lU A V O Y A G E T Bo6k VII. 



cky is built on a large plain, gently rifing from the 

 Ikde riven It is far from bein^ fmall, having at lead 

 three thoufand houles, inhabited by Spaniards and 

 tiiiterent caih. Like molt towns fitiiated on rivers, 

 its breadth is not proportional to its lengths The 

 Hreets are however ftrair, and of a proper breadth. 

 The principal fquare is very large, and built near the 

 Bitle river-, the front anfv/ering to it, l>eing a cadie 

 where the governor conftantly refides ; and, with the 

 ctlkr forts, has a garrifon of a thoufand regular 

 troops. The houfes, formerly of mud walls, thatch- 

 ed with itraw and very low, are now much improved, 

 fbme being of chalk, and others of brick, and having 

 one fiory befides the ground floor, and moll of them 

 tiled.^ The cathedral is a fpacious and very elegant 

 llrudure, and is the parifh church for the greateil 

 part of the inhabitants the other at the farther end 

 of the city being only for the Indians. The chapter 

 is compofed of the bifliop, dean, arch-deacon, and 

 P^o canons, one by compofition, the other by pre- 

 fentation. Here are alio I'everal convents, and a 

 royal chapel in the caftle where the governor refides. 

 With regard to the civil and oeconomical govern- 

 ment, and the magiflracy, it will be unnecefiary to 

 f:F}ter into particulars, they being on the fame footing 



thofe of the places already mentioned. 



The climate here is very little different from that 

 of Spain ^ and the diftindlions between the feafons 

 are the kime. In winter indeed violent tempefts of 

 ii'icds and rain, are here very frequent, accompa- 

 Bkd with (uch dreadful thunders and lightnings, as 

 lili the inhabitants, though ufed to them, with ter- 

 mr and conikrnation. In fummer the excefTive heats 

 me mitigated by gentle breezes, vmich conftantly 

 begin at eight or nine in the morning. 



* TEeir boufes are zommorly tbatchcd with cocoa nut leaves 



The 



