Annalistswereappointedineachoftheprincipalcommunities，whosebusinessitwastorecordthemostimportanteventswhichoccurredinthem。Otherfunctionariesofahighercharacter，usuallytheamautas，wereintrustedwiththehistoryoftheempire，andwereselectedtochroniclethegreatdeedsofthereigningInca，orofhisancestors。6Thenarrative，thusconcocted，couldbecommunicatedonlybyoraltradition；

butthequipusservedthechroniclertoarrangetheincidentswithmethod，andtorefreshhismemory。Thestory，oncetreasuredupinthemind，wasindeliblyimpressedtherebyfrequentrepetition。Itwasrepeatedbytheamautatohispupils，andinthiswayhistory，conveyedpartlybyoraltradition，andpartlybyarbitrarysigns，washandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration，withsufficientdiscrepancyofdetails，butwithageneralconformityofoutlinetothetruth。

ThePeruvianquipuswere，doubtless，awretchedsubstituteforthatbeautifulcontrivance，thealphabet，which，employingafewsimplecharactersastherepresentativesofsounds，insteadofideas，isabletoconveythemostdelicateshadesofthoughtthateverpassedthroughthemindofman。ThePeruvianinvention，indeed，wasfarbelowthatofthehieroglyphics，evenbelowtherudepicture-writingoftheAztecs；forthelatterart，howeverincompetenttoconveyabstractideas，coulddepictsensibleobjectswithtolerableaccuracy。Itisevidenceofthetotalignoranceinwhichthetwonationsremainedofeachother，thatthePeruviansshouldhaveborrowednothingofthehieroglyphicalsystemoftheMexicans，andthis，notwithstandingthattheexistenceofthemagueyplantagave，inSouthAmericamighthavefurnishedthemwiththeverymaterialusedbytheAztecsfortheconstructionoftheirmaps。7

Itisimpossibletocontemplatewithoutinterestthestrugglesmadebydifferentnations，astheyemergefrombarbarism，tosupplythemselveswithsomevisiblesymbolsofthought，——thatmysteriousagencybywhichthemindoftheindividualmaybeputincommunicationwiththemindsofawholecommunity。Thewantofsuchasymbolisitselfthegreatestimpedimenttotheprogressofcivilization。Forwhatisitbuttoimprisonthethought，whichhastheelementsofimmortality，withinthebosomofitsauthor，orofthesmallcirclewhocomeincontactwithhim，insteadofsendingitabroadtogivelighttothousands，andtogenerationsyetunborn！Notonlyissuchasymbolanessentialelementofcivilization，butitmaybeassumedastheverycriterionofcivilization；

fortheintellectualadvancementofapeoplewillkeeppaceprettynearlywithitsfacilitiesforintellectualcommunication。

YetwemustbecarefulnottounderratetherealvalueofthePeruviansystem；nortosupposethatthequipuswereasawkwardaninstrument，inthehandofapractisednative，astheywouldbeinours。Weknowtheeffectofhabitinallmechanicaloperations，andtheSpaniardsbearconstanttestimonytotheadroitnessandaccuracyofthePeruviansinthis。Theirskillisnotmoresurprisingthanthefacilitywithwhichhabitenablesustomasterthecontentsofaprintedpage，comprehendingthousandsofseparatecharacters，byasingleglance，asitwere，thougheachcharactermustrequireadistinctrecognitionbytheeye，andthat，too，withoutbreakingthechainofthoughtinthereader'smind。Wemustnotholdtheinventionofthequipustoolightly，whenwereflectthattheysuppliedthemeansofcalculationdemandedfortheaffairsofagreatnation，andthat，howeverinsufficient，theyaffordednolittlehelptowhataspiredtothecreditofliterarycomposition。

Theofficeofrecordingthenationalannalswasnotwhollyconfinedtotheamautas。Itwasassumedinpartbytheharavecs，orpoets，whoselectedthemostbrilliantincidentsfortheirsongsorballads，whichwerechantedattheroyalfestivalsandatthetableoftheInca。8Inthismanner，abodyoftraditionalminstrelsygrewup，liketheBritishandSpanishballadpoetry，bymeansofwhichthenameofmanyarudechieftain，thatmighthaveperishedforwantofachronicler，hasbeenbornedownthetideofrusticmelodytolatergenerations。

Yethistorymaybethoughtnottogainmuchbythisalliancewithpoetry；

forthedomainofthepoetextendsoveranidealrealmpeopledwiththeshadowyformsoffancy，thatbearlittleresemblancetotheruderealitiesoflife。ThePeruvianannalsmaybedeemedtoshowsomewhatoftheeffectsofthisunion，sincethereisatingeofthemarvellousspreadoverthemdowntotheverylatestperiod，which，likeamistbeforethereader'seye，makesitdifficulttodistinguishbetweenfactandfiction。

ThepoetfoundaconvenientinstrumentforhispurposesinthebeautifulQuichuadialect。WehavealreadyseentheextraordinarymeasurestakenbytheIncasforpropagatingtheirlanguagethroughouttheirempire。Thusnaturalizedintheremotestprovinces，itbecameenrichedbyavarietyofexoticwordsandidioms，which，undertheinfluenceoftheCourtandofpoeticculture，ifImaysoexpressmyself，wasgraduallyblended，likesomefinishedmosaicmadeupofcoarseanddisjointedmaterials，intooneharmoniouswhole。TheQuichuabecamethemostcomprehensiveandvarious，aswellasthemostelegant，oftheSouthAmericandialects。9

Besidesthecompositionsalreadynoticed，thePeruvians，itissaid，showedsometalentfortheatricalexhibitions；notthosebarrenpantomimeswhich，addressedsimplytotheeye，haveformedtheamusementofmorethanonerudenation。ThePeruvianpiecesaspiredtotherankofdramaticcompositions，sustainedbycharacteranddialogue，foundedsometimesonthemesoftragicinterest，andatothersonsuchas，fromtheirlightandsocialcharacter，belongtocomedy。10

Oftheexecutionofthesepieceswehavenownomeansofjudging。Itwasprobablyrudeenough，asbefittedanunformedpeople。But，whatevermayhavebeentheexecution，themereconceptionofsuchanamusementisaproofofrefinementthathonorablydistinguishesthePeruvianfromtheotherAmericanraces，whosepastimewaswar，ortheferocioussportsthatreflecttheimageofit。

TheintellectualcharacterofthePeruvians，indeed，seemstohavebeenmarkedratherbyatendencytorefinementthanbythosehardierqualitieswhichinsuresuccessinthesevererwalksofscience。Inthesetheywerebehindseveralofthesemi-civilizednationsoftheNewWorld。Theyhadsomeacquaintancewithgeography，sofarasrelatedtotheirownempire，whichwasindeedextensive；andtheyconstructedmapswithlinesraisedonthemtodenotetheboundariesandlocalities，onasimilarprinciplewiththoseformerlyusedbytheblind。Inastronomy，theyappeartohavemadebutmoderateproficiency。Theydividedtheyearintotwelvelunarmonths，eachofwhich，havingitsownname，wasdistinguishedbyitsappropriatefestival。11Theyhad，also，weeks；butofwhatlength，whetherofseven，nine，ortendays，isuncertain。Astheirlunaryearwouldnecessarilyfallshortofthetruetime，theyrectifiedtheircalendarbysolarobservationsmadebymeansofanumberofcylindricalcolumnsraisedonthehighlandsroundCuzco，whichservedthemfortakingazimuths；and，bymeasuringtheirshadows，theyascertainedtheexacttimesofthesolstices。Theperiodoftheequinoxestheydeterminedbythehelpofasolitarypillar，orgnomon，placedinthecentreofacircle，whichwasdescribedintheareaofthegreattemple，andtraversedbyadiameterthatwasdrawnfromeasttowest。Whentheshadowswerescarcelyvisibleunderthenoontideraysofthesun，theysaidthat"thegodsatwithallhislightuponthecolumn。"12Quitowhichlayimmediatelyundertheequator，wheretheverticalraysofthesunthrewnoshadowatnoon，washeldinespecialvenerationasthefavoredabodeofthegreatdeity。Theperiodoftheequinoxeswascelebratedbypublicrejoicings。ThepillarwascrownedbythegoldenchairoftheSun，and，boththenandatthesolstices，thecolumnswerehungwithgarlands，andofferingsofflowersandfruitsweremade，whilehighfestivalwaskeptthroughouttheempire。BytheseperiodsthePeruviansregulatedtheirreligiousritesandceremonial，andprescribedthenatureoftheiragriculturallabors。Theyearitselftookitsdeparturefromthedateofthewintersolstice。13

ThismeagreaccountembracesnearlyallthathascomedowntousofPeruvianastronomy。Itmayseemstrangethatanation，whichhadproceededthusfarinitsobservations，shouldhavegonenofarther；andthat，notwithstandingitsgeneraladvanceincivilization，itshouldinthissciencehavefallensofarshort，notonlyoftheMexicans，butoftheMuyscas，inhabitingthesameelevatedregionsofthegreatsouthernplateauwiththemselves。TheselatterregulatedtheircalendaronthesamegeneralplanofcyclesandperiodicalseriesastheAztecs，approachingyetnearertothesystempursuedbythepeopleofAsia。14

ItmighthavebeenexpectedthattheIncas，theboastedchildrenoftheSun，wouldhavemadeaparticularstudyofthephenomenaoftheheavens，andhaveconstructedacalendaronprinciplesasscientificasthatoftheirsemi-civilizedneighbors。Onehistorian，indeed，assuresusthattheythrewtheiryearsintocyclesoften，ahundred，andathousandyears，andthatbythesecyclestheyregulatedtheirchronology。15Butthisassertion——notimprobableinitself——restsonawriterbutlittlegiftedwiththespiritofcriticism，andiscounter-balancedbythesilenceofeveryhigherandearlierauthority，aswellasbytheabsenceofanymonument，likethosefoundamongotherAmericannations，toattesttheexistenceofsuchacalendar。TheinferiorityofthePeruviansmaybe，perhaps，inpartexplainedbythefactoftheirpriesthoodbeingdrawnexclusivelyfromthebodyoftheIncas，aprivilegedorderofnobility，whohadnoneed，bytheassumptionofsuperiorlearning，tofencethemselvesroundfromtheapproachesofthevulgar。ThelittletruesciencepossessedbytheAztecpriestsuppliedhimwithakeytounlockthemysteriesoftheheavens，andthefalsesystemofastrologywhichhebuiltuponitgavehimcreditasabeingwhohadsomethingofdivinityinhisownnature。ButtheIncanoblewasdivinebybirth。Theillusorystudyofastrology，socaptivatingtotheunenlightenedmind，engagednoshareofhisattention。TheonlypersonsinPeru，whoclaimedthepowerofreadingthemysteriousfuture，werethediviners，menwho，combiningwiththeirpretensionssomeskillinthehealingart，resembledtheconjurorsfoundamongmanyoftheIndiantribes。Buttheofficewasheldinlittlerepute，exceptamongthelowerclasses，andwasabandonedtothosewhoseageandinfirmitydisqualifiedthemfortherealbusinessoflife。16

ThePeruvianshadknowledgeofoneortwoconstellations，andwatchedthemotionsoftheplanetVenus，towhich，aswehaveseen，theydedicatedaltars。Buttheirignoranceofthefirstprinciplesofastronomicalscienceisshownbytheirideasofeclipses，which，theysupposed，denotedsomegreatderangementoftheplanet；andwhenthemoonlaboredunderoneofthesemysteriousinfirmities，theysoundedtheirinstruments，andfilledtheairwithshoutsandlamentations，torouseherfromherlethargy。SuchpuerileconceitsastheseformastrikingcontrastwiththerealknowledgeoftheMexicans，asdisplayedintheirhieroglyphicalmaps，inwhichthetruecauseofthisphenomenonisplainlydepicted。17

But，iflesssuccessfulinexploringtheheavens，theIncasmustbeadmittedtohavesurpassedeveryotherAmericanraceintheirdominionovertheearth。Husbandrywaspursuedbythemonprinciplesthatmaybetrulycalledscientific。Itwasthebasisoftheirpoliticalinstitutions。

Havingnoforeigncommerce，itwasagriculturethatfurnishedthemwiththemeansoftheirinternalexchanges，theirsubsistence，andtheirrevenues。Wehaveseentheirremarkableprovisionsfordistributingthelandinequalsharesamongthepeople，whiletheyrequiredeveryman，excepttheprivilegedorders，toassistinitscultivation。TheIncahimselfdidnotdisdaintosettheexample。Ononeofthegreatannualfestivals，heproceededtotheenvironsofCuzco，attendedbyhisCourt，and，inthepresenceofallthepeople，turneduptheearthwithagoldenplough，——oraninstrumentthatservedassuch，——thusconsecratingtheoccupationofthehusbandmanasoneworthytobefollowedbytheChildrenoftheSun。18

Thepatronageofthegovernmentdidnotstopwiththischeapdisplayofroyalcondescension，butwasshowninthemostefficientmeasuresforfacilitatingthelaborsofthehusbandman。Muchofthecountryalongthesea-coastsufferedfromwantofwater，aslittleornorainfellthere，andthefewstreams，intheirshortandhurriedcoursefromthemountains，exertedonlyaverylimitedinfluenceonthewideextentofterritory。Thesoil，itistrue，was，forthemostpart，sandyandsterile；butmanyplaceswerecapableofbeingreclaimed，and，indeed，neededonlytobeproperlyirrigatedtobesusceptibleofextraordinaryproduction。Tothesespotswaterwasconveyedbymeansofcanalsandsubterraneousaqueducts，executedonanoblescale。Theyconsistedoflargeslabsoffreestonenicelyfittedtogetherwithoutcement，anddischargedavolumeofwatersufficient，bymeansoflatentductsorsluices，tomoistenthelandsinthelowerlevel，throughwhichtheypassed。Someoftheseaqueductswereofgreatlength。OnethattraversedthedistrictofCondesuyumeasuredbetweenfourandfivehundredmiles。Theywerebroughtfromsomeelevatedlakeornaturalreservoirintheheartofthemountains，andwerefedatintervalsbyotherbasinswhichlayintheirroutealongtheslopesofthesierra。Inthisdescent，apassagewassometimestobeopenedthroughrocks，——andthiswithouttheaidofirontools；impracticablemountainsweretobeturned；riversandmarshestobecrossed；inshort，thesameobstaclesweretobeencounteredasintheconstructionoftheirmightyroads。ButthePeruviansseemedtotakepleasureinwrestlingwiththedifficultiesofnature。NearCaxamarca，atunnelisstillvisible，whichtheyexcavatedinthemountains，togiveanoutlettothewatersofalake，whentheserosetoaheightintherainyseasonthatthreatenedthecountrywithinundation。19

MostofthesebeneficentworksoftheIncasweresufferedtogotodecaybytheirSpanishconquerors。Insomespots，thewatersarestilllefttoflowintheirsilent，subterraneouschannels，whosewindingsandwhosesourceshavebeenalikeunexplored。Others，thoughpartiallydilapidated，andclosedupwithrubbishandtherankvegetationofthesoil，stillbetraytheircoursebyoccasionalpatchesoffertility。SucharetheremainsinthevalleyofNasca，afruitfulspotthatliesbetweenlongtractsofdesert；wheretheancientwater-coursesoftheIncas，measuringfourorfivefeetindepthbythreeinwidth，andformedoflargeblocksofuncementedmasonry，areconductedfromanunknowndistance。

Thegreatestcarewastakenthateveryoccupantofthelandthroughwhichthesestreamspassedshouldenjoythebenefitofthem。Thequantityofwaterallotedtoeachwasprescribedbylaw；androyaloverseerssuperintendedthedistribution，andsawthatitwasfaithfullyappliedtotheirrigationoftheground。20

ThePeruviansshowedasimilarspiritofenterpriseintheirschemesforintroducingcultivationintothemountainouspartsoftheirdomain。

Manyofthehills，thoughcoveredwithastrongsoil，weretooprecipitoustobetilled。Thesetheycutintoterraces，facedwithroughstone，diminishinginregulargradationtowardsthesummit；sothat，whilethelowerstrip，oranden，asitwascalledbytheSpaniards，thatbeltedroundthebaseofthemountain，mightcomprehendhundredsofacres，theupper-mostwasonlylargeenoughtoaccommodateafewrowsofIndiancorn。21Someoftheeminencespresentedsuchamessofsolidrock，that，afterbeinghewnintoterraces，theywereobligedtobecovereddeepwithearth，beforetheycouldservethepurposeofthehusbandman。WithsuchpatienttoildidthePeruvianscombattheformidableobstaclespresentedbythefaceoftheircountry！WithouttheuseoftoolsorthemachineryfamiliartotheEuropean，eachindividualcouldhavedonelittle；butactinginlargemasses，andunderacommondirection，theywereenabledbyindefatigableperseverancetoachieveresults，tohaveattemptedwhichmighthavefilledeventheEuropeanwithdismay。22

Inthesamespiritofeconomicalhusbandrywhichredeemedtherockysierrafromthecurseofsterility，theydugbelowthearidsoilofthevalleys，andsoughtforastratumwheresomenaturalmoisturemightbefound。Theseexcavations，calledbytheSpaniardshoyas，or"pits，"weremadeonagreatscale，comprehendingfrequentlymorethananacre，sunktothedepthoffifteenortwentyfeet，andfencedroundwithinbyawallofadobes，orbricksbakedinthesun。Thebottomoftheexcavation，wellpreparedbyarichmanureofthesardines，——asmallfishobtainedinvastquantitiesalongthecoast，——wasplantedwithsomekindorgrainorvegetable。23

ThePeruvianfarmerswerewellacquaintedwiththedifferentkindsofmanures，andmadelargeuseofthem；acircumstancerareintherichlandsofthetropics，andprobablynotelsewherepractisedbytherudetribesofAmerica。Theymadegreatuseofguano，thevaluabledepositofsea-fowl，thathasattractedsomuchattention，oflate，fromtheagriculturistsbothofEuropeandofourowncountry，andthestimulatingandnutritiouspropertiesofwhichtheIndiansperfectlyappreciated。

Thiswasfoundinsuchimmensequantitiesonmanyofthelittleislandsalongthecoast，astohavetheappeaarnceofloftyhills，which，coveredwithawhitesalineincrustation，ledtheConquerorstogivethemthenameofthesierranevada，or"snowymountains。"

TheIncastooktheirusualprecautionsforsecuringthebenefitsofthisimportantarticletothehusbandman。Theyassignedthesmallislandsonthecoasttotheuseoftherespectivedistrictswhichlayadjacenttothem。

Whentheislandwaslarge，itwasdistributedamongseveraldistricts，andtheboundariesforeachwereclearlydefined。Allencroachmentontherightsofanotherwasseverelypunished。AndtheysecuredthepreservationofthefowlbypenaltiesassternasthosebywhichtheNormantyrantsofEnglandprotectedtheirowngame。Noonewasallowedtosetfootontheislandduringtheseasonforbreeding，underpainofdeath；andtokillthebirdsatanytimewaspunishedinthelikemanner。24

Withthisadvancementinagriculturalscience，thePeruviansmightbesupposedtohavehadsomeknowledgeoftheplough，insuchgeneraluseamongtheprimitivenationsoftheeasterncontinent。ButtheyhadneithertheironploughshareoftheOldWorld，norhadtheyanimalsfor。draught，which，indeed，werenowherefoundintheNew。Theinstrumentwhichtheyusedwasastrong，sharp-pointedstake，traversedbyahorizontalpiece，tenortwelveinchesfromthepoint，onwhichtheploughmanmightsethisfootandforceitintotheground。Sixoreightstrongmenwereattachedbyropestothestake，anddraggeditforciblyalong，——pullingtogether，andkeepingtimeastheymovedbychantingtheirnationalsongs，inwhichtheywereaccompaniedbythewomenwhofollowedintheir-train，tobreakupthesodswiththeirrakes。Themellowsoilofferedslightresistance；andthelaborer。，bylongpractice，acquiredadexteritywhichenabledhimtoturnupthegroundtotherequisitedepthwithastonishingfacility。Thissubstitutefortheploughwasbutaclumsycontrivance；yetitiscuriousastheonlyspecimenofthekindamongtheAmericanaborigines，andwasperhapsnotmuchinferiortothewoodeninstrumentintroducedinitssteadbytheEuropeanconquerors。25

ItwasfrequentlythepolicyoftheIncas，afterprovidingadesertedtractwiththemeansforirrigation，andthusfittingitforthelaborsofthehusbandman，totransplantthereacolonyofmitimaes，whobroughtitundercultivationbyraisingthecropsbestsuitedtothesoil。Whilethepeculiarcharacterandcapacityofthelandswerethusconsulted，ameansofexchangeofthedifferentproductswasaffordedtotheneighboringprovinces，which，fromtheformationofthecountry，variedmuchmorethanusualwithinthesamelimits。Tofacilitatetheseagriculturalexchanges，fairswereinstituted，whichtookplacethreetimesamonthinsomeofthemostpopulousplaces，where，asmoneywasunknown，arudekindofcommercewaskeptupbythebarteroftheirrespectiveproducts。Thesefairsaffordedsomanyholidaysfortherelaxationoftheindustriouslaborer。26

SuchweretheexpedientsadoptedbytheIncasfortheimprovementoftheirterritory；and，althoughimperfect，theymustbeallowedtoshowanacquaintancewiththeprinciplesofagriculturalscience，thatgivesthemsomeclaimtotherankofacivilizedpeople。Undertheirpatientanddiscriminatingculture，everyinchofgoodsoilwastaskedtoitsgreatestpowerofproduction；whilethemost-unpromisingspotswerecompelledtocontributesomethingtothesubsistenceofthepeople。Everywherethelandteemedwithevidenceofagriculturalwealth，fromthesmilingvalleysalongthecoasttotheterracedsteepsofthesierra，which，risingintopyramidsofverdure，glowedwithallthesplendorsoftropicalvegetation。

Theformationofthecountrywasparticularlyfavorable，asalreadyremarked，toaninfinitevarietyofproducts，notsomuchfromitsextentasfromitsvariouselevations，which，moreremarkable，even，thanthoseinMexico，comprehendeverydegreeoflatitudefromtheequatortothepolarregions。Yet，thoughthetemperaturechangesinthisregionwiththedegreeofelevation，itremainsnearlythesameinthesamespotsthroughouttheyear；andtheinhabitantfeelsnoneofthosegratefulvicissitudesofseasonwhichbelongtothetemperatelatitudesoftheglobe。Thus，whilethesummerliesinfullpowerontheburningregionsofthepalmandthecocoa-treethatfringethebordersoftheocean，thebroadsurfaceofthetable-landbloomswiththefreshnessofperpetualspring，andthehighersummitsoftheCordillerasarewhitewitheverlastingwinter。

ThePeruviansturnedthisfixedvarietyofclimate，ifImaysosay，tothebestaccountbycultivatingtheproductionsappropriatetoeach；andtheyparticularlydirectedtheirattentiontothosewhichaffordedthemostnutrimenttoman。Thus，inthelowerlevelweretobefoundthecassavatreeandthebanana，thatbountifulplant，whichseemstohaverelievedmanfromtheprimevalcurse——ifitwerenotratherablessing——oftoilingforhissustenance。27Asthebananafadedfromthelandscape，agoodsubstitutewasfoundinthemaize，thegreatagriculturalstapleofboththenorthernandsoutherndivisionsoftheAmericancontinent；andwhich，afteritsexportationtotheOldWorld，spreadsorapidlythere，astosuggesttheideaofitsbeingindigenoustoit。28ThePeruvianswerewellacquaintedwiththedifferentmodesofpreparingthisusefulvegetable，thoughitseemstheydidnotuseitforbread，exceptatfestivals；andtheyextractedasortofhoneyfromthestalk，andmadeanintoxicatingliquorfromthefermentedgrain，towhich，liketheAztecs，theywereimmoderatelyaddicted。29

Thetemperateclimateofthetable-landfurnishedthemwiththemaguey，agaveAmericana，manyoftheextraordinaryqualitiesofwhichtheycomprehended，thoughnotitsmostimportantoneofaffordingamaterialforpaper。Tobacco，too，wasamongtheproductsofthiselevatedregion。

YetthePeruviansdifferedfromeveryotherIndiannationtowhomitwasknown，byusingitonlyformedicinalpurposes，intheformofsnuff。30

Theymayhavefoundasubstituteforitsnarcoticqualitiesinthecoco(ErythroxylumPeruvianurn)，orcuca，ascalledbythenatives。Thisisashrubwhichgrowstotheheightofaman。Theleaveswhengatheredaredriedinthesun，and，beingmixedwithalittlelime，formapreparationforchewing，muchlikethebetel-leafoftheEast。31Withasmallsupplyofthiscucainhispouch，andahandfulofroastedmaize，thePeruvianIndianofourtimeperformshiswearisomejourneys，day，afterday，withoutfatigue，or，atleast，withoutcomplaint。Evenfoodthemostinvigoratingislessgratefultohimthanhislovednarcotic。UndertheIncas，itissaidtohavebeenexclusivelyreservedforthenobleorders。Ifso，thepeoplegainedoneluxurybytheConquest；and，afterthatperiod，itwassoextensivelyusedbythem，thatthisarticleconstitutedamostimportantitemofthecolonialrevenueofSpain。32Yet，withthesoothingcharmsofanopiate，thisweedsomuchvauntedbythenatives，whenusedtoexcess，issaidtobeattendedwithallthemischievouseffectsofhabitualintoxication。33

HigherupontheslopesoftheCordilleras，beyondthelimitsofthemaizeandofthequinoa，——agrainbearingsomeresemblancetorice，andlargelycultivatedbytheIndians，——wastobefoundthepotato，theintroductionofwhichintoEuropehasmadeanerainthehistoryofagriculture。

WhetherindigenoustoPeru，orimportedfromtheneighboringcountryofChili，itformedthegreatstapleofthemoreelevatedplains，undertheIncas，anditsculturewascontinuedtoaheightintheequatorialregionswhichreachedmanythousandfeetabovethelimitsofperpetualsnowinthetemperatelatitudesofEurope。34Wildspecimensofthevegetablemightbeseenstillhigher，springingupspontaneouslyamidstthestuntedshrubsthatclothedtheloftysidesoftheCordillerastillthesegraduallysubsidedintothemossesandtheshortyellowgrass:pajonal，which，likeagoldencarpet，wasunrolledaroundthebaseofthemightycones，thatrosefarintotheregionsofeternalsilence，coveredwiththesnowsofcenturies。35

Book1

Chapter5

PeruvianSheep——GreatHunts——Manufactures——MechanicalSkill——

Architecture——ConcludingReflectionsANationwhichhadmadesuchprogressinagriculturemightbereasonablyexpectedtohavemade，also，someproficiencyinthemechanicalarts——especiallywhen，asinthecaseofthePeruvians，theiragriculturaleconomydemandedinitselfnoinconsiderabledegreeofmechanicalskill。Amongmostnations，progressinmanufactureshasbeenfoundtohaveanintimateconnectionwiththeprogressofhusbandry。Bothartsaredirectedtothesamegreatobjectofsupplyingthenecessaries，thecomforts，or，inamorerefinedconditionofsociety，theluxuriesoflife；andwhentheoneisbroughttoaperfectionthatinfersacertainadvanceincivilization，theothermustnaturallyfindacorrespondingdevelopmentundertheincreasingdemandsandcapacitiesofsuchastate。ThesubjectsoftheIncas，intheirpatientandtranquildevotiontothemorehumbleoccupationsofindustrywhichboundthemtotheirnativesoil，boregreaterresemblancetotheOrientalnations，astheHindoosandChinese，thantheyboretothemembersofthegreatAnglo-Saxonfamilywhosehardytemperhasdriventhemtoseektheirfortunesonthestormyocean，andtoopenacommercewiththemostdistantregionsoftheglobe。ThePeruvians，thoughliningalongextentofsea-coast，hadnoforeigncommerce。

TheyhadpeculiaradvantagesfordomesticmanufactureinamaterialincomparablysuperiortoanythingpossessedbytheotherracesoftheWesterncontinent。Theyfoundagoodsubstituteforlineninafabricwhich，liketheAztecs，theyknewhowtoweavefromthetoughthreadofthemaguey。Cottongrewluxuriantlyonthelow，sultrylevelofthecoast，andfurnishedthemwithaclothingsuitabletothemilderlatitudesofthecountry。ButfromthellamaandthekindredspeciesofPeruviansheeptheyobtainedafleeceadaptedtothecolderclimateofthetable]and，"moreestimable，"toquotethelanguageofawell-informedwriter，"thanthedownoftheCanadianbeaver，thefleeceofthebrebisdesCalmoucks，oroftheSyriangoat。"1

OfthefourvarietiesofthePeruviansheep，thellama，theonemostfamiliarlyknown，istheleastvaluableonaccountofitswool。Itischieflyemployedasabeastofburden，forwhich，althoughitissomewhatlargerthananyoftheothervarieties，itsdiminutivesizeandstrengthwouldseemtodisqualifyit。Itcarriesaloadoflittlemorethanahundredpounds，andcannottravelabovethreeorfourleaguesinaday。

Butallthisiscompensatedbythelittlecareandcostrequiredforitsmanagementanditsmaintenance。ItpicksupaneasysubsistencefromthemossandstuntedherbagethatgrowscantilyalongthewitheredsidesandthesteepsoftheCordilleras。Thestructureofitsstomach，likethatofthecamel，issuchastoenableittodispensewithanysupplyofwaterforweeks，nay，monthstogether。Itsspongyhoof，armedwithaclaworpointedtalontoenableittotakesecureholdontheice，neverrequirestobeshod；andtheloadlaiduponitsbackrestssecurelyinitsbedofwool，withouttheaidofgirthorsaddle。Thellamasmoveintroopsoffivehundredorevenathousand，andthus，thougheachindividualcarriesbutlittle，theaggregateisconsiderable。Thewholecaravantravelsonatitsregularpace，passingthenightintheopenairwithoutsufferingfromthecoldesttemperature，andmarchinginperfectorder，andinobediencetothevoiceofthedriver。Itisonlywhenoverloadedthatthespiritedlittleanimalrefusestostir，andneitherblowsnorcaressescaninducehimtorisefromtheground。Heisassturdyinassertinghisrightsonthisoccasion，asheisusuallydocileandunresisting。2

TheemploymentofdomesticanimalsdistinguishedthePeruviansfromtheotherracesoftheNewWorld。Thiseconomyofhumanlaborbythesubstitutionofthebruteisanimportantelementofcivilization，interioronlytowhatisgainedbythesubstitutionofmachineryforboth。YettheancientPeruviansseemtohavemademuchlessaccountofitthantheirSpanishconquerors，andtohavevaluedthellama，incommonwiththeotheranimalsofthatgenus，chieflyforitsfleece。Immenseherdsofthese"largecattle，"astheywerecalled，andofthe"smallercattle，"3oralpacas，wereheldbythegovernment，asalreadynoticed，andplacedunderthedirectionofshepherds，whoconductedthemfromonequarterofthecountrytoanother，accordingtothechangesoftheseason。ThesemigrationswereregulatedwithalltheprecisionwithwhichthecodeofthemestadeterminedthemigrationsofthevastmerinoflocksinSpain；

andtheConquerors，whentheylandedinPeru，wereamazedatfindingaraceofanimalssosimilartotheirowninpropertiesandhabits，andunderthecontrolofasystemoflegislationwhichmightseemtohavebeenimportedfromtheirnativeland。4

Butthericheststoreofwoolwasobtained，notfromthesedomesticatedanimals，butfromthetwootherspecies，thehuanacosandthevicunas，whichroamedinnativefreedomoverthefrozenrangesoftheCordilleras；wherenotunfrequentlytheymightbeseenscalingthesnow-

coveredpeakswhichnolivingthinginhabitssavethecondor，thehugebirdoftheAndes，whosebroadpinionsbearhimupintheatmospheretotheheightofmorethantwentythousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea。5

Intheseruggedpastures，"theflockwithoutafold"findssufficientsustenanceintheychu，aspeciesofgrasswhichisfoundscatteredallalongthegreatridgeoftheCordilleras，fromtheequatortothesouthernlimitsofPatagonia。AndastheselimitsdefinetheterritorytraversedbythePeruviansheep，whichrarely，ifever，venturenorthoftheline，itseemsnotimprobablethatthismysteriouslittleplantissoimportanttotheirexistence，thattheabsenceofitistheprincipalreasonwhytheyhavenotpenetratedtothenorthernlatitudesofQuitoandNewGranada。6

But，althoughthusroamingwithoutamasterovertheboundlesswastesoftheCordilleras，thePeruvianpeasantwasneverallowedtohuntthesewildanimals，whichwereprotectedbylawsassevereaswerethesleekherdsthatgrazedonthemorecultivatedslopesoftheplateau。Thewildgameoftheforestandthemountainwasasmuchthepropertyofthegovernment，asifithadbeeninclosedwithinapark，orpennedwithinafold。7Itwasonlyonstatedoccasions，atthegreathunts，whichtookplaceonceayear，underthepersonalsuperintendenceoftheIncaorhisprincipalofficers，thatthegamewasallowedtobetaken。Thesehunts。

werenotrepeatedinthesamequarterofthecountryoftenerthanonce。

infouryears，thattimemightbeallowedforthewasteoccasionedbythemtobereplenished。Attheappointedtime，allthoselivinginthedistrictanditsneighborhood，tothenumber，itmightbe，offiftyorsixtythousandmen，8weredistributedround，soastoformacordonofimmenseextent，thatshouldembracethewholecountrywhichwastobehuntedover。Themenwerearmedwithlongpolesandspears，withwhichtheybeatupgameofeverydescriptionlurkinginthewoods，thevalleys，andthemountains，killingthebeastsofpreywithoutmercy，anddrivingtheothers，consistingchieflyofthedeerofthecountry，andthehuanacosandvicunas，towardsthecentreofthewide-extendedcircle；

until，asthisgraduallycontracted，thetimidinhabitantsoftheforestwereconcentratedonsomespaciousplain，wheretheeyeofthehuntermightrangefreelyoverhisvictims，whofoundnoplaceforshelterorescape。

ThemaledeerandsomeofthecoarserkindofthePeruviansheepwereslaughtered；theirskinswerereservedforthevarioususefulmanufacturestowhichtheyareordinarilyapplied，andtheirflesh，cutintothinslices，wasdistributedamongthepeople，whoconverteditintocharqui，thedriedmeatofthecountry，whichconstitutedthenthesole，asithassincetheprincipal，animalfoodofthelowerclassesofPeru。9

Butnearlythewholeofthesheep，amountingusuallytothirtyorfortythousand，orevenalargernumber，afterbeingcarefullysheared，weresufferedtoescapeandregaintheirsolitaryhauntsamongthemountains。

Thewoolthuscollectedwasdepositedintheroyalmagazines，whence，induetime，itwasdealtouttothepeople。Thecoarserqualitywasworkedupintogarmentsfortheirownuse，andthefinerfortheInca；fornonebutanIncanoblecouldwearthefinefabricofthevicuna。10

ThePeruviansshowedgreatskillinthemanufactureofdifferentarticlesfortheroyalhouseholdfromthisdelicatematerial，which，underthenameofvigoniawool，isnowfamiliartotheloomsofEurope。Itwaswroughtintoshawls，robes，andotherarticlesofdressforthemonarch，andintocarpets，coverlets，andhangingsfortheimperialpalacesandthetemples。Theclothwasfinishedonbothsidesalike；11thedelicacyofthetexturewassuchastogiveitthelustreofsilk；andthebrilliancyofthedyesexcitedtheadmirationandtheenvyoftheEuropeanartisan。12

ThePeruviansproducedalsoanarticleofgreatstrengthanddurabilitybymixingthehairofanimalswithwool；andtheywereexpertinthebeautifulfeather-work，whichtheyheldoflessaccountthantheMexicansfromthesuperiorqualityofthematerialsforotherfabrics，whichtheyhadattheircommand。13

Thenativesshowedaskillinothermechanicalartssimilartothatdisplayedbytheirmanufacturesofcloth。EverymaninPeruwasexpectedtobeacquaintedwiththevarioushandicraftsessentialtodomesticcomfort。Nolongapprenticeshipwasrequiredforthis，wherethewantsweresofewasamongthesimplepeasantryoftheIncas。But，ifthiswereall，itwouldimplybutaverymoderateadvancementinthearts。Therewerecertainindividuals，however，carefullytrainedtothoseoccupationswhichministertothedemandsofthemoreopulentclassesofsociety。Theseoccupations，likeeveryothercallingandofficeinPeru，alwaysdescendedfromfathertoson。14Thedivisionofcastes，inthisparticular，wasaspreciseasthatwhichexistedinEgyptorHindostan。Ifthisarrangementbeunfavorabletooriginality，ortothedevelopmentofthepeculiartalentoftheindividual，itatleastconducestoaneasyandfinishedexecutionbyfamiliarizingtheartistwiththepracticeofhisartfromchildhood。15

TheroyalmagazinesandthehuacasortombsoftheIncashavebeenfoundtocontainmanyspecimensofcuriousandelaborateworkmanship。

Amongthesearevasesofgoldandsilver，bracelets，collars，andotherornamentsfortheperson；utensilsofeverydescription，someoffineclay，andmanymoreofcopper；mirrorsofahard，polishedstone，orburnishedsilver，withagreatvarietyofotherarticlesmadefrequentlyonawhimsicalpattern，evincingquiteasmuchingenuityastasteorinventivetalent。16ThecharacterofthePeruvianmindledtoimitation，infact，ratherthaninvention，todelicacyandminutenessoffinish，ratherthantoboldnessorbeautyofdesign。

Thattheyshouldhaveaccomplishedthesedifficultworkswithsuchtoolsastheypossessed，istrulywonderful。ItwascomparativeIyeasytocastandevensculpturemetallicsubstances，bothofwhichtheydidwithconsummateskill。Butthattheyshouldhaveshownthelikefacilityincuttingthehardestsubstances，asemeraldsandotherpreciousstones，isnoteasytoexplain。EmeraldstheyobtainedinconsiderablequantityfromthebarrendistrictofAtacames，andthisinflexiblematerialseemstohavebeenalmostasductileinthehandsofthePeruvianartistasifithadbeenmadeofclay。17Yetthenativeswereunacquaintedwiththeuseofiron，thoughthesoilwaslargelyimpregnatedwithit。18Thetoolsusedwereofstone，ormorefrequentlyofcopper。Butthematerialonwhichtheyreliedfortheexecutionoftheirmostdifficulttaskswasformedbycombiningaverysmallportionoftinwithcopper。19Thiscompositiongaveahardnesstothemetalwhichseemstohavebeenlittleinferiortothatofsteel。Withtheaidofit，notonlydidthePeruvianartisanhewintoshapeporphyryandgranite，butbyhispatientindustryaccomplishedworkswhichtheEuropeanwouldnothaveventuredtoundertake。AmongtheremainsofthemonumentsofCannarmaybeseenmovableringsinthemuzzlesofanimals，allnicelysculpturedofoneentireblockofgranite。20Itisworthyofremark，thattheEgyptians，theMexicans，andthePeruvians，intheirprogresstowardscivilization，shouldneverhavedetectedtheuseofiron，whichlayaroundtheminabundance；andthattheyshouldeach，withoutanyknowledgeoftheother，havefoundasubstituteforitinsuchacuriouscompositionofmetalsasgavetotheirtoolsalmostthetemperofsteel；21asecretthathasbeenlost——or，tospeakmorecorrectly，hasneverbeendiscovered-bythecivilizedEuropean。

IhavealreadyspokenofthelargequantityofgoldandsilverwroughtintovariousarticlesofeleganceandutilityfortheIncas；thoughtheamountwasinconsiderable，incomparisonwithwhatcouldhavebeenaffordedbythemineralrichesoftheland，andwithwhathassincebeenobtainedbythemoresagaciousandunscrupulouscupidityofthewhite。man。GoldwasgatheredbytheIncasfromthedepositsofthestreams。

TheyextractedtheorealsoinconsiderablequantitiesfromthevalleyofCurimayo，northeastofCaxamarca，aswellasfromotherplaces；andthesilverminesofPorco，inparticular，yieldedthemconsiderablereturns。

Yettheydidnotattempttopenetrateintothebowelsoftheearth'bysinkingashaft，butsimplyexcavatedacaverninthesteepsidesofthemountain，or，atmost，openedahorizonalveinofmoderatedepth。Theywereequallydeficientintheknowledgeofthebestmeansofdetachingthepreciousmetalfromthedrosswithwhichitwasunited，andhadnoideaofthevirtuesofquicksilver，——amineralnotrareinPeru，asanamalgamtoeffectthisdecomposition。22Theirmethodofsmeltingtheorewasbymeansoffurnacesbuiltinelevatedandexposedsituations，wheretheymightbefannedbythestrongbreezesofthemountains。ThesubjectsoftheIncas，inshort，withalltheirpatientperseverance，didlittlemorethanpenetratebelowthecrust，theouterrind，asitwere，formedoverthosegoldencavernswhichliehiddeninthedarkdepthsoftheAndes。Yetwhattheygleanedfromthesurfacewasmorethanadequateforalltheirdemands。Fortheywerenotacommercialpeople，andhadnoknowledgeofmoney。23InthistheydifferedfromtheancientMexicans，whohadanestablishedcurrencyofadeterminatevalue。Inonerespect，however，theyweresuperiortotheirAmericanrivals，sincetheymadeuseofweightstodeterminethequantityoftheircommodities，athingwhollyunknowntotheAztecs。Thisfactisascertainedbythediscoveryofsilverbalances，adjustedwithperfectaccuracy，insomeofthetombsoftheIncas。24

Butthesuresttestofthecivilizationofapeople——atleast，assureasany——

affordedbymechanicalartistobefoundintheirarchitecture，whichpresentssonobleafieldforthedisplayofthegrandandthebeautiful，andwhich，atthesametime，issointimatelyconnectedwiththeessentialcomfortsoflife。Thereisnoobjectonwhichtheresourcesofthewealthyaremorefreelylavished，orwhichcallsoutmoreeffectuallytheinventivetalentoftheartist。Thepainterandthesculptormaydisplaytheirindividualgeniusincreationsofsurpassingexcellence，butitisthegreatmonumentsofarchitecturaltasteandmagnificencethatarestampedinapeculiarmannerbythegeniusofthenation。TheGreek，theEgyptian，theSaracen，theGothic，——whatakeydotheirrespectivestylesaffordtothecharacterandconditionofthepeople！ThemonumentsofChina，ofHindostan，andofCentralAmericaareallindicativeofanimmatureperiod，inwhichtheimaginationhasnotbeendisciplinedbystudy，andwhich，therefore，initsbestresults，betraysonlytheillregulatedaspirationsafterthebeautiful，thatbelongtoasemi-civilizedpeople。

ThePeruvianarchitecture，bearingalsothegeneralcharacteristicsofanimperfectstateofrefinement，hadstillitspeculiarcharacter；andsouniformwasthatcharacter，thattheedificesthroughoutthecountryseemtohavebeenallcastinthesamemould。25Theywereusuallybuiltofporphyryorgranite；notunfrequentlyofbrick。This，whichwasformedintoblocksorsquaresofmuchlargerdimensionsthanourbrick，wasmadeofatenaciousearthmixedupwithreedsortoughgrass，andacquiredadegreeofhardnesswithagethatmadeitinsensiblealiketothestormsandthemoretryingsunofthetropics。26Thewallswereofgreatthickness，butlow，seldomreachingtomorethantwelveorfourteenfeetinheight。Itisraretomeetwithaccountsofabuildingthatrosetoasecondstory。27

Theapartmentshadnocommunicationwithoneanother，butusuallyopenedintoacourt；and，astheywereunprovidedwithwindows，oraperturesthatservedforthem，theonlylightfromwithoutmusthavebeenadmittedbythedoorways。Theseweremadewiththesidesapproachingeachothertowardsthetop，sothatthelintelwasconsiderablynarrowerthanthethreshold，apeculiarity，also，inEgyptianarchitecture。Theroofshaveforthemostpartdisappearedwithtime。

Somefewsurviveinthelessambitiousedifices，ofasingularbell-shape，andmadeofacompositionofearthandpebbles。Theyaresupposed，however，tohavebeengenerallyformedofmoreperishablematerials，ofwoodorstraw。Itiscertainthatsomeofthemostconsiderablestone-

buildingswerethatchedwithstraw。Manyseemtohavebeenconstructedwithouttheaidofcement；andwritershavecontendedthatthePeruvianswereunacquaintedwiththeuseofmortar，orcementofanykind。28Butaclose，tenaciousmould，mixedwithlime，maybediscoveredfillinguptheintersticesofthegraniteinsomebuildings；andinothers，wherethewellfittedblocksleavenoroomforthiscoarsermaterial，theeyeoftheantiquaryhasdetectedafinebituminousglue，ashardastherockitself。29

Thegreatestsimplicityisobservedintheconstructionofthebuildings。

whichareusuallyfreefromoutwardornament；thoughinsomethehugestonesareshapedintoaconvexformwithgreatregularity，andadjustedwithsuchniceprecisiontooneanother，thatitwouldbeimpossible，butfortheflutings，todeterminethelineofjunction。Inothers，thestoneisrough，asitwastakenfromthequarry，inthemostirregularforms，withtheedgesnicelywroughtandfittedtoeachother。Thereisnoappearanceofcolumnsorofarches；thoughthereissomecontradictionastothelatterpoint。Butitisnottobedoubted，that，althoughtheymayhavemadesomeapproachtothismodeofconstructionbythegreaterorlessinclinationofthewalls，thePeruvianarchitectswerewhollyunacquaintedwiththetrueprincipleofthecirculararchreposingonitskey-stone。30

ThearchitectureoftheIncasischaracterized，saysaneminenttraveller，"bysimplicity，symmetry，andsolidity。"31Itmayseemunphilosophicaltocondemnthepeculiarfashionofanationasindicatingwantoftaste，becauseitsstandardoftastediffersfromourown。YetthereisanincongruityinthecompositionofthePeruvianbuildingswhicharguesaveryimperfectacquaintancewiththefirstprinciplesofarchitecture。

Whiletheyputtogethertheirbulkymassesofporphyryandgranitewiththenicestart，theywereincapableofmortisingtheirtimbers，and，intheirignoranceofiron，knewnobetterwayofholdingthebeamstogetherthattyingthemwiththongsofmaguey。Inthesameincongruousspirit，thebuildingthatwasthatchedwithstraw，andunilluminatedbyawindow，wasglowingwithtapestriesofgoldandsilver！Thesearetheinconsistenciesofarudepeople，amongwhomtheartsarebutpartiallydeveloped。ItmightnotbedifficulttofindexamplesoflikeinconsistencyinthearchitectureanddomesticarrangementsofourAnglo-Saxon，and，atastilllaterperiodofourNormanancestors。

YetthebuildingsoftheIncaswereaccommodatedtothecharacteroftheclimate，andwerewellfittedtoresistthoseterribleconvulsionswhichbelongtothelandofvolcanoes。Thewisdomoftheirplanisattestedbythenumberwhichstillsurvive，whilethemoremodernconstructionsoftheConquerorshavebeenburiedinruins。ThehandoftheConquerors，indeed，hasfallenheavilyonthesevenerablemonuments，and，intheirblindandsuperstitioussearchforhiddentreasure，hascausedinfinitelymoreruinthantimeortheearthquake。32Yetenoughofthesemonumentsstillremaintoinvitetheresearchesoftheantiquary。Thoseonlyinthemostconspicuoussituationshavebeenhithertoexamined。

But，bythetestimonyoftravellers，manymorearetobefoundinthelessfrequentedpartsofthecountry；andwemayhopetheywillonedaycallforthakindredspiritofenterprisetothatwhichhassosuccessfullyexploredthemysteriousrecessesofCentralAmericaandYucatan。

IcannotclosethisanalysisofthePeruvianinstitutionswithoutafewreflectionsontheirgeneralcharacterandtendency，which，iftheyinvolvesomerepetitionofpreviousremarks，may，Itrust，beexcused，frommydesiretoleaveacorrectandconsistentimpressiononthereader。Inthissurvey，wecannotbutbestruckwiththetotaldissimilaritybetweentheseinstitutionsandthoseoftheAztecs，——theothergreatnationwholedinthemarchofcivilizationonthiswesterncontinent，andwhoseempireinthenorthernportionofitwasasconspicuousasthatoftheIncasinthesouth。Bothnationscameontheplateau，andcommencedtheircareerofconquest，atdates，itmaybe，notfarremovedfromeachother。33Anditisworthyofnotice，that，inAmerica，theelevatedregionalongthecrestsofthegreatmountainrangesshouldhavebeenthechosenseatofcivilizationinbothhemispheres。

Verydifferentwasthepolicypursuedbythetworacesintheirmilitarycareer。TheAztecs，animatedbythemostferociousspirit，carriedonawarofextermination，signalizingtheirtriumphsbythesacrificeofhecatombsofcaptives；whiletheIncas，althoughtheypursuedthegameofconquestwithequalpertinacity，preferredamilderpolicy，substitutingnegotiationandintrigueforviolence，anddealtwiththeirantagonistssothattheirfutureresourcesshouldnotbecrippled，andthattheyshouldcomeasfriends，notasfoes，intothebosomoftheempire。

TheirpolicytowardtheconqueredformsacontrastnolessstrikingtothatpursuedbytheAztecs。TheMexicanvassalsweregroundbyexcessiveimpostsandmilitaryconscriptions。Noregardwashadtotheirwelfare，andtheonlylimittooppressionwasthepowerofendurance。

Theywereover-awedbyfortressesandarmedgarrisons，andweremadetofeeleveryhourthattheywerenotpartandparcelofthenation，butheldonlyinsubjugationasaconqueredpeople。TheIncas，ontheotherhand，admittedtheirnewsubjectsatoncetoalltherightsenjoyedbytherestofthecommunity；and，thoughtheymadethemconformtotheestablishedlawsandusagesoftheempire，theywatchedovertheirpersonalsecurityandcomfortwithasortofparentalsolicitude。Themotleypopulation，thusboundtogetherbycommoninterest，wasanimatedbyacommonfeelingofloyality，whichgavegreaterstrengthandstabilitytotheempire，asitbecamemoreandmorewidelyextended；

whilethevarioustribeswhosuccessivelycameundertheMexicansceptre，beingheldtogetheronlybythepressureofexternalforce，werereadytofallasunderthemomentthatthatforcewaswithdrawn。Thepolicyofthetwonationsdisplayedtheprincipleoffearascontrastedwiththeprincipleoflove。

Thecharacteristicfeaturesoftheirreligioussystemshadaslittleresemblancetoeachother。ThewholeAztecpantheonpartookmoreorlessofthesanguinaryspiritoftheterriblewar-godwhopresidedoverit，andtheirfrivolousceremonialalmostalwaysterminatedwithhumansacrificeandcannibalorgies。ButtheritesofthePeruvianswereofamoreinnocentcast，astheytendedtoamorespiritualworship。FortheworshipoftheCreatorismostnearlyapproachedbythatoftheheavenlybodies，which，astheyrevolveintheirbrightorbits，seemtobethemostglorioussymbolsofhisbeneficenceandpower。

Intheminutermechanicalarts，bothshowedconsiderableskill；butintheconstructionofimportantpublicworks，ofroads，aqueducts，canals，andinagricultureinallitsdetails，thePeruviansweremuchsuperior。

Strangethattheyshouldhavefallensofarbelowtheirrivalsintheireffortsafterahigherintellectualculture，inastronomicalscience，moreespecially，andintheartofcommunicatingthoughtbyvisiblesymbols。

WhenweconsiderthegreaterrefinementoftheIncas，theirinferioritytotheAztecsintheseparticularscanbeexplainedonlybythefact，thatthelatterinallprobabilitywereindebtedfortheirsciencetotheracewhoprecededthemintheland，——thatshadowyracewhoseoriginandwhoseendarealikeveiledfromtheeyeoftheinquirer，butwhopossiblymayhavesoughtarefugefromtheirferociousinvadersinthoseregionsofCentralAmericathearchitecturalremainsofwhichnowsupplyuswiththemostpleasingmonumentsofIndiancivilization。Itiswiththismorepolishedrace，towhomthePeruviansseemtohavebornesomeresemblanceintheirmentalandmoralorganization，thattheyshouldbecompared。HadtheempireoftheIncasbeenpermittedtoextenditselfwiththerapidstrideswithwhichitwasadvancingattheperiodoftheSpanishconquest，thetworacesmighthavecomeintoconflict，or，perhaps，intoalliancewithoneanother。

TheMexicansandPeruvians，sodifferentinthecharacteroftheirpeculiarcivilization，were，itseemsprobable，ignorantofeachother'sexistence；anditmayappearsingular，that，duringthesimultaneouscontinuanceoftheirempires，someoftheseedsofscienceandofart，whichpasssoimperceptiblyfromonepeopletoanother，shouldnothavefoundtheirwayacrosstheintervalwhichseparatedthetwonations。

Theyfurnishaninterestingexampleoftheoppositedirectionswhichthehumanmindmaytakeinitsstruggletoemergefromdarknessintothelightofcivilization，Acloserresemblance——asIhavemorethanoncetakenoccasiontonotice——maybefoundbetweenthePeruvianinstitutionsandsomeofthedespoticgovernmentsofEasternAsia；thosegovernmentswheredespotismappearsinitsmoremitigatedform，andthewholepeople，underthepatriarchalswayofitssovereign，seemtobegatheredtogetherlikethemembersofonevastfamily。SuchweretheChinese，forexample，whomthePeruviansresembledintheirimplicitobediencetoauthority，theirmildyetsomewhatstubborntemper，theirsolicitudeforforms，theirreverenceforancientusage，theirskillintheminutermanufactures，theirimitativeratherthaninventivecastofmind，andtheirinvinciblepatience，whichservesinsteadofamoreadventurousspiritfortheexecutionofdifficultundertakings。34

AstillcloseranalogymaybefoundwiththenativesofHindostanintheirdivisionintocastes，theirworshipoftheheavenlybodiesandtheelementsofnature，andtheiracquaintancewiththescientificprinciplesofhusbandry。TotheancientEgyptians，also，theyboreconsiderableresemblanceinthesameparticulars，aswellasinthoseideasofafutureexistencewhichledthemtoattachsomuchimportancetothepermanentpreservationofthebody。

ButweshalllookinvaininthehistoryoftheEastforaparalleltotheabsolutecontrolexercisedbytheIncasovertheirsubjects。IntheEast，thiswasroundedonphysicalpower，——ontheexternalresourcesofthegovernment。TheauthorityoftheIncamightbecomparedwiththatofthePopeinthedayofhismight，whenChristendomtrembledatthethundersoftheVatican，andthesuccessorofSt。Petersethisfootonthenecksofprinces。ButtheauthorityofthePopewasfoundedonopinion。

Histemporalpowerwasnothing。TheempireoftheIncasrestedonboth。ItwasatheocracymorepotentinitsoperationthanthatoftheJews；for，thoughthesanctionofthelawmightbeasgreatamongthelatter，thelawwasexpoundedbyahumanlawgiver，theservantandrepresentativeofDivinity。ButtheIncawasboththelawgiverandthelaw。HewasnotmerelytherepresentativeofDivinity，or，likethePope，itsvicegerent，buthewasDivinityitself。Theviolationofhisordinancewassacrilege。Neverwasthereaschemeofgovernmentenforcedbysuchterriblesanctions，orwhichboresooppressivelyonthesubjectsofit。Foritreachednotonlytothevisibleacts，buttotheprivateconduct，thewords，theverythoughts，ofitsvassals。

Itaddednotalittletotheefficacyofthegovernment，that，belowthesovereign，therewasanorderofhereditarynoblesofthesamedivineoriginalwithhimself，who，placedfarbelowhimself，werestillimmeasurablyabovetherestofthecommunity，notmerelybydescent，but，asitwouldseem，bytheirintellectualnature。Theseweretheexclusivedepositariesofpower，and，astheirlonghereditarytrainingmadethemfamiliarwiththeirvocation，andsecuredthemimplicitdeferencefromthemultitude，theybecamethepromptandwell-practisedagentsforcarryingouttheexecutivemeasuresoftheadministration。Allthatoccurredthroughoutthewideextentofhisempire——suchwastheperfectsystemofcommunication——passedinreview，asitwere，beforetheeyesofthemonarch，andathousandhands，armedwithirresistibleauthority，stoodreadyineveryquartertodohisbidding。Wasitnot，aswehavesaid，themostoppressive，thoughthemildest，ofdespotisms？

Itwasthemildest，fromtheverycircumstance，thatthetranscendentrankofthesovereign，andthehumble，nay，superstitious，devotiontohiswillmakeitsuperfluoustoassertthiswillbeactsofviolenceorrigor。Thegreatmassofthepeoplemayhaveappearedtohiseyesasbutlittleremovedabovetheconditionofthebrute，formedtoministertohispleasures。But，fromtheirveryhelplessness，heregardedthemwithfeelingsofcommiseration，likethosewhichakindmastermightfeelforthepooranimalscommittedtohischarge，or——todojusticetothebeneficentcharacterattributedtomanyoftheIncas——thataparentmightfeelforhisyoungandimpotentoffspring。Thelawswerecarefullydirectedtotheirpreservationandpersonalcomfort。Thepeoplewerenotallowedtobeemployedonworkspernicioustotheirhealth，nortopine——

asadcontrasttotheirsubsequentdestiny——undertheimpositionoftaskstooheavyfortheirpowers。Theywerenevermadethevictimsofpublicorprivateextortion；andabenevolentforecastwatchedcarefullyovertheirnecessities，andprovidedfortheirreliefinseasonsofinfirmity，andfortheirsustenanceinhealth。ThegovernmentoftheIncas，howeverarbitraryinform，wasinitsspirittrulypatriarchal。

Yetinthistherewasnothingcheeringtothedignityofhumannature。

Whatthepeoplehadwasconcededasaboon，notasaright。WhenanationwasbroughtunderthesceptreoftheIncas，itresignedeverypersonalright，eventherightsdearesttohumanity。Underthisextraordinarypolity，apeopleadvancedinmanyofthesocialrefinements，wellskilledinmanufacturesandagriculture，wereunacquainted，aswehaveseen，withmoney。Theyhadnothingthatdeservedtobecalledproperty。Theycouldfollownocraft，couldengageinnolabor，noamusement，butsuchaswasspeciallyprovidedbylaw。Theycouldnotchangetheirresidenceortheirdresswithoutalicensefromthegovernment。Theycouldnotevenexercisethefreedomwhichisconcededtothemostabjectinothercountries，thatofselectingtheirownwives。Theimperativespiritofdespotismwouldnotallowthemtobehappyormiserableinanywaybutthatestablishedbylaw。

Thepoweroffreeagency——theinestimableandinbornrightofeveryhumanbeing——wasannihilatedinPeru。

TheastonishingmechanismofthePeruvianpolitycouldhaveresultedonlyfromthecombinedauthorityofopinionandpositivepowerintherulertoanextentunprecedentedinthehistoryofman。Yetthatitshouldhavesosuccessfullygoneintooperation，andsolongendured，inoppositiontothetaste，theprejudices，andtheveryprinciplesofournature，isastrongproofofagenerallywiseandtemperateadministrationofthegovernment。

ThepolicyhabituallypursuedbytheIncasforthepreventionofevilsthatmighthavedisturbedtheorderofthingsiswellexemplifiedintheirprovisionsagainstpovertyandidleness。Inthesetheyrightlydiscernedthetwogreatcausesofdisaffectioninapopulouscommunity。Theindustryofthepeoplewassecurednotonlybytheircompulsoryoccupationsathome，butbytheiremploymentonthosegreatpublicworkswhichcoveredeverypartofthecountry，andwhichstillbeartestimonyintheirdecaytotheirprimitivegrandeur。Yetitmaywellastonishustofind，thatthenaturaldifficultyoftheseundertakings，sufficientlygreatinitself，consideringtheimperfectionoftheirtoolsandmachinery，wasinconceivablyenhancedbythepoliticcontrivanceofgovernment。TheroyaledificesofQuito，weareassuredbytheSpanishconquerors，wereconstructedofhugemassesofstone，manyofwhichwerecarriedallthewayalongthemountainroadsfromCuzco，adistanceofseveralhundredleagues。35ThegreatsquareofthecapitalwasfilledtoaconsiderabledepthwithmouldbroughtwithincrediblelaborupthesteepslopesoftheCordillerasfromthedistantshoresofthePacificOcean。36Laborwasregardednotonlyasameans，butasanend，bythePeruvianlaw。

Withtheirmanifoldprovisionsagainstpovertythereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquainted。Theyweresoperfect，that，intheirwideextentofterritory，——muchofitsmittenwiththecurseofbarrenness，——noman，howeverhumble，sufferedfromthewantoffoodandclothing。Famine，socommonascourgeineveryotherAmericannation，socommonatthatperiodineverycountryofcivilizedEurope，wasanevilunknowninthedominionsoftheIncas。

ThemostenlightenedoftheSpaniardswhofirstvisitedPeru，struckwiththegeneralappearanceofplentyandprosperity，andwiththeastonishingorderwithwhicheverythingthroughoutthecountrywasregulated，areloudintheirexpressionsofadmiration。Nobettergovernment，intheiropinion，couldhavebeendevisedforthepeople。Contentedwiththeircondition，andfreefromvice，toborrowthelanguageofaneminentauthorityofthatearlyday，themildanddocilecharacterofthePeruvianswouldhavewellfittedthemtoreceivetheteachingsofChristianity，hadtheloveofconversion，insteadofgold，animatedthebreastsoftheConquerors。37Andaphilosopherofalatertime，warmedbythecontemplationofthepicture——whichhisownfancyhadcolored——ofpublicprosperityandprivatehappinessundertheruleoftheIncas，pronounces"themoralmaninPerufarsuperiortotheEuropean。"38

YetsuchresultsarescarcelyreconcilablewiththetheoryofthegovernmentIhaveattemptedtoanalyze。Wherethereisnofreeagency，therecanbenomorality。Wherethereisnotemptation，therecanbelittleclaimtovirtue。Wheretheroutineisrigorouslyprescribedbylaw，thelaw，andnottheman，musthavethecreditoftheconduct。ifthatgovernmentisthebest，whichisfelttheleast，whichencroachesonthenaturallibertyofthesubjectonlysofarasisessentialtocivilsubordination，thenofallgovernmentsdevisedbymanthePeruvianhastheleastreal。claimtoouradmiration。

Itisnoteasytocomprehendthegeniusandthefullimportofinstitutionssooppositetothoseofourownfreerepublic，whereeveryman，howeverhumblehiscondition，mayaspiretothehighesthonorsofthestate，——mayselecthisowncareer，andcarveouthisfortuneinhisownway；wherethelightofknowledge，insteadofbeingconcentratedonachosenfew，isshedabroadlikethelightofday，andsufferedtofallequallyonthepoorandtherich；wherethecollisionofmanwithmanwakensagenerousemulationthatcallsoutlatenttalentandtaskstheenergiestotheutmost；

whereconsciousnessofindependencegivesafeelingofself-relianceunknowntothetimidsubjectsofadespotism；where，inshort，thegovernmentismadeforman，——notasinPeru，wheremanseemedtobemadeonlyforthegovernment。TheNewWorldisthetheatreinwhichthesetwopoliticalsystems，sooppositeintheircharacter，havebeencarriedintooperation。TheempireoftheIncashaspassedawayandleftnotrace。Theothergreatexperimentisstillgoingon，——theexperimentwhichistosolvetheproblem，solongcontestedintheOldWorld，ofthecapacityofmanforself-government。Alasforhumanity，ifitshouldfail！

ThetestimonyoftheSpanishconquerorsisnotuniformmrespecttothefavorableinfluenceexertedbythePeruvianinstitutionsonthecharacterofthepeople。Drinkinganddancingaresaidtohavebeenthepleassurestowhichtheywereimmoderatelyaddicted。Liketheslavesandserfsinotherlands，whosepositionexcludedthemfrommoreseriousandennoblingoccupations，theyfoundasubstituteinfrivolousorsensualindulgence。Lazy，luxurious，andlicentious，aretheepithetsbestowedonthembyoneofthosewhosawthemattheConquest，butwhosepenwasnottoofriendlytotheIndian。39Yetthespiritofindependencecouldhardlybestronginapeoplewhohadnointerestinthesoil，nopersonalrightstodefend；andthefacilitywithwhichtheyyieldedtotheSpanishinvader——aftereveryallowancefortheircomparativeinferiority——arguesadeplorabledestitutionofthatpatrioticfeelingwhichholdslifeaslittleincomparisonwithfreedom。

Butwemustnotjudgetoohardlyoftheunfortunatenative，becausehequailedbeforethecivilizationoftheEuropean。WemustnotbeinsensibletothereallygreatresultsthatwereachievedbythegovernmentoftheIncas。Wemustnotforget，that，undertheirrule，themeanestofthepeopleenjoyedafargreaterdegreeofpersonalcomfort，atleast，agreaterexemptionfromphysicalsuffering，thanwaspossessedbysimilarclassesinothernationsontheAmericancontinent，——greater，probably，thanwaspossessedbytheseclassesinmostofthecountriesoffeudalEurope。Undertheirsceptre，thehigherordersofthestatehadmadeadvancesinmanyoftheartsthatbelongtoacultivatedcommunity。Thefoundationsofaregulargovernmentwerelaid，which，inanageofrapine，securedtoitssubjectstheinestimableblessingsoftranquillityandsafety。Bythewell-sustainedpolicyoftheIncas，therudetribesoftheforestweregraduallydrawnfromtheirfastnesses，andgatheredwithinthefoldsofcivilization；andofthesematerialswasconstructedaflourishingandpopulousempire，suchaswastobefoundinnootherquarteroftheAmericancontinent。Thedefectsofthisgovernmentwerethoseofoverrefinementinlegislation，——thelastdefectstohavebeenlookedfor，certainly，intheAmericanaborigines。

Note。IhavenotthoughtitnecessarytoswellthisIntroductionbyaninquiryintotheoriginofthePeruviancivilization，likethatappendedtothehistoryoftheMexican。ThePeruvianhistorydoubtlesssuggestsanalogieswithmorethanonenationintheEast，someofwhichhavebeenbrieflyadvertedtointheprecedingpages；althoughtheseanalogiesareadducedtherenotasevidenceofacommonorigin，butasshowingthecoincidenceswhichmightnaturallyspringupamongdifferentnationsunderthesamephaseofcivilization。SuchcoincidencesareneithersonumerousnorsostrikingasthoseaffordedbytheAztechistory。ThecorrespondencepresentedbytheastronomicalscienceoftheMexicansisaloneofmoreimportancethanalltherest，Yetthelightofanalogy，affordedbytheinstitutionsoftheIncas，seemstopoint，asfarasitgoes，towardsthesamedirection；andastheinvestigationcouldpresentbutlittlesubstantiallytoconfirm，andstilllesstoconfute，theviewstakenintheformerdisquisition，Ihavenotthoughtitbesttofatiguethereaderwithit。

TwooftheprominentauthoritiesonwhomIhavereliedinthisIntroductoryportionofthework，areJuandeSarmientoandtheLicentiateOndegardo。OftheformerIhavebeenabletocollectnoinformationbeyondwhatisaffordedbyhisownwritings。Inthetitleprefixedtohismanuscript，heisstyledPresidentoftheCounciloftheIndies，apostofhighauthority，whichinfersaweightofcharacterintheparty，andmeansofinformation，thatentitlehisopinionsoncolonialtopicstogreatdeference。

ThesemeansofinformationweremuchenlargedbySarmiento'svisittothecolonies，duringtheadministrationofGasca。HavingconceivedthedesignofcompilingahistoryoftheancientPeruvianinstitutions，hevisitedCuzco，ashetellsus，in1550，andtheredrewfromthenativesthemselvesthematerialsforhisnarrative。Hispositiongavehimaccesstothemostauthenticsourcesofknowledge，andfromthelipsoftheIncanobles，thebestinstructedoftheconqueredrace，hegatheredthetraditionsoftheirnationalhistoryandinstitutions。Thequipusformed，aswehaveseen，animperfectsystemofmnemonics，requiringconstantattention，andmuchinferiortotheMexicanhieroglyphics。Itwasonlybydiligentinstructionthattheyweremadeavailabletohistoricalpurposes；andthisinstructionwassofarneglectedaftertheConquest，thattheancientannalsofthecountrywouldhaveperishedwiththegenerationwhichwasthesoledepositaryofthem，haditnotbeenfortheeffortsofafewintelligentscholars，likeSarmiento，whosawtheimportance，atthiscriticalperiod，ofcultivatinganintercoursewiththenatives，anddrawingfromthemtheirhiddenstoresofinformation。

Togivestillfurtherauthenticitytohiswork，Sarmientotravelledoverthecountry，examinedtheprincipalobjectsofinterestwithhisowneyes，andthusverifiedtheaccountsofthenativesasfaraspossiblebypersonalobservation。Theresultoftheselaborswashisworkentitled，"RelaciondelasucesionygoviernodelasYngasSenoresnaturalesquefuerondelasProvinciasdelPeruyotrascosastocantesaaquelReyno，paraelIltmo。SenorDnJuanSarmiento，PresidentedelConsejoRldeIndias。"

Itisdividedintochapters，andembracesaboutfourhundredfoliopagesinmanuscript。TheintroductoryportionoftheworkisoccupiedwiththetraditionarytalesoftheoriginandearlyperiodoftheIncas；teeming，asusual，intheantiquitiesofabarbarouspeople，withlegendaryfablesofthemostwildandmonstrouscharacter。Yetthesepuerileconceptionsaffordaninexhaustiblemineforthelaborsoftheantiquarian，whoendeavorstounraveltheallegoricalwebwhichacunningpriesthoodhaddevisedassymbolicalofthosemysteriesofcreationthatitwasbeyondtheirpowertocomprehend。ButSarmientohappilyconfineshimselftothemerestatementoftraditionalfables，withoutthechimericalambitiontoexplainthem。

Fromthisregionofromance，SarmientopassestotheinstitutionsofthePeruvians，describestheirancientpolity，theirreligion，theirprogressinthearts，especiallyagriculture；andpresents，inshort，anelaboratepictureofthecivilizationwhichtheyreachedundertheIncadynasty。

Thispartofhiswork，resting，asitdoes，onthebestauthority，confirmedinmanyinstancesbyhisownobservation，isofunquestionablevalue，andiswrittenwithanapparentrespectfortruth，thatengagestheconfidenceofthereader。Theconcludingportionofthemanuscriptisoccupiedwiththecivilhistoryofthecountry。ThereignsoftheearlyIncas，whichliebeyondthesoberprovinceofhistory。hedespatcheswithcommendablebrevity。Butonthethreelastreigns，andfortunatelyofthegreatestprinceswhooccupiedthePeruvianthrone，heismorediffuse。Thiswascomparativelyfirmgroundforthechronicler，fortheeventsweretoorecenttobeobscuredbythevulgarlegendsthatgatherlikemossroundeveryincidentoftheoldertime。HisaccountstopswiththeSpanishinvasion:forthisstory，Sarmientofelt，mightbesafelylefttohiscontemporarieswhoactedapartinit，butwhosetasteandeducationhadqualifiedthembutindifferentlyforexploringtheantiquitiesandsocialinstitutionsofthenatives。

Sarmiento'sworkiscomposedinasimple，perspicuousstyle，withoutthatambitionofrhetoricaldisplaytoocommonwithhiscountrymen。Hewriteswithhonestcandor，andwhilehedoesamplejusticetothemeritsandcapacityoftheconqueredraces，benoticeswithindignationtheatrocitiesoftheSpaniardsandthedemoralizingtendencyoftheConquest。Itmaybethought，indeed，thatheformstoohighanestimateoftheattainmentsofthenationundertheIncas。Anditisnotimprobable，that，astonishedbythevestigesitaffordedofanoriginalcivilization，hebecameenamouredofhissubject，andthusexhibiteditincolorssomewhattooglowingtotheeyeoftheEuropean。Butthiswasanamiablefailing，nottoolargelysharedbythesternConquerors，whosubvertedtheinstitutionsofthecountry，andsawlittletoadmireinit，saveitsgold。Itmustbefurtheradmitted，thatSarmientohasnodesigntoimposeonhisreader，andthatheiscarefultodistinguishbetweenwhathereportsonhearsay，andwhatonpersonalexperience。TheFatherofHistoryhimselfdoesnotdiscriminatebetweenthesetwothingsmorecarefully。

NeitheristheSpanishhistoriantobealtogethervindicatedfromthesuperstitionwhichbelongstohistime；andweoftenfindhimreferringtotheimmediateinterpositionofSatanthoseeffectswhichmightquiteaswellbechargedontheperversenessofman。Butthiswascommontotheage，andtothewisestmeninit；anditistoomuchtodemandofamantobewiserthanhisgeneration。ItissufficientpraiseofSarmiento，that，inanagewhensuperstitionwastoooftenalliedwithfanaticism，heseemstohavehadnotinctureofbigotryinhisnature。Hisheartopenswithbenevolentfulnesstotheunfortunatenative；andhislanguage，whileitisnotkindledintothereligiousglowofthemissionary，iswarmedbyagenerousrayofphilanthropythatembracestheconquered，nolessthantheconquerors，ashisbrethren。

NotwithstandingthegreatvalueofSarmiento'sworkfortheinformationitaffordsofPeruundertheIncas，itisbutlittleknown，hasbeenrarelyconsultedbyhistorians，andstillremainsamongtheunpublishedmanuscriptswhichlie，likeuncoinedbullion，inthesecretchambersoftheEscurial。

TheotherauthoritytowhomIhavealluded，theLicentiatePolodeOndegardo，wasahighlyrespectablejurist，whosenameappearsfrequentlyintheaffairsofPeru。Ifindnoaccountoftheperiodwhenhefirstcameintothecountry。ButhewasthereonthearrivalofGasca，andresidedatLimaundertheusurpationofGonzaloPizarro。WhentheartfulCepedaendeavoredtosecurethesignaturesoftheinhabitantstotheinstrumentproclaimingthesovereigntyofhischief，wefindOndegardotakingtheleadamongthoseofhisprofessioninresistingit。

OnGasca'sarrival，heconsentedtotakeacommissioninhisarmy。AtthecloseoftherebellionhewasmadecorregidorofLaPlata，andsubsequentlyofCuzco，inwhichhonorablestationheseemstohaveremainedseveralyears。Intheexerciseofhismagisterialfunctions，hewasbroughtintofamiliarintercoursewiththenatives，andhadampleopportunityforstudyingtheirlawsandancientcustoms。Heconductedhimselfwithsuchprudenceandmoderation，thatheseemstohavewontheconfidencenotonlyofhiscountrymenbutoftheIndians；whiletheadministrationwascarefultoprofitbyhislargeexperienceindevisingmeasuresforthebettergovernmentofthecolony。

TheRelaciones，sooftencitedinthisHistory，werepreparedatthesuggestionoftheviceroys，thefirstbeingaddressedtotheMarquesdeCanete，in1561，andthesecond，tenyearslater，totheCondedeNieva。

ThetwocoveraboutasmuchgroundasSarmiento'smanuscript；andthesecondmemorial，writtensolongafterthefirst，maybethoughttointimatetheadvancingageoftheauthor，inthegreatercarelessnessanddiffusenessofthecomposition。

Asthesedocumentsareinthenatureofanswerstotheinterrogatoriespropoundedbygovernment-therangeoftopicsmightseemtobelimitedwithinnarrowerboundsthanthemodernhistorianwoulddesire。Thesequeries，indeed，hadparticularreferencetotherevenues，tributes，——thefinancialadministration，inshort，oftheIncas；andontheseobscuretopicsthecommunicationofOndegardoisparticularlyfull。Buttheenlightenedcuriosityofgovernmentembracedafarwiderrange；andtheanswersnecessarilyimpliedanacquaintancewiththedomesticpolicyoftheIncas，withtheirlaws，socialhabits，theirreligion，science，andarts，inshort，withallthatmakeuptheelementsofcivilization。Ondegardo'smemoirs，therefore，coverthewholegroundofinquiryforthephilosophichistorian。

Inthemanagementofthesevarioussubjects，Ondegardodisplaysbothacutenessanderudition。Henevershrinksfromthediscussion，howeverdifficult；andwhilehegiveshisconclusionswithanairofmodesty，itisevidentthathefeelsconsciousofhavingderivedhisinformationthroughthemostauthenticchannels。Herejectsthefabulouswithdisdain；

decidesontheprobabilitiesofsuchfactsasherelates，andcandidlyexposesthedeficiencyofevidence。Farfromdisplayingthesimpleenthusiasmofthewell-meaningbutcredulousmissionary，heproceedswiththecoolandcautiousstepofalawyeraccustomedtotheconflictoftestimonyandtheuncertaintyoforaltradition。Thiscircumspectmannerofproceeding，andthetemperatecharacterofhisjudgments，entitleOndegardotomuchhigherconsiderationasanauthoritythanmostofhiscountrymenwhohavetreatedofIndianantiquities。

【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