32 



on the contrary, before the time of Pericles, 

 this liberal and rapid progress of individual 

 talents outstripped the tardy steps of gene- 

 ral civilization. The empire of the Incas 

 may be compared to some great monastic 

 establishment, in which each member of the 

 congregation was prescribed the duties he 

 had to perform for the general good. When 

 on the spot we study those Peruvians, who, 

 through the lapse of ages, have preserved 

 their national physiognomy, we learn to 

 estimate, at its true value, the code of laws 

 framed by Manco Capac, and the effects 

 produced on morals and public happiness. 

 We discern a general state of prosperity, 

 contrasted with a small portion of private 

 welfare ; more submissive resignation to the 

 decrees of the sovereign, than patriotic love 

 for the country ; passive obedience, with- 

 out courage for bold enterprises ; a spirit of 

 order, which regulated with minute preci- 

 sion the most indifferent actions, while no 

 general views enlarged the mind, and no 

 elevation of thought ennobled the charac- 



