ULLOA S VOYAGE TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



517 



wifeft meafures to improve their underftanding have been rendered abortive ; fo fond 

 of their fimplicity and indolence, that all the efforts and attention of the moll vigilant 

 have mifcarried. But in order to give a clearer idea of their tempers, we (hall relate 

 fome particular inftances of their genius and cuftoms ; as otherwife it will be impoffible 

 to draw their true charadter. 



The Indians are in general remarkably flow, but very perfevering ; and this has given 

 rife to a proverb, when any thing of little value in itfelf requires a great deal of time 

 and patience, " That it is only fit to be done by an Indian." In weaving carpets, cur- 

 tains, quilts, and other fluffs, being unacquainted with any better method, at pafling 

 the woof they have the patience every time to count the threads one by one, fo that two 

 or three years is requifite to finifh a fingle piece. This flownels undoubtedly is not eritirely 

 to be attributed to the genius of the nation ; it flows in fome meafure from the wan*- v.f a 

 method better adapted to difpatch : and perhaps, with proper inflruttions, they would 

 make confiderable progreffes, as they readily comprehend whatever is fhewn ihem re- 

 lating to mechanics ; of this the antiquities flill remaining in the province of Quito, and 

 over all Peru, are undeniable teftimonies. But of thefe more will be laid in the fequel. 

 This indifference and dilatorinefs of the Indians is blended with floth, its natural com- 

 panion ; and their floth is of fuch a nature, that neither their own interefl, nor their 

 duty to their maflers, can prevail on them to undertake any work. Whatever therefore 

 is of abfolute necefTity to be done, the care of it is left to the Indian women. Thefe fpin, 

 and make the half-fhirts and drawers, which conflitute the whole apparel of their huf- 

 bands. They cook the matalotage, or food, univerfally ufed among them ; they grind 

 the barley for machca, roafl the maize for the camcha, and brew the chicha ;, hi the 

 mean time, unlefs the mafler has been fortunate enough to get the better of the huf- 

 band's floth, and taken him to work, he fits fquatting on his hams (being the ufual 

 poflure of all the Indians), and looks on his wife while fhe is doing the neceffary work 

 of the family ; but, unlefs to drink, he never moves from the fire-fide, till obliged to 

 come to table, or wait on his acquaintance. The only domeftic fervice they do, is to 

 plough their chacarita, or little fpot of land, in order to its being fown j but the latter, 

 together with the reft of the culture, makes another part, which is alfo done by 'the 

 wife and children. When they are once fettled in the above poflure, no reward can 

 make them flir ; fo that if a traveller has lofl his way, and happens to come to any of 

 thefe cottages, they hide themfelves, and charge their wives to fay that they are not at 

 home ; when the whole labour confifls in accompanying the traveller a quarter of a 

 league, or perhaps lefs, to put him in his way : and for this fmall fervice he would get a 

 rial, or half a rial at leafl. Should the paffenger alight and enter the cottage, the 

 Indian would flill be fafe ; for, having no light but what comes through a hole in th« 

 door, he could not be difcovered : and even if he fhould fee the Indian, neither en- 

 treaties nor offers would prevail on the flothful wretch to flir a ftep with him : and it is 

 the fame if they are to be employed in any other bufinefs. 



That the Indians may perform the works appointed by their maflers, and for which 

 they are properly paid, it will be of little fignification to Ihew them their talk ; the maf- 

 ter muil have his eye continually upon them : for whenever he turns his back, the Indian 

 immediately leaves off working. The only thing in which they fhew a lively fenfation 

 and alacrity, is for parties of pleafure, rejoicings, entertainments, and efpecially danc- 

 ings. But in all thefe the liquor mufl circulate brifkly, which feeqs to be their fupreme 

 enjoyment. With this they begin the day, and continue drinking till they are entirely 

 deprived both of fenfe and motion. 



2 Such 



