362 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



economical, which inspires us with a wise method in the regu- 

 lation of pur families, it may be said, that they are the powers 

 of the soul of prudence. By the triple alliance of these virtues, 

 the beautiful stru6lure of the felicity of man is formed, seeing 

 that they are produ6tive of an innumerable number of obje6ls 

 interesting to society and civil harmony, not only in a lucra- 

 tive, but likewise in a decorous point of view." — -Conformably 

 toT:hese principles, this author planned his work, which was 

 occasionally embellished by light and agreeable essays, and 

 appears to have been successfully established. 



Quito, in consequence of the produ6tiveness of the different 

 branches of its flourishing commerce, was formerly one of the 

 most opulent provinces of South America. At the commence- 

 ment of the eighteenth century, it fell into so sensible a decay, 

 that its plantations, manufa6lures, &c. were reduced to a fifth 

 part of what they had heretofore been, and presented nothing 

 more than a sad skeleton of its former affluence. To give a 

 new vigour to this decayed province. Count Casa-Gijon, an 

 illustrious chara6ler, whose name will one day occupy a dis- 

 tinguished place in the literary history of America, after 

 having, at a very considerable expence, procured from Eu- 

 rope several skilful artists, to re-establish the manufactures, 

 and .perfedlionate the arts, set on foot a patriotic society, of * 

 which he declared himself the patron. It was established in 

 the year 1789, under the denomination of "the School of 

 Concord," and consisted of twenty-six associates, and twenty- 

 two corresponding members. Owing to a variety of unpro- , 

 pitious events, this society made but little progress until the 

 close of the year 1791, when the nev/ governor of the province, 

 Don Luis Munoz, declared himself its prote6lor, and bestowed 



