PRESENT 



OP 



PER 



STATE 



u 



PART I. 



THE PERUVIAN TERRITORY. 



GENERAL IDEA OF PERU. 



'T^HE produ6lions of the foreign writers who have attempted 

 to describe Peru, abound for the greater part in fidtions 

 and absurdities. Among the Spanish authors who have treated 

 of that country, the earher ones either compiled the relations 

 of their own adventures, or introduced into their histories and 

 annals what tradition had handed down to them. Of this 

 class are Garcilaso, Herrera, Zarate, Gil Gonzales, &c. as are 

 also all those by whom they have been followed, with the ex- 

 ception of Don UUoa, who, in the history of his voyage to 

 South America, has treated of the customs, manners, and di- 

 versions of the inhabitants. This illustrious author is the first 

 among the Spanish writers, who, in describing these countries, 

 has soared to the contemplation of man in his moral and phy- 

 sical relations. 



B Frora 



