318 



SPANISH INFLUENCE 



At the period of the conquest, the whole popu- 

 lation were in a state of comparative barbarism. 

 Their knowledge was confined to a few rude no- 

 tions of agriculture ; their forms of government 

 were inartificial, despotic, and cumbersome ; they 

 were acquainted with none of the arts or sciences ; 

 were possessed of no literature ; in their habits 

 and customs, indeed, they were little better than 

 savages ; and their religion, if so it can be called, 

 was a blind idolatry, rendered still more revolt- 

 ing by the practice of human sacrifices. 



Christianity has long since happily annihilated 

 the worst of these evils ; for although there re- 

 main a few tribes of Indians yet unconverted, the 

 cruel rites alluded to have no longer any exist- 

 ence. Along with the knowledge and the industry 

 which the Europeans brought with them, there was 

 introduced a more refined system of manners, and 

 of moral habits. Under the influence of establish- 

 ed laws, aided, perhaps, by the general use of an 

 elegant and copious language, and an increasing 

 intercourse with the rest of the world, the states 

 of South America were gradually elevated to the 

 rank of civilized nations. Higher motives to ac- 



