402 A VOYAGE TO ÉookVÍ. 



years. Sonie particulars in this narrative will clc- 

 monstrate that thc}^ still retain a few sparks of the in- 

 dustry and capacity of the ancient Indians of Peru; 

 ■whilst others will shew that they are utterly destitute 

 of the knowledgeof certain sciences which Mere com- 

 mon among their ancestors; and that they are equally 

 degenerated from their wisdom in making laws, and 

 their regular ohservance of them. 



It is no easy task to exhihit a true picture of the 

 customs and inclinations of the in'iians, and precisely 

 display their genius and real turn of mind; for if 

 conbidered as part of the human species, the nar- 

 row limits of their understanding seem to clash Avith 

 the dignity of the soul; and such is their stupidity, 

 that in certain particulars one can scarce forbear en- 

 tertainino;an idea that they are really beasts, and even 

 destitute of that instinct we observe in the brute crea- 

 tion, Wbile in other respects, a more comprehensive 

 judgement, better-digested schemes, and conducted 

 with greater subtilty, are not to be found than among 

 these people. This disparity may mislead the most 

 discerning person : for should he form his judgement 

 from their first actions, he must necessarily conclude 

 them to be a people of the greatest penetration and 

 vivacity. But when he reilects on their rudeness, the 

 absurdity of their opinions, and their beastly manner 

 of living, his ideas must take a different turn, and 

 represent them in a degree little above brutes. 



Such is the disposition of the Indians, that if their 

 indift'erencc to temporal things did not extend itself 

 also to the eternal, they niight be said to equal the 

 happiness of the golden age, of which the ancient 

 poets have given such inchanting descriptions. They 

 possess a tranquillity immutable, either by fortunate 

 or unfortunate events. In their mean apparel they 

 are as contented as 'the monarch cjothed M'ith the 

 most splendid inventions of luxury ; and so far are 

 they from entertaining a desire for better or m.ore 



com- 



