Ch, V. SOUTH AMÉRICA. 175 



yet few of them are of distinguished wealth, which 

 in general consists in ianded estates, applied to several 

 use J as I shall show in the sequel. Here are also no 

 Very splendid fortunes raised by trade. Consequently 

 it may be inferred, that the city is neither famous for 

 riches, nor remarkable for poverty. Here are indeed 

 considerable estate-^, though their produce is noL at all 

 equal to their extent: but the commerce, though 

 small, is continual. It must also be observed, to the 

 credit of this city, that the more wealthy families 

 have large quantities of plate, which is daily made use 

 of; and indeed, through the several classes, ii:ieir 

 tables are never destitute of one piece of plate at 

 least. 



CHAP. VL 



Of the Temperature of the Air at ^dto'y Distinction 

 between Winter and Summer ; Incowveniences, Advan- 

 tages ^ and Distempers. 



nnO form a right judgment of the happy tem- 

 •*- perature of the air of Qjito, experience must be 

 made use of, to correct the errors which would arise 

 from mere speculation ; as without that unerring 

 guide, or the information of history, who would 

 imagine, that in the centre of the torrid zone, cr ra- 

 ther under the equinoctial, not only the heat is very 

 tolerable, but even, in some parts, tne cold painful j 

 aiid that others enjoy all the delights and advantages 

 of a perpetual sprii.g, tl,eir fields being always co- 

 vered with verdure, and enamelled with fl'; 'e'-^ of 

 the most lively colours! The mildness of the climate, 

 free from the extremes oi cold and i.eat, and tne 

 constant equality of the nights and days, render a 

 country pleasant and fertile, which uninformed 1 eafon 

 T 2 would. 



