4-0 



THE COAST OF 



Guatimala. 



This large and pleafant country was a great flourljfhing monarchy for fe- 

 veral ages, governed by its own kings (chofen from their greateft captains) 

 till 1521, when it was entirely conquered by the Spaniards under Ferdinando 

 Cortez ; fince which it has remained fubjea to the crown of Spain, and is 

 governed by a viceroy. The inhabitants' are a mixture of Chriftians and 

 Pagans ; for many of the natives ftill retain their heathenifh worfhip, though 

 the Spaniards take great pains to convert them to the church of Rome. They 

 are reckoned very docile, civil, and fteady in friendfhip ; many of them 

 are very ingenious in painting and making very lively piftures with divers 

 coloured feathers of little birds called cireons, and fome are fald to be good 

 muficians. 



Mmci? is divided into three audiences or governments; which, though 

 all under the infpe£lion of the viceroy of Mexico, have .-ach a fovereign 

 court, to decide all matters whatfoever, civil or criminal : and this is fo 

 ordered for the eafe of the people, who elfe would be obliged upon all fuits 

 to repair to the city of Mexico from the remoteft parts. Thefe audiences are, 



Guadalajara, or New Gallicia, the moft northern. 



2. Mex I CO. 



3. Guatimala, the fouthermxoft, which, as it joins to Tierra Firma, 

 and we continue to proceed from eaft to weft, fhall be firft dcfcribed. 



GUATIMALA, 



CONTAINS the provinces of Chiapa, Soconufco, Guatimala proper. 

 Vera Paz, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cojia Rica, and Veragua. 



Veragua is the leaft province in the audience of Guatimala and en- 

 joys an advantageous fituation for commerce, having many ports in the 

 South-Seas. The climate is not to be boafted of ; its foil very indifferent ; 



the 



