Ch. ir. SOUTH AMERICA. 23 



themfelves maflers of the forts which defended it, en- 

 tered tlie bay with an intent of taking the city ; but 

 the) mifcarried in their attempt, and retired with con- 

 fiderable lofs. T.'his event cnufed orders to he dil- 

 patched for opening the old entrance, by which all 

 lliips now enter the bay. On the north fide the land 

 is fo narrow, that, before the wall was began, the dif- 

 tance from fea to fea was only 35 toifes j but after- 

 wards enlarging, forms another ifland on this ñdc, and 

 the whole city is, excepting thefe two places which are 

 very narrow, entirely furrounded by the fea. Eaílward 

 it communicates, by means of a wooden bridge, with 

 a large fuburb called Xexemani, built on another 

 ifland, which has alfo a communication with the con- 

 tinent by means of another wooden bridge. The forti- 

 fications both of the city and fuburb are conltru61ed 

 in the modern manner, and lined with free-none. 

 The garrifon in times of peace coniifls often compa^ 

 nies of regulars, each containing, officers included, 77 

 men ; beiides feveral companies of militia. 



In the ñde of Xexemani, at a fmall diflanoe from 

 that fuburb, on a hill, is a fort calltxl St. Lázaro, com- 

 manding both the city and fuburb. The height of the 

 hill is between 20 and 2 i toifes, having been geometri- 

 cally meafured. It is joined to feveral higher hills, 

 which run in an eaftern direilion. Thefe terminate in 

 another hill of confidcrable height, being "§4 toifes, 

 called Monte de la Popa, and on the top of it is a con- 

 vent of bare-footed AugulVmes, called Nuefira Senorit 

 dc la Popa. Here is an enchanting profpefSt, extend- 

 ing over the country and coaft to an iramenle diftance. 



The city and fuburbs are well laid out, the ftreets 

 being flraight, broad, uniform, and well paved. The 

 houles are built of itone, except a few of brick ; but 

 coniiftchiefly of only one flory above the ground-floor ; 

 the apartments well contrived. All the houfes have 

 balconies and lattices of wood, as more durable in this 

 climate than iron, the latter being fooii corroded and 



C 4 deflroyed 



