BANDA ORIENTAL. 



261 



superior race, having a regularly established 

 form of government^ and a code of laws of their 

 own, which they observe with the utmost strict- 

 ness. Their qualities, both moral and physical, 

 are said to be above those of other tribes of the 

 New World; and I am assured that it is no 

 uncommon thing for their lives to last above a 

 hundred years, without any loss of corporeal 

 or mental energy. 



Having attempted to describe the cities of 

 Monte Video, Buenos x\yres, and Mendoza, it 

 may be well if I here take a brief review of the 

 extensive plains on the borders of which these 

 towns are situated, and add some observations 

 upon the inhabitants, character, and climate, 

 belonging to them. 



The greater part of the Banda Oriental has 

 been very accurately surveyed, in consequence 

 of the old disputes between Portugal and 



