Ch.I. south AMERICA. ju 



The inhabitants, according to an accurate calcu- 

 lation, amount to between fixteen and twenty thoufand 

 fouls. The manners and cuftoms here are nearly the 

 fame with thofe at Quito ; the greateft part of the 

 families of diftindtion in that city owing their origin 

 to this place. For at the beginning of the conquefts, 

 many of the eminent families which came from Spain 

 fettled here at the conclufion of the war, and have 

 been very careful not to diminifli either the luftre of 

 their families, or their wealth, by promifcuous alli- 

 ances, marrying only into one another. 



The magiftracy confifts of regidores, who are always 

 perfons of the firft diftinftion, and from among thofe 

 are annually chofen the ordinary alcaldes ; with this 

 fingularity, that the validity of the election depends on. 

 its being unanimous, a fingle vote rendering it void. 

 Befides, the perfon thus eledted is either confirmed or 

 rejedbed by the townfmen ; a privilege known in no 

 other part of the whole province. 



The air is colder here than at Quito, owing in a 

 great meafure to the neighbourhood of the mountain 

 of Chimborazo ; and, when the wind blows from that 

 quarter, the weather is fo fliarp, that the rich families 

 leave the town, and retire to their eftates, fituated in a 

 warmer air, though at no great diftance. This un- 

 comfortable feafon generally lafts from December to 

 June, the north and north- weft winds then principally 

 prevailing. It is, however, in a great meafure, free 

 from thofe violent fliowers and tempefts fo com- 

 mon at Quito, that fometimes for many days fuc- 

 ceffively it enjoys ferene and delightful weather; 

 and the fame may be faid of the greateft part of its 

 jurifdidion. 



Here are many plantations, or farms, and moft of 

 them confijderable ; and for the number and largenefs 

 of its manufadlories, it furpafles every other part of 

 this province ; though the Indians feem born with an 

 indication for weaving, particularly thofe of the vil- 



X 4 lage 



