Ch.III. south AMERICA. 



Its length is 1910 toifes, or exadtly two thirds of a 

 league. Its greateft breadth from N. to S. that is, 

 from the bridge to the angle oppofite to the bafe, is 

 1080 toifes, or two fifths of a league. It is fuf- 

 rounded with a brick wall, which anfwers its original 

 intention, but is without any manner of regularity. 

 This w^ork was begun and finifhed by the duke de 

 la Palata in the year 1685. It is flanked with 34 

 baftions, but without platforms or embrafures ; the 

 intention of it being merely to inclofe the city, and 

 render it capable of fuftaming any fudden attack of 

 the Indians. It has, in its whole circumference, feveu 

 gates, and three pofterns. 



On the fide of the river oppofite to the city Is a 

 fuburb, called St. Lazaro, which has, within thefe 

 few years^ greatly increafed. ' All the ftreets of this 

 fuburb, like thofe of the city, are broad, parallel^ 

 or at right angles, fome running from N. to S. and 

 others from E. to W. forming fquares of houfes, each 

 150 yards in front, the nfual dimenfions of all thefe 

 quadras or fquares in this country, whereas thofe of 

 Qiiito are only 100. The ftreets are paved, and along 

 them run ftreams of water, conduced from the river 

 a little above the city; and being arched over contn- 

 bute to its cleanlinefs, without the leaft ineonveniency. 



The houfes, though for the moft part low, are 

 commodious, and make a good appearance* They 

 are all of Baxareque and Quincha. They appear 

 indeed to be compofed of more folid materials, both 

 with regard to the thicknefs of the principal walls, 

 and the imitation of cornices on them and that 

 they may the better fupport themfelves under the 

 Ihocks of earthquakes, of which this city has had 

 fo many dreadful inftances, the principal parts are 

 of wood, mortifed into the rafters of the roof, and 

 ■thofe which ferve for walls are lined both within and 

 without with wild canes, and chagllas or ofiers ; fa 

 that the timber work is totally inclofed. Thefe cfiers - 



