ULLOA*S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



471 



raifed for the ufe of the hofpital, though it is in fo ruinous a condition as not to admit 

 of patients. 



On the weft fide of the affiento is a river cut into fmall channels or trenches, for 

 watering the adjacent fields ; by which means they are rendered fo remarkably fertile, 

 that they produce clover the whole year. 



The inhabitants, according to an accurate calculation, amount to between fixteen 

 and twenty thoufand fouls. The manners and cuftoms here are nearly the fame with 

 thofe at Quito ; the greateft part of the families of diftindtion in that city owing their 

 origin to this place. For at the beginning of the conquefts, many of the eminent 

 families which came from Spain fettled here at the conclufion of the war, and have 

 been very careful not to diminilh either the luftre of their families, or their wealth, by 

 promifcuous alliances, marrying only into one another. 



The magiftracy confifts of regidores, who are always perfons of the firft diftin£lion, 

 and from among thofe are annually chofen the ordinary alcaldes ; with this fmgularity, 

 that the validity of the eledion depends on its being unanimous, a fingle vote render- 

 ing it void. Befides, the perfon thus eledted is either confirmed or rejeded by the 

 townfmen ; a privilege known in no other part of the whole province. 



The air is colder here than at Quito, owing in a great meafure to the neighbour- 

 hood of the mountain of Chimborazo ; and, when the wind blows from that quarter, 

 the weather is fo fharp, that the rich families leave the town, and retire to their eftates, 

 fituated in a warmer air, though at no great diftance. This uncomfortable feafon 

 generally lafts from December to June, the north and north-weft winds then princi- 

 pally prevailing. It is, however, in a great meafure, free from thofe violent fhowers 

 and tempefts fo common at Quito, that fometimes for many days fucceflively it enjoys 

 ferene and delightful weather ; and the fame may be faid of the greateft part of its 

 jurifdiftion. 



Here are many plantations, or farms, and moft of them confiderable ; and for the 

 'number and largenefs of its manufactories, it furpafles every other part of this pro- 

 vince ; though the Indians feem born with an inclination for weaving, particularly 

 thofe of the village of Guana, who are famed for their manufaftures of worfted 

 ftockings, and it is indeed the only place in the whole province where they are 

 made. This induftrious difpofition probably gave rife to the large flocks of ftieep in 

 this jurifdidion, whence thefe manufactories are never in want of wool. The foil is 

 very fertile, producing all kinds of grain and pulfe in abundance. And here is moft 

 frequently feen what I have elfewhere obferved, that in one part the huftDandmen are 

 fowing, in another reaping ; the landfcape alfo elegantly adorned with fuch an enchant- 

 ing variety of colours as painting cannot exprefs. 



In this jurifdiCtion is a large plain lying fouth of the town of Tiocaxas, and famous 

 for a battle between the Spaniards commanded by Belalcazar and the Puruayes Indians, 

 before their courage had been deprelTed by the ominous explofion of the mountain. 

 Both armies fought with great obftinacy, though neither gained the victory. 



The affiento of Hambato ftands in a wide plain at the bottom of a mountain. On 

 the north fide of it runs a large river, over which a bridge has been built, it being 

 never fordable on account of its depth and extreme rapidity. It is finely fituated, and 

 in extent and populoufnefs nearly equal to Latacunga, the number of its inhabitants 

 amounting to eight or nine thoufand. The houfes are of unburnt bricks, well con- 

 trived, and make a good appearance. With regard to their lownefs, it is owing to a 

 difcreet precaution againft the melancholy ftiocks of earthquakes. It has a parilh- 

 church, two chapels of eafe, and a convent of Francifcans. The earthquake which 



made 



