over, ip his majesty's name, the following 

 inscription : 



PhiuppoV. 



Hispaniarum, <& Indiarum Rege Catholico, 



LuDovici XV. 



Regis Christianissimi Postulatis, Regia; Sciei^tiarum 



Acaderaiae Parisiensis 



Votis Annuente, ac Favente, 



LuDov. GoDiN, Petrus Bouguer, 



Cap. MxiRiA DB LA Condamine, 



Bjüsdem AcademiíE Socii, 



Ipsius Christianissimi Regis Jussu, & Munificentia, 



Ad Metiendos in 4^quinoctiali Plaga 



Terrestres Gradus, 



Quo vera Tena? Figura Certius Innotesceret, 



In Peruvian! Missi ; 



Simulque 



Geoh GIÚ3 



