103 



Ail advertisement to the Reader. 



The Eeader mvst vnderstand, that I wrote the two first 

 bookes in Latine, when I was at Peru, and therefore they 

 speake of matters of the Indies, as of things present : Being 

 since returned into Spaine, I thought good to translate 

 them into our vulgar tongue, and not to change my former 

 maner of speeach. But in the five following bookes, for 

 that I made them in Europe, I have beene forced to change 

 my stile, and therein to treate of matters of the Indies, as 

 of Countries and things absent. And for that this diversitie 

 of speech might with reason offend the Reader, I have 

 thought good to advertise him thereof. 



