Thelikecoursewaspursuedwithreferencetotheotherrequisitionsofthegovernment。AlltheminesinthekingdombelongedtotheInca。

Theywerewroughtexclusivelyforhisbenefit，bypersonsfamiliarwiththisservice，andselectedfromthedistrictswheretheminesweresituated。23EveryPeruvianofthelowerclasswasahusbandman，and，withtheexceptionofthosealreadyspecified，wasexpectedtoprovideforhisownsupportbythecultivationofhisland。Asmallportionofthecommunity，however，wasinstructedinmechanicalarts；someofthemofthemoreelegantkind，subservienttothepurposesofluxuryandornament。ThedemandforthesewaschieflylimitedtothesovereignandhisCourt；butthelaborofalargernumberofhandswasexactedfortheexecutionofthegreatpublicworkswhichcoveredtheland。ThenatureandamountoftheservicesrequiredwerealldeterminedatCuzcobycommissionerswellinstructedintheresourcesofthecountry，andinthecharacteroftheinhabitantsofdifferentprovinces。24

Thisinformationwasobtainedbyanadmirableregulation，whichhasscarcelyacounterpartintheannalsofasemi-civilizedpeople。A

registerwaskeptofallthebirthsanddeathsthroughoutthecountry，andexactreturnsoftheactualpopulationweremadetogovernmenteveryyear，bymeansofthequipus，acuriousinvention，whichwillbeexplainedhereafter。25Atcertainintervals，also，ageneralsurveyofthecountrywasmade，exhibitingacompleteviewofthecharacterofthesoil，itsfertility，thenatureofitsproducts，bothagriculturalandmineral，——

inshort，ofallthatconstitutedthephysicalresourcesoftheempire。26

Furnishedwiththesestatisticaldetails，itwaseasyforthegovernment，afterdeterminingtheamountofrequisitions，todistributetheworkamongtherespectiveprovincesbestqualifiedtoexecuteit。Thetaskofapportioningthelaborwasassignedtothelocalauthorities，andgreatcarewastakenthatitshouldbedoneinsuchamanner，that，whilethemostcompetenthandswereselected，itshouldnotfalldisproportionatelyheavyonany。27

Thedifferentprovincesofthecountryfurnishedpersonspeculiarlysuitedtodifferentemployments，which，asweshallseehereafter，usuallydescendedfromfathertoson。Thus，onedistrictsuppliedthosemostskilledinworkingthemines，anotherthemostcuriousworkersinmetals，orinwood，andsoon。28Theartisanwasprovidedbygovernmentwiththematerials；andnoonewasrequiredtogivemorethanastipulatedportionofhistimetothepublicservice。Hewasthensucceededbyanotherfortheliketerm；anditshouldbeobserved，thatallwhowereengagedintheemploymentofthegovernment——andtheremarkappliesequallytoagriculturallabor——weremaintained，forthetime，atthepublicexpense。29Bythisconstantrotationoflabor，itwasintendedthatnooneshouldbeoverburdened，andthateachmanshouldhavetimetoprovideforthedemandsofhisownhousehold。Itwasimpossible——inthejudgmentofahighSpanishauthority——toimproveonthesystemofdistribution，socarefullywasitaccommodatedtotheconditionandcomfortoftheartisan。30Thesecurityoftheworkingclassesseemstohavebeeneverkeptinviewintheregulationsofthegovernment；andtheseweresodiscreetlyarranged，thatthemostwearingandunwholesomelabors，asthoseofthemines，occasionednodetrimenttothehealthofthelaborer；astrikingcontrasttohissubsequentconditionundertheSpanishrule。31

ApartoftheagriculturalproduceandmanufactureswastransportedtoCuzco，toministertotheimmediatedemandsoftheIncaandhisCourt。

Butfarthegreaterpartwasstoredinmagazinesscatteredoverthedifferentprovinces。Thesespaciousbuildings，constructedofstone，weredividedbetweentheSunandtheInca，thoughthegreatershareseemstohavebeenappropriatedbythemonarch。Byawiseregulation，anydeficiencyinthecontributionsoftheIncamightbesuppliedfromthegranariesoftheSun。32Butsuchanecessitycouldrarelyhavehappened；andtheprovidenceofthegovernmentusuallyleftalargesurplusintheroyaldepositories，whichwasremovedtoathirdclassofmagazines，whosedesignwastosupplythepeopleinseasonsofscarcity，and，occasionally，tofurnishrelieftoindividuals，whomsicknessormisfortunehadreducedtopoverty；thus，inamanner，justifyingtheassertionofaCastiliandocument，thatalargeportionoftherevenuesoftheIncafounditswaybackagain，throughonechanneloranother，intothehandsofthepeople。33ThesemagazineswerefoundbytheSpaniards，ontheirarrival，storedwithallthevariousproductsandmanufacturesofthecountry，——withmaize，coca，quinua，woolenandcottonstuffsofthefinestquality，withvasesandutensilsofgold，silver，andcopper，inshort，witheveryarticleofluxuryorusewithinthecompassofPeruvianskill。34Themagazinesofgrain，inparticular，wouldfrequentlyhavesufficedfortheconsumptionoftheadjoiningdistrictforseveralyears。35Aninventoryofthevariousproductsofthecountry，andthequarterswhencetheywereobtained，waseveryyeartakenbytheroyalofficers，andrecordedbythequipucamayusontheirregisters，withsurprisingregularityandprecision。Theseregistersweretransmittedtothecapital，andsubmittedtotheInca，whocouldthusataglance，asitwere，embracethewholeresultsofthenationalindustry，andseehowfartheycorrespondedwiththerequisitionsofgovernment。36

SucharesomeofthemostremarkablefeaturesofthePeruvianinstitutionsrelatingtoproperty，asdelineatedbywriterswho，howevercontradictoryinthedetails，haveageneralconformityofoutline。Theseinstitutionsarecertainlysoremarkable，thatitishardlycredibletheyshouldeverhavebeenenforcedthroughoutagreatempire，andforalongperiodofyears。YetwehavethemostunequivocaltestimonytothefactfromtheSpaniards，wholandedinPeruintimetowitnesstheiroperation；someofwhom，menofhighjudicialstationandcharacter，werecommissionedbythegovernmenttomakeinvestigationsintothestateofthecountryunderitsancientrulers。

TheimpositionsonthePeruvianpeopleseemtohavebeensufficientlyheavy。Onthemrestedthewholeburdenofmaintaining，notonlytheirownorder，buteveryotherorderinthestate。Themembersoftheroyalhouse，thegreatnobles，eventhepublicfunctionaries，andthenumerousbodyofthepriesthood，wereallexemptfromtaxation。37Thewholedutyofdefrayingtheexpensesofthegovernmentbelongedtothepeople。YetthiswasnotmateriallydifferentfromtheconditionofthingsformerlyexistinginmostpartsofEurope，wherethevariousprivilegedclassesclaimedexemption——notalwayswithsuccess，indeed——frombearingpartofthepublicburdens。ThegreathardshipinthecaseofthePeruvianwas，thathecouldnotbetterhiscondition。Hislaborswereforothers，ratherthanforhimself。Howeverindustrious，hecouldnotaddaroodtohisownpossessions，noradvancehimselfonehair'sbreadthinthesocialscale。Thegreatanduniversalmotivetohonestindustry，thatofbetteringone'slot，waslostuponhim。Thegreatlawofhumanprogresswasnotforhim。Ashewasborn，sohewastodie。Evenhistimehecouldnotproperlycallhisown。Withoutmoney，withlittlepropertyofanykind，hepaidhistaxesinlabor。38Nowonderthatthegovernmentshouldhavedealtwithslothasacrime。Itwasacrimeagainstthestate，andtobewastefuloftimewas，inamanner，torobtheexchequer。ThePeruvian，laboringallhislifeforothers，mightbecomparedtotheconvictinatreadmill，goingthesamedullroundofincessanttoil，withtheconsciousness，that，howeverprofitabletheresultstothestate，theywerenothingtohim。

Butthisisthedarksideofthepicture。IfnomancouldbecomerichinPeru，nomancouldbecomepoor。Nospendthriftcouldwastehissubstanceinriotousluxury。Noadventurousschemercouldimpoverishhisfamilybythespiritofspeculation。Thelawwasconstantlydirectedtoenforceasteadyindustryandasobermanagementofhisaffairs。NomendicantwastoleratedinPeru。Whenamanwasreducedbypovertyormisfortune，(itcouldhardlybebyfault，)thearmofthelawwasstretchedouttoministerrelief；notthestintedreliefofprivatecharity，northatwhichisdoledout，dropbydrop，asitwere，fromthefrozenreservoirsof"theparish，"butingenerousmeasure，bringingnohumiliationtotheobjectofit，andplacinghimonalevelwiththerestofhiscountrymen。39

Nomancouldberich，nomancouldbepoor，inPeru；butallmightenjoy，anddidenjoy，acompetence。Ambition，avarice，theloveofchange，themorbidspiritofdiscontent，thosepassionswhichmostagitatethemindsofmen，foundnoplaceinthebosomofthePeruvian。

Theveryconditionofhisbeingseemedtobeatwarwithchange。Hemovedoninthesameunbrokencircleinwhichhisfathershadmovedbeforehim，andinwhichhischildrenweretofollow。ItwastheobjectoftheIncastoinfuseintotheirsubjectsaspiritofpassiveobedienceandtranquillity，——aperfectacquiescenceintheestablishedorderofthings。Inthistheyfullysucceeded。TheSpaniardswhofirstvisitedthecountryareemphaticintheirtestimony，thatnogovernmentcouldhavebeenbettersuitedtothegeniusofthepeople；andnopeoplecouldhaveappearedmorecontentedwiththeirlot，ormoredevotedtotheirgovernment。40

ThosewhomaydistrusttheaccountsofPeruvianindustrywillfindtheirdoubtsremovedonavisittothecountry。Thetravellerstillmeets，especiallyinthecentralregionsofthetable-land，withmemorialsofthepast，remainsoftemples，palaces，fortresses，terracedmountains，greatmilitaryroads，aqueducts，andotherpublicworks，which，whateverdegreeofsciencetheymaydisplayintheirexecution，astonishhimbytheirnumber，themassivecharacterofthematerials，andthegrandeurofthedesign。Amongthem，perhapsthemostremarkablearethegreatroads，thebrokenremainsofwhicharestillinsufficientpreservationtoattesttheirformermagnificence。Thereweremanyoftheseroads，traversingdifferentpartsofthekingdom；butthemostconsiderablewerethetwowhichextendedfromQuitotoCuzco，and，againdivergingfromthecapital，continuedinasoutherndirectiontowardsChili。

Oneoftheseroadspassedoverthegrandplateau，andtheotheralongthelowlandsonthebordersoftheocean。Theformerwasmuchthemoredifficultachievement，fromthecharacterofthecountry。Itwasconductedoverpathlesssierrasburiedinsnow；gallerieswerecutforleaguesthroughthelivingrock；riverswerecrossedbymeansofbridgesthatswungsuspendedintheair；precipiceswerescaledbystairwayshewnoutofthenativebed；ravinesofhideousdepthwerefilledupwithsolidmasonry；inshort，allthedifficultiesthatbesetawildandmountainousregion，andwhichmightappallthemostcourageousengineerofmoderntimes，wereencounteredandsuccessfullyovercome。

Thelengthoftheroad，ofwhichscatteredfragmentsonlyremain，isvariouslyestimated，fromfifteenhundredtotwothousandmiles；andstonepillars，inthemannerofEuropeanmilestones，wereerectedatstatedintervalsofsomewhatmorethanaleague，allalongtheroute。Itsbreadthscarcelyexceededtwentyfeet。41Itwasbuiltofheavyflagsoffreestone，andinsomeparts，atleast，coveredwithabituminouscement，whichtimehasmadeharderthanthestoneitself。Insomeplaces，wheretheravineshadbeenfilledupwithmasonry，themountaintorrents，wearingonitforages，havegraduallyeatenawaythroughthebase，andleftthesuperincumbentmass——suchisthecohesionofthematerials——stillspanningthevalleylikeanarch！42

Oversomeoftheboldeststreamsitwasnecessarytoconstructsuspensionbridges，astheyaretermed，madeofthetoughfibresofthemaguey，oroftheosierofthecountry，whichhasanextraordinarydegreeoftenacityandstrength。Theseosierswerewovenintocablesofthethicknessofaman'sbody。Thehugeropes，thenstretchedacrossthewater，wereconductedthroughringsorholescutinimmensebuttressesofstoneraisedontheoppositebanksoftheriver，andtheresecuredtoheavypiecesoftimber。Severaloftheseenormouscables，boundtogether，formedabridge，which，coveredwithplanks，wellsecuredanddefendedbyarailingofthesameosiermaterialsonthesides，affordedasafepassageforthetraveller。Thelengthofthisaerialbridge，sometimesexceedingtwohundredfeet，causedit，confined，asitwas，onlyattheextremities，todipwithanalarminginclinationtowardsthecentre，whilethemotiongiventoitbythepassengeroccasionedanoscillationstillmorefrightful，ashiseyewanderedoverthedarkabyssofwatersthatfoamedandtumbledmanyafathombeneath。YettheselightandfragilefabricswerecrossedwithoutfearbythePeruvians，andarestillretainedbytheSpaniardsoverthosestreamswhich，fromthedepthorimpetuosityofthecurrent，wouldseemimpracticablefortheusualmodesofconveyance。Thewiderandmoretranquilwaterswerecrossedonbalsas——akindofraftstillmuchusedbythenatives——towhichsailswereattached，furnishingtheonlyinstanceofthishigherkindofnavigationamongtheAmericanIndians。43

TheothergreatroadoftheIncaslaythroughthelevelcountrybetweentheAndesandtheocean。Itwasconstructedinadifferentmanner，asdemandedbythenatureoftheground，whichwasforthemostpartlow，andmuchofitsandy。Thecausewaywasraisedonahighembankmentofearth，anddefendedoneithersidebyaparapetorwallofclay；andtreesandodoriferousshrubswereplantedalongthemargin，regalingthesenseofthetravellerwiththeirperfumes，andrefreshinghimbytheirshades，sogratefulundertheburningskyofthetropics。Inthestripsofsandywaste，whichoccasionallyintervened，wherethelightandvolatilesoilwasincapableofsustainingaroad，hugepiles，manyofthemtobeseenatthisday，weredrivenintothegroundtoindicatetheroutetothetraveller。44

Allalongthesehighways，caravansaries，ortambos，astheywerecalled，wereerected，atthedistanceoftenortwelvemilesfromeachother，fortheaccommodation，moreparticularly，oftheIncaandhissuite，andthosewhojourneyedonthepublicbusiness。TherewerefewothertravellersinPeru。Someofthesebuildingswereonanextensivescale，consistingofafortress，barracks，andothermilitaryworks，surroundedbyaparapetofstone，andcoveringalargetractofground。Thesewereevidentlydestinedfortheaccommodationoftheimperialarmies，whenontheirmarchacrossthecountry。Thecareofthegreatroadswascommittedtothedistrictsthroughwhichtheypassed，andalargenumberofhandswasconstantlyemployedundertheIncastokeeptheminrepair。

Thiswasthemoreeasilydoneinacountrywherethemodeoftravellingwasaltogetheronfoot；thoughtheroadsaresaidtohavebeensonicelyconstructed，thatacarriagemighthaverolledoverthemassecurelyasonanyofthegreatroadsofEurope。45Still，inaregionwheretheelementsoffireandwaterarebothactivelyatworkinthebusinessofdestruction，theymust，withoutconstantsupervision，havegraduallygonetodecay。

SuchhasbeentheirfateundertheSpanishconquerors，whotooknocaretoenforcetheadmirablesystemfortheirpreservationadoptedbytheIncas。Yetthebrokenportionsthatstillsurvive，hereandthere，likethefragmentsofthegreatRomanroadsscatteredoverEurope，bearevidencetotheirprimitivegrandeur，andhavedrawnforththeeulogiumfromadiscriminatingtraveller，usuallynottooprofuseinhispanegyric，that"theroadsoftheIncaswereamongthemostusefulandstupendousworkseverexecutedbyman。"46

ThesystemofcommunicationthroughtheirdominionswasstillfurtherimprovedbythePeruviansovereigns，bytheintroductionofposts，inthesamemanneraswasdonebytheAztecs。ThePeruvianposts，however，establishedonallthegreatroutesthatconductedtothecapital，wereonamuchmoreextendedplanthanthoseinMexico。Allalongtheseroutes，smallbuildingswereerected，atthedistanceoflessthanfivemilesasunder，47ineachofwhichanumberofrunners，orchasquis，astheywerecalled，werestationedtocarryforwardthedespatchesofgovernment。48Thesedespatcheswereeitherverbal，orconveyedbymeansofquipus，andsometimesaccompaniedbyathreadofthecrimsonfringewornroundthetemplesoftheInca，whichwasregardedwiththesameimplicitdeferenceasthesignetringofanOrientaldespot。49

Thechasquisweredressedinapeculiarlivery，intimatingtheirprofession。Theywerealltrainedtotheemployment，andselectedfortheirspeedandfidelity。Asthedistanceeachcourierhadtoperformwassmall，andashehadampletimetorefreshhimselfatthestations，theytartoverthegroundwithgreatswiftness，andmessageswerecarriedthroughthewholeextentofthelongroutes，attherateofahundredandfiftymilesaday。Theofficeofthechasquiswasnotlimitedtocarryingdespatches。TheyfrequentlybroughtvariousarticlesfortheuseoftheCourt；andinthisway，fishfromthedistantocean，fruits，game，anddifferentcommoditiesfromthehotregionsonthecoast，weretakentothecapitalingoodcondition，andservedfreshattheroyaltable。50ItisremarkablethatthisimportantinstitutionshouldhavebeenknowntoboththeMexicansandthePeruvianswithoutanycorrespondencewithoneanother；andthatitshouldhavebeenfoundamongtwobarbariannationsoftheNewWorld，longbeforeitwasintroducedamongthecivilizednationsofEurope。51

BythesewisecontrivancesoftheIncas，themostdistantpartsofthelong-extendedempireofPeruwerebroughtintointimaterelationswitheachother。AndwhilethecapitalsofChristendom，butafewhundredmilesapart，remainedasfarasunderasifseashadrolledbetweenthem，thegreatcapitalsCuzcoandQuitowereplacedbythehighroadsoftheIncasinimmediatecorrespondence。IntelligencefromthenumerousprovinceswastransmittedonthewingsofthewindtothePeruvianmetropolis，thegreatfocustowhichallthelinesofcommunicationconverged。Notaninsurrectionarymovementcouldoccur，notaninvasion，ontheremotestfrontier，beforethetidingswereconveyedtothecapital，andtheimperialarmieswereontheirmarchacrossthemagnificentroadsofthecountrytosuppressit。SoadmirablewasthemachinerycontrivedbytheAmericandespotsformaintainingtranquillitythroughouttheirdominions！ItmayremindusofthesimilarinstitutionsofancientRome，when，undertheCaesars，shewasmistressofhalftheworld。

Aprincipaldesignofthegreatroadswastoservethepurposesofmilitarycommunication。Itformedanimportantitemoftheirmilitarypolicy，whichisquiteaswellworthstudyingastheirmunicipal。

NotwithstandingthepacificprofessionsoftheIncas，andthepacifictendency，indeed，oftheirdomesticinstitutions，theywereconstantlyatwar。Itwasbywarthattheirpaltryterritoryhadbeengraduallyenlargedtoapowerfulempire。Whenthiswasachieved，thecapital，safeinitscentralposition，wasnolongershakenbythesemilitarymovements，andthecountryenjoyed，inagreatdegree，theblessingsoftranquillityandorder。But，howevertranquilatheart，thereisnotareignuponrecordinwhichthenationwasnotengagedinwaragainstthebarbarousnationsonthefrontier。Religionfurnishedaplausiblepretextforincessantaggression，anddisguisedthelustofconquestintheIncas，probably，fromtheirowneyes，aswellasfromthoseoftheirsubjects。LikethefollowersofMahomet，bearingtheswordinonehandandtheKoranintheother，theIncasofPeruofferednoalternativebuttheworshipoftheSunorwar。

Itistrue，theirfanaticism——ortheirpolicy——showeditselfinamilderformthanwasfoundinthedescendantsoftheProphet。Likethegreatluminarywhichtheyadored，theyoperatedbygentlenessmorepotentthanviolence。52Theysoughttosoftentheheartsoftherudetribesaroundthem，andmeltthembyactsofcondescensionandkindness。Farfromprovokinghostilities，theyallowedtimeforthesalutaryexampleoftheirowninstitutionstoworkitseffect，trustingthattheirlesscivilizedneighborswouldsubmittotheirsceptre，fromaconvictionoftheblessingsitwouldsecuretothem。Whenthiscoursefailed，theyemployedothermeasures，butstillofapacificcharacter；andendeavoredbynegotiation，byconciliatorytreatment，andbypresentstotheleadingmen，towinthemovertotheirdominion。Inshort，theypractisedalltheartsfamiliartothemostsubtlepoliticianofacivilizedlandtosecuretheacquisitionofempire。Whenalltheseexpedientsfailed，theypreparedforwar。

Theirleviesweredrawnfromallthedifferentprovinces；thoughfromsome，wherethecharacterofthepeoplewasparticularlyhardy，morethanfromothers。53ItseemsprobablethateveryPeruvian，whohadreachedacertainage，mightbecalledtobeararms。Buttherotationofmilitaryservice，andtheregulardrills，whichtookplacetwiceorthriceinamonth，oftheinhabitantsofeveryvillage，raisedthesoldiersgenerallyabovetherankofarawmilitia。ThePeruvianarmy，atfirstinconsiderable，came，withtheincreaseofpopulation，inthelatterdaysoftheempire，tobeverylarge，sothattheirmonarchscouldbringintothefield，ascontemporariesassureus，aforceamountingtotwohundredthousandmen。Theyshowedthesameskillandrespectfororderintheirmilitaryorganization，asinotherthings。Thetroopsweredividedintobodiescorrespondingwithourbattalionsandcompanies，ledbyofficers，thatrose，inregulargradation，fromthelowestsubalterntotheIncanoble，whowasintrustedwiththegeneralcommand。54

Theirarmsconsistedoftheusualweaponsemployedbynations，whethercivilizedoruncivilized，beforetheinventionofpowder，——bowsandarrows，lances，darts，ashortkindofsword，abattle-axeorpartisan，andslings，withwhichtheywereveryexpert。Theirspearsandarrowsweretippedwithcopper，or，morecommonly，withbone，andtheweaponsoftheIncalordswerefrequentlymountedwithgoldorsilver。Theirheadswereprotectedbycasquesmadeeitherofwoodoroftheskinsofwildanimals，andsometimesrichlydecoratedwithmetalandwithpreciousstones，surmountedbythebrilliantplumageofthetropicalbirds。These，ofcourse，weretheornamentsonlyofthehigherorders。Thegreatmassofthesoldieryweredressedinthepeculiarcostumeoftheirprovinces，andtheirheadswerewreathedwithasortofturbanorrollofdifferent-

coloredcloths，thatproducedagayandanimatingeffect。Theirdefensivearmorconsistedofashieldorbuckler，andaclosetunicofquiltedcotton，inthesamemanneraswiththeMexicans。Eachcompanyhaditsparticularbanner，andtheimperialstandard，highaboveall，displayedtheglitteringdeviceandtherainbow，——thearmorialensignoftheIncas，intimatingtheirclaimsaschildrenoftheskies。55

Bymeansofthethoroughsystemofcommunicationestablishedinthecountry，ashorttimesufficedtodrawtheleviestogetherfromthemostdistantquarters。Thearmywasputunderthedirectionofsomeexperiencedchief，ofthebloodroyal，or，morefrequently，headedbytheIncainperson。Themarchwasrapidlyperformed，andwithlittlefatiguetothesoldier；for，allalongthegreatroutes，quarterswereprovidedforhim，atregulardistances，wherehecouldfindampleaccommodations。

Thecountryisstillcoveredwiththeremainsofmilitaryworks，constructedofporphyryorgranite，whichtraditionassuresusweredesignedtolodgetheIncaandhisarmy。56

Atregularintervals，also，magazineswereestablished，filledwithgrain，weapons，andthedifferentmunitionsofwar，withwhichthearmywassuppliedonitsmarch。Itwastheespecialcareofthegovernmenttoseethatthesemagazines，whichwerefurnishedfromthestoresoftheIncas，werealwayswellfilled。WhentheSpaniardsinvadedthecountry，theysupportedtheirownarmiesforalongtimeontheprovisionsfoundinthem。57ThePeruviansoldierwasforbiddentocommitanytrespassonthepropertyoftheinhabitantswhoseterritorylayinthelineofmarch。

Anyviolationofthisorderwaspunishedwithdeath。58Thesoldierwasclothedandfedbytheindustryofthepeople，andtheIncasrightlyre-

solvedthatheshouldnotrepaythisbyviolence。Farfrombeingataxonthelaborsofthehusbandman，orevenaburdenonhishospitality，theimperialarmiestraversedthecountry，fromoneextremitytotheother，withaslittleinconveniencetotheinhabitants，aswouldbecreatedbyaprocessionofpeacefulburghers，oramusterofholidaysoldiersforareview。

Fromthemomentwarwasproclaimed，thePeruvianmonarchusedallpossibleexpeditioninassemblinghisforces，thathemightanticipatethemovementsofhisenemies，andpreventacombinationwiththeirallies。

Itwas，however，fromtheneglectofsuchaprincipleofcombination，thattheseveralnationsofthecountry，whomighthaveprevailedbyconfederatedstrength，felloneafteranotherundertheimperialyoke。

Yet，onceinthefieldtheIncadidnotusuallyshowanydispositiontopushhisadvantagestotheutmost，andurgehisfoetoextremity。Ineverystageofthewar，hewasopentopropositionsforpeace；andalthoughhesoughttoreducehisenemiesbycarryingofftheirharvestsanddistressingthembyfamine，heallowedhistroopstocommitnounnecessaryoutrageonpersonorproperty。"Wemustspareourenemies，"oneofthePeruvianprincesisquotedassaying，"oritwillbeourloss，sincetheyandallthatbelongtothemmustsoonbeours。"59Itwasawisemaxim，and，likemostotherwisemaxims，foundedequallyonbenevolenceandprudence。TheIncasadoptedthepolicyclaimedfortheRomansbytheircountryman，whotellsusthattheygainedmorebyclemencytothevanquishedthanbytheirvictories。60

Inthesameconsideratespirit，theyweremostcarefultoprovideforthesecurityandcomfortoftheirowntroops；and，whenawarwaslongprotracted，ortheclimateprovedunhealthy，theytookcaretorelievetheirmenbyfrequentreinforcements，allowingtheearlierrecruitstoreturntotheirhomes。61Butwhilethuseconomicaloflife，bothintheirownfollowersandintheenemy，theydidnotshrinkfromsternermeasureswhenprovokedbytheferociousorobstinatecharacteroftheresistance；andthePeruvianannalscontainmorethanoneofthosesanguinarypageswhichcannotbeponderedatthepresentdaywithoutashudder。Itshouldbeadded，thatthebeneficentpolicy，whichIhavebeendelineatingascharacteristicoftheIncas，didnotbelongtoall；andthattherewasmorethanoneoftheroyallinewhodisplayedafullmeasureoftheboldandunscrupulousspiritofthevulgarconqueror。

Thefirststepofthegovernment，afterthereductionofacountry，wastointroducetheretheworshipoftheSun。Templeswereerected，andplacedunderthecareofanumerouspriesthood，whoexpoundedtotheconqueredpeoplethemysteriesoftheirnewfaith，anddazzledthembythedisplayofitsrichandstatelyceremonial。62Yetthereligionoftheconqueredwasnottreatedwithdishonor。TheSunwastobeworshippedaboveall；buttheimagesoftheirgodswereremovedtoCuzcoandestablishedinoneofthetemples，toholdtheirrankamongtheinferiordeitiesofthePeruvianPantheon。Heretheyremainedashostages，insomesort，fortheconquerednation，whichwouldbethelessinclinedtoforsakeitsallegiance，whenbydoingsoitmustleaveitsowngodsinthehandsofitsenemies。63

TheIncasprovidedforthesettlementoftheirnewconquests，byorderingacensustobetakenofthepopulation，andacarefulsurveytobemadeofthecountry，ascertainingitsproducts，andthecharacterandcapacityofitssoil。64Adivisionoftheterritorywasthenmadeonthesameprinciplewiththatadoptedthroughouttheirownkingdom；andtheirrespectiveportionswereassignedtotheSun，thesovereign，andthepeople。Theamountofthelastwasregulatedbytheamountofthepopulation，buttheshareofeachindividualwasuniformlythesame。Itmayseemstrange，thatanypeopleshouldpatientlyhaveacquiescedinanarrangementwhichinvolvedsuchatotalsurrenderofproperty。Butitwasaconquerednationthatdidso，heldinawe，ontheleastsuspicionofmeditatingresistance，byarmedgarrisons，whowereestablishedatvariouscommandingpointsthroughoutthecountry。65Itisprobable，too，thattheIncasmadenogreaterchangesthanwasessentialtothenewarrangement，andthattheyassignedestates，asfaraspossible，totheirformerproprietors。Thecuracas，inparticular，wereconfirmedintheirancientauthority；or，whenitwasfoundexpedienttodeposetheexistingcuraca，hisrightfulheirwasallowedtosucceedhim。66Everyrespectwasshowntotheancientusagesandlawsoftheland，asfaraswascompatiblewiththefundamentalinstitutionsoftheIncas。Itmustalsoberemembered，thattheconqueredtribeswere，manyofthem，toolittleadvancedincivilizationtopossessthatattachmenttothesoilwhichbelongstoacultivatednation。67But，towhateveritbereferred，itseemsprobablethattheextraordinaryinstitutionsoftheIncaswereestablishedwithlittleoppositionintheconqueredterritories。68

YetthePeruviansovereignsdidnottrustaltogethertothisshowofobedienceintheirnewvassals；and，tosecureitmoreeffectually，theyadoptedsomeexpedientstooremarkabletobepassedbyinsilence-

Immediatelyafterarecentconquest，thecuracasandtheirfamilieswereremovedforatimetoCuzco。Heretheylearnedthelanguageofthecapital，becamefamiliarwiththemannersandusagesofthecourt，aswellaswiththegeneralpolicyofgovernment，andexperiencedsuchmarksoffavorfromthesovereignaswouldbemostgratefultotheirfeelings，andmightattachthemmostwarmlytohisperson。Undertheinfluenceofthesesentiments，theywereagainsenttoruleovertheirvassals，butstillleavingtheireldestsonsinthecapital，toremainthereasaguarantyfortheirownfidelity，aswellastogracethecourtoftheInca。69

Anotherexpedientwasofabolderandmoreoriginalcharacter。Thiswasnothinglessthantorevolutionizethelanguageofthecountry。SouthAmerica，likeNorth，wasbrokenupintoagreatvarietyofdialects，orratherlanguages，havinglittleaffinitywithoneanother。Thiscircumstanceoccasionedgreatembarrassmenttothegovernmentintheadministrationofthedifferentprovinces，withwhoseidiomstheywereunacquainted。Itwasdetermined，therefore，tosubstituteoneuniversallanguage，theQuichua，——thelanguageofthecourt，thecapital，andthesurroundingcountry，——therichestandmostcomprehensiveoftheSouthAmericandialects。Teacherswereprovidedinthetownsandvillagesthroughouttheland，whoweretogiveinstructiontoall，eventhehumblestclasses；anditwasintimatedatthesametime，thatnooneshouldberaisedtoanyofficeofdignityorprofit，whowasunacquaintedwiththistongue。Thecuracasandotherchiefs，whoattendedatthecapitalbecamefamiliarwiththisdialectintheirintercoursewiththeCourtand，ontheirreturnhome，settheexampleofconversinginitamongthemselves。Thisexamplewasimitatedbytheirfollowers，andtheQuichuagraduallybecamethelanguageofeleganceandfashion，inthesamemannerastheNormanFrenchwasaffectedbyallthosewhoaspiredtoanyconsiderationinEngland，aftertheConquest。Bythismeans，whileeachprovinceretaineditspeculiartongue，abeautifulmediumofcommunicationwasintroduced，whichenabledtheinhabitantsofonepartofthecountrytoholdintercoursewitheveryother，andtheIncaandhisdeputiestocommunicatewithall。ThiswasthestateofthingsonthearrivaloftheSpaniards。Itmustbeadmitted，thathistoryfurnishesfewexamplesofmoreabsoluteauthoritythansucharevolutioninthelanguageofanempire，atthebiddingofamaster。70

YetlittlelessremarkablewasanotherdeviceoftheIncasforsecuringtheloyaltyoftheirsubjects。Whenanyportionoftherecentconquestsshowedapertinaciousspiritofdisaffection，itwasnotuncommontocauseapartofthepopulation，amounting，itmightbe，totenthousandinhabitantsormore，toremovetoadistantquarterofthekingdom，occupiedbyancientvassalsofundoubtedfidelitytothecrown。Alikenumberoftheselastwastransplantedtotheterritoryleftvacantbytheemigrants。Bythisexchange，thepopulationwascomposedoftwodistinctraces，whoregardedeachotherwithaneyeofjealousy，thatservedasaneffectualcheckonanymutinousproceeding。Intime，theinfluenceofthewellaffectedprevailed，supported，astheywere，byroyalauthority，andbythesilentworkingofthenationalinstitutions，towhichthestrangeracesbecamegraduallyaccustomed。Aspiritofloyaltysprangupbydegreesintheirbosoms，and，beforeagenerationhadpassedaway，thedifferenttribesmingledinharmonytogetherasmembersofthesamecommunity。71Yetthedifferentracescontinuedtobedistinguishedbydifferenceofdress；since，bythelawoftheland，everycitizenwasrequiredtowearthecostumeofhisnativeprovince。72

Neithercouldthecolonist，whohadbeenthusunceremoniouslytransplanted，returntohisnativedistrictfor，byanotherlaw，itwasforbiddentoanyonetochangehisresidencewithoutlicense。73Hewassettledforlife。ThePeruviangovernmentascribedtoeverymanhislocalhabitation，hissphereofaction，nay，theverynatureandqualityofthataction。Heceasedtobeafreeagent；itmightbealmostsaid，thatitrelievedhimofpersonalresponsibility。

Infollowingoutthissingulararrangement，theIncasshowedasmuchregardforthecomfortandconvenienceofthecolonistaswascompatiblewiththeexecutionoftheirdesign。Theywerecarefulthatthemitimaes，astheseemigrantswerestyled，shouldberemovedtoclimatesmostcongenialwiththeirown。Theinhabitantsofthecoldcountrieswerenottransplantedtothewarm，northeinhabitantsofthewarmcountriestothecold。74Eventheirhabitualoccupationswereconsulted，andthefishermanwassettledintheneighborhoodoftheocean，orthegreatlakes；whilesuchlandswereassignedtothehusbandmanaswerebestadaptedtotheculturewithwhichhewasmostfamiliar。75And，asmigrationbymany，perhapsbymost，wouldberegardedasacalamity，thegovernmentwascarefultoshowparticularmarksoffavortothemitimaes，and，byvariousprivilegesandimmunities，toamelioratetheircondition，andthustoreconcilethem，ifpossible，totheirlot。76

ThePeruvianinstitutions，thoughtheymayhavebeenmodifiedandmaturedundersuccessivesovereigns，allbearthestampofthesameoriginal，——wereallcastinthesamemould。Theempire，strengtheningandenlargingateverysuccessiveepochofitshistory，was，initslatterdays，butthedevelopment，onagreatscale，ofwhatitwasinminiatureatitscommencement，astheinfantgermissaidtocontainwithinitselfalltheramificationsofthefuturemonarchoftheforest。EachsucceedingIncaseemeddesirousonlytotreadinthepath，andcarryouttheplans，ofhispredecessor。Greatenterprises，commencedunderone，werecontinuedbyanother，andcompletedbyathird。Thus，whileallactedonaregularplan，withoutanyoftheeccentricorretrogrademovementswhichbetraytheagencyofdifferentindividuals，thestateseemedtobeunderthedirectionofasinglehand，andsteadilypursued，asifthroughonelongreign，itsgreatcareerofcivilizationandofconquest。

Theultimateaimofitsinstitutionswasdomesticquiet。Butitseemedasifthisweretobeobtainedonlybyforeignwar。Tranquillityintheheartofthemonarchy，andwaronitsborders，wastheconditionofPeru。Bythiswaritgaveoccupationtoapartofitspeople，and，bythereductionandcivilizationofitsbarbarousneighbors，gavesecuritytoall。EveryIncasovereign，howevermildandbenevolentinhisdomesticrule，wasawarrior，andledhisarmiesinperson。Eachsuccessivereignextendedstillwidertheboundariesoftheempire。Yearafteryearsawthevictoriousmonarchreturnladenwithspoils，andfollowedbyathrongoftributarychieftainstohiscapital。HisreceptiontherewasaRomantriumph。Thewholeofitsnumerouspopulationpouredouttowelcomehim，dressedinthegayandpicturesquecostumesofthedifferentprovinces，Withbannerswavingabovetheirheads，andstrewingbranchesandflowersalongthepathoftheconqueror。TheInca，bornealoftinhisgoldenchairontheshouldersofhisnobles，movedinsolemnprocession，underthetriumphalarchesthatwerethrownacrosstheway，tothegreattempleoftheSun。There，withoutattendants，——forallbutthemonarchwereexcludedfromthehallowedprecincts，——thevictoriousprince，strippedofhisroyalinsignia，barefooted，andwithallhumility，approachedtheawfulshrine，andofferedupsacrificeandthanksgivingtothegloriousDeitywhopresidedoverthefortunesoftheIncas。Thisceremonyconcluded，thewholepopulationgaveitselfuptofestivity；

music，revelry，anddancingwereheardineveryquarterofthecapital，andilluminationsandbonfirescommemoratedthevictoriouscampaignoftheInca，andtheaccessionofanewterritorytohisempire。77

Inthiscelebrationweseemuchofthecharacterofareligiousfestival。

Indeed，thecharacterofreligionwasimpressedonallthePeruvianwars。

ThelifeofanIncawasonelongcrusadeagainsttheinfidel，tospreadwidetheworshipoftheSun，toreclaimthebenightednationsfromtheirbrutishsuperstitions，andimparttothemtheblessingsofawell-regulatedgovernment。This，inthefavoritephraseofourday，wasthe"mission"

oftheInca。ItwasalsothemissionoftheChristianconquerorwhoinvadedtheempireofthissameIndianpotentate。Whichofthetwoexecutedhismissionmostfaithfully，historymustdecide。

YetthePeruvianmonarchsdidnotshowachildishimpatienceintheacquisitionofempire。Theypausedafteracampaign，andallowedtimeforthesettlementofoneconquestbeforetheyundertookanother；and，inthisinterval，occupiedthemselveswiththequietadministrationoftheirkingdom，andwiththelongprogresses，whichbroughtthemintonearerintercoursewiththeirpeople。Duringthisinterval，also，theirnewvassalshadbeguntoaccommodatethemselvestothestrangeinstitutionsoftheirmasters。Theylearnedtoappreciatethevalueofagovernmentwhichraisedthemabovethephysicalevilsofastateofbarbarism，securedthemprotectionofperson，andafullparticipationinalltheprivilegesenjoyedbytheirconquerors；and，astheybecamemorefamiliarwiththepeculiarinstitutionsofthecountry，habit，thatsecondnature，attachedthemthemorestronglytotheseinstitutions，fromtheirverypeculiarity。Thus，bydegrees，andwithoutviolence，arosethegreatfabricofthePeruvianempire，composedofnumerousindependentandevenhostiletribes，yet，undertheinfluenceofacommonreligion，commonlanguage，andcommongovernment，knittogetherasonenation，animatedbyaspiritofloveforitsinstitutionsanddevotedloyaltytoitssovereign。WhatacontrasttotheconditionoftheAztecmonarchy，ontheneighboringcontinent，which，composedofthelikeheterogeneousmaterials，withoutanyinternalprincipleofcohesion，wasonlyheldtogetherbythesternpressure，fromwithout，ofphysicalforce！——WhythePeruvianmonarchyshouldhavefarednobetterthanitsrival，initsconflictwithEuropeancivilization，willappearinthefollowingpages。

Book1

Chapter3

PeruvianReligion——Deities——GorgeousTemples——Festivals-

VirginsOfTheSun——MarriageItisaremarkablefact，thatmany，ifnotmost，oftherudetribesinhabitingthevastAmericancontinent，howeverdisfiguredtheircreedsmayhavebeeninotherrespectsbyachildishsuperstition，hadattainedtothesublimeconceptionofoneGreatSpirit，theCreatoroftheUniverse，who，immaterialinhisownnature，wasnottobedishonoredbyanattemptatvisiblerepresentation，andwho，pervadingallspace，wasnottobecircumscribedwithinthewallsofatemple。Yettheseelevatedideas，sofarbeyondtheordinaryrangeoftheuntutoredintellect，donotseemtohaveledtothepracticalconsequencesthatmighthavebeenexpected；andfewoftheAmericannationshaveshownmuchsolicitudeforthemaintenanceofareligiousworship，orfoundintheirfaithapowerfulspringofaction。

But，withprogressincivilization，ideasmoreakintothoseofcivilizedcommunitiesweregraduallyunfolded；aliberalprovisionwasmade，andaseparateorderinstituted，fortheservicesofreligion，whichwereconductedwithaminuteandmagnificentceremonial，thatchallengedcomparison，insomerespects，withthatofthemostpolishednationsofChristendom。Thiswasthecasewiththenationsinhabitingthetable-

landofNorthAmerica，andwiththenativesofBogota，Quito，Peru，andtheotherelevatedregionsonthegreatSoutherncontinent。Itwas，aboveall，thecasewiththePeruvians，whoclaimedadivineoriginalforthefoundersoftheirempire，whoselawsallrestedonadivinesanction，andwhosedomesticinstitutionsandforeignwarswerealikedirectedtopreserveandpropagatetheirfaith。Religionwasthebasisoftheirpolity，theverycondition，asitwere，oftheirsocialexistence。ThegovernmentoftheIncas，initsessentialprinciples，wasatheocracy。

Yet，thoughreligionenteredsolargelyintothefabricandconductofthepoliticalinstitutionsofthepeople，theirmythology，thatis，thetraditionarylegendsbywhichtheyaffectedtounfoldthemysteriesoftheuniverse，wasexceedinglymeanandpuerile。Scarceoneoftheirtraditions——exceptthebeautifulonerespectingthefoundersoftheirroyaldynasty——isworthyofnote，orthrowsmuchlightontheirownantiquities，ortheprimitivehistoryofman。Amongthetraditionsofimportanceisoneofthedeluge，whichtheyheldincommonwithsomanyofthenationsinallpartsoftheglobe，andwhichtheyrelatedwithsomeparticularsthatbearresemblancetoaMexicanlegend。1

Theirideasinrespecttoafuturestateofbeingdeservemoreattention。

Theyadmittedtheexistenceofasoulhereafter，andconnectedwiththisabeliefintheresurrectionofthebody。Theyassignedtwodistinctplacesfortheresidenceofthegoodandofthewicked，thelatterofwhichtheyfixedinthecentreoftheearth。Thegoodtheysupposedweretopassaluxuriouslifeoftranquillityandease，whichcomprehendedtheirhighestnotionsofhappiness。Thewickedweretoexpiatetheircrimesbyagesofwearisomelabor。Theyassociatedwiththeseideasabeliefinanevilprincipleorspirit，bearingthenameofCupay，whomtheydidnotattempttopropitiatebysacrifices，andwhoseemstohavebeenonlyashadowypersonificationofsin，thatexercisedlittleinfluenceovertheirconduct。2

Itwasthisbeliefintheresurrectionofthebody，whichledthemtopreservethebodywithsomuchsolicitude，byasimpleprocess，however，that，unliketheelaborateembalmingoftheEgyptians，consistedinexposingittotheactionofthecold，exceedinglydry，andhighlyrarefiedatmosphereofthemountains。3Astheybelievedthattheoccupationsinthefutureworldwouldhavegreatresemblancetothoseofthepresent，theyburiedwiththedeceasednoblesomeofhisapparel，hisutensils，and，frequently，histreasures；andcompletedthegloomyceremonybysacrificinghiswivesandfavoritedomestics，tobearhimcompanyanddohimserviceinthehappyregionsbeyondtheclouds。4

Vastmoundsofanirregular，or，morefrequently，oblongshape，penetratedbygalleriesrunningatrightanglestoeachother，wereraisedoverthedead，whosedriedbodiesormummieshavebeenfoundinconsiderablenumbers，sometimeserect，butmoreofteninthesittingposture，commontotheIndiantribesofbothcontinents。Treasuresofgreatvaluehavealsobeenoccasionallydrawnfromthesemonumentaldeposits，andhavestimulated，speculatorstorepeatedexcavationswiththehopeofsimilargood-fortune。Itwasalotterylikethatofsearchingaftermines，butwherethechanceshaveprovedstillmoreagainsttheadventurers。5

ThePeruvians，likesomanyotheroftheIndianraces，acknowledgedaSupremeBeing，theCreatorandRuleroftheUniverse，whomtheyadoredunderthedifferentnamesofPachacamacandViracocha。6NotemplewasraisedtothisinvisibleBeing，saveoneonlyinthevalleywhichtookitsnamefromthedeityhimself，notfarfromtheSpanishcityofLima。EventhistemplehadexistedtherebeforethecountrycameundertheswayoftheIncas，andwasthegreatresortofIndianpilgrimsfromremotepartsoftheland；acircumstancewhichsuggeststheidea，thattheworshipofthisGreatSpirit，thoughcountenanced，perhaps，bytheiraccommodatingpolicy，didnotoriginatewiththePeruvianprinces。7

Thedeitywhoseworshiptheyespeciallyinculcated，andwhichtheyneverfailedtoestablishwherevertheirbannerswereknowntopenetrate，wastheSun。Itwashe，who，inaparticularmanner，presidedoverthedestiniesofman；gavelightandwarmthtothenations，andlifetothevegetableworld；whomtheyreverencedasthefatheroftheirroyaldynasty，thefounderoftheirempire；andwhosetemplesroseineverycityandalmosteveryvillagethroughouttheland，whilehisaltarssmokedwithburntofferings，——aformofsacrificepeculiartothePeruviansamongthesemi-civilizednationsoftheNewWorld。8

BesidestheSun，theIncasacknowledgedvariousobjectsofworshipinsomewayorotherconnectedwiththisprincipaldeity。SuchwastheMoon，hissister-wife；theStars，reveredaspartofherheavenlytrain，-

thoughthefairestofthem，Venus，knowntothePeruviansbythenameofChasca，orthe"youthwiththelongandcurlinglocks，"wasadoredasthepageoftheSun，whomheattendssocloselyinhisrisingandinhissetting。TheydedicatedtemplesalsototheThunderandLightning，9inwhomtheyrecognizedtheSun'sdreadministers，andtotheRainbowswhomtheyworshippedasabeautifulemanationoftheirgloriousdeity。10

Inadditiontothese，thesubjectsoftheIncasenrolledamongtheirinferiordeitiesmanyobjectsinnature，astheelements，thewinds，theearth，theair，greatmountainsandrivers，whichimpressedthemwithideasofsublimityandpower，orweresupposedinsomewayorothertoexerciseamysteriousinfluenceoverthedestiniesofman。11Theyadoptedalsoanotion，notunlikethatprofessedbysomeoftheschoolsofancientphilosophy，thateverythingonearthhaditsarchetypeoridea，itsmother，astheyemphaticallystyledit，whichtheyheldsacred，as，insomesort，itsspiritualessence。12Buttheirsystem，farfrombeinglimitedeventothesemultipliedobjectsofdevotion，embracedwithinitsamplefoldsthenumerousdeitiesoftheconquerednations，whoseimagesweretransportedtothecapital，wheretheburdensomechargesoftheirworshipweredefrayedbytheirrespectiveprovinces。ItwasararestrokeofpolicyintheIncas，whocouldthusaccommodatetheirreligiontotheirinterests。13

ButtheworshipoftheSunconstitutedthepeculiarcareoftheIncas，andwastheobjectoftheirlavishexpenditure。ThemostancientofthemanytemplesdedicatedtothisdivinitywasintheIslandofTiticaca，whencetheroyalfoundersofthePeruvianlineweresaidtohaveproceeded。

Fromthiscircumstance，thissanctuarywasheldinpeculiarveneration。

Everythingwhichbelongedtoit，eventhebroadfieldsofmaize，whichSurroundedthetemple，andformedpartofitsdomain，imbibedaportionofitssanctity。Theyearlyproducewasdistributedamongthedifferentpublicmagazines，insmallquantitiestoeach，assomethingthatwouldsanctifytheremainderofthestore。Happywasthemanwhocouldsecureevenanearoftheblessedharvestforhisowngranary！14

ButthemostrenownedofthePeruviantemples，theprideofthecapital，andthewonderoftheempire，wasatCuzco，where，underthemunificenceofsuccessivesovereigns，ithadbecomesoenriched，thatitreceivedthenameofCoricancha，or"thePlaceofGold。"Itconsistedofaprincipalbuildingandseveralchapelsandinferioredifices，coveringalargeextentofgroundintheheartofthecity，andcompletelyencompassedbyawall，which，withtheedifices，wasallconstructedofstone。Theworkwasofthekindalreadydescribedintheotherpublicbuildingsofthecountry，andwassofinelyexecuted，thataSpaniard，whosawitinitsglory，assuresus，hecouldcalltomindonlytwoedificesinSpain，which，fortheirworkmanship，wereatalltobecomparedwithit。15Yetthissubstantial，and，insomerespects，magnificentstructure，wasthatchedwithstraw！

Theinteriorofthetemplewasthemostworthyofadmiration。Itwasliterallyamineofgold。Onthewesternwallwasemblazonedarepresentationofthedeity，consistingofahumancountenance，lookingforthfromamidstinnumerableraysoflight，whichemanatedfromitineverydirection，inthesamemannerasthesunisoftenpersonifiedwithus。Thefigurewasengravedonamassiveplateofgoldofenormousdimensions，thicklypowderedwithemeraldsandpreciousstones。16Itwassosituatedinfrontofthegreateasternportal，thattheraysofthemorningsunfelldirectlyuponitatitsrising，lightingupthewholeapartmentwithaneffulgencethatseemedmorethannatural，andwhichwasreflectedbackfromthegoldenornamentswithwhichthewallsandceilingwereeverywhereincrusted。Gold，inthefigurativelanguageofthepeoplewas"thetearsweptbythesun，"17andeverypartoftheinteriorofthetempleglowedwithburnishedplatesandstudsofthepreciousmetal。Thecornices，whichsurroundedthewallsofthesanctuary，wereofthesamecostlymaterial；andabroadbeltorfriezeofgold，letintothestonework，encompassedthewholeexterioroftheedifice。18

Adjoiningtheprincipalstructurewereseveralchapelsofsmallerdimensions。OneofthemwasconsecratedtotheMoon，thedeityheldnextinreverence，asthemotheroftheIncas。HereffigywasdelineatedinthesamemannerasthatoftheSun，onavastplatethatnearlycoveredonesideoftheapartment。Butthisplate，aswellasallthedecorationsofthebuilding，wasofsilver，assuitedtothepale，silverylightofthebeautifulplanet。Therewerethreeotherchapels，oneofwhichwasdedicatedtothehostofStars，whoformedthebrightcourtoftheSisteroftheSun；anotherwasconsecratedtohisdreadministersofvengeance，theThunderandtheLightning；andathird，totheRainbow，whosemany-coloredarchspannedthewallsoftheedificewithhuesalmostasradiantasitsown。Therewerebesidesseveralotherbuildings，orinsulatedapartments，fortheaccommodationofthenumerouspriestswhoofficiatedintheservicesofthetemple。19

Alltheplate，theornaments，theutensilsofeverydescription，appropriatedtotheusesofreligion，wereofgoldorsilver。Twelveimmensevasesofthelattermetalstoodonthefloorofthegreatsaloon，filledwithgrainoftheIndiancorn；20thecensersfortheperfumes，theewerswhichheldthewaterforsacrifice，thepipeswhichconducteditthroughsubterraneouschannelsintothebuildings，thereservoirsthatreceivedit，eventheagriculturalimplementsusedinthegardensofthetemple，wereallofthesamerichmaterials。Thegardens，likethosedescribed，belongingtotheroyalpalaces，sparkledwithflowersofgoldandsilver，andvariousimitationsofthevegetablekingdom。Animals，also，weretobefoundthere，——amongwhichthellama，withitsgoldenfleece，wasmostconspicuous，——executedinthesamestyle，andwithadegreeofskill，which，inthisinstance，probably，didnotsurpasstheexcellenceofthematerial。21

IfthereaderseesinthisfairypictureonlytheromanticcoloringofsomefabulousElDorado，hemustrecallwhathasbeensaidbeforeinreferencetothepalacesoftheIncas，andconsiderthatthese"HousesoftheSun，"astheywerestyled，werethecommonreservoirintowhichflowedallthestreamsofpublicandprivatebenefactionthroughouttheempire。Someofthestatements，throughcredulity，andothers，inthedesireofexcitingadmiration，maybegreatlyexaggerated；but，inthecoincidenceofcontemporarytestimony，itisnoteasytodeterminetheexactlinewhichshouldmarkthemeasureofourskepticism。Certainitis，thattheglowingpictureIhavegiveniswarrantedbythosewhosawthesebuildingsintheirpride，orshortlyaftertheyhadbeendespoiledbythecupidityoftheircountrymen。Manyofthecostlyarticleswereburiedbythenatives，orthrownintothewatersoftheriversandthelakes；butenoughremainedtoattesttheunprecedentedopulenceofthesereligiousestablishments。Suchthingsaswereintheirnatureportablewerespeedilyremoved，togratifythecravingoftheConquerors，whoeventoreawaythesolidcornicesandfriezeofgoldfromthegreattemple，fillingthevacantplaceswiththecheaper，but——sinceitaffordsnotemptationtoavarice——moredurable，materialofplaster。Yeteventhusshornoftheirsplendor，thevenerableedificesstillpresentedanattractiontothespoiler，whofoundintheirdilapidatedwallsaninexhaustablequarryfortheerectionofotherbuildings。OntheverygroundoncecrownedbythegorgeousCoricancharosethestatelychurchofSt。Dominic，oneofthemostmagnificentstructuresoftheNewWorld。Fieldsofmaizeandlucernenowbloomonthespotwhichglowedwiththegoldengardensofthetemple；andthefriarchantshisorisonswithintheconsecratedprecinctsonceoccupiedbytheChildrenoftheSun。22

BesidesthegreattempleoftheSun，therewasalargenumberofinferiortemplesandreligioushousesinthePeruviancapitalanditsenvirons，amounting，asisstated，tothreeorfourhundred。23ForCuzcowasasanctifiedspot，veneratednotonlyastheabodeoftheIncas，butofallthosedeitieswhopresidedoverthemotleynationsoftheempire。ItwasthecitybelovedoftheSun；wherehisworshipwasmaintainedinitssplendor；"whereeveryfountain，pathway，andwall，"saysanancientchronicler，"wasregardedasaholymystery。"24AndunfortunatewastheIndiannoblewho，atsomeperiodorotherofhislife，hadnotmadehispilgrimagetothePeruvianMecca。

Othertemplesandreligiousdwellingswerescatteredovertheprovinces；

andsomeofthemconstructedonascaleofmagnificence，thatalmostrivalledthatofthemetropolis。Theattendantsonthesecomposedanarmyofthemselves。Thewholenumberoffunctionaries，includingthoseofthesacerdotalorder，whoofficiatedattheCoricanchaalone，wasnolessthanfourthousand。25

Attheheadofall，bothhereandthroughouttheland，stoodthegreatHigh-Priest，orVillacVmu，ashewascalled。HewassecondonlytotheIncaindignity，andwasusuallychosenfromhisbrothersornearestkindred。Hewasappointedbythemonarch，andheldhisofficeforlife；

andhe，inturn，appointedtoallthesubordinatestationsofhisownorder。

Thisorderwasverynumerous。ThosemembersofitwhoofficiatedintheHouseoftheSun，inCuzco，weretakenexclusivelyfromthesacredraceoftheIncas。Theministersintheprovincialtemplesweredrawnfromthefamiliesofthecuracas；buttheofficeofhigh-priestineachdistrictwasreservedforoneofthebloodroyal。Itwasdesignedbythisregulationtopreservethefaithinitspurity，andtoguardagainstanydeparturefromthestatelyceremonialwhichitpunctiliouslyprescribed。26

Thesacerdotalorder，thoughnumerous，wasnotdistinguishedbyanypeculiarbadgeorcostumefromtherestofthenation。Neitherwasitthesoledepositoryofthescantyscienceofthecountry，norwasitchargedwiththebusinessofinstruction，norwiththoseparochialduties，iftheymaysobecalled，whichbringthepriestincontactwiththegreatbodyofthepeople，——aswasthecaseinMexico。Thecauseofthispeculiaritymayprobablybetracedtotheexistenceofasuperiororder，likethatoftheIncanobles，whosesanctityofbirthsofartranscendedallhumanappointments，thattheyinamannerengrossedwhatevertherewasofreligiousvenerationinthepeople。Theywere，infact，theholyorderofthestate。Doubtless，anyofthemmight，asverymanyofthemdid，takeonthemselvesthesacerdotalfunctions；andtheirowninsigniaandpeculiarprivilegesweretoowellunderstoodtorequireanyfurtherbadgetoseparatethemfromthepeople。

Thedutiesofthepriestwereconfinedtoministrationinthetemple。

Evenherehisattendancewasnotconstant，ashewasrelievedafterastatedintervalbyotherbrethrenofhisorder，whosucceededoneanotherinregularrotation。Hissciencewaslimitedtoanacquaintancewiththefastsandfestivalsofhisreligion，andtheappropriateceremonieswhichdistinguishedthem。This，howeverfrivolousmightbeitscharacter，wasnoeasyacquisition；fortheritualoftheIncasinvolvedaroutineofobservances，ascomplexandelaborateaseverdistinguishedthatofanynation，whetherpaganorChristian。Eachmonthhaditsappropriatefestival，orratherfestivals。ThefourprincipalhadreferencetotheSun，andcommemoratedthegreatperiodsofhisannualprogress，thesolsticesandequinoxes。PerhapsthemostmagnificentofallthenationalsolemnitieswasthefeastofRaymi，heldattheperiodofthesummersolstice，whentheSun，havingtouchedthesouthernextremityofhiscourse，retracedhispath，asiftogladdentheheartsofhischosenpeoplebyhispresence。Onthisoccasion，theIndiannoblesfromthedifferentquartersofthecountrythrongedtothecapitaltotakepartinthegreatreligiouscelebration。

Forthreedaysprevious，therewasageneralfast，andnofirewasallowedtobelightedinthedwellings。Whentheappointeddayarrived，theIncaandhiscourt，followedbythewholepopulationofthecity，assembledatearlydawninthegreatsquaretogreettherisingoftheSun。Theyweredressedintheirgayestapparel，andtheIndianlordsviedwitheachotherinthedisplayofcostlyornamentsandjewelsontheirpersons，whilecanopiesofgaudyfeather-workandrichlytintedstuffs，bornebytheattendantsovertheirheads，gavetothegreatsquare，andthestreetsthatemptiedintoit，theappearanceofbeingspreadoverwithonevastandmagnificentawning。Eagerlytheywatchedthecomingoftheirdeity，and，nosoonerdidhisfirstyellowraysstriketheturretsandloftiestbuildingsofthecapital，thanashoutofgratulationbrokeforthfromtheassembledmultitude，accompaniedbysongsoftriumph，andthewildmelodyofbarbaricinstruments，thatswelledlouderandlouderashisbrightorb，risingabovethemountainrangetowardstheeast，shoneinfullsplendoronhisvotaries。Aftertheusualceremoniesofadoration，alibationwasofferedtothegreatdeitybytheInca，fromahugegoldenvase，filledwiththefermentedliquorofmaizeorofmaguey，which，afterthemonarchhadtastedithimself，hedispensedamonghisroyalkindred。Theseceremoniescompleted，thevastassemblywasarrangedinorderofprocession，andtookitswaytowardstheCoricancha。27

Astheyenteredthestreetofthesacrededifice，alldivestedthemselvesoftheirsandals，excepttheIncaandhisfamily，whodidthesameonpassingthroughtheportalsofthetemple，wherenonebuttheseaugustpersonageswereadmitted。28Afteradecenttimespentindevotion，thesovereign，attendedbyhiscourtlytrain，againappeared，andpreparationsweremadetocommencethesacrifice。This，withthePeruvians，consistedofanimals，grain，flowers，andsweet-scentedgums；sometimesofhumanbeings，onwhichoccasionsachildorbeautifulmaidenwasusuallyselectedasthevictim。Butsuchsacrificeswererare，beingreservedtocelebratesomegreatpublicevent，asacoronation，thebirthofaroyalheir，oragreatvictory。TheywereneverfollowedbythosecannibalrepastsfamiliartotheMexicans，andtomanyofthefiercetribesconqueredbytheIncas。Indeed，theconquestsoftheseprincesmightwellbedeemedablessingtotheIndiannations，ifitwereonlyfromtheirsuppressionofcannibalism，andthediminution，undertheirrule，ofhumansacrifices。29

AtthefeastofRaymi，thesacrificeusuallyofferedwasthatofthellama；

andthepriest，afteropeningthebodyofhisvictim，soughtintheappearanceswhichitexhibitedtoreadthelessonofthemysteriousfuture。Iftheaugurieswereunpropitious，asecondvictimwasslaughtered，inthehopeofreceivingsomemorecomfortableassurance。

ThePeruvianaugurmighthavelearnedagoodlessonoftheRoman，——toconsidereveryomenasfavorable，whichservedtheinterestsofhiscountry。30

Afirewasthenkindledbymeansofaconcavemirrorofpolishedmetal，which，collectingtheraysofthesunintoafocusuponaquantityofdriedcotton，speedilysetitonfire。ItwastheexpedientusedonthelikeoccasionsinancientRome，atleastunderthereignofthepiousNuma。

Whentheskywasovercast，andthefaceofthegooddeitywashiddenfromhisworshippers，whichwasesteemedabadomen，firewasobtainedbymeansoffriction。ThesacredflamewasintrustedtothecareoftheVirginsoftheSun，andif，byanyneglect，itwassufferedtogooutinthecourseoftheyear，theeventwasregardedasacalamitythatbodedsomestrangedisastertothemonarchy。31Aburntofferingofthevictimswasthenmadeonthealtarsofthedeity。Thissacrificewasbutthepreludetotheslaughterofagreatnumberofllamas，partoftheflocksoftheSun，whichfurnishedabanquetnotonlyfortheIncaandhisCourt，butforthepeople，whomadeamendsatthesefestivalsforthefrugalfaretowhichtheywereusuallycondemned。Afinebreadorcake，kneadedofmaizeflourbythefairhandsoftheVirginsoftheSun，wasalsoplacedontheroyalboard，wheretheInca，presidingoverthefeast，pledgedhisgreatnoblesingenerousgobletsofthefermentedliquorofthecountry，andthelongrevelryofthedaywasclosedatnightbymusicanddancing。DancinganddrinkingwerethefavoritepastimesofthePeruvians。Theseamusementscontinuedforseveraldays，thoughthesacrificesterminatedonthefirst——SuchwasthegreatfestivalofRaymi；

andtherecurrenceofthisandsimilarfestivitiesgaverelieftothemonotonousroutineoftoilprescribedtothelowerordersofthecommunity。32

Inthedistributionofbreadandwineatthishighfestival，theorthodoxSpaniards，whofirstcameintothecountry，sawastrikingresemblancetotheChristiancommunion；33asinthepracticeofconfessionandpenance，which，inamostirregularform，indeed，seemstohavebeenusedbythePeruvians，theydiscernedacoincidencewithanotherofthesacramentsoftheChurch。34Thegoodfatherswerefondoftracingsuchcoincidences，whichtheyconsideredasthecontrivanceofSatan，whothusendeavoredtodeludehisvictimsbycounterfeitingtheblessedritesofChristianity。35Others，inadifferentvein，imaginedthattheysawinsuchanalogiestheevidence，thatsomeoftheprimitiveteachersoftheGospel，perhapsanapostlehimself，hadpaidavisittothesedistantregions，andscatteredoverthemtheseedsofreligioustruth。36ButitseemshardlynecessarytoinvokethePrinceofDarkness，ortheinterventionoftheblessedsaints，toaccountforcoincidenceswhichhaveexistedincountriesfarremovedfromthelightofChristianity，andinages，indeed，whenitslighthadnotyetrisenontheworld。Itismuchmorereasonabletorefersuchcasualpointsofresemblancetothegeneralconstitutionofman，andthenecessitiesofhismoralnature。37

AnothersingularanalogywithRomanCatholicinstitutionsispresentedbytheVirginsoftheSun，the"elect，"astheywerecalled，38towhomI

havealreadyhadoccasiontorefer。Thesewereyoungmaidens，dedicatedtotheserviceofthedeity，who，atatenderage，weretakenfromtheirhomes，andintroducedintoconvents，wheretheywereplacedunderthecareofcertainelderlymatrons，mamaconas，whohadgrowngreywithintheirwalls。39Underthesevenerableguides，theholyvirginswereinstructedinthenatureoftheirreligiousduties。Theywereemployedinspinningandembroidery，and，withthefinehairofthevicunawovethehangingsforthetemples，andtheapparelfortheIncaandhishousehold。40Itwastheirduty，aboveall，towatchoverthesacredfireobtainedatthefestivalofRaymi。Fromthemomenttheyenteredtheestablishment，theywerecutofffromallconnectionwiththeworld，evenwiththeirownfamilyandfriends。NoonebuttheInca，andtheCoyaorqueen，mightentertheconsecratedprecincts。Thegreatestattentionwaspaidtotheirmorals，andvisitorsweresenteveryyeartoinspecttheinstitutions，andtoreportonthestateoftheirdiscipline。41

Woetotheunhappymaidenwhowasdetectedinanintrigue！BythesternlawoftheIncas，shewastobeburiedalive，herloverwastobestrangled，andthetownorvillagetowhichhebelongedwastoberazedtotheground，and"sowedwithstones，"asiftoeffaceeverymemorialofhisexistence。42OneisastonishedtofindsoclosearesemblancebetweentheinstitutionsoftheAmericanIndian，theancientRoman，andthemodernCatholic！Chastityandpurityoflifearevirtuesinwoman，thatwouldseemtobeofequalestimationwiththebarbarianandwiththecivilized——Yettheultimatedestinationoftheinmatesofthesereligioushouseswasmateriallydifferent。

ThegreatestablishmentatCuzcoconsistedwhollyofmaidensoftheroyalblood，whoamounted，itissaid，tonolessthanfifteenhundred。

Theprovincialconventsweresuppliedfromthedaughtersofthecuracasandinferiornobles，and，occasionally，whereagirlwasrecommendedbygreatpersonalattractions，fromthelowerclassesofthepeople。43The"HousesoftheVirginsoftheSun"consistedoflowrangesofstonebuildings，coveringalargeextentofground，surroundedbyhighwalls，whichexcludedthosewithinentirelyfromobservation。Theywereprovidedwitheveryaccommodationforthefairinmates，andwereembellishedinthesamesumptuousandcostlymannerasthepalacesoftheIncas，andthetemples；fortheyreceivedtheparticularcareofgovernment，asanimportantpartofthereligiousestablishment。44

Yetthecareerofalltheinhabitantsofthesecloisterswasnotconfinedwithintheirnarrowwalls。ThoughVirginsoftheSun，theywerebridesoftheInca，and，atamarriageableage，themostbeautifulamongthemwereselectedforthehonorsofhisbed，andtransferredtotheroyalseraglio。Thefullcomplementofthisamountedintimenotonlytohundreds，butthousands，whoallfoundaccommodationsinhisdifferentpalacesthroughoutthecountry。Whenthemonarchwasdisposedtolessenthenumberofhisestablishment，theconcubinewithwhosesocietyhewaswillingtodispensereturned，nottoherformermonasticresidence，buttoherownhome；where，howeverhumblemightbeheroriginalcondition，shewasmaintainedingreatstate，and，farfrombeingdishonoredbythesituationshehadfilled，washeldinuniversalreverenceastheInca'sbride。45

ThegreatnoblesofPeruwereallowed，liketheirsovereign，apluralityofwives。Thepeople，generally，whetherbylaw，orbynecessitystrongerthanlaw，weremorehappilylimitedtoone。Marriagewasconductedinamannerthatgaveitquiteasoriginalacharacterasbelongedtotheotherinstitutionsofthecountry。Onanappointeddayoftheyear，allthoseofamarriageableage——which，havingreferencetotheirabilitytotakechargeofafamily，inthemaleswasfixedatnotlessthantwentyfouryears，andinthewomenateighteenortwenty——werecalledtogetherinthegreatsquaresoftheirrespectivetownsandvillages，throughouttheempire。TheIncapresidedinpersonovertheassemblyofhisownkindred，andtakingthehandsofthedifferentcoupleswhoweretobeunited，heplacedthemwithineachother，declaringthepartiesmanandwife。Thesamewasdonebythecuracastowardsallpersonsoftheirownorinferiordegreeintheirseveraldistricts。ThiswasthesimpleformofmarriageinPeru。Noonewasallowedtoselectawifebeyondthecommunitytowhichhebelonged，whichgenerallycomprehendedallhisownkindred；46norwasanybutthesovereignauthorizedtodispensewiththelawofnature——oratleast，theusuallawofnations——sofarastomarryhisownsister。47Nomarriagewasesteemedvalidwithouttheconsentoftheparents；andthepreferenceoftheparties，itissaid，wasalsotobeconsulted；though，consideringthebarriersimposedbytheprescribedageofthecandidates，thismusthavebeenwithinrathernarrowandwhimsicallimits。Adwellingwasgotreadyforthenew-

marriedpairatthechargeofthedistrict，andtheprescribedportionoflandassignedfortheirmaintenance。ThelawofPeruprovidedforthefuture，aswellasforthepresent。Itleftnothingtochance——Thesimpleceremonyofmarriagewasfollowedbygeneralfestivitiesamongthefriendsoftheparties，whichlastedseveraldays；andaseveryweddingtookplaceonthesameday，andastherewerefewfamilieswhohadnotsomeoneoftheirmembersortheirkindredpersonallyinterested，therewasoneuniversalbridaljubileethroughouttheempire。48

TheextraordinaryregulationsrespectingmarriageundertheIncasare，eminentlycharacteristicofthegeniusofthegovernment；which，farfromlimitingitselftomattersofpublicconcern，penetratedintothemostprivaterecessesofdomesticlife，allowingnoman，howeverhumble，toactforhimself，eveninthosepersonalmattersinwhichnonebuthimself，orhisfamilyatmost，mightbesupposedtobeinterested。NoPeruvianwastoolowforthefosteringvigilanceofgovernment。Nonewassohighthathewasnotmadetofeelhisdependenceuponitineveryactofhislife。Hisveryexistenceasanindividualwasabsorbedinthatofthecommunity。Hishopesandhisfears，hisjoysandhissorrows，thetenderestsympathiesofhisnature，whichwouldmostnaturallyshrinkfromobservation，werealltoberegulatedbylaw。Hewasnotallowedeventobehappyinhisownway。ThegovernmentoftheIncaswasthemildest，——butthemostsearchingofdespotisms。

Book1

Chapter4

Education——Quipus-Astronomy-Agriculture——Aqueducts-Guano——

ImportantEsculents"Sciencewasnotintendedforthepeople；butforthoseofgenerousblood。Personsoflowdegreeareonlypuffedupbyit，andrenderedvainandarrogant。Neithershouldsuchmeddlewiththeaffairsofgovernment；forthiswouldbringhighofficesintodisrepute，andcausedetrimenttothestate。1Suchwasthefavoritemaxim，oftenrepeated，ofTupacIncaYupanqui，oneofthemostrenownedofthePeruviansovereigns。ItmayseemstrangethatsuchamaximshouldeverhavebeenproclaimedintheNewWorld，wherepopularinstitutionshavebeerestablishedonamoreextensivescalethanwaseverbeforewitnessed；

wheregovernmentrestswhollyonthepeople；andeducation——atleast，inthegreatnortherndivisionofthecontinent——ismainlydirectedtoqualifythepeopleforthedutiesofgovernment。YetthismaximwasstrictlyconformabletothegeniusofthePeruvianmonarchy，andmayserveasakeytoitshabitualpolicy；since，whileitwatchedwithunweariedsolicitudeoveritssubjects，providedfortheirphysicalnecessities，wasmindfuloftheirmorals，andshowed，throughout，theaffectionateconcernofaparentforhischildren，ityetregardedthemonlyaschildren，whowerenevertoemergefromthestateofpupilage，toactortothinkforthemselves，butwhosewholedutywascomprehendedintheobligationofimplicitobedience。

SuchwasthehumiliatingconditionofthepeopleundertheIncas:whilethenumerousfamiliesofthebloodroyalenjoyedthebenefitofallthelightofeducation，whichthecivilizationofthecountrycouldafford；

and，longaftertheConquest，thespotscontinuedtobepointedoutwheretheseminarieshadexistedfortheirinstruction。Thesewereplacedunderthecareoftheamautas，or"wisemen，"whoengrossedthescantystockofscience——ifscienceitcouldbecalled——possessedbythePeruvians，andwhowerethesoleteachersofyouth。Itwasnaturalthatthemonarchshouldtakealivelyinterestintheinstructionoftheyoungnobility，hisownkindred。SeveralofthePeruvianprincesaresaidtohavebuilttheirpalacesintheneighborhoodoftheschools，inorderthattheymightthemoreeasilyvisitthemandlistentothelecturesoftheamautas，whichtheyoccasionallyreinforcedbyahomilyoftheirown。2

Intheseschools，theroyalpupilswereinstructedinallthedifferentkindsofknowledgeinwhichtheirteacherswereversed，withespecialreferencetothestationstheyweretooccupyinafter-life。Theystudiedthelaws，andtheprinciplesofadministeringthegovernment，inwhichmanyofthemweretotakepart。Theywereinitiatedinthepeculiarritesoftheirreligion，mostnecessarytothosewhoweretoassumethesacerdotalfunctions。Theylearnedalsotoemulatetheachievementsoftheirroyalancestorsbylisteningtothechroniclescompiledbytheamautas。Theyweretaughttospeaktheirowndialectwithpurityandelegance；andtheybecameacquaintedwiththemysteriousscienceofthequipus，whichsuppliedthePeruvianswiththemeansofcommunicatingtheirideastooneanother，andoftransmittingthemtofuturegenerations。3

Thequipuwasacordabouttwofeetlong，composedofdifferentcoloredthreadstightlytwistedtogether，fromwhichaquantityofsmallerthreadsweresuspendedinthemannerofafringe。Thethreadswereofdifferentcolorsandweretiedintoknots。Thewordquipu，indeed，signifiesaknot。Thecolorsdenotedsensibleobjects；as，forinstance，whiterepresentedsilver，andyellow，gold。Theysometimesalsostoodforabstractideas。Thus，whitesignifiedpeace，andred，war。Butthequipuswerechieflyusedforarithmeticalpurposes。Theknotsservedinsteadofciphers，andcouldbecombinedinsuchamannerastorepresentnumberstoanyamounttheyrequired。Bymeansofthesetheywentthroughtheircalculationswithgreatrapidity，andtheSpaniardswhofirstvisitedthecountrybeartestimonytotheiraccuracy。4

Officerswereestablishedineachofthedistricts，who，underthetitleofquipucamayus，Or"keepersofthequipus，"wererequiredtofurnishthegovernmentwithinformationonvariousimportantmatters。Onehadchargeoftherevenues，reportedthequantityofrawmaterialdistributedamongthelaborers，thequalityandquantityofthefabricsmadefromit，andtheamountofstores，ofvariouskinds，paidintotheroyalmagazines。

Anotherexhibitedtheregisterofbirthsanddeaths，themarriages，thenumberofthosequalifiedtobeararms，andthelikedetailsinreferencetothepopulationofthekingdom。Thesereturnswereannuallyforwardedtothecapital，wheretheyweresubmittedtotheinspectionofofficersacquaintedwiththeartofdecipheringthesemysticrecords。

Thegovernmentwasthusprovidedwithavaluablemassofstatisticalinformation，andtheskeinsofmany-coloredthreads，collectedandcarefullypreserved，constitutedwhatmightbecalledthenationalarchives。5

But，althoughthequipussufficedforallthepurposesofarithmeticalcomputationdemandedbythePeruvians，theywereincompetenttorepresentthemanifoldideasandimageswhichareexpressedbywriting，Evenhere，however，theinventionwasnotwithoutitsuse。For，independentlyofthedirectrepresentationofsimpleobjects，andevenofabstractideas，toaverylimitedextent，asabovenoticed，itaffordedgreathelptothememorybywayofassociation。Thepeculiarknotorcolor，inthisway，suggestedwhatitcouldnotventuretorepresent；inthesamemanner-toborrowthehomelyillustrationofanoldwriter——asthenumberoftheCommandmentcallstomindtheCommandmentitself。Thequipus，thusused，mightberegardedasthePeruviansystemofmnemonics。

【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