( 2l8 ) 



on a moil beautiful plain of above thirty 

 leagues extent. It was founded by don 

 Pedro de Baldivia, the conqueror of Chili. 

 The plan of it was marked out by him 

 in fquares, like Lima ; and almoft every 

 houfe belonging to people of any 

 fafhion, has a large court before it, with 

 great gates, and a garden behind. There 

 is a little rivulet, neatly faced with ftone, 

 runs through every ftreet 5 by which they 

 can cool the ftreets, or water their gar- 

 dens, when they pleafe. The whole town 

 is extremely well paved. Their gardens 

 a,re full of noble orange-trees and flori- 

 pondics, Vv^ith all forts of flowers, which 

 perfume the houfes, and even the whole 

 city. Much about the middle of it, is 

 the great fquare, called the Pla^a Real, or 

 the Royal Square ; there are eight ave- 

 nues leading into it. The weft iide con- 

 tains the cathedral and the bifhop's pa- 

 lace ; the north fide is the prefident's 

 palace, the royal court, the council houfe, 



and 



