the South- Sea, 97 



pie as there were Inhabitants, who are much delighted 

 with that Sport. The three next Days they a£ted Plays in 

 the fame Place, before the Gate of S. Francis's Church, by 

 Candle-light, in the open Air. It would be hard to re- 

 late the Subje&s, fo much they vary'd and changed to 

 fpeak properly, they were no other than Interludes of 

 Farces, mixed with Dancing of feveral Sorts, well enough 

 performed, and even fine, after the Manner of the Coun- 

 try, bating the Symphony, which confifted in only one 

 Harp, and fome Guitars ; but that which made their Reci- 

 tative ridiculous, and no way edifying, was* an imperti- 

 nent Mixture they made of the Praifes of our Lady of the 

 Rofary, with downright Buffoonry, and Obfcenities not 

 clean couch'd. 



After thisFeftival, being tired with feeing nothing con- Dangmu 

 tinually but a Village, I bethought me of feeing the Ca-f"*4 w 

 pital of the Country, of which the Inhabitants gave me antia S°° 

 great Accounts ; but it being requifite for that Purpofe to 

 have the Prefident's Leave, which I would not ask, for 

 fear, left, being acquainted with my Profcffion, he fhould 

 refufe it me, I pretended to go away to embarque at La 

 Conception, with a French Captain, who was returning to 

 France. The great Credit he had given the Prefident, had 

 purchafed him his Friendfliip > fo I went with him under 

 that Pretence to Santiago, as it were only taking it in my 

 Way, without fearing to be ftopp'd, and fent back with 

 Fetters at my Heels, as had happen'd to fome French Men, 

 who went thither without Leave. A Privateer Captain, 

 who having loft his Ship at Buenos Ayres, was palling 

 through Santiago towards the South Sea, to endeavour to 

 embarque on fome French Ship, was imprifon'd upon no 

 other Account* 



It might be here ask'd, why the French, who go to Sant- R € a[ons vhj. 

 iago, are fo ill ufed. There are two Reafons for it : The 

 firft, becaufe, by the Laws of Spam, Strangers are forbid 

 entring the Colonies of the South Sea ; the fecond and 

 chiefeft is, becaufe the Merchants of the City, among 



O whom 



