at Paraguay. 



very kindly, and made a thoufand Signs of Friendiliip to 

 them > for they naturally love the French, and diftinguifh 

 them from all other Nations. They even conducted them 

 to one of the Parifiies belonging to the Mtjjion, above 

 200 Leagues from the Place where they firft-mer, and 

 liv'd by the way upon wild Cows, which the Indians take 

 at plcafurc with incredible Dexterity, by throwing aNoofe 

 ever their Heads at 4 or 5 Yards diftance; after which 

 they himftring them, and ftick them in the Throat. Our 

 two Frenchmen being arrived at the MiJJion, were well 

 received by the Jefuite, at whofe Houfe they tarry s d four 

 Months, without ever going abroad, and then return'd to 

 Buenos Apes with a Detachment of Indians which the Go- 

 vernor demanded. The Account they give, is this : The 

 Pariih-Church there is long, and proportionably broad ; 

 the principal Entrance into it, is a Portico, and an Afcent 

 of feveral Steps, at the top of which are 8 Stone Pillars 

 wrought with a good Shew of Art, which help to fupport 

 the Front of the Portico. Over the Entrance of the Churchy 

 is a very fpacious Lobby for the Mufick in Divine Service, 

 which confifts of 60 Perfons, Voices and Inftruments. 

 There is alfo a particular Place for the Women, fet round 

 with a Baluftrade. 



The reft of the Church is full of Seats, where the Men 

 place themfelves according to their Pofts and Ages* The 

 great Altar is fhut in by a Baluftrade of India Wood very 

 curioufly wrought. On the Left of the Altar, is.a Scat for 

 the Cacique and Civil Officers; on the Right, another for 

 the Military: But all in general are placed agreeably to 

 <v their Rank. 



The Facing of the Altar is very fumptuous. In the firft 

 place are three large Pictures in Frames of maffyGold and 

 Silver. Above them are carv'd Works and Bafs Reliefs in 

 Gold ; and higher yet, quite up to the Roof, is a Sculp- 

 ture of Wood enrich'd with Gold. On the two Sides of 

 the Altar are two Pedeftals of Wood cover'd with Plates 

 of Gold engraven, on which ftand two Saints of maffy 



Silver* 



