306 



TOPOGRAPHY. 



quest, commerce, the study of antiquity, and that of natural 

 history, are seldom dire6ted to poor countries, in which, it 

 may be said, they never make a permanent establishment. In 

 the centre of Spain an idea was entertained of the Batuecas^^ 

 that is, of the inhabitants of a province which, on account of 

 its wretchedness, was thought to have subsisted during many 

 centuries, secluded from all traffic and social intercourse; and 

 in America this same idea is realized in the province of Chi- 

 chas y Tarija, the description of which is about to be 

 given ■f'. 



These vallies, capable, through their fertility and the abun- 

 dant produce they might be made to supply, to revive the 

 prodigies of ancient Sicily, and of the fabulous Arcadia, have 

 been condemned, by their poverty, to remain confounded and 

 forgotten. The Methodical Encyclopaedia, Buffier, Echard, 



* These people lived in the forests between Soria and Burgos, and resembled 

 savages. They were discovered about three hundred and fifty years siijee. They 

 were all of them fellers and carriers of wood. 



-f- Our readers will pardon us, if we should be in some degree prolix, in treating 

 this subjed, on consideration of its novelty, and of the obscurity in which it has 

 been hitherto enveloped. The reports of the government throw but little light on 

 the perfedt knowledge of the events and situation of this province. Some of them 

 do not even mention it collaterally ; and the one made by his excellency count Su- 

 perunda, which is among the most remarkable, and best written, confines itself to 

 the following brief notice : " The city of TarIja, in the same archbishopric (that 

 of Chuquisaca)j has but few Spanish inhabitants capable of forming a colledlive 

 body ; and notwithstanding the corrcgidor usually resides in the province of Chi- 

 chas, united to the above city, a lieutenant-general is stationed there in quality of 

 president of the senate. The ordinary alcaids are chosen annually. The territory 

 is fertile, at the same time that there is but little commerce, on account of its retired 

 jituaiion." 



Buschingj 



