Ch.XIV. south AMERICA. 159 



The city is of a middling fize, and from its jfituation 

 among the breaches of the cordiliera, the ground of 



, which it ftands is not only unequal, but alfo fur- 

 rounded by mountains, without any other profpetb 

 than the channel of the river, and the adjacent moun- 

 tains. When its river is increafed either by rains, or 

 the melting of the fnow on the mountain, its current 

 forces along huge malTes of rocks, with fome grains 

 of gold, which are found af^er the flood has fubfided. 

 Hence fome idea may be formed of the riches inclofed 

 in the bov/els of thefe mountains ; but a more remark- 

 able demonftration appeared in the year 173©, when 

 an Indian happening to wafh his feet in the river, dif*^ 

 covered a lump of gold, of fo large a fize that the 

 marquis de Caftel Fuerte, gave twelve thoufand pieces 

 of eight for it, and fent it to Spain, as a prefeno 

 worthy the curiofity of his fovereign. " 



This city is governed by a corregidor, under 

 whom are regidorcs, and ordinary alcaldes, as in ail 



. other towns. Befides the cathedral, and the parifh 

 church del Sagrario, where two prlefts officiate, hexe 

 are alfo thofe of St. Barbara, Sr. Sebaftian, and St. 

 Peter : The religious fraternities of Francifcans, Do- 

 minicans, Auguilines, the fathers of mercy, a college 

 of Jefuits, and a convent and hofpital of St. Juan de 

 Dios together with a nunnery of the order of the 

 Conception, and another of Santa Terefa. Here is - 

 alfo a college of St. Jerom, for ihe-education of youth, 

 whether defigned for ecclefiaftic or civil employ- 

 ments. 



In 1608 the church de la Paz was feparated from 

 the diocefs of Chuquifaca, to v/hich it before belong- 

 ed, and ereifled into a cathedral. Its chapter, befides 

 the bifhop, confifts of a dean, archdeacon, chantor, 

 four canons and prebendaries; but v/ith regard to 

 other circumftances, being the fame with feveral cities 

 already defcribed, I fnall proceed to the provinces in 

 its diocefs. 



I. BiOi- 



