P R E ^ A d E. ix 



rors of an old (landing ; exploded various coriinion 

 notions that were ill-founded, and have left others 

 in the ftate in which they ought to be left, as things 

 not thoroughly proved, or abfolutely difapproved; 

 but which are referved for further examination. It is 

 chiefly from the natural hiftory, that we colledt the va- 

 lue and importance of any country, becaufe from 

 thence we learn its produce of every kind. In thefe 

 flieets we find the greateft care taken in this particu- 

 lar ; all the riches of the mineral, vegetable, and ani- 

 mal kingdoms, exhibited to our view, their places 

 exa6lly affigned, their refpedtive natures defcribed, the 

 methods of ufing, improving, and manufafturing 

 them, pointed out and, exclufive of a multitude of 

 vulgar errors expofed, and miftaken notions refuted, 

 an infinity of new, curious, and important remarks 

 are made, all tending to explain and illuftrate the re- 

 fpe6tive fubjedts. Of thefe many inftances might be 

 given ; but that would be to anticipate the reader's 

 pleafure, and arrogate to ourfelves the merits of the 

 authors we celebrate. 



In refpedl to the civil hiftory, the world in general 

 was yet more in the dark, than as to the natural ^ 

 knowing much lefs of the inhabitants than of the com- 

 modities of thefe- countries ; and in this refpe6t, our 

 authors have been as candid, as circumftantial, and 

 as copious, as in the other. They not only acquaint 

 us with the diftribution and difpofition of the Spanilh 

 governments, with the nature, extent, and fubordina- 

 tion of thofe who prefide in them ; but have alfo given 

 us a regular plan of their adminiftration, and of the 

 order and method in which juftice is difpenfed, and 

 the civil policy maintained-, the domeflic oeconomy 

 of the Spaniards, their cudoms, manner of living, 

 their way of treating the Indians, both fubje6ts and 

 favages, are dated with the fame freedom and preci- 

 fion. In like manner they give us a fuccindt account 



of 



