144 A VOYAGE TO iSooit Vlf; 



keeping in pay a proper number of Indians for 

 working them ; but the primitive name of Chuqui- 

 faca has prevailed, and is now commonly ufcd* 

 This city ftands m a fmall plain environed by emi- 

 nences which defend it from the wnnds. The tem- 

 perature of the air in fummer is very mild j nor is 

 there any confiderable difference throughout th^ 

 year ; but in the winter which here begins in Sep- 

 tember and continues till March, tempeTls of thun- 

 der and lightning are very common, and the rains 

 of long continuance but all the other parts of the 

 year the atmofphere is bright and fereiie. The houfes 

 both in the great fquare and thofe adjoining to it 

 have one ftory befides the ground floor. They are 

 covered with tiles, are very roomy and convenient, 

 with delightful gardens planted with the fruits of Eu- 

 rope. But water is fo fcarce that they have hardlv 

 enough to fupply the neceffary purpofes of life : the 

 little they have being fetched from feveral public 

 fountains difperfed in different parts of the city. The 

 inhabitants confift of Indians and Spaniards, and are 

 faid to amount to about 14000. 



The cathedral is large, and divided into three 

 aides, of good archite6lure, and finely adorned with 

 paintings and gildings. The parifli is ferved by 

 two prieffs, one for the Spaniards, and the other for 

 the Indians. Here is alfo another parifh called St.- 

 Sebaftian, fituated at one end of the city, and is 

 appropriated to the Indians living within its pre- 

 cindl, who are thought to be about three thoufand.- 

 The convents are thofe of the Francifcans, Domi- 

 nicans, Auguftines, the fathers of mercy, and a col- 

 lege of Jeluits ; all fpacious buildings with fplendid 

 churches. Here is alfo a conventual hofpital of St. 

 Juan de Dios, the cxpences of which are defrayed by 

 the king likewife two nunneries, of the order of" 

 St. Clare, and of St. Monica. 



The 



