INHABITANTS OP PERU. 



higher or lower, decides all their satisfa6lion or grief. On a 

 view of these contrarieties, it appears that the influence of opi- 

 nion may overbalance that of Nature, the energies of which 

 may be occasionally subdued by still more powerful impres- * 

 sions. There are men who suffer patiently both hunger and 

 nakedness ; who sleep tranquilly on wretched stools ; who de- 

 prive themselves without regret of whatever society presents, 

 of the most agreeable and consolatory description, in its civil 

 bonds ; and who then tremble, weep, become confused, 

 and lose their reason, if in a casual encounter the left hand be 

 touched instead of the right ; if any one pronounce their name 

 without annexing to it a flattering epithet; or if another com- 

 bine the letters of the alphabet in this or in that manner, when 

 it is to be described in writing. This is a species of insanity 

 which has found its way into the obscure retreats destined for 

 humility, patience, and freedom from error. Those who la- 

 bour under this infirmity ought to blush, when they perceive 

 that they are on a footing with these untutored negroes, and 

 exposed to the same ridicule. 



At two o'clock in the afternoon the assemblies which have 

 been already cited regularly commence. The first hour of the 

 session is employed in treating whatever may contribute to the 

 advantage of the nation, in regulating the contributions, in 

 bringing forward and settling the disputes which may have 

 arisen between husband and wife, &c. The corporals give 

 an account to the tribe, of the mode they have adopted in the 

 disbursement of the contributions, and of the purposes to 

 which the surplus, if there be any, is to be applied. What is 

 most interesting, in these meetings, to the philosophical ob- 

 server, is the formality with which the rulers and vassals pro- 



Q^q nounce, 



