MEXICO AND PERU COMPARED. 411 



meanes of their good order and government. But at the 

 West Indies they have onely found two Kingdoraes or 

 setled Empires, that of the Mexicanes in New Spaine, and 

 of the Yncas in Peru. It is not easie to be said which of 

 the two was the mightiest Kingdome, for that Mote^uma 

 exceeded them of Peru in buildings and in the greatnes of 

 his court : but the Yncas did likewise exceede the Mexi- 

 caines in treasure, riches, and greatnes of Provinces. In 

 regards of antiquitie, the Monarchic of the Yncas hath the 

 advantage, although it be not much, and in my opinion they 

 have been equall in feates of armes and victories. It is 

 most certaine that these two Kingdomes have much ex 

 ceeded all the Indian Provinces discovered in this new 

 world, as well in good order and government as in power 

 and wealth, and much more in superstition and service of 

 their idolls, having many things like one to an other. But 

 in one thing they differed much, for among the Mexicaines / 

 the succession of the kingdome was by election, as the 

 Empire of the llomans, and that of Peru was hereditarie, 

 and they succeeded in blond, as the Kingdomes of Fraunco 

 and Spaine. I will therefore heereafter treate of these two 

 governments (as the chiefe subiect and best knowne amongst 

 the Indians) being fit for this discourse, leaving many 

 tedious details which are not of importance. 



CHAP. xn. Of tJtc Government of the Khigs Yncas of Pent. 



The Ynca which ruled in Peru being dead, his lawfull 

 sonne succeeded him, and so they held him that was borne 

 of his chiefe wife, whome they called Coya. The which they 

 have alwaies observed since the time of an Ynca. called Yu- 

 panqui, who married his sister : for these Kings held it an 

 honour to marry their sisters. And although they had 

 other wives and concubines, yet the succession of the King- 



