4iS A .Y0XA^ E T Q Book \% 



have any natural advantage over the ojher: for I hav^ 

 obferved throughout this whole kingdom, that the Inr 

 ^ians of its . feveral provinces through which I tra-- 

 yelled are alike. And thofe of Qiiito are not more 

 deficient in their underftandings, than thofe of Var- 

 ies or Lima ; nor are thefe more acute or fagacious 

 than the natives of Chili and Arauco. 



"Without going out of the province of Quito, 

 we have a general inltance in confirmation of what I 

 have advanced. For all the Indians, brought up to 

 the Spanilh language, are far more acute and fenfi- 

 ble than thofe. who have fpent their lives in littlq 

 villages; and their behaviour more conformable to 

 the didlates of a rational creature. They are men of 

 abilities and fkill, and have divefted themfelves of 

 many of their errors. Whence they are called Ladi- 

 pos, i.. e. knowing men : and If they retain any of 

 the culpable practices of the former, it is from the 

 infc(5tion oF intercourfe, or from a miftaken notion 

 that they fiiould keep them up as tranfmitted to then> 

 from their anceftors. Among thefe are chiefly diftin- 

 guiffied the barber furgeons, who bleed with fuch 

 dexterity, that, in the opinion of Monf. de Juffieu. 

 and Monf. Seniergues, furgeons to the French acade- 

 mifts, they equal the molt famous in Europe r and 

 their intercourfe with perfons of a liberal education 

 enlightens their underltanding, fo that they diftin- 

 guilh themfelves to great advantage among their 

 countrymen. It feems to ine unquettionable, that if 

 in villages care was taken to inflruft the Indians in 

 Spaniih, conformable to the laws of the Indies, be- 

 fides other acquirements, this people would have the 

 benefit of converfmg more frequently with the Spa- 

 niards, which would greatly improve their reafon, and 

 give them a knowledge of many things for which they, 

 have no word in their language. Accordingly it is 

 obferved that the Cholos (a name given to the Indian 

 boys) becoming acquainted with the Spanifh language, 



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