32 
on the contrary, before the time of Pericles, 
this liberal and rapid progress of individual 
talents outstripped the tardy steps of gene- 
ral civilization. The empire of the Incas 
may be compared to some great monastic 
establishment, in which each member of the 
congregation was prescribed the duties he 
had to perform for the general good. When 
on the spot we study those Peruvians, who, 
through the lapse of ages, have preserved 
their national physiognomy, we learn to 
estimate, at its true value, the code of laws 
framed by Manco Capac, and the effects 
produced on morals and public happiness. 
We discern a general state of prosperity, 
contrasted with a small portion of private 
welfare ; more submissive resignation to the 
decrees of the sovereign, than patriotic love 
for the country ; passive obedience, with- 
out courage for bold enterprises ; a spirit of 
order, which regulated with minute preci- 
sion the most indifferent actions, while no 
general views enlarged the mind, and no 
elevation of thought ennobled the charac- 
