XXVI TO THE READER. 



Antiquities without the vse of letters. To conclude, the 

 scope of this worke is, that having knowledge of the workes 

 of nature, which the wise Author of all nature made, we 

 may praise and glorifie the high God, who is wonderfull in 

 all things and all places. And having knowledge of the 

 Indians customes, we may helpe them more easily to follow 

 and persevere in the high vocation of the Gospel; to the 

 knowledge whereof the Lord would draw this blinde nation 

 in these latter daies. Besides al these things, every one 

 may sucke out some profit for himselfe ; for that the wise 

 do alwaies draw forth some good out of the smallest sub- 

 iect, as we finde deepe Philosophie in the least and basest 

 creatures. I must only advertise the reader, that the two 

 first bookes of this historie or discourse were written in 

 Peru, and the other five since in Europe, dutie binding me 

 to returne into these partes : so as some speake of matters 

 of the Indies as of things present, and others as being 

 absent. And therefore I have thought it good to advertise 

 the Reader heereof that this diversitie of speach may not be 



troublesome vnto him. 



Farewell. 



