3i6 A VOYAGE TO Book VI. 



The city of Cuenqa lies in a° 53' 49" south lati- 

 tucl(i, and iq¡ 1^" west of the meridian of Quito. It 

 stands in a very spacious plain, along which, at about 

 half a league to the northward of the city, runs a 

 little river called Machan^ara ; and close to the south 

 side of the city runs another known by the name of 

 Matadero. Besides these, at the distance of a quarter 

 of a league, runs another called Yanuncay ; and at 

 about the same distance is another termer! Los 

 Banos, from a village of that name, through jvhich 

 it flows. All these rivers are at some seasons ford- 

 able ; but at others can only be crossed with safety 

 over the bridges. 



The plain in which this city stands, reaches about 

 six leagues from north to south ; and the four rivers, 

 whose courses are nearly in the same direction, form, 

 at a small distance, by the conflux of their streams, a 

 very large river. To the south of the city is another 

 plain of about two leagues in extent, and, with its 

 great variety of regular plantations of trees, and other 

 rural improvements, makes a very delightful appear- 

 ance all the year round. 



This city may be classed among those of the fourth 

 order. Its streets are straight, and of a convenient 

 breadth ; the houses of unburnt bricks, tiled, and 

 many of them have one story, the owners, from a ri- 

 diculous aíFectation of grandeur, preferring elegance 

 to security. The suburbs, inhabited by the Indians, 

 are, as usual, mean and regular. Several streams of 

 water, by great labour, are brought from the above 

 rivers, and flow through the streets; so that the city is 

 plentifully supplied i and for its admirable situation, 

 and the fertility of the soil, it might be rendered the 

 paradise, not only of the province of Quito, but of 

 all Peru ; few cities being capable to boast of so many 

 advantages as concentre here; but, either from supine- 

 ncss or ignorance, they are far from being duly im- 

 proved. One circumstance, which adds a singular 



beauty 



