Preface

ThemostbrilliantpassagesinthehistoryofSpanishadventureintheNewWorldareundoubtedlyaffordedbytheconquestsofMexicoandPeru——thetwostateswhichcombinedwiththelargestextentofempirearefinedsocialpolity，andconsiderableprogressintheartsofcivilization。

Indeed，soprominentlydotheystandoutonthegreatcanvasofhistory，thatthenameoftheone，notwithstandingthecontrasttheyexhibitintheirrespectiveinstitutions，mostnaturallysuggeststhatoftheother；andwhenIsenttoSpaintocollectmaterialsforanaccountoftheConquestofMexico，IincludedinmyresearchesthoserelatingtotheConquestofPeru。

Thelargerpartofthedocuments，inbothcases，wasobtainedfromthesamegreatrepository，——thearchivesoftheRoyalAcademyofHistoryatMadrid；abodyspeciallyintrustedwiththepreservationofwhatevermayservetoillustratetheSpanishcolonialannals。TherichestportionofitscollectionisprobablythatfurnishedbythepapersofMunoz。Thiseminentscholar，historiographeroftheIndies，employednearlyfiftyyearsofhislifeinamassingmaterialsforahistoryofSpanishdiscoveryandconquestinAmerica。Forthis，asheactedundertheauthorityofthegovernment，everyfacilitywasaffordedhim；andpublicofficesandprivatedepositories，inalltheprincipalcitiesoftheempire，bothathomeandthroughoutthewideextentofitscolonialpossessions，werefreelyopenedtohisinspection。Theresultwasamagnificentcollectionofmanuscripts，manyofwhichhepatientlytransscribedwithhisownhand。

Buthedidnotlivetoreapthefruitsofhisperseveringindustry。Thefirstvolume，relativetothevoyagesofColumbus，werescarcelyfinishedwhenhedied；andhismanuscripts，atleastthatportionofthemwhichhavereferencetoMexicoandPeru，weredestinedtoservetheusesofanother，aninhabitantofthatNewWorldtowhichtheyrelated。

Anotherscholar，towhoseliterarystoresIamlargelyindebted，isDonMartinFernandezdeNavarrette，lateDirectoroftheRoyalAcademyofHistory。Throughthegreaterpartofhislonglifehewasemployedinassemblingoriginaldocumentstoillustratethecolonialannals。Manyofthesehavebeenincorporatedinhisgreatwork，"ColecciondelosViagesyDescubrimientos，"which，althoughfarfrombeingcompletedaftertheoriginalplanofitsauthor，isofinestimableservicetothehistorian。Infollowingdownthetrackofdiscovery，NavarreteturnedasidefromtheconquestsofMexicoandPeru，toexhibitthevoyagesofhiscountrymenintheIndianseas。Hismanuscripts，relatingtothetwoformercountries，hecourteouslyallowedtobecopiedforme。Someofthemhavesinceappearedinprint，undertheauspicesofhislearnedcoadjutors，SalvaandBaranda，associatedwithhimintheAcademy；butthedocumentsplacedinmyhandsformamostimportantcontributiontomymaterialsforthepresenthistory。

Thedeathofthisillustriousman，whichoccurredsometimeafterthepresentworkwasbegun，hasleftavoidinhiscountrynoteasytobefilled；forhewaszealouslydevotedtoletters，andfewhavedonemoretoextendtheknowledgeofhercolonialhistory。Farfromanexclusivesolicitudeforhisownliteraryprojects，hewaseverreadytoextendhissympathyandassistancetothoseofothers。Hisreputationasascholarwasenhancedbythehigherqualitieswhichhepossessedasaman，——byhisbenevolence，hissimplicityofmanners，andunsulliedmoralworth。

Myownobligationstohimarelarge；forfromthepublicationofmyfirsthistoricalwork，downtothelastweekofhislife，Ihaveconstantlyreceivedproofsfromhimofhisheartyandmostefficientinterestintheprosecutionofmyhistoricallabors；andInowthemorewillinglypaythiswell-meritedtributetohisdeserts，thatitmustbeexemptfromallsuspicionofflattery。

InthelistofthosetowhomIhavebeenindebtedformaterials，Imust，also，includethenameofM。Ternaux-Compans，sowellknownbyhisfaithfulandelegantFrenchversionsoftheMunozmanuscripts；andthatofmyfriendDonPascualdeGayangos，who，underthemodestdressoftranslation，hasfurnishedamostacuteandlearnedcommentaryonSpanishArabianhistory，——securingforhimselftheforemostrankinthatdifficultdepartmentofletters，whichhasbeenilluminedbythelaborsofaMasdeu，aCasiri，andaConde。

Tothematerialsderivedfromthesesources，IhaveaddedsomemanuscriptsofanimportantcharacterfromthelibraryoftheEscurial。

These，whichchieflyrelatetotheancientinstitutionsofPeru，formedpartofthesplendidcollectionofLordKingsborough，whichhasunfortunatelysharedthelotofmostliterarycollections，andbeendispersedsincethedeathofitsnobleauthor。FortheseIamindebtedtothatindustriousbibliographer，Mr。O。Rich，nowresidentinLondon。

Lastly，Imustnotomittomentionmyobligations，inanotherway，tomyfriendCharlesFolsom，Esq。，thelearnedlibrarianoftheBostonAthenaeum；whoseminuteacquaintancewiththegrammaticalstructureandthetrueidiomofourEnglishtonguehasenabledmetocorrectmanyinaccuraciesintowhichIhadfalleninthecompositionbothofthisandofmyformerworks。

FromthesedifferentsourcesIhaveaccumulatedalargeamountofmanuscripts，ofthemostvariouscharacter，andfromthemostauthenticsources；royalgrantsandordinances，instructionsoftheCourt，lettersoftheEmperortothegreatcolonialofficers，municipalrecords，personaldiariesandmemoranda，andamassofprivatecorrespondenceoftheprincipalactorsinthisturbulentdrama。Perhapsitwastheturbulentstateofthecountrywhichledtoamorefrequentcorrespondencebetweenthegovernmentathomeandthecolonialofficers。But，whateverbethecause，thecollectionofmanuscriptmaterialsinreferencetoPeruisfullerandmorecompletethanthatwhichrelatestoMexico；sothatthereisscarcelyanookorcornersoobscure，inthepathoftheadventurer，thatsomelighthasnotbeenthrownonitbythewrittencorrespondenceoftheperiod。Thehistorianhasratherhadoccasiontocomplainoftheembarrasdesrichesses；for，inthemultiplicityofcontradictorytestimony，itisnotalwayseasytodetectthetruth，asthemultiplicityofcross-lightsisapttodazzleandbewildertheeyeofthespectator。

ThepresentHistoryhasbeenconductedonthesamegeneralplanwiththatoftheConquestofMexico。InanIntroductoryBook，IhaveendeavoredtoportraytheinstitutionsoftheIncas，thatthereadermaybeacquaintedwiththecharacterandconditionofthatextraordinaryrace，beforeheentersonthestoryoftheirsubjugation。TheremainingbooksareoccupiedwiththenarrativeoftheConquest。Andhere，thesubject，itmustbeallowed，notwithstandingtheopportunitiesitpresentsforthedisplayofcharacter，strange，romanticincident，andpicturesquescenery，doesnotaffordsoobviousadvantagestothehistorian，astheConquestofMexico。Indeed，fewsubjectscanpresentaparallelwiththat，forthepurposeseitherofthehistorianorthepoet。Thenaturaldevelopmentofthestory，there，ispreciselywhatwouldbeprescribedbytheseverestrulesofart。Theconquestofthecountryisthegreatendalwaysintheviewofthereader。FromthefirstlandingoftheSpaniardsonthesoil，theirsubsequentadventures，theirbattlesandnegotiations，theirruinousretreat，theirrallyandfinalsiege，alltendtothisgrandresult，tillthelongseriesisclosedbythedownfallofthecapital。Inthemarchofevents，allmovessteadilyforwardtothisconsummation。Itisamagnificentepic，inwhichtheunityofinterestiscomplete。

Inthe"ConquestofPeru，"theaction，sofarasitisfoundedonthesubversionoftheIncas，terminateslongbeforethecloseofthenarrative。

TheremainingportionistakenupwiththefiercefeudsoftheConquerors，whichwouldseem，fromtheirverynature，tobeincapableofbeinggatheredroundacentralpointofinterest。Tosecurethis，wemustlookbeyondtheimmediateoverthrowoftheIndianempire。Theconquestofthenativesisbutthefirststep，tobefollowedbytheconquestoftheSpaniards，——therebelSpaniards，themselves，——tillthesupremacyoftheCrownispermanentlyestablishedoverthecountry。Itisnottillthisperiod，thattheacquisitionofthisTransatlanticempirecanbesaidtobecompleted；and，byfixingtheeyeonthisremoterpoint，thesuccessivestepsofthenarrativewillbefoundleadingtoonegreatresult，andthatunityofinterestpreservedwhichisscarcelylessessentialtohistoricthandramaticcomposition。Howfarthishasbeeneffected，inthepresentwork，mustbelefttothejudgmentofthereader。

NohistoryoftheconquestofPeru，foundedonoriginaldocuments，andaspiringtothecreditofaclassiccomposition，likethe"ConquestofMexico"bySolis，hasbeenattempted，asfarasIamaware，bytheSpaniards。TheEnglishpossessoneofhighvalue，fromthepenofRobertson，whosemasterlysketchoccupiesitsduespaceinhisgreatworkonAmerica。Ithasbeenmyobjecttoexhibitthissamestory，inallitsromanticdetails；notmerelytoportraythecharacteristicfeaturesoftheConquest，buttofilluptheoutlinewiththecoloringoflife，soastopresentaminuteandfaithfulpictureofthetimes。Forthispurpose，I

have，inthecompositionofthework，availedmyselffreelyofmymanuscriptmaterials，allowedtheactorstospeakasmuchaspossibleforthemselves，andespeciallymadefrequentuseoftheirletters；fornowhereistheheartmorelikelytodiscloseitself，thaninthefreedomofprivatecorrespondence。Ihavemadeliberalextractsfromtheseauthoritiesinthenotes，bothtosustainthetext，andtoputinaprintedformthoseproductionsoftheeminentcaptainsandstatesmenofthetime，whicharenotveryaccessibletoSpaniardsthemselves。

M。AmedeePichot，inthePrefacetotheFrenchtranslationofthe"ConquestofMexico，"infersfromtheplanofthecomposition，thatI

musthavecarefullystudiedthewritingsofhiscountryman，M。deBarante。Theacutecriticdoesmebutjusticeinsupposingmefamiliarwiththeprinciplesofthatwriter'shistoricaltheory，soablydevelopedinthePrefacetohis"DucsdeBourgogne。"AndIhavehadoccasiontoadmiretheskilfulmannerinwhichheillustratesthistheoryhimself，byconstructingoutoftherudematerialsofadistanttimeamonumentofgeniusthattransportsusatonceintothemidstoftheFeudalAges，-andthiswithouttheincongruitywhichusuallyattachestoamodernantique。

Inlikemanner，Ihaveattemptedtoseizethecharacteristicexpressionofadistantage，andtoexhibititinthefreshnessoflife。Butinanessentialparticular，IhavedeviatedfromtheplanoftheFrenchhistorian。Ihavesufferedthescaffoldingtoremainafterthebuildinghasbeencompleted。

Inotherwords，IhaveshowntothereaderthestepsoftheprocessbywhichIhavecometomyconclusions。Insteadofrequiringhimtotakemyversionofthestoryontrust，Ihaveendeavoredtogivehimareasonformyfaith。Bycopiouscitationsfromtheoriginalauthorities，andbysuchcriticalnoticesofthemaswouldexplaintohimtheinfluencestowhichtheyweresubjected，Ihaveendeavoredtoputhiminapositionforjudgingforhimself，andthusforrevising，and，ifneedbe，reversing，thejudgmentsofthehistorian。Hewill，atanyrate，bythismeans，beenabledtoestimatethedifficultyofarrivingattruthamidsttheconflictoftestimony；andhewilllearntoplacelittlerelianceonthosewriterswhopronounceonthemysteriouspastwithwhatFontenellecalls"afrightfuldegreeofcertainty，"——aspiritthemostoppositetothatofthetruephilosophyofhistory。

Yetitmustbeadmitted，thatthechroniclerwhorecordstheeventsofanearlieragehassomeobviousadvantagesinthestoreofmanuscriptmaterialsathiscommand，——thestatementsoffriends，rivals，andenemies，furnishingawholesomecounterpoisetoeachother；andalso，inthegeneralcourseofevents，astheyactuallyoccurred，affordingthebestcommentaryonthetruemotivesoftheparties。Theactor，engagedintheheatofthestrife，findshisviewboundedbythecirclearoundhimandhisvisionblindedbythesmokeanddustoftheconflict:whilethespectator，whoseeyerangesoverthegroundfromamoredistantandelevatedpoint，thoughtheindividualobjectsmaylosesomewhatoftheirvividness，takesinataglancealltheoperationsofthefield。Paradoxicalasitmayappear，truthroundedoncontemporarytestimonywouldseem，afterall，aslikelytobeattainedbythewriterofalaterday，asbycontemporariesthemselves。

Beforeclosingtheseremarks，Imaybepermittedtoaddafewofapersonalnature。Inseveralforeignnoticesofmywritings，theauthorhasbeensaidtobeblind；andmorethanonceIhavehadthecreditofhavinglostmysightinthecompositionofmyfirsthistory。WhenIhavemetwithsucherroneousaccounts，Ihavehastenedtocorrectthem。Butthepresentoccasionaffordsmethebestmeansofdoingso；andIamthemoredesirousofthis，asIfearsomeofmyownremarks，inthePrefacestomyformerhistories，haveledtothemistake。

WhileattheUniversity，Ireceivedaninjuryinoneofmyeyes，whichdeprivedmeofthesightofit。Theother，soonafter，wasattackedbyinflammationsoseverely，that，forsometime，Ilostthesightofthatalso；

andthoughitwassubsequentlyrestored，theorganwassomuchdisorderedastoremainpermanentlydebilitated，whiletwiceinmylife，since，Ihavebeendeprivedoftheuseofitforallpurposesofreadingandwriting，forseveralyearstogether。ItwasduringoneoftheseperiodsthatIreceivedfromMadridthematerialsforthe"HistoryofFerdinandandIsabella，"andinmydisabledcondition，withmyTransatlantictreasureslyingaroundme，Iwaslikeonepiningfromhungerinthemidstofabundance。Inthisstate，Iresolvedtomaketheear，ifpossible，dotheworkoftheeye。Iprocuredtheservicesofasecretary，whoreadtomethevariousauthorities；andintimeIbecamesofarfamiliarwiththesoundsofthedifferentforeignlanguages(tosomeofwhich，indeed，Ihadbeenpreviouslyaccustomedbyaresidenceabroad)，thatIcouldcomprehendhisreadingwithoutmuchdifficulty。

Asthereaderproceeded，Idictatedcopiousnotes；and，whenthesehadswelledtoaconsiderableamount，theywerereadtomerepeatedly，tillI

hadmasteredtheircontentssufficientlyforthepurposesofcomposition。

Thesamenotesfurnishedaneasymeansofreferencetosustainthetext。

Stillanotherdifficultyoccurred，inthemechanicallaborofwriting，whichIfoundaseveretrialtotheeye。Thiswasremediedbymeansofawriting-case，suchasisusedbytheblind，whichenabledmetocommitmythoughtstopaperwithouttheaidofsight，servingmeequallywellinthedarkasinthelight。Thecharactersthusformedmadeanearapproachtohieroglyphics；butmysecretarybecameexpertintheartofdeciphering，andafaircopy——withaliberalallowanceforunavoidableblunders——wastranscribedforthe'useoftheprinter。Ihavedescribedtheprocesswithmoreminuteness，assomecuriosityhasbeenrepeatedlyexpressedinreferencetomymodusoperandiundermyprivations，andtheknowledgeofitmaybeofsomeassistancetoothersinsimilarcircumstances。

ThoughIwasencouragedbythesensibleprogressofmywork，itwasnecessarilyslow。Butintimethetendencytoinflammationdiminished，andthestrengthoftheeyewasconfirmedmoreandmore。Itwasatlengthsofarrestored，thatIcouldreadforseveralhoursofthedaythoughmylaborsinthiswaynecessarilyterminatedwiththedaylight。

NorcouldIeverdispensewiththeservicesofasecretary，orwiththewriting-case；for，contrarytotheusualexperience，Ihavefoundwritingaseverertrialtotheeyethanreading，——aremark，however，whichdoesnotapplytothereadingofmanuscript；andtoenablemyselftherefore，torevisemycompositionmorecarefully，Icausedacopyofthe"HistoryofFerdinandandIsabella"tobeprintedformyowninspection，beforeitwassenttothepressforpublication。SuchasIhavedescribedwastheimprovedstateofmyhealthduringthepreparationofthe"ConquestofMexico"；and，satisfiedwithbeingraisedsonearlytoalevelwiththerestofmyspecies，Iscarcelyenviedthesuperiorgoodfortuneofthosewhocouldprolongtheirstudiesintotheevening，andthelaterhoursofthenight。

Butachangehasagaintakenplaceduringthelasttwoyears。Thesightofmyeyehasbecomegraduallydimmed，whilethesensibilityofthenervehasbeensofarincreased，thatforseveralweeksofthelastyearI

havenotopenedavolume，andthroughthewholetimeIhavenothadtheuseofit，onanaverage，formorethananhouraday。NorcanIcheermyselfwiththedelusiveexpectation，that，impairedastheorganhasbecome，fromhavingbeentasked，probably，beyonditsstrength，itcaneverrenewitsyouth，orbeofmuchservicetomehereafterinmyliteraryresearches。WhetherIshallhavethehearttoenter，asIhadproposed，onanewandmoreextensivefieldofhistoricallabor，withtheseimpediments，Icannotsay。Perhapslonghabit，andanaturaldesiretofollowupthecareerwhichIhavesolongpursued，maymakethis，inamanner，necessary，asmypastexperiencehasalreadyprovedthatitispracticable。

Fromthisstatement——toolong，Ifear，forhispatience——thereader，whofeelsanycuriosityaboutthematter，willunderstandtherealextentofmyembarrassmentsinmyhistoricalpursuits。Thattheyhavenotbeenverylightwillbereadilyadmitted，whenitisconsideredthatIhavehadbutalimiteduseofmyeye，initsbeststate，andthatmuchofthetimeIhavebeendebarredfromtheuseofitaltogether。YetthedifficultiesIhavehadtocontendwithareveryfarinferiortothosewhichfalltothelotofablindman。Iknowofnohistorian，nowalive，whocanclaimthegloryofhavingovercomesuchobstacles，buttheauthorof"LaConquetedel'AngleterreparlesNormands"；who，tousehisowntouchingandbeautifullanguage，"hasmadehimselfthefriendofdarkness"；andwho，toaprofoundphilosophythatrequiresnolightbutthatfromwithin，unitesacapacityforextensiveandvariousresearch，thatmightwelldemandtheseverestapplicationofthestudent。

TheremarksintowhichIhavebeenledatsuchlengthwill，Itrust，notbesetdownbythereadertoanunworthyegotism，buttotheirtruesource，adesiretocorrectamisapprehensiontowhichImayhaveunintentionallygivenrisemyself，andwhichhasgainedmethecreditwithsome——farfromgratefultomyfeelings，sinceundeserved——ofhavingsurmountedtheincalculableobstacleswhichlieinthepathoftheblindman。

Boston，April2，1847。

HistoryOfTheConquestOfPerubyWilliamHicklingPrescottBook1

IntroductionViewOfTheCivilizationOfTheIncasChapter1

PhysicalAspectOfTheCountry——SourcesOfPeruvianCivilization——

EmpireOfTheIncas——RoyalFamily——NobilityOfthenumerousnationswhichoccupiedthegreatAmericancontinentatthetimeofitsdiscoverybytheEuropeans，thetwomostadvancedinpowerandrefinementwereundoubtedlythoseofMexicoandPeru。But，thoughresemblingoneanotherinextentofcivilization，theydifferedwidelyastothenatureofit；andthephilosophicalstudentofhisspeciesmayfeelanaturalcuriositytotracethedifferentstepsbywhichthesetwonationsstrovetoemergefromthestateofbarbarism，andplacethemselvesonahigherpointinthescaleofhumanity——InaformerworkI

haveendeavoredtoexhibittheinstitutionsandcharacteroftheancientMexicans，andthestoryoftheirconquestbytheSpaniards。ThepresentwillbedevotedtothePeruvians；and，iftheirhistoryshallbefoundtopresentlessstrangeanomaliesandstrikingcontraststhanthatoftheAztecs，itmayinterestusquiteasmuchbythepleasingpictureitoffersofawell-regulatedgovernmentandsoberhabitsofindustryunderthepatriarchalswayoftheIncas。

TheempireofPeru，attheperiodoftheSpanishinvasion，stretchedalongthePacificfromabouttheseconddegreenorthtothethirty-seventhdegreeofsouthlatitude；aline，also，whichdescribesthewesternboundariesofthemodernrepublicsofEcuador，Peru，Bolivia，andChili。

Itsbreadthcannotsoeasilybedetermined；for，thoughboundedeverywherebythegreatoceanonthewest，towardstheeastitspreadout，inmanyparts，considerablybeyondthemountains，totheconfinesofbarbarousstates，whoseexactpositionisundetermined，orwhosenamesareeffacedfromthemapofhistory。Itiscertain，however，thatitsbreadthwasaltogetherdisproportionedtoitslength。1

Thetopographicalaspectofthecountryisveryremarkable。Astripofland，rarelyexceedingtwentyleaguesinwidth，runsalongthecoast，andishemmedinthroughitswholeextentbyacolossalrangeofmountains，which，advancingfromtheStraitsofMagellan，reachesitshighestelevation-indeed，thehighestontheAmericancontinent——abouttheseventeenthdegreesouth，2and，aftercrossingtheline，graduallysubsidesintohillsofinconsiderablemagnitude，asitenterstheisthmusofPanama。

ThisisthefamousCordilleraoftheAndes，or"coppermountains，"3astermedbythenatives，thoughtheymightwithmorereasonhavebeencalled"mountainsofgold。"Arrangedsometimesinasingleline，thoughmorefrequentlyintwoorthreelinesrunningparallelorobliquelytoeachother，theyseemtothevoyagerontheoceanbutonecontinuouschain；

whilethehugevolcanoes，whichtotheinhabitantsofthetablelandlooklikesolitaryandindependentmasses，appeartoaimonlylikesomanypeaksofthesamevastandmagnificentrange。SoimmenseisthescaleonwhichNatureworksintheseregions，thatitisonlywhenviewedfromagreatdistance，thatthespectatorcan，inanydegree，comprehendtherelationoftheseveralpartstothestupendouswhole。FewoftheworksofNature，indeed，arecalculatedtoproduceimpressionsofhighersublimitythantheaspectofthiscoast，asitisgraduallyunfoldedtotheeyeofthemarinersailingonthedistantwatersofthePacific；wheremountainisseentoriseabovemountain，andChimborazo，withitsgloriouscanopyofsnow，glitteringfarabovetheclouds，crownsthewholeaswithacelestialdiadem。4

Thefaceofthecountrywouldappeartobepeculiarlyunfavorabletothepurposesbothofagricultureandofinternalcommunication。Thesandystripalongthecoast，whererainneverfalls，isfedonlybyafewscantystreams，thatfurnisharemarkablecontrasttothevastvolumesofwaterwhichrolldowntheeasternsidesoftheCordillerasintotheAtlantic。Theprecipitoussteepsofthesierra，withitssplinteredsidesofporphyryandgranite，anditshigherregionswrappedinsnowsthatnevermeltunderthefiercesunoftheequator，unlessitbefromthedesolatingactionofitsownvolcanicfires，mightseemequallyunpropitioustothelaborsofthehusbandman。Andallcommunicationbetweenthepartsofthelong-

extendedterritorymightbethoughttobeprecludedbythesavagecharacteroftheregion，brokenupbyprecipices，furioustorrents，andimpassablequebradas，——thosehideousrentsinthemountainchain，whosedepthstheeyeoftheterrifiedtraveller，ashewindsalonghisaerialpathway，vainlyendeavorstofathom。5Yettheindustry，wemightalmostsay，thegenius，oftheIndianwassufficienttoovercomealltheseimpedimentsofNature。

Byajudicioussystemofcanalsandsubterraneousaqueducts，thewasteplacesonthecoastwererefreshedbycopiousstreams，thatclothedtheminfertilityandbeauty。TerraceswereraiseduponthesteepsidesoftheCordillera；and，asthedifferentelevationshadtheeffectofdifferenceoflatitude，theyexhibitedinregulargradationeveryvarietyofvegetableform，fromthestimulatedgrowthofthetropics，tothetemperateproductsofanorthernclime；whileflocksofllamas——thePeruviansheep——wanderedwiththeirshepherdsoverthebroad，snow-coveredwastesonthecrestsofthesierra，whichrosebeyondthelimitsofcultivation。Anindustriouspopulationsettledalongtheloftyregionsoftheplateaus，andtownsandhamlets，clusteringamidstorchardsandwidespreadinggardens，seemedsuspendedintheairfarabovetheordinaryelevationoftheclouds。6

Intercoursewasmaintainedbetweenthesenumeroussettlementsbymeansofgreatroadswhichtraversedthemountainpasses，andopenedaneasycommunicationbetweenthecapitalandtheremotestextremitiesoftheempire。

ThesourceofthiscivilizationistracedtothevalleyofCuzco，thecentralregionofPeru，asitsnameimplies。7TheoriginofthePeruvianempire，liketheoriginofallnations，excepttheveryfewwhich，likeourown，havehadthegoodfortunetodatefromacivilizedperiodandpeople，islostinthemistsoffable，which，infact，havesettledasdarklyrounditshistoryasroundthatofanynation，ancientormodern，intheOldWorld。

AccordingtothetraditionmostfamiliartotheEuropeanscholar，thetimewas，whentheancientracesofthecontinentwereallplungedindeplorablebarbarism；whentheyworshippednearlyeveryobjectinnatureindiscriminately；madewartheirpastime，andfeastedonthefleshoftheirslaughteredcaptives。TheSun，thegreatluminaryandparentofmankind，takingcompassionontheirdegradedcondition，senttwoofhischildren，MancoCapacandMamaOelloHuaco，togatherthenativesintocommunities，andteachthemtheartsofcivilizedlife。Thecelestialpair，brotherandsister，husbandandwife，advancedalongthehighplainsintheneighborhoodofLakeTiticaca，toaboutthesixteenthdegreesouth。

Theyborewiththemagoldenwedge，andweredirectedtotakeuptheirresidenceonthespotwherethesacredemblemshouldwithouteffortsinkintotheground。Theyproceededaccordinglybutashortdistance，asfarasthevalleyofCuzco，thespotindicatedbytheperformanceofthemiracle，sincetherethewedgespeedilysankintotheearthanddisappearedforever。HerethechildrenoftheSunestablishedtheirresidence，andsoonenteredupontheirbeneficentmissionamongtherudeinhabitantsofthecountry；MancoCapacteachingthementheartsofagriculture，andMamaOello8initiatingherownsexinthemysteriesofweavingandspinning。ThesimplepeoplelentawillingeartothemessengersofHeaven，and，gatheringtogetherinconsiderablenumbers，laidthefoundationsofthecityofCuzco。Thesamewiseandbenevolentmaxims，whichregulatedtheconductofthefirstIncas，9descendedtotheirsuccessors，andundertheirmildsceptreacommunitygraduallyextendeditselfalongthebroadsurfaceofthetable-land，whichasserteditssuperiorityoverthesurroundingtribes。SuchisthepleasingpictureoftheoriginofthePeruvianmonarchy，asportrayedbyGarcilassodelaVega，thedescendantoftheIncas，andthroughhimmadefamiliartotheEuropeanreader。10

ButthistraditionisonlyoneofseveralcurrentamongthePeruvianIndians，andprobablynottheonemostgenerallyreceived。Anotherlegendspeaksofcertainwhiteandbeardedmen，who，advancingfromtheshoresofLakeTiticaca，establishedanascendancyoverthenatives，andimpartedtothemtheblessingsofcivilization。ItmayremindusofthetraditionexistingamongtheAztecsinrespecttoQuetzalcoatl，thegooddeity，whowithasimilargarbandaspectcameupthegreatplateaufromtheeastonalikebenevolentmissiontothenatives。Theanalogyisthemoreremarkable，asthereisnotraceofanycommunicationwith，orevenknowledgeof，eachothertobefoundinthetwonations。11

ThedateusuallyassignedfortheseextraordinaryeventswasaboutfourhundredyearsbeforethecomingoftheSpaniards，orearlyinthetwelfthcentury。12But，howeverpleasingtotheimagination，andhoweverpopular，thelegendofMancoCapac，itrequiresbutlittlereflectiontoshowitsimprobability，evenwhendivestedofsupernaturalaccompaniments。OntheshoresofLakeTiticacaextensiveruinsexistatthepresentday，whichthePeruviansthemselvesacknowledgetobeofolderdatethanthepretendedadventoftheIncas，andtohavefurnishedthemwiththemodelsoftheirarchitecture。13Thedateoftheirappearance，indeed，ismanifestlyirreconcilablewiththeirsubsequenthistory。NoaccountassignstotheIncadynastymorethanthirteenprincesbeforetheConquest。Butthisnumberisaltogethertoosmalltohavespreadoverfourhundredyears，andwouldnotcarrybackthefoundationsofthemonarchy，onanyprobablecomputation，beyondtwocenturiesandahalf，-anantiquitynotincredibleinitself，andwhich，itmayberemarked，doesnotprecedebymorethanhalfacenturytheallegedfoundationofthecapitalofMexico。ThefictionofMancoCapacandhissister-wifewasdevised，nodoubt，atalaterperiod，togratifythevanityofthePeruvianmonarchs，andtogiveadditionalsanctiontotheirauthoritybyderivingitfromacelestialorigin。

WemayreasonablyconcludethatthereexistedinthecountryaraceadvancedincivilizationbeforethetimeoftheIncas；and，inconformitywithnearlyeverytradition，wemayderivethisracefromtheneighborhoodofLakeTiticaca；14aconclusionstronglyconfirmedbytheimposingarchitecturalremainswhichstillendure，afterthelapseofsomanyyears，onitsborders。Whothisracewere，andwhencetheycame，mayaffordatemptingthemeforinquirytothespeculativeantiquarian。

Butitisalandofdarknessthatliesfarbeyondthedomainofhistory。15

ThesamemiststhathangroundtheoriginoftheIncascontinuetosettleontheirsubsequentannals；and，soimperfectweretherecordsemployedbythePeruvians，andsoconfusedandcontradictorytheirtraditions，thatthehistorianfindsnofirmfootingonwhichtostandtillwithinacenturyoftheSpanishconquest。16Atfirst，theprogressofthePeruviansseemstohavebeenslow，andalmostimperceptible。Bytheirwiseandtemperatepolicy，theygraduallywonovertheneighboringtribestotheirdominion，astheselatterbecamemoreandmoreconvincedofthebenefitsofajustandwell-regulatedgovernment。Astheygrewstronger，theywereenabledtorelymoredirectlyonforce；but，stilladvancingundercoverofthesamebeneficentpretextsemployedbytheirpredecessors，theyproclaimedpeaceandcivilizationatthepointofthesword。Therudenationsofthecountry，withoutanyprincipleofcohesionamongthemselves，felloneafteranotherbeforethevictoriousarmoftheIncas。YetitwasnottillthemiddleofthefifteenthcenturythatthefamousTopaIncaYupanqui，grandfatherofthemonarchwhooccupiedthethroneatthecomingoftheSpaniards，ledhisarmiesacrosstheterribledesertofAtacama，and，penetratingtothesouthernregionofChili，fixedthepermanentboundaryofhisdominionsattheriverMaule。Hisson，HuaynaCapac，possessedofambitionandmilitarytalentfullyequaltohisfather's，marchedalongtheCordilleratowardsthenorth，and，pushinghisconquestsacrosstheequator，addedthepowerfulkingdomofQuitototheempireofPeru。17

TheancientcityofCuzco，meanwhile，hadbeengraduallyadvancinginwealthandpopulation，tillithadbecometheworthymetropolisofagreatandflourishingmonarchy。Itstoodinabeautifulvalleyonanelevatedregionoftheplateau，which，amongtheAlps，wouldhavebeenburiedineternalsnows，butwhichwithinthetropicsenjoyedagenialandsalubrioustemperature。Towardsthenorthitwasdefendedbyaloftyeminence，aspurofthegreatCordillera；andthecitywastraversedbyariver，orratherasmallstream，overwhichbridgesoftimber，coveredwithheavyslabsofstone，furnishedaneasymeansofcommunicationwiththeoppositebanks。Thestreetswerelongandnarrow；thehouseslow，andthoseofthepoorersortbuiltofclayandreeds。ButCuzcowastheroyalresidence，andwasadornedwiththeampledwellingsofthegreatnobility；

andthemassyfragmentsstillincorporatedinmanyofthemodernedificesbeartestimonytothesizeandsolidityoftheancient。18

Thehealthofthecitywaspromotedbyspaciousopeningsandsquares，inwhichanumerouspopulationfromthecapitalandthedistantcountryassembledtocelebratethehighfestivalsoftheirreligion。ForCuzcowasthe"HolyCity"；19andthegreattempleoftheSun，towhichpilgrimsresortedfromthefurthestbordersoftheempire，wasthemostmagnificentstructureintheNewWorld，andunsurpassed，probably，inthecostlinessofitsdecorationsbyanybuildingintheOld。

Towardsthenorth，onthesierraorruggedeminencealreadynoticed，roseastrongfortress，theremainsofwhichatthepresentday，bytheirvastsize，excitetheadmirationofthetraveller。20Itwasdefendedbyasinglewallofgreatthickness，andtwelvehundredfeetlongonthesidefacingthecity，wheretheprecipitouscharacterofthegroundwasofitselfalmostsufficientforitsdefence。Ontheotherquarter，wheretheapproacheswerelessdifficult，itwasprotectedbytwoothersemicircularwallsofthesamelengthasthepreceding。Theywereseparated，aconsiderabledistancefromoneanotherandfromthefortress；andtheinterveninggroundwasraisedsothatthewallsaffordedabreastworkforthetroopsstationedthereintimesofassault。Thefortressconsistedofthreetowers，detachedfromoneanother。OnewasappropriatedtotheInca，andwasgarnishedwiththesumptuousdecorationsbefittingaroyalresidence，ratherthanamilitarypost。Theothertwowereheldbythegarrison，drawnfromthePeruviannobles，andcommandedbyanofficerofthebloodroyal；forthepositionwasoftoogreatimportancetobeintrustedtoinferiorhands。Thehillwasexcavatedbelowthetowers，andseveralsubterraneousgalleriescommunicatedwiththecityandthepalacesoftheInca。21

Thefortress，thewalls，andthegallerieswereallbuiltofstone，theheavyblocksofwhichwerenotlaidinregularcourses，butsodisposedthatthesmallonesmightfilluptheintersticesbetweenthegreat。Theyformedasortofrusticwork，beingrough-hewnexcepttowardstheedges，whichwerefinelywrought；and，thoughnocementwasused，theseveralblockswereadjustedwithsomuchexactnessandunitedsoclosely，thatitwasimpossibletointroduceeventhebladeofaknifebetweenthem。22Manyofthesestoneswereofvastsize；someofthembeingfullthirty-eightfeetlong，byeighteenbroad，andsixfeetthick。23

Wearefilledwithastonishment，whenweconsider，thattheseenormousmasseswerehewnfromtheirnativebedandfashionedintoshape，byapeopleignorantoftheuseofiron；thattheywerebroughtfromquarries，fromfourtofifteenleaguesdistant，24withouttheaidofbeastsofburden；

weretransportedacrossriversandravines，raisedtotheirelevatedpositiononthesierra，andfinallyadjustedtherewiththenicestaccuracy，withouttheknowledgeoftoolsandmachineryfamiliartotheEuropean。

Twentythousandmenaresaidtohavebeenemployedonthisgreatstructure，andfiftyyearsconsumedinthebuilding。25Howeverthismaybe，weseeinittheworkingsofadespotismwhichhadthelivesandfortunesofitsvassalsatitsabsolutedisposal，andwhich，howevermildinitsgeneralcharacter，esteemedthesevassals，whenemployedinitsservice，aslightlyasthebruteanimalsforwhichtheyservedasasubstitute。

ThefortressofCuzcowasbutpartofasystemoffortificationsestablishedthroughouttheirdominionsbytheIncas。Thissystemformedaprominentfeatureintheirmilitarypolicy；butbeforeenteringonthislatter，itwillbepropertogivethereadersomeviewoftheircivilinstitutionsandschemeofgovernment。

ThesceptreoftheIncas，ifwemaycredittheirhistorian，descendedinunbrokensuccessionfromfathertoson，throughtheirwholedynasty。

Whateverwemaythinkofthis，itappearsprobablethattherightofinheritancemightbeclaimedbytheeldestsonoftheCoya，orlawfulqueen，asshewasstyled，todistinguishherfromthehostofconcubineswhosharedtheaffectionsofthesovereign。26Thequeenwasfurtherdistinguished，atleastinlaterreigns，bythecircumstanceofbeingselectedfromthesistersoftheInca，anarrangementwhich，howeverrevoltingtotheideasofcivilizednations，wasrecommendedtothePeruviansbyitssecuringanheirtothecrownofthepureheaven-bornrace，uncontaminatedbyanymixtureofearthlymould。27

Inhisearlyyears，theroyaloffspringwasintrustedtothecareoftheamautas，or"wisemen，"astheteachersofPeruviansciencewerecalled，whoinstructedhiminsuchelementsofknowledgeastheypossessed，andespeciallyinthecumbrousceremonialoftheirreligion，inwhichhewastotakeaprominentpart。Greatcarewasalsobestowedonhismilitaryeducation，ofthelastimportanceinastatewhich，withitsprofessionsofpeaceandgood-will，waseveratwarfortheacquisitionofempire。

InthismilitaryschoolhewaseducatedwithsuchoftheIncanoblesaswerenearlyofhisownage；forthesacrednameofInca——afruitfulsourceofobscurityintheirannals——wasappliedindifferentlytoallwhodescendedbythemalelinefromthefounderofthemonarchy。28Attheageofsixteenthepupilsunderwentapublicexamination，previoustotheiradmissiontowhatmaybecalledtheorderofchivalry。ThisexaminationwasconductedbysomeoftheoldestandmostillustriousIncas。Thecandidateswererequiredtoshowtheirprowessintheathleticexercisesofthewarrior；inwrestlingandboxing，inrunningsuchlongcoursesasfullytriedtheiragilityandstrength，inseverefastsofseveraldays'duration，andinmimiccombats，which，althoughtheweaponswereblunted，werealwaysattendedwithwounds，andsometimeswithdeath。

Duringthistrial，whichlastedthirtydays，theroyalneophytefarednobetterthanhiscomrades，sleepingonthebareground，goingunshod，andwearingameanattire，——amodeoflife，itwassupposed，whichmighttendtoinspirehimwithmoresympathywiththedestitute。Withallthisshowofimpartiality，however，itwillprobablybedoingnoinjusticetothejudgestosupposethatapoliticdiscretionmayhavesomewhatquickenedtheirperceptionsoftherealmeritsoftheheir-apparent。

Attheendoftheappointedtime，thecandidatesselectedasworthyofthehonorsoftheirbarbaricchivalrywerepresentedtothesovereign，whocondescendedtotakeaprincipalpartintheceremonyofinauguration。

Hebeganwithabriefdiscourse，inwhich，aftercongratulatingtheyoungaspirantsontheproficiencytheyhadshowninmartialexercises，heremindedthemoftheresponsibilitiesattachedtotheirbirthandstation；

and，addressingthemaffectionatelyas"childrenoftheSun，"heexhortedthemtoimitatetheirgreatprogenitorinhisgloriouscareerofbeneficencetomankind。Thenovicesthendrewnear，and，kneelingonebyonebeforetheInca，hepiercedtheirearswithagoldenbodkin；andthiswassufferedtoremaintheretillanopeninghadbeenmadelargeenoughfortheenormouspendantswhichwerepeculiartotheirorder，andwhichgavethem，withtheSpaniards，thenameoforejones。29Thisornamentwassomassyintheearsofthesovereign，thatthecartilagewasdistendedbyitnearlytotheshoulder，producingwhatseemedamonstrousdeformityintheeyesoftheEuropeans，though，underthemagicalinfluenceoffashion，itwasregardedasabeautybythenatives。

Whenthisoperationwasperformed，oneofthemostvenerableofthenoblesdressedthefeetofthecandidatesinthesandalswornbytheorder，whichmayremindusoftheceremonyofbucklingonthespursoftheChristianknight。Theywerethenallowedtoassumethegirdleorsasharoundtheloins，correspondingwiththetogavirilisoftheRomans，andintimatingthattheyhadreachedtheseasonofmanhood。Theirheadswereadornedwithgarlandsofflowers，which，bytheirvariouscolors，wereemblematicoftheclemencyandgoodnessthatshouldgracethecharacterofeverytruewarrior；andtheleavesofanevergreenplantweremingledwiththeflowers，toshowthatthesevirtuesshouldendurewithoutend。30Theprince'sheadwasfurtherornamentedbyafillet，ortasselledfringe，ofayellowcolor，madeofthefinethreadsofthevicunawool，whichencircledtheforeheadasthepeculiarinsigniaoftheheirapparent。

ThegreatbodyoftheIncanobilitynextmadetheirappearance，and，beginningwiththosenearestofkin，kneltdownbeforetheprince，anddidhimhomageassuccessortothecrown。Thewholeassemblythenmovedtothegreatsquareofthecapital，wheresongs，anddances，andotherpublicfestivitiesclosedtheimportantceremonialofthehuaracu。31

ThereaderwillbelesssurprisedbytheresemblancewhichthisceremonialbearstotheinaugurationofaChristianknightinthefeudalages，ifhereflectsthatasimilaranalogymaybetracedintheinstitutionsofotherpeoplemoreorlesscivilized；andthatitisnaturalthatnations，occupiedwiththeonegreatbusinessofwar，shouldmarktheperiod，whenthepreparatoryeducationforitwasended，bysimilarcharacteristicceremonies。

Havingthushonorablypassedthroughhisordeal，theheir-apparentwasdeemedworthytositinthecouncilsofhisfather，andwasemployedinofficesoftrustathome，or，moreusually，sentondistantexpeditionstopractiseinthefieldthelessonswhichhehadhithertostudiedonlyinthemimictheatreofwar。Hisfirstcampaignswereconductedundertherenownedcommanderswhohadgrowngreyintheserviceofhisfather；

until，advancinginyearsandexperience，hewasplacedincommandhimself，and，likeHuaynaCapac，thelastandmostillustriousofhisline，carriedthebanneroftherainbow，thearmorialensignofhishouse，farovertheborders，amongtheremotesttribesoftheplateau。

ThegovernmentofPeruwasadespotism，mildinitscharacter，butinitsformapureandunmitigateddespotism。Thesovereignwasplacedatanimmeasurabledistanceabovehissubjects。EventheproudestoftheIncanobility，claimingadescentfromthesamedivineoriginalashimself，couldnotventureintotheroyalpresence，unlessbarefoot，andbearingalightburdenonhisshouldersintokenofhomage。32AstherepresentativeoftheSun，hestoodattheheadofthepriesthood，andpresidedatthemostimportantofthereligiousfestivals。33Heraisedarmies，andusuallycommandedtheminperson。Heimposedtaxes，madelaws，andprovidedfortheirexecutionbytheappointmentofjudges，whomheremovedatpleasure。Hewasthesourcefromwhicheverythingflowed，alldignity，allpower，allemolument。Hewas，inshort，inthewell-

knownphraseoftheEuropeandespot，"himselfthestate。"34

TheIncaassertedhisclaimsasasuperiorbeingbyassumingapompinhismanneroflivingwellcalculatedtoimposeonhispeople。Hisdresswasofthefinestwoolofthevicuna，richlydyed，andornamentedwithaprofusionofgoldandpreciousstones。Roundhisheadwaswreathedaturbanofmany-coloredfolds，calledthellautu；andatasselledfringe，likethatwornbytheprince，butofascarletcolor，withtwofeathersofarareandcuriousbird，calledthecoraquenque，placeduprightinit，werethedistinguishinginsigniaofroyalty。Thebirdsfromwhichthesefeatherswereobtainedwerefoundinadesertcountryamongthemountains；anditwasdeathtodestroyortotakethem，astheywerereservedfortheexclusivepurposeofsupplyingtheroyalhead-gear。Everysucceedingmonarchwasprovidedwithanewpairoftheseplumes，andhiscreduloussubjectsfondlybelievedthatonlytwoindividualsofthespecieshadeverexistedtofurnishthesimpleornamentforthediademoftheIncas。35

AlthoughthePeruvianmonarchwasraisedsofarabovethehighestofhissubjects，hecondescendedtomingleoccasionallywiththem，andtookgreatpainspersonallytoinspecttheconditionofthehumblerclasses。Hepresidedatsomeofthereligiouscelebrations，andontheseoccasionsentertainedthegreatnoblesathistable，whenhecomplimentedthem，afterthefashionofmorecivilizednations，bydrinkingthehealthofthosewhomhemostdelightedtohonor。36

ButthemosteffectualmeanstakenbytheIncasforcommunicatingwiththeirpeopleweretheirprogressesthroughtheempire。Thesewereconducted，atintervalsofseveralyears，withgreatstateandmagnificence。

Thesedan，orlitter，inwhichtheytravelled，richlyemblazonedwithgoldandemeralds，wasguardedbyanumerousescort。Themenwhoboreitontheirshoulderswereprovidedbytwocities，speciallyappointedforthepurpose。Itwasaposttobecovetedbynoone，if，asisasserted，afallwaspunishedbydeath。37Theytravelledwitheaseandexpedition，haltingatthetambos，orinns，erectedbygovernmentalongtheroute，andoccasionallyattheroyalpalaces，whichinthegreattownsaffordedampleaccommodationstothewholeofthemonarch'sretinue。Thenobleroadswhichtraversedthetable-landwerelinedwithpeoplewhosweptawaythestonesandstubblefromtheirsurface，strewingthemwithsweet-scentedflowers，andvyingwitheachotherincarryingforwardthebaggagefromonevillagetoanother。Themonarchhaltedfromtimetotimetolistentothegrievancesofhissubjects，ortosettlesomepointswhichhadbeenreferredtohisdecisionbytheregulartribunals。Astheprincelytrainwounditswayalongthemountainpasses，everyplacewasthrongedwithspectatorseagertocatchaglimpseoftheirsovereign；and，whenheraisedthecurtainsofhislitter，andshowedhimselftotheireyes，theairwasrentwithacclamationsastheyinvokedblessingsonhishead。38Traditionlongcommemoratedthespotsatwhichhehalted，andthesimplepeopleofthecountryheldtheminreverenceasplacesconsecratedbythepresenceofanInca。39

Theroyalpalaceswereonamagnificentscale，and，farfrombeingconfinedtothecapitalorafewprincipaltowns，werescatteredoveralltheprovincesoftheirvastempire。40Thebuildingswerelow，butcoveredawideextentofground。Someoftheapartmentswerespacious，buttheyweregenerallysmall，andhadnocommunicationwithoneanother，exceptthattheyopenedintoacommonsquareorcourt。Thewallsweremadeofblocksofstoneofvarioussizes，likethosedescribedinthefortressofCuzco，rough-hewn，butcarefullywroughtnearthelineofjunction，whichwasscarcelyvisibletotheeye。Theroofswereofwoodorrushes，whichhaveperishedundertherudetouchoftime，thathasshownmorerespectforthewallsoftheedifices。Thewholeseemstohavebeencharacterizedbysolidityandstrength，ratherthanbyanyattemptatarchitecturalelegance。41

Butwhateverwantofelegancetheremayhavebeenintheexterioroftheimperialdwellings，itwasamplycompensatedbytheinterior，inwhichalltheopulenceofthePeruvianprinceswasostentatiouslydisplayed。Thesidesoftheapartmentswerethicklystuddedwithgoldandsilverornaments。Niches，preparedinthewalls，werefilledwithimagesofanimalsandplantscuriouslywroughtofthesamecostlymaterials；andevenmuchofthedomesticfurniture，includingtheutensilsdevotedtothemostordinarymenialservices，displayedthelikewantonmagnificence！

42WiththesegorgeousdecorationsweremingledrichlycoloredstuffsofthedelicatemanufactureofthePeruvianwool，whichwereofsobeautifulatexture，thattheSpanishsovereigns，withalltheluxuriesofEuropeandAsiaattheircommand，didnotdisdaintousethem。43Theroyalhouseholdconsistedofathrongofmenials，suppliedbytheneighboringtownsandvillages，which，asinMexico，wereboundtofurnishthemonarchwithfuelandothernecessariesfortheconsumptionofthepalace。

ButthefavoriteresidenceoftheIncaswasatYucay，aboutfourleaguesdistantfromthecapital。Inthisdeliciousvalley，lockedupwithinthefriendlyarmsofthesierra，whichsheltereditfromtherudebreezesoftheeast，andrefreshedbygushingfountainsandstreamsofrunningwater，theybuiltthemostbeautifuloftheirpalaces。Here，whenweariedwiththedustandtoilofthecity，theylovedtoretreat，andsolacethemselveswiththesocietyoftheirfavoriteconcubines，wanderingamidstgrovesandairygardens，thatshedaroundtheirsoft，intoxicatingodors，andlulledthesensestovoluptuousrepose。Here，too，theylovedtoindulgeintheluxuryoftheirbaths，replenishedbystreamsofcrystalwaterwhichwereconductedthroughsubterraneoussilverchannelsintobasinsofgold。Thespaciousgardenswerestockedwithnumerousvarietiesofplantsandflowersthatgrewwithouteffortinthistemperateregionofthetropics，whileparterresofamoreextraordinarykindwereplantedbytheirside，glowingwiththevariousformsofvegetablelifeskilfullyimitatedingoldandsilver！AmongthemtheIndiancorn，themostbeautifulofAmericangrains，isparticularlycommemorated，andthecuriousworkmanshipisnoticedwithwhichthegoldenearwashalfdisclosedamidstthebroadleavesofsilver，andthelighttasselofthesamematerialthatfloatedgracefullyfromitstop。44

Ifthisdazzlingpicturestaggersthefaithofthereader，hemayreflectthatthePeruvianmountainsteemedwithgold；thatthenativesunderstoodtheartofworkingthemines，toaconsiderableextent；thatnoneoftheore，asweshallseehereafter，wasconvertedintocoin，andthatthewholeofitpassedintothehandsofthesovereignforhisownexclusivebenefit，whetherforpurposesofutilityorornament。CertainitisthatnofactisbetterattestedbytheConquerorsthemselves，whohadamplemeansofinformation，andnomotiveformisstatement——TheItalianpoets，intheirgorgeouspicturesofthegardensofAlcinaandMorgana，camenearerthetruththantheyimagined。

Oursurprise，however，mayreasonablybeexcited，whenweconsiderthatthewealthdisplayedbythePeruvianprinceswasonlythatwhicheachhadamassedindividuallyforhimself。Heowednothingtoinheritancefromhispredecessors。OnthedeceaseofanInca，hispalaceswereabandoned，allhistreasures，exceptwhatwereemployedinhisobsequies，hisfurnitureandapparel，weresufferedtoremainasheleftthem，andhismansions，saveone，wereclosedupforever。Thenewsovereignwastoprovidehimselfwitheverythingnewforhisroyalstate。Thereasonofthiswasthepopularbelief，thatthesoulofthedepartedmonarchwouldreturnafteratimetoreanimatehisbodyonearth；andtheywishedthatheshouldfindeverythingtowhichhehadbeenusedinlifepreparedforhisreception。45

WhenanIncadied，or，tousehisownlanguage，"wascalledhometothemansionsofhisfather，theSun，"46hisobsequieswerecelebratedwithgreatpompandsolemnity。Thebowelsweretakenfromthebody，anddepositedinthetempleofTampu，aboutfiveleaguesfromthecapital。A

quantityofhisplateandjewelswasburiedwiththem，andanumberofhisattendantsandfavoriteconcubines，amountingsometimes，itissaid，toathousand，wereimmolatedonhistomb。47SomeofthemshowedthenaturalrepugnancetothesacrificeoccasionallymanifestedbythevictimsofasimilarsuperstitioninIndia。Butthesewereprobablythemenialsandmorehumbleattendants；sincethewomenhavebeenknown，inmorethanoneinstance，tolayviolenthandsonthemselves，whenrestrainedfromtestifyingtheirfidelitybythisactofconjugalmartyrdom。Thismelancholyceremonywasfollowedbyageneralmourningthroughouttheempire。Atstatedintervals，forayear，thepeopleassembledtorenewtheexpressionsoftheirsorrow，processionsweremade，displayingthebannerofthedepartedmonarch；bardsandminstrelswereappointedtochroniclehisachievements，andtheirsongscontinuedtoberehearsedathighfestivalsinthepresenceofthereigningmonarch，——thusstimulatingthelivingbythegloriousexampleofthedead。48

ThebodyofthedeceasedIncawasskilfullyembalmed，andremovedtothegreattempleoftheSunatCuzco。TherethePeruviansovereign，onenteringtheawfulsanctuary，mightbeholdtheeffigiesofhisroyalancestors，rangedinoppositefiles，——themenontheright，andtheirqueensontheleft，ofthegreatluminarywhichblazedinrefulgentgoldonthewallsofthetemple。Thebodies，clothedintheprincelyattirewhichtheyhadbeenaccustomedtowear，wereplacedonchairsofgold，andsatwiththeirheadsinclineddownward，theirhandsplacidlycrossedovertheirbosoms，theircountenancesexhibitingtheirnaturalduskyhue，——lessliabletochangethanthefreshercoloringofaEuropeancomplexion，——andtheirhairofravenblack，orsilveredoverwithage，accordingtotheperiodatwhichtheydied！Itseemedlikeacompanyofsolemnworshippersfixedindevotion，——sotrueweretheformsandlineamentstolife。ThePeruvianswereassuccessfulastheEgyptiansinthemiserableattempttoperpetuatetheexistenceofthebodybeyondthelimitsassignedtoitbynature。49

Theycherishedastillstrangerillusionintheattentionswhichtheycontinuedtopaytotheseinsensibleremains，asiftheywereinstinctwithlife。OneofthehousesbelongingtoadeceasedIncawaskeptopenandoccupiedbyhisguardandattendants，withallthestateappropriatetoroyalty。Oncertainfestivals，thereveredbodiesofthesovereignswerebroughtoutwithgreatceremonyintothepublicsquareofthecapital。

InvitationsweresentbythecaptainsoftheguardoftherespectiveIncastothedifferentnoblesandofficersofthecourt；andentertainmentswereprovidedinthenamesoftheirmasters，whichdisplayedalltheprofusemagnificenceoftheirtreasures，——and"suchadisplay，"saysanancientchronicler，"wasthereinthegreatsquareofCuzco，onthisoccasion，ofgoldandsilverplateandjewels，asnoothercityintheworldeverwitnessed。"50Thebanquetwasservedbythemenialsoftherespectivehouseholds，andtheguestspartookofthemelancholycheerinthepresenceoftheroyalphantomwiththesameattentiontotheformsofcourtlyetiquetteasifthelivingmonarchhadpresided！51

ThenobilityofPeruconsistedoftwoorders，thefirstandbyfarthemostimportantofwhichwasthatoftheIncas，who，boastingacommondescentwiththeirsovereign，lived，asitwere，inthereflectedlightofhisglory。AsthePeruvianmonarchsavailedthemselvesoftherightofpolygamytoaveryliberalextent，leavingbehindthemfamiliesofoneoreventwohundredchildren，52thenoblesofthebloodroyal，thoughcomprehendingonlytheirdescendantsinthemaleline，cameinthecourseofyearstobeverynumerous。53Theyweredividedintodifferentlineages，eachofwhichtraceditspedigreetoadifferentmemberoftheroyaldynasty，thoughallterminatedinthedivinefounderoftheempire。

Theyweredistinguishedbymanyexclusiveandveryimportantprivileges；

theyworeapeculiardress；spokeadialect，ifwemaybelievethechronicler，peculiartothemselves；54andhadthechoicestportionofthepublicdomainassignedfortheirsupport。Theylived，mostofthem，atcourt，nearthepersonoftheprince，sharinginhiscounsels，diningathisboard，orsuppliedfromhistable。Theyalonewereadmissibletothegreatofficesinthepriesthood。Theywereinvestedwiththecommandofarmies，andofdistantgarrisons，wereplacedovertheprovinces，and，inshort，filledeverystationofhightrustandemolument。55Eventhelaws，severeintheirgeneraltenor，seemnottohavebeenframedwithreferencetothem；andthepeople，investingthewholeorderwithaportionofthesacredcharacterwhichbelongedtothesovereign，heldthatanIncanoblewasincapableofcrime。56

TheotherorderofnobilitywastheCuracas，thecaciquesoftheconquerednations，ortheirdescendants。Theywereusuallycontinuedbythegovernmentintheirplaces，thoughtheywererequiredtovisitthecapitaloccasionally，andtoallowtheirsonstobeeducatedthereasthepledgesoftheirloyalty。Itisnoteasytodefinethenatureorextentoftheirprivileges。Theywerepossessedofmoreorlesspower，accordingtotheextentoftheirpatrimony，andthenumberoftheirvassals。Theirauthoritywasusuallytransmittedfromfathertoson，thoughsometimesthesuccessorwaschosenbythepeople。57Theydidnotoccupythehighestpostsofstate，orthosenearestthepersonofthesovereign，likethenoblesoftheblood。Theirauthorityseemstohavebeenusuallylocal，andalwaysinsubordinationtotheterritorialjurisdictionofthegreatprovincialgovernors，whoweretakenfromtheIncas。58

ItwastheIncanobility，indeed，whoconstitutedtherealstrength。ofthePeruvianmonarchy。Attachedtotheirprincebytiesofconsanguinity，theyhadcommonsympathiesand，toaconsiderableextent，commoninterestswithhim。Distinguishedbyapeculiardressandinsignia，aswellasbylanguageandblood，fromtherestofthecommunity，theywereneverconfoundedwiththeothertribesandnationswhowereincorporatedintothegreatPeruvianmonarchy。Afterthelapseofcenturies，theystillretainedtheirindividualityasapeculiarpeople。TheyweretotheconqueredracesofthecountrywhattheRomansweretothebarbaroushordesoftheEmpire，ortheNormanstotheancientinhabitantsoftheBritishIsles。Clusteringaroundthethrone，theyformedaninvinciblephalanx，toshielditalikefromsecretconspiracyandopeninsurrection。

Thoughlivingchieflyinthecapital，theywerealsodistributedthroughoutthecountryinallitshighstationsandstrongmilitaryposts，thusestablishinglinesofcommunicationwiththecourt，whichenabledthesovereigntoactsimultaneouslyandwitheffectonthemostdistantquartersofhisempire。Theypossessed，moreover，anintellectualpreeminence，which，nolessthantheirstation，gavethemauthoritywiththepeople。Indeed，itmaybesaidtohavebeentheprincipalfoundationoftheirauthority。ThecraniaoftheIncaraceshowadecidedsuperiorityovertheotherracesofthelandinintellectualpower；59anditcannotbedeniedthatitwasthefountainofthatpeculiarcivilizationandsocialpolity，whichraisedthePeruvianmonarchyaboveeveryotherstateinSouthAmerica。Whencethisremarkableracecame，andwhatwasitsearlyhistory，areamongthosemysteriesthatmeetussofrequentlyintheannalsoftheNewWorld，andwhichtimeandtheantiquaryhaveasyetdonelittletoexplain。

Book1

Chapter2

OrdersOfTheState——ProvisionsForJustice——DivisionOfLands-

RevenuesAndRegisters——GreatRoadsAndPosts-

MilitaryTacticsAndPolicyIfwearesurprisedatthepeculiarandoriginalfeaturesofwhatmaybecalledthePeruvianaristocracy，weshallbestillmoresoaswedescendtothelowerordersofthecommunity，andseetheveryartificialcharacteroftheirinstitutions，——asartificialasthoseofancientSparta，and，thoughinadifferentway，quiteasrepugnanttotheessentialprinciplesofournature。TheinstitutionsofLycurgus，however，weredesignedforapettystate，whilethoseofPeru，althoughoriginallyintendedforsuch，seemed，likethemagictentintheArabiantale，tohaveanindefinitepowerofexpansion，andwereaswellsuitedtothemostflourishingconditionoftheempireastoitsinfantfortunes。Inthisremarkableaccommodationtochangeofcircumstancesweseetheproofsofacontrivancethatarguesnoslightadvanceincivilization。

ThenameofPeruwasnotknowntothenatives。ItwasgivenbytheSpaniards，andoriginated，itissaid，inamisapprehensionoftheIndiannameof"river。"1Howeverthismaybe，itiscertainthatthenativeshadnootherepithetbywhichtodesignatethelargecollectionoftribesandnationswhowereassembledunderthesceptreoftheIncas，thanthatofTavantinsuyu，or"fourquartersoftheworld。"2ThiswillnotsurpriseacitizenoftheUnitedStates，whohasnoothernamebywhichtoclasshimselfamongnationsthanwhatisborrowedfromaquarteroftheglobe。3Thekingdom，conformablytoitsname，wasdividedintofourparts，distinguishedeachbyaseparatetitle，andtoeachofwhichranoneofthefourgreatroadsthatdivergedfromCuzco，thecapitalornavelofthePeruvianmonarchy。Thecitywasinlikemannerdividedintofourquarters；andthevariousraces，whichgatheredtherefromthedistantpartsoftheempire，livedeachinthequarternearesttoitsrespectiveprovince。Theyallcontinuedtoweartheirpeculiarnationalcostume，sothatitwaseasytodeterminetheirorigin；andthesameorderandsystemofarrangementprevailedinthemotleypopulationofthecapital，asinthegreatprovincesoftheempire。Thecapital，infact，wasaminiatureimageoftheempire。4

Thefourgreatprovinceswereeachplacedunderaviceroyorgovernor，whoruledoverthemwiththeassistanceofoneormorecouncilsforthedifferentdepartments。Theseviceroysresided，someportionoftheirtime，atleast，inthecapital，wheretheyconstitutedasortofcouncilofstatetotheInca。5Thenationatlargewasdistributedintodecades，orsmallbodiesoften；andeverytenthman，orheadofadecade，hadsupervisionoftherest，——beingrequiredtoseethattheyenjoyedtherightsandimmunitiestowhichtheywereentitled，tosolicitaidintheirbehalffromgovernment，whennecessary，andtobringoffenderstojustice。Tothislasttheywerestimulatedbyalawthatimposedonthem，incaseofneglect，thesamepenaltythatwouldhavebeenincurredbytheguiltyparty。Withthislawhangingoverhishead，themagistrateofPeru，wemaywellbelieve，didnotoftengotosleeponhispost。6

Thepeoplewerestillfurtherdividedintobodiesoffifty，onehundred，fivehundred，andathousand，witheachanofficerhavinggeneralsupervisionoverthosebeneath，andthehigheronespossessing，toacertainextent，authorityinmattersofpolice。Lastly，thewholeempirewasdistributedintosectionsordepartmentsoftenthousandinhabitants，withagovernorovereach，fromtheIncanobility，whohadcontroloverthecuracasandotherterritorialofficersinthedistrict。Therewere，also，regulartribunalsofjustice，consistingofmagistratesineachofthetownsorsmallcommunities，withjurisdictionoverpettyoffences，whilethoseofagravercharacterwerecarriedbeforesuperiorjudges，usuallythegovernorsorrulersofthedistricts。ThesejudgesallheldtheirauthorityandreceivedtheirsupportfromtheCrown，bywhichtheywereappointedandremovedatpleasure。Theywereobligedtodetermineeverysuitinfivedaysfromthetimeitwasbroughtbeforethem；andtherewasnoappealfromonetribunaltoanother。Yettherewereimportantprovisionsforthesecurityofjustice。Acommitteeofvisitorspatrolledthekingdomatcertaintimestoinvestigatethecharacterandconductofthemagistrates；andanyneglectorviolationofdutywaspunishedinthemostexemplarymanner。Theinferiorcourtswerealsorequiredtomakemonthlyreturnsoftheirproceedingstothehigherones，andthesemadereportsinlikemannertotheviceroys；sothatthemonarch，seatedinthecentreofhisdominions，couldlookabroad，asitwere，tothemostdistantextremities，andreviewandrectifyanyabusesintheadministrationofthelaw。7

Thelawswerefewandexceedinglysevere。Theyrelatedalmostwhollytocriminalmatters。Fewotherlawswereneededbyapeoplewhohadnomoney，littletrade，andhardlyanythingthatcouldbecalledfixedproperty。Thecrimesoftheft，adultery，andmurderwereallcapital；

thoughitwaswiselyprovidedthatsomeextenuatingcircumstancesmightbeallowedtomitigatethepunishment。8BlasphemyagainsttheSun，andmaledictionoftheInca，——offences，indeed，ofthesamecomplexionwerealsopunishedwithdeath。Removinglandmarks，turningthewaterawayfromaneighbor'slandintoone'sown，burningahouse，wereallseverelypunished。Toburnabridgewasdeath。Theincaallowednoobstacletothosefacilitiesofcommunicationsoessentialtothemaintenanceofpublicorder。Arebelliouscityorprovincewaslaidwaste，anditsinhabitantsexterminated。Rebellionagainstthe"ChildoftheSun，"wasthegreatestofallcrimes。9

ThesimplicityandseverityofthePeruviancodemaybethoughttoinferastateofsocietybutlittleadvanced；whichhadfewofthosecomplexinterestsandrelationsthatgrowupinacivilizedcommunity，andwhichhadnotproceededfarenoughinthescienceoflegislationtoeconomizehumansufferingbyproportioningpenaltiestocrimes。ButthePeruvianinstitutionsmustberegardedfromadifferentpointofviewfromthatinwhichwestudythoseofothernations。Thelawsemanatedfromthesovereign，andthatsovereignheldadivinecommission，andwaspossessedofadivinenature。Toviolatethelawwasnotonlytoinsultthemajestyofthethrone，butitwassacrilege。Theslightestoffence，viewedinthislight，meriteddeath；andthegravestcouldincurnoheavierpenalty。10Yet，intheinflictionoftheirpunishments，theyshowednounnecessarycruelty；andthesufferingsofthevictimwerenotprolongedbytheingenioustormentssofrequentamongbarbarousnations。11

Theselegislativeprovisionsmaystrikeusasverydefective，evenascomparedwiththoseofthesemi-civilizedracesofAnahuac，whereagradationofcourts，moreover，withthefightofappeal，affordedatolerablesecurityforjustice。ButinacountrylikePeru，wherefewbutcriminalcauseswereknown，therightofappealwasoflessconsequence。

Thelawwassimple，itsapplicationeasy；and，wherethejudgewashonest，thecasewasaslikelytobedeterminedcorrectlyonthefirsthearingasonthesecond。Theinspectionoftheboardofvisitors，andthemonthlyreturnsofthetribunals，affordednoslightguarantyfortheirintegrity。Thelawwhichrequiredadecisionwithinfivedayswouldseemlittlesuitedtothecomplexandembarrassinglitigationofamoderntribunal。But，inthesimplequestionssubmittedtothePeruvianjudge，delaywouldhavebeenuseless；andtheSpaniards，familiarwiththeevilsgrowingoutoflong-protractedsuits，wherethesuccessfullitigantistoooftenaruinedman，areloudintheirencomiumsofthisswift-handedandeconomicaljustice。12

ThefiscalregulationsoftheIncas，andthelawsrespectingproperty，arethemostremarkablefeaturesinthePeruvianpolity。Thewholeterritoryoftheempirewasdividedintothreeparts，onefortheSun，anotherfortheInca，andthelastforthepeople。Whichofthethreewasthelargestisdoubtful。Theproportionsdifferedmateriallyindifferentprovinces。

Thedistribution，indeed，wasmadeonthesamegeneralprinciple，aseachnewconquestwasaddedtothemonarchy；butthepropertionvariedaccordingtotheamountofpopulation，andthegreaterorlessamountoflandconsequentlyrequiredforthesupportoftheinhabirants。13

ThelandsassignedtotheSunfurnishedarevenuetosupportthetemples，andmaintainthecostlyceremonialofthePeruvianworshipandthemultitudinouspriesthood。ThosereservedfortheIncawenttosupporttheroyalstate，aswellasthenumerousmembersofhishouseholdandhiskindred，andsuppliedthevariousexigenciesofgovernment。Theremainderofthelandswasdivided，percapita，inequalsharesamongthepeople。Itwasprovidedbylaw，asweshallseehereafter，thateveryPeruvianshouldmarryatacertainage。Whenthiseventtookplace，thecommunityordistrictinwhichhelivedfurnishedhimwithadwelling，which，asitwasconstructedofhumblematerials，wasdoneatlittlecost。Alotoflandwasthenassignedtohimsufficientforhisownmaintenanceandthatofhiswife。Anadditionalportionwasgrantedforeverychild，theamountallowedforasonbeingthedoubleofthatforadaughter。Thedivisionofthesoilwasrenewedeveryyear，andthepossessionsofthetenantwereincreasedordiminishedaccordingtothenumbersinhisfamily。14Thesamearrangementwasobservedwithreferencetothecuracas，exceptonlythatadomainwasassignedtothemcorrespondingwiththesuperiordignityoftheirstations。15

Amorethoroughandeffectualagrarianlawthanthiscannotbeimagined。Inothercountrieswheresuchalawhasbeenintroduced，itsoperation，afteratime，hasgivenwaytothenaturalorderofevents，and，underthesuperiorintelligenceandthriftofsomeandtheprodigalityofothers，theusualvicissitudesoffortunehavebeenallowedtotaketheircourse，andrestorethingstotheirnaturalinequality。EventheironlawofLycurgusceasedtooperateafteratime，andmeltedawaybeforethespiritofluxuryandavarice。ThenearestapproachtothePeruvianconstitutionwasprobablyinJudea，where，ontherecurrenceofthegreatnationaljubilee，atthecloseofeveryhalf-century，estatesrevertedtotheiroriginalproprietors。TherewasthisimportantdifferenceinPeru；

thatnotonlydidthelease，ifwemaysocallit，terminatewiththeyear，butduringthatperiodthetenanthadnopowertoalienateortoaddtohispossessions。Theendofthebrieftermfoundhiminpreciselythesameconditionthathewasinatthebeginning。Suchastateofthingsmightbesupposedtobefataltoanythinglikeattachmenttothesoil，ortothatdesireofimprovingit，whichisnaturaltothepermanentproprietor，andhardlylesssototheholderofalonglease。Butthepracticaloperationofthelawseemstohavebeenotherwise；anditisprobable，that，undertheinfluenceofthatloveoforderandaversiontochangewhichmarkedthePeruvianinstitutions，eachnewpartitionofthesoilusuallyconfirmedtheoccupantinhispossession，andthetenantforayearwasconvertedintoaproprietorforlife。

Theterritorywascultivatedwhollybythepeople。ThelandsbelongingtotheSunwerefirstattendedto。Theynexttilledthelandsoftheold，ofthesick，ofthewidowandtheorphan，andofsoldiersengagedinactualservice；inshort，ofallthatpartofthecommunitywho，frombodilyinfirmityoranyothercause，wereunabletoattendtotheirownconcerns。

Thepeoplewerethenallowedtoworkontheirownground，eachmanforhimself，butwiththegeneralobligationtoassisthisneighbor，whenanycircumstance——theburdenofayoungandnumerousfamily，forexample——mightdemandit。16Lastly，theycultivatedthelandsoftheInca。Thiswasdone，withgreatceremony，bythewholepopulationinabody。Atbreakofday，theyweresummonedtogetherbyproclamationfromsomeneighboringtoweroreminence，andalltheinhabitantsofthedistrict，men，women，andchildren，appeareddressedintheirgayestapparel，bedeckedwiththeirlittlestoreoffineryandornaments，asifforsomegreatjubilee。Theywentthroughthelaborsofthedaywiththesamejoyousspirit，chantingtheirpopularballadswhichcommemoratedtheheroicdeedsoftheIncas，regulatingtheirmovementsbythemeasureofthechant，andallminglinginthechorus，ofwhichthewordhailli，or"triumph，"wasusuallytheburden。Thesenationalairshadsomethingsoftandpleasingintheircharacter，thatrecommendedthemtotheSpaniards；andmanyaPeruviansongwassettomusicbythemaftertheConquest，andwaslistenedtobytheunfortunatenativeswithmelancholysatisfaction，asitcalleduprecollectionsofthepast，whentheirdaysglidedpeacefullyawayunderthesceptreoftheIncas。17

Asimilararrangementprevailedwithrespecttothedifferentmanufacturesastotheagriculturalproductsofthecountry。Theflocksofllamas，orPeruviansheep，wereappropriatedexclusivelytotheSunandtotheInca。18Theirnumberwasimmense。Theywerescatteredoverthedifferentprovinces，chieflyinthecolderregionsofthecountry，wheretheywereintrustedtothecareofexperiencedshepherds，whoconductedthemtodifferentpasturesaccordingtothechangeofseason。

AlargenumberwaseveryyearsenttothecapitalfortheconsumptionoftheCourt，andforthereligiousfestivalsandsacrifices。Butthesewereonlythemales，asnofemalewasallowedtobekilled。Theregulationsforthecareandbreedingoftheseflockswereprescribedwiththegreatestminuteness，andwithasagacitywhichexcitedtheadmirationoftheSpaniards，whowerefamiliarwiththemanagementofthegreatmigratoryflocksofmerinosintheirowncountry。19

Attheappointedseason，theywereallsheared，andthewoolwasdepositedinthepublicmagazines。Itwasthendealtouttoeachfamilyinsuchquantitiesassufficedforitswants，andwasconsignedtothefemalepartofthehousehold，whowerewellinstructedinthebusinessofspinningandweaving。Whenthislaborwasaccomplished，andthefamilywasprovidedwithacoarsebutwarmcovering，suitedtothecoldclimateofthemountains，——for，inthelowercountry，cotton，furnishedinlikemannerbytheCrown，tooktheplace，toacertainextent，ofwool，——

thepeoplewererequiredtolaborfortheInca。Thequantityoftheclothneeded，aswellasthepeculiarkindandqualityofthefabric，wasfirstdeterminedatCuzco。Theworkwasthenapportionedamongthedifferentprovinces。Officers，appointedforthepurpose，superintendedthedistributionofthewool，sothatthemanufactureofthedifferentarticlesshouldbeintrustedtothemostcompetenthands。20Theydidnotleavethematterhere，butenteredthedwellings，fromtimetotime，andsawthattheworkwasfaithfullyexecuted。ThisdomesticinquisitionwasnotconfinedtothelaborsfortheInca。Itincluded，also，thosefortheseveralfamilies；andcarewastakenthateachhouseholdshouldemploythematerialsfurnishedforitsownuseinthemannerthatwasintended，sothatnooneshouldbeunprovidedwithnecessaryapparel。21Inthisdomesticlaborallthefemalepartoftheestablishmentwasexpectedtojoin。Occupationwasfoundforall，fromthechildfiveyearsoldtotheagedmatronnottooinfirmtoholdadistaff。Noone，atleastnonebutthedecrepitandthesick，wasallowedtoeatthebreadofidlenessinPeru。Idlenesswasacrimeintheeyeofthelaw，and，assuch，severelypunished；whileindustrywaspubliclycommendedandstimulatedbyrewards。22

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读