320 



SPANISH INFLUENCE. 



unknown, now abound beyond all example else- 

 where. 



The civil institutions of the country, too, with 

 all their defects, are infinitely superior to the rude 

 establishments of the aboriginal inhabitants. And 

 it may therefore be said, with strict historical 

 truth, that for all those advantages by which civi- 

 lization is distinguished from barbarism, — Chris- 

 tianity from Paganism, — Jmowledge, in short, from 

 ignorance — this vast portion of the globe must for 

 ever stand indebted to the Spaniards. 



