PERIODICAL WORKS. 



363 



its direction on the bisliop of Quito, a prelate eminently dis- 

 tinguished by his talents and zeal for the public good. To the 

 end that the society should be established on a solid basis, a 

 sele6lion was made of twenty-four individuals, distinguished 

 as well by their patriotism, as by a profound knowledge of the 

 branches of agriculture, commerce, and manufa6tures, and 

 consequently best able to discern w-hatever might lead to the 

 improvement of each. The secretary, Don Francisco Xavier, 

 shortly after announced theintention of the society to publish 

 a periodical work, under the modest title of " the First Fruits 

 of the Culture of Quito;" the first number of which according- 

 ly made its appearance at the commencement of 1792, and 

 which was continued once a fortnight. In the preliminary in- 

 struction drawn up by Xavier, Quito is represented as a coun- 

 try sufficiently enlightened to be aware of the necessity of re- 

 curring to a more solid literary civilization. This periodi- 

 cal work," he observes, is therefore proposed as a trial of 

 the strength the geniuses of Quito may possess, to accomplish 

 their journey to the temple of wisdom." 



In Quito, as well as in all the principal cities of Peru, the 

 ■ mestizos are distinguished by their fondness for the fine arts, 

 which they cultivate with an uncommon degree of success. 

 Although, in the prosecution of their studies, they are denied 

 the advantage of the models which are elsewhere deemed so 

 essential to improvement, many of their productions, both 

 in painting and sculpture, have excited the admiration of the 

 virtuosi of Europe. A mestizo- professing a liberal art, and 

 accompanied by his young pupil, is represented inP/^7/6- XVIII. 



3A2 POLITICAL 



