Ch. V. SOUTH AMERICA. SL^l 



As all the inhabitants of the towns, villages, and 

 country, within the jurisdiction of Conception, form 

 different bodies of militia, some of which are in pay, 

 and all must be ready on any sudilen alarm, there is, 

 besides the corregidor, a Maestra de Campo, who 

 commands in all the military affairs without the city ; 

 but we shall have occasion to give a farther account of 

 his duty in the sequel. 



This city at first belonged to the diocess of Impe*- 

 rial ; but that being ruined by the perpetual incursions 

 of the Indians, the episcopal see was removed to Con- 

 ception, and the chapter changed. It is now a suf- 

 fragan of Lima, and has a chapter consisting of a 

 bishop, dean, archdeacon, and two prebendaries. 



The jurisdiction of Conception extends from the 

 river Maule on the coast N. of the city to Cape La- 

 vapies. It has few villages ; but the whole counti-y 

 full of seats, farms, and cottages. 



The inhabitants consist of Spaniards and Mesti- 

 zos, Mdio in colour are hardly distinguishable from 

 the former ; both being very fair, and some have 

 even fresh complexions. The goodness of the cli- 

 mate, together with the fertility of the country, 

 have drawn hither many Spanish families, both 

 Creoles and Europeans, who live together in that 

 harmony and friendship, which should be an exam- 

 ple to the other parts of these provinces ; where the 

 comforts of society are greatly lessened by the feuds 

 arising from a mean pride and jealousy. The men 

 in general are well-shaped and robust, and the wo- 

 men handsome. Their customs and dress, are a 

 kind of compound of those of Lima and Quito, 

 but more nearly resemble the latter, except that the 

 men use, instead of a cloak, a poncho, which is 

 made in the form of a quilt, about two yards and 

 a half or three in length, and two in breadth, ha- 

 ving an opening in the middle just sufficient to put 

 their head through, the rest hanging down on all 



sides 



