ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS. 421 



one to spinne and weave stuffes for the service of his familie. Lin - vr - 

 They had searchers to examine if they did employ them 

 selves in these workes, and to punish the negligent. They 

 made stu fifes of the wooll of the Yncas cattell, for him and 

 for his family, one sorte very fine, which they called Cumbi, 

 and another grosser, which they likewise called Abasca.^ 

 There was no certaine number of these stuffes and garments 

 appointed, but what was delivered to every one. The wooll 

 that remayned was put into the storehouses, whereof the 

 Spaniards found them ful, and with all other things neces 

 sary for the life of man. There are few men of Judgement , 

 but doe admire at so excellent and well settled a governe- 

 ment, seeing the Indians (being neyther religious, nor 

 Christians) maintained after their manner, this perfection, 

 nor to holde any private property, and to provide for all 

 necessities, also maintaining with such aboundance matters 

 of religion, and that which concerned their King and Lord. 



CHAP. xvi. Of a Is and offices n-JticJi // Indians &amp;lt;l l 

 exercise. 



The Indians of Peru had one perfection, which was to 

 teach their young children all artes and occupations neces 

 sary for the life of man; for that there were no particular 

 trades-men, as amongst vs, taylors, shoemakers, weavers, 

 and the rest, but everyone learned what was nccdefull for 

 their persons and houses, and provided for themselves. All 

 coulde weave and make their garments, and therefore the 

 Ynca by furnishing them with wooll, gave them clothes. 

 Every man could till the ground, and put it to profite, with 

 out hyring of any labourers. All built their owne houses, 

 and the women vnderstoode most, they were not bred vppe 

 in delights, but served their husbands carefully. Other arts 

 and trades which were not ordinary and common for the life 

 1 Annaca, coarse cloth. 



