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QUITO. 331 
The climate of this province is remarkably agree- 
able, and almost invariable. During the months of 
December, January, February, and March, it gene- 
rally rains every afternoon from half-past one to 
five ; but even at this season the evenings and morn- 
ings are most beautiful. The temperature is so mild 
that vegetation never ceases. “ From the terraceof the 
government palace there'is one of the most enchant- 
ing prospects that human eye ever witnessed, or na- 
ture ever exhibited. Looking to the south, and glanc- 
ing along towards the north, eleven mountains cover- 
ed with perpetual snow present themselves, their 
bases apparently resting on the verdant hills that sur- 
round the city, and their heads piercing the blue arch 
of heaven, while the clouds hover midway down 
them, or seem to crouch at their feet. Among these 
the most lofty are Cayambeurcu, Imbaburu, Ilinisa, 
Antisana, Chimborazo, and the beautifully-magni- 
ficent Cotopaxi, crowned with its voleano.”* 
Nearly nine months were devoted to researches 
of various kinds. They made excursions to the 
snowy mountains of Antisana, Cotopaxi, Tun- 
guragua, and Chimborazo, the latter of which was 
considered as the highest on the globe until it 
was found to be exceeded by some of the colossal 
summits of the Himmaleh, and even by several in 
Upper Peru. In all these journeys they were ac- 
companied by a young man, son of the Marquis of 
Selva-alégre, who subsequently followed them to 
Peru and Mexico.t They twice ascended to the 
* Stevenson’s Residence in South America, vol. ii. p. 324. 
+ This accomplished individual, Don Carlos Montufar, of whom 
our author speaks with approbation, having connected himself with 
the popular party in the struggles of which the Spanish colonies 
have lately been the theatre, was seized in Quito, in 1811, by Don 
