Ch. IV. SOUTH AMERICA. 255 



has a college, called San Buena Ventura, for the reli- 

 gious of its order j and, thoiiL^h under the same roof 

 with the convent, has a different government and 

 ceconomy. 



Quito has also several nunneries; as that of the 

 Conception, the orders of St. Clare, ¿Jt. Catharine, 

 and two of bare- footed Theresians. Of these one was 

 originally founded in the town of Latacunga; but 

 having, together with the place itself, been destroyed 

 by an earthquake, the nuns removed to Quito, where 

 they have ever since continued. 



The college of Jesuits, as well as all the convenís 

 of monks, are very large, well built, and very splen- 

 did. The churches also, though the architecture oí 

 some is not modern, are spacious, and magnificently 

 decorated, especially on solemn festivals, when it 

 is amazing to behold the vast quantities of wrought 

 plate, rich hangings, and costly ornaments, which, 

 heighten the solemnity of worship, and increase the' 

 reputation of these churches for magnificence. If those 

 of the nunneries do not, on those occasions, exhibit 

 such an amazing quantity of riches, they exceed them 

 in elegance and delicacy. It is quite otherwise in the 

 parish-churches, where poverty is conspicuous, even, 

 on the most solemn occasions ; though this is partly 

 imputed to those who have the care of them. 



Here is also an hospital, with separate wards for 

 men and women ; and though its revenues are not 

 large, yet by a proper ceconomy they are made to an- 

 svver all the necessary expences. It was formerly un- 

 der the direction of particular persons of the city, 

 who, to the great detrim.cnt of the poor, neglected 

 their duty, and some even embezzled part of the 

 money received ; but it is now under the care of the 

 order of our Lady of Bethlehem, and by the attention, 

 of these fathers, every thing has put on a different 

 aspect, the whole convent and infirmary having been 



rebuikj 



