she seems to take a pleasure to paint herself in a thousand va rious shapes of horror, according to the degree which corruption has prevailed over them, or in the manner in which it has attacked them. Some appear dry and withered; others have a sort of parchment on their bones; some look as if they were baked and smoked, without any appearance of putridity; some are just verging to the point of putrefaction; while others are swarming with worms, and a mass of corruption. I know not which ought to strike us most; the horror of such a shocking sight, or the tender pity and affection of these poor people towards their departed friends. For nothing deserves our admiration more, than that eager zeal and attention with which they discharge this melancholy duty of their respect; gathering up carefully even the minutest bones, handling the carcases, disgustful as they are with every thing loathsome, cleansing them from the worms, and carrying them on their shoulders through tiresome journies of several days, without sinking under their burden, or the offensiveness of the smell, and without suffering any emotions to intrude, but those of regret for having lost persons so dear to them in life, so lamented in death.

6

Having brought the remains into their cottages, they prepare a feast in honour of the dead; during which their heroic actions are celebrated, and all the tender intercourses that took place between them and their surviving friends are piously called to mind. Even the strangers, who sometimes attend from very remote tribes, join in tender condolence; and the natural shrieks of the females prove, that they are penetrated with the sharpest sorrow. The dead are then carried out to be re-interred. A large pit is dug in the ground; and thither, at a certain time, each person, attended by his family and friends, marches in solemn silence, bearing the dust of a near and tender relation. When they are all convened, the dead bodies are deposited in the pit together, with what valuables they most esteemed, and even the presents of strangers; and then the torrent of grief breaks out afresh. After this they descend into the pit; and each supplies himself with a little of the earth, which is preserved with religious care. The

bodies, ranged in order, are covered with fresh furs, and over these with bark, on which they heap wood, earth, and stones. Then taking a last adieu, they return to their homes.'

Though religion is not a very prevailing sentiment among the savages, religious imposters are as numerous here as in any country; and some of them act their part with much dexterity and success. These, when their character is once established on the popular belief of their supernatural powers, not only prescribe laws and observances, but even undertake to unfold the mysteries of futurity, and to solve and interpret visions and dreams. They, in general, represent the other world as a place abounding with an inexhaustible plenty of every thing desireable; and that the full and exquisite gratification of all the senses shall be the reward of the conduct they prescribe. Hence the Indians meet death with a stoical apathy. The news, that they have but a few hours to live, communicates no alarm. An American, on the brink of eternity, harangues his family and friends with spirit and composure; and gives his dying advice with the same collected mind, as if he were directing in daily occupations.

It will immediately be recognized, that the preceding remarks apply chiefly to the North American Indians. In our account of the conquests of Mexico and Peru it appeared, that the original inhabitants of South America were very different. Such of the inhabitants of the New World as first fell under the observation of Europeans, differed essensially from those we have just described, and from the generality of people in the ancient hemisphere. They are generally more feeble in their frames, and less vigorous in their mental efforts. Their spirit is more mild and gentle; but they are enervated by indolence and a love of pleasure, and timid and irresolute in all their pursuits.

H

NY

VOYAGE

OF

DON GEORGE JUAN

AND

DON ANTONIO DE ULLOA

TO

SOUTH AMERICA.

THE Spaniards are by no means a literary nation, and as far as an intimate knowledge of their American settlements extends, foreigners, from want of opportunity, must be confessedly deficient. It is therefore with pleasure we enter on the present voyage, not less distinguished for accuracy and fidelity, than for the abilities of the writer, and the ample scope his situation gave him for enquiry and remark.

The expedition, which gave rise to this narrative, was undertaken by the command of the king of Spain, and the original was published at Madrid under his direction. In order to determine the true figure of the earth, it was a desideratum to measure a degree of the meridian near the equator. For this purpose, Louis XV. had applied to the Spanish monarch to be permitted to send some of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris to Quito, which is situated near the equator, that they might make the necessary observations for solving a problem of such importance to the sciences in general, and to those of geography and navigation in particular. The king of

Spain, not only yielding to this honourable solicitation, but animated with a desire of sharing in the glory of so noble a design, appointed DON GEORGE JUAN and DON ANTONIO DE ULLOA, both captains in the Spanish navy, and very able mathematicians, to accompany the French delegates to Quito, and to assist them in an undertaking at once arduous and important.

These gentlemen embarked at Cadiz on the 26th of May, 1735; and after some impediments from contrary winds, without any other material occurrence, came to an anchor in Carthagena bay, on the 9th of July. The city of Carthagena stands in 10 deg. 25 min. 48 sec. north latitude, and in the longitude of 282 deg. 28 min. 36 sec. from the meridian of Paris. The variation of the needle, they also, from several observations, found to be eight degrees easterly.

The advantageous situation of Carthagena, the extent and security of its bay, and the great share it attained of the commerce of that southern continent, soon caused it to be erected into a city; and the same circumstance contributed to its preservation and increase, so that it soon became the most esteemed settlement and staple of the Spaniards; but, at the same time, these advantages also drew on it the hostilities of foreigners, who, thirsting after its riches, or induced by the importance of the place itself, have several times taken and plundered it.

The city is situated on a sandy island, which, forming a narrow passage on the south-west, opens a communication with that part called Tierra Bomba, as far as Boca Chica. The land is so narrow on the north side, that, originally, the distance from sea to sea was only 35 fathoms; but afterwards enlarging, forms another island on this side; and the whole city is, excepting these two places, which are very narrow, entirely surrounded by the sea. Eastward, it communicates by means of a wooden bridge: the fortifications, both of the city and suburbs, are constructed in the modern form, and lined with free-stone.

The city and suburbs of Carthagena are well laid out, the streets being straight, broad, uniform, and well paved. The

houses are built of stone, except a few, which are of brick; but consist chiefly of only one story above the ground floor; the apartments, however, are well contrived. All the houses have balconies and lattices of wood, as being more durable, in this climate, than iron, which is soon corroded and destroyed by the moisture and acrimonious quality of the nitrous air. All the churches and convents are elegant and sufficiently capacious; but there appears something of poverty in the ornaments, and some of them want what even decency requires.

To the above circumstantial description of the city of Carthagena, it may not be amiss to add a short account of its inhabitants, which may be divided into different casts or tribes, who derive their origin from a coalition of whites, negroes,

and Indians.

These different casts, from the mulattoes, all affect the Spanish dress, but wear very slight stuffs, on account of the heat of the climate. These are the mechanics of the city; the whites, whether creoles or chapitones, disdaining such mean occupations, follow nothing below merchandize. But it being impossible for all to succeed, great numbers, not being able to procure sufficient credit, become poor and miserable, from their aversion to those trades they follow in Europe; and, instead of the riches, which they flattered themselves with possessing in the Indies, they experience the most complicated wretchedness.

The class of negroes is divided into two parts, the free men and the slaves; the latter are employed in the farms and villages, and part in the city. Those in the city are obliged to perform the most laborious services, and pay out of their wages a certain quota to their masters; subsisting themselves on the small remainder. The violence of the heat not permitting them to wear any clothes, their only covering is a small piece of cotton stuff about their waist; the female slaves go in the same manner. Some of these live at the farm houses, being married to the slaves who work there; while those in the city sell in the markets all kinds of eatables, and dry fruits, sweetmeats, cakes made of maize and cassava, and several other things about the streets. Those who have children sucking