the South- Sea. 101 



larger, croffing both Ways at equal Diftances, and leaving 

 in the Middle about two Foot and a half of running Wa- 

 ter, to wafli or cool them when they pleafe. Thofe which 

 run Eaft and Weft, receive their Waters from the firft Ca- 

 nals of the River and thofe which crofs from North to 

 South from thofe which run in the Middle of the Squares 

 of Houfes a-crofs the Gardens and the Streets, under little 

 Bridges, whence it is caus'd to flow out. Were it not for 

 that Relief, the Gardens would produce Nothing, for Want 

 of Rain, during eight Months in the Year ; whereas, by 

 this Means, the City affords all the Delights of the Coutv- 

 try, in relation to Fruit and Herbs in the Day the cool 

 Shade, and at Night the fweet Scents of Orange-Flowers 

 and Flofipondi(fs y which perfume the Houfes. 



The Earthquakes, which are there frequent, have much 

 endamaged the City j and among them, thofe of 1647 and 

 1657 : The firft of them was fo violent, that it almoft o- 

 verturn'd the whole, and left fuch unwholfome Vapours 

 in the Air, that all the Inhabitants died, except about 3 or 

 400. Since that Time there has been fome little Alteration 

 in the Plan, by the enlarging of the Monafteries ; fome of 

 which have extended themfelves beyond the ftrait Lines : 

 However, it is ftill fo open, and well diftributed for the 

 Conveniency of the publick and private Perfons, that if 

 the Houfes were raifed above the Edge of the Street, and 

 of a better Stru£ture, it would be a very agreeable City. 



Much about the Middle of it is the great Square, call'd Royd Sqtwe, 

 Pkfa Real, or the Royal Square, made by the Suppreffion 

 of one Quarter, the Surface whereof contains 4096 Fa- 

 thoms, befides the Breadth of four Streets ; fo that there 

 are eight Avenues leading into it. The Weft Side con- 

 tains the Cathedral and the Biftiop's Palace,- the North 

 Side, the Prefident's new Palace, the Royal Court, the 

 Council Houfe, and the Prifon : The South Side is a conti- 

 nued Row of Portico's, or uniform Arches, for the Con- 

 veniency of Merchants, with a Gallery over it to fee the 



Bun 



