,Ch. IV. SOUTH AMERICA. scj 



mentioned, all the rest are crocked, and destitute both 

 of symmetry and order. Some of them are crossed by- 

 breaches, and the houses stand on the sides of their wind- 

 ing course and irregular projections. Thus someparts 

 of the city are situated at the bottom of those breaches, 

 while others stand on their summits. The principal 

 streets are paved j but those which are not, are almost 

 impassable after rain, which is here very common. 



Bfsides the principal square, there are two others 

 very^ spacious, together with several that are smaller. 

 In these the.greatest part of the convents are situated, 

 and make a handsome appearance j the fronts and 

 portals being adorned with all the embeili-hmeatsof 

 architecture; particularly the convent of the order of 

 Franciscans, which, being wholly of free-stone, muse 

 have cost a prodigious sum; and indeed the justness 

 of the proportions, the disposition of the parts, the 

 elegant taste and execution of the vv'ork, render ic 

 equal to most of the admired buildings in Europe. 



The principal houses are large; some of them have 

 spacious and well-contrived apartments, though none 

 are above one story in height, which is seldom without 

 a balcony toward the street; but theiridoorsand win- 

 dows, particularly those within, are very low and 

 narrow, following in these particulars the old custom 

 of the Indians, who constantly built their houses 

 among breaches and inequalities, and were also care- 

 ful to make the doors very narrow. The Spaniards 

 plead in defence of this custom, that the apartments 

 are freer from wand; but be that 'as it may, I am in- 

 clined to think that this .peculiarity owed Its origin to 

 a blind imitation of the Indians. 



The materials made use of in building at Quito 

 are adobes; or unburnt bricks, and clay ; and to the 

 making of the former the earth is so well adapted, that 

 they last a long time, provided they are deicndcd from 

 the rain. They are cemented or joined together by 

 a certain substance called sangagua, a species of mor- 



car 



