NOTICES OP PERU. 



233 



from amongst themselves, every three years. The time not 

 devoted to vigils and other religious ceremonies, is employed 

 in making sweetmeats, pastillas, artificial flowers, &c., which 

 are sold at the convent door. Notwithstanding that poverty 

 is professed in many nunneries, several of them are wealthy, 

 and require each novice to bring with her a dower of from one 

 to four thousand dollars, which, on the death of the nun, be- 

 comes the property of the convent. 



As is generally the case with all institutions of the kind, 

 there is a romantic tale connected with the foundation of this 

 nunnery, which is related by the Fray Calancha. 



When the Captain General of Peru, Pablo de Meneses, ar- 

 rived at Pucara with the royal camp, Francisco Ernandez Gi- 

 ron attempted to surprise it by night, with eight hundred chosen 

 men, armed with arquebuses and lances. This was on Sun- 

 day, October 7th 1554. He was betrayed by Francisco Men- 

 dez, and Domingo Ollave Vizcaino, who went over to the royal 

 army. A battle took place. Both fought most valiantly, but 

 the arms of the king were triumphant. 



The following night, Giron determined to fly; not through 

 fear of the royal army, but because his camp was mutinous, 

 and he was apprehensive of being assassinated. He therefore 

 sent Gonzalo Vasquez, with a religious friar, to urge his lady, 

 Dona Mencia de Sosa, to remain behind, that he might have 

 no impediment in flight. She manifested much affliction at the 

 communication of his desire, and replied : " Ever since Fran- 

 cisco Ernandez Giron took me from the house of my fathers, 

 I have borne him company, and I do not wish to part from 

 him now ; but would follow him, and be his partner in toil, as 

 I have been in his honors and prosperity. Though my hus- 

 band do not concede this through love, he must through ne- 

 cessity, for I will follow him on foot, with a stafi* in my hand, 

 and never shrink back from difiiculties nor distress — " Rare 

 example of female fortitude, and of a perfect wife!" piously 

 exclaims the good Fray Calancha. 



When Giron heard this, he said; " Lady, God never ordained 

 that I should leave thee against thy will ; therefore, prepare 

 thyself at once, and follow me. " Dona Mencia hastened her 

 30. 



