Ch. VI. SOUTH AMERICA. 'i-^j 



after twelve at noon at i o 14: on the first of June at 

 six in the morning at loii : and at noon at ioi2-i. 

 But what renders this equality still more delightful is, 

 that it is constant throughout the whole year, the dif- 

 ference between the seasons being scarce perceptible. 

 Thus the mornings are cool, the remainder of the 

 day warm, and the nights of an agreeable tempera- 

 ture. Hence the reason is plain, why the inlvibitants 

 of Quito make no difference in their dress during the 

 whole year ; some wearing silks or light stuffs, at the 

 same time others are dressed in garments of substantial 

 cloth Í and the former as litde incommoded by the 

 cold, as the latter are by heat. 



The winds are healthy, and blow continually, but 

 never with any violence. Their usual situations are 

 north and south, though they sometimes shift to other 

 quarters, without any regard to the season of the year. 

 Their incessant permanence, notwithstanding their 

 constant variations, preserves the country from any 

 violent or even disagreeable impressions of the rays of 

 the sun. So that, were it not for some inconveniences 

 to which this country is subject, it might be consi- 

 dered as the most happy spot on the whole earth. 

 But when these disagreeable incidents are considered, 

 all its beauties are buried in obscurity ; for here are 

 dreadful and amazing tempests of thunder and light- 

 ning, and the still more destructive subcerraneous 

 earthquakes, which often surprise the inhabitants in 

 the midst of security. The whole morning, till one 

 or two in the afternoon, the weather is generally ex- 

 tremely delightful; a bright sun, serene and clear sky, 

 are commonly seen ; but afterwards the vapours be- 

 gin to rise, the whole atmosphere is covered with 

 black clouds, which bring on such dreadful tempests 

 of thunder and lightning, that all the neighbouring 

 mountains tremble, and the city too often leeis their 

 dreadful effects. Lastly, the clouds discharge tliem* 

 selves in such impetuous torrents of rain, that m a very 



T 3 short 



