574 ulloa's votage to south America. 



cimens of their future acqulfitlons. They are in this much more indebted to nature 

 than either to art or to their own application ; and if they do not equally diftinguifh them- 

 felves in other ftudies, it is not for want of talents, but of proper perfons to inftruft them 

 in the neceflary elements. For by their ready comprehenfion of whatever is taught them 

 we may conclude, that their ^ilities are equal to other improvements. The chief of 

 thefe feminaries is the univerl^^ of St. Mark, and the colleges of St. Toribio, St. Martin, 

 and St. Philip. In the former are chairs for all the fciences, and filled by fuffrage ; a 

 method always favourable for perfons of learning and underftanding. Some of thefe 

 profeifors have, notwithflanding the vafl diftance, gained the applaufe of the literati of 

 Europe. 



The univerfity makes a ftately appearance without, and its infide is decorated with 

 fuitable ornaments. It has a large fquare court, with a handfome vaulted piazza round 

 it. Along the fides are the halls, where leftures are read ; and in one of its angles is 

 the theatre for the public arts, adorned with the portraits of the feveral great men who 

 had their education in this feat of learning, in frames finely ornamented with fculpture, 

 and richly gilded j as are alfo the two rows of feats which extend entirely round the 

 theatre. 



From what has been faid it fufficiently appears, that Lima is not only large, magnifi- 

 cent, and diflinguifhed, as the capital of the kingdom, by the refidence of the viceroy, 

 and the fuperior courts and offices, but alfo that it has an acknowledged fuperiority over 

 the other cities in thefe parts from the public nurferies ereded for the advancement of 

 learning and the fciences. 



The richnefs of the churches, and the fplendour with which divine fervice is per- 

 formed, we have already defcribed. The magnificence of its inhabitants and of its pub- 

 lic folemnities are proportional, and difplayed with a dignity peculiar to minds inflamed 

 with a defire of honour, and who value themfelves on celebrating the principal folemni- 

 ties in a manner which diflinguifhes Lima from the other cities of its kingdom ; though 

 the latter are not wanting in their endeavours to vie with their capital. 



Of all the folemnities obferved in America, the public entrance of the viceroy is the 

 moft fplendid ; and in which the amazing pomp of Lima is particularly difplayed. No- 

 thing is feen but rich coaches and calafhes, laces, jewels, and fplendid equipages, in 

 which the nobility carry their emulation to an aftonifhing height. In a word, this cere- 

 mony is fo remarkable, that I flatter myfelf the reader will not be difpleafed at the de- 

 fcription. 



CHAP. IV. — Of the Public Entrance of the Viceroy at Lima ; his Reception, and the 



chief annual Solemnities. 



ON the landing of the viceroy at Paita, two hundred and four leagues from Lima, 

 he fends a perfon of great diflindion, generally fome officer of his retinue, to Lima, 

 with the character of an ambaffador ; and, by a memoir, informs his predecefTor of his 

 arrival, in conformity to His Majefly's orders, who had been pleafed to confer on him 

 the government of that kingdom. On this ambaffador's arrival at Lima, the late vice- 

 roy fends a melTenger to compliment him on his fafe arrival ; and on difmiffing the am- 

 baffador, prefents him with fome jewel of great value, and a jurifdidlion or two which 

 happen at that time to be vacant, together with an indulgence of officiating by deputy, if 

 mofl^ agreeable to him. The corregidor of Piura receives the new viceroy at Paita, and 

 provides litters, mules, and every other necelTary for the viceroy and his retinue, as far 



as 



