Ch.IV. south AMERICA. 49 



to the cathedral in his coach, with the retinue and 

 pomp ufual on folemn feftivals, and public ceremo- 

 nies. He is preceded by the whole troop of horfe 

 guards, the members of the feveral tribunals in their 

 coaches, and after them the vice-roy himfelf with 

 his family, the company of halbadiers bringing up the 

 rear. On this occafion all the riches and ornaments 

 of the church arc difplayed, the archbiiliop celebrates 

 in his pontifical robes, the mafs of thanfgivlng; and 

 the fermon is preached by one of the befl orators 

 of the chapter. From hence the vice roy returns 

 to the palace attended by all the nobility, who omit 

 nothing to make a fplendid figure on thefe occaficns. 

 In the evening of this, and the two following days, 

 the collations are repeated, with all the plenty and 

 delicacy imaginable. To increafe the feftivity, all 

 women of credit have free accefs to the halls, galle- 

 ries, and gardens of the palace, when they are fond of 

 Ihewing the difpofitions of their genius, either by the 

 vivacity of repartees, or fpirited converfations, in which 

 tliey often filence Grangers of very ready v/it. 



This (hew and ceremony is fucceedcd by bull feaftii 

 at the city's expence, which continue five days. The 

 three firil for the vice-roy, and the two latter in com- 

 pliment to the ambafiador who brought advice of his 

 arrival, and the great honour conferred on him by the 

 fovereign in the government of this kingdom. 



This ambaffador, who, as I before obferved, is al- 

 ways a perfon of eminent quality, makes alfo a pub- 

 lic entrance into Lima on horfeback on the day of 

 his arrival, and the nobility being inform.ed of his 

 approach, go out to receive and condu6t him to the 

 palace, from whence they carry him to the lodgings 

 prepared for him. This ceremony ufed to be im- 

 mediately followed by feafts and public diverfions ; 

 but in order to avoid that inconvenience, juft when 

 the city is every where bufied in preparing for the re- 

 ception of the vice-rov, thev are deferred, and given 



Vol. II. ' ^ ' E : • at 



