so A VOYAGE TO Book VII, 



at one and the fame time as above recited. 



The biill-feafts are fncceeded by that ceremony, 

 in which the univerfity, the colleges, the convents 

 and nunneries acknowledge him as their vice-royal 

 protector. This is alfo accompanied with great fplen- 

 dor, and valuable prizes are bellowed on thofe who 

 make the moft ingenious compofitions in his praife. 

 Theie ceremonies, which greatly heighten the magnifi- 

 cence of this ciry, are lb little known in Europe, that 

 I fhali be excufed for enlarging on them. 



They are begun by the univeriity, and the re6lor 

 .prepares a poetical conteft, adapted to dilplay either 

 the wit or learning of the competitors. After pub- 

 lidiing the tliemes, and the prizes to be given to 

 thofe who beft handle the fubjeds they have chofen, 

 he waits on the vice-roy to know when he will be pleaf- 

 ed to honour the univerfity with his prefence ; and, the 

 time being fixed, every part of the principal court is 

 adorned with the utmoft magnificence. I'he prizes 

 which are placed in order dillinguiih themfelves by their 

 richnefs, while the pillars and columns are hung with 

 emblematica] devices, or pertinent apothegms on po- 

 ll Hied fliields, furrounded by the mofl beautiful mould- 



The reception is in the following order. On the 

 vice-roy-s entering the court he is conduced to the rec- 

 toral chair, which, on this occafion, glitters with the 

 magnincence of an eaflern throne. Oppofite to it fits 

 the reclor, or, in his abfencc, one of the moft eminent 

 members of that learned body, who makes a fpeech^ in 

 which he expreffes the fatisfaclion the whole univerfity 

 feels in fuch a patron. After this the vice-roy returns 

 to his palace, where, the day following, the re6i:or pre- 

 fenrs hiin with a book, containing the poetical conteft, 

 bound in velvet, and plated at the corners with gold^ 

 accompanied with fome elegant piece of furniture, 

 whofe value is never lefs than eight hundred or a thou- 

 fand c rev/ as. 



The 



