TO SOUTH AMERICA. 



sn 



The principal end of the univerfity in this ceremony being to ingratiate itfelf with the 

 viceroy and his family, the re£lor contrives that the poetical pieces which gain the prizes 

 be made in the name of the principal perfons of his family, and accordingly the moft dif- 

 tinguifhed prizes are prefented to them ; and there being twelve fubjeds in the conteft, 

 there are three prizes for each, of which the two inferior fall to thofe members whofe 

 compolitions are moft approved of. Thefe prizes are pieces of plate, valuable both for 

 their weight and workmanlhip. 



The univerfity is followed by the colleges of St. Philip and St. Martin, with the fame 

 ceremonies, except the poetical conteft. 



Next follow the religious orders, according to the antiquity of their foundation in the 

 Indies. Thefe prefent to the viceroy the beft thefes maintained by ftudents at the public 

 a£ls. 



The viceroy is prefent at them all, and each difputant pays him fome elegant compli- 

 ment, before he enters on his fubjeft. 



The fuperiors of the nunneries fend him their congratulatory compliments, and when 

 he is pleafed in return to vifit them, they entertain him with a very fine concert of mufic, 

 of which the vocal parts are truly charming ; and at his retiring they prefent him with 

 fome of the chief curiofities which their refpedive inftitutes allow to be made by them. 



Befides thefe feftivities and ceremonies, which are indeed the moft remarkable, there 

 are alfo others, fome of which are annual, in which the riches and liberality of the in- 

 habitants are no lefs confpicuous. Particularly on New-year's day, at the election of al- 

 caldes, who being afterwards confirmed by the viceroy, appear publicly on horfeback 

 the fame evening, and ride on each fide of him, in very magnificent habits ornamented 

 with jewels, and the furniture of their horfes perfectly anfwerable. This cavalcade is 

 very pompous, being preceded by the two companies of horfe-guards, the halberdiers, 

 followed by the members of the tribunals in their coaches, the viceroy's retinue, and the 

 nobility of both fexes. 



On Twelfth day in the morning, and the preceding evening, the viceroy rides on 

 horfeback through the town, with the royal ftandard carried in great pomp before him. 

 This is performed in commemoration of the building of the city, which, as we have al- 

 ready obferved, was begun on this day ; folemn vefpers are fung in the cathedral, and 

 a mafs celebrated 5 and the ceremony is concluded with a cavalcade, like that on New- 

 year's day. 



The alcaldes chofen for the current year give public entertainments in their houfes, 

 each three nights fucceflively ; but that the feafts of one might not interfere with thofe 

 of another, and occafion refentments, they agree for one to hold his feafts the three 

 days immediately fucceeding jthe election, and the other on Twelfth day and the two 

 following. Thus each has a great number of guefts, and the entertainments are more 

 fplendid and fumptuous. The other feafts in the courfe of the year are not inferior to 

 thefe either with regard to numbers or expence ; at leaft the number of them muft ex- 

 cite a high idea of the wealth and magnificence of Lima. 



CHAP. V. — 0/" the Inhabitants of Lima. 



HAVING, in our accounts of feveral towns through which we pafTed to Lima, in- 

 cluded alfo the inhabitants, we ftiall obferve the fame rule with regard to Lima ; for 

 though amidft fuch an infinite variety of cuftoms, there is always fome refemblance be- 



voL. XIV. 4 E tween 



