of conforming strictly to the severel postures used during service. It was further observed, that so rigid was this dog in the observance of prescribed fasts, that neither hunger, nor caresses, would induce him to taste flesh-meat on the days on which it was forbidden. In many places the Curé would not have celebrated mass without having for assistant a hawk or a kite usually perched on a corner of the altar. Not twenty years ago it was the custom in many villages to bestow a great deal of care on jays, magpies and starlings; they were taught to sing the anthems most frequently used in church-service, such as Kyrie elieson, alleluia, &c. and when they had made a sufficient proficiency they were admitted into the choir, as no contemptible reinforcement to the sacred harmony. It was usually the parish dame who was intrusted with the education of these sacred birds; for which the children of the squire were too often neglected. Instances of this association of brutes in religious worship, are so numerous in the annals of the French church, as to leave no other perplexity but that of selecting them. At the installation of a Bishop, the beast which carried him came in for a full share of the honours of the day; and was even admitted within the rails of the Sanctuary. The sportself was not forgotten; in the thirteenth century, a brotherhood was established at Mans, under its name and protection. The inhabitants afterwards considered this congregation as one of the most respectable monuments of their piety; and so wedded were they to it, that in 1610 they requested the sanction of the Pope to the holy institution, with the grant of some indulgences for its members. Paul V. who then filled the Papal scat, sent them his bulls accordingly. Indeed so wedded were the Romanists to this 200-mania, that the sculptures of the churches, their hangings, the vestments of the priests, and all their implements of worship bore signs of the prevailing taste. The pulpit of the jesuits at Louvain, was famous for an ornament of this kind, a Paradise, allied not a little to the epigram. The eagle, the licn, and the horse, were on the side of Adam; but Eve had for companions, the peacock, the parrot, and the monkey. On the capitals of the great pillars of the cathedral church of Strasbourg, is figured a procession, in which the writer has remarked a pig carrying a boly-water vessel; asses in clerical dresses, monkeys holding in their paws several attributes of religion, and a fox in a shrine. Missals, and prayer-books, of every description, are also reinarkable by ridiculous miniatures, in the same style. The cordeliers of Lyons preserved one, on which a monkey was represented with a mitre, in the act of imposing hands on a man sitting before him. The prayer book written for Charles V. of Austria by his mistress, had, on every page, monkeys mimicking religious ceremonies, in the most incongruous manner imaginable. The part acted by the Cat in the town of Aix, (in Provence) on the festival of Corpus Christi, may well vie in profaneness with that of the Ass of Sens on Christmas-day. The finest tom cat of the country, wrapt in swaddling clothes like a child, was, on this occasion, exhibited to the admiration of the gaping multitude, in a magnificent shrine. Flowers were strewed before him; every knee bent as he passed, and the adorations he received unequivocally pointed him out, as the God of the day. The strangest circumstance attending this ceremony, is, that it continued in all its splendour in the eigh teenth century, and was not finally suppressed till about the year 1757! ! ! On St. John's day the scene was greatly altered for poor puss. A number of cats were collected, and put in a wicker basket. The Bishop, at the head of his clergy, lighted a bonfire, in the middle of a square before the cathedral church; and when the flames were raging most furiously, the poor animals were thrown all alive into the fire. The clergy went afterwards several times round the burning pile, singing hymns and anthems appropriated to the sacrifice. During the troubles of the League, the fanatical monks who were preaching rebellion, made frequent allusions to this practice; saying, "that Henry IV. deserved to be put in the cat's basket on St. John's day, &c." This is evidently a sacrifice of Gallic origin. Cæsar tells us, speaking of the Gauls; Alii immani magnitudine simulacra habent: quorum contexta viminibus membra, vivis hominibus complent; quibus succensis, circumventi flamma exanimantur homines. The men described by this writer, as burnt in wicker cages, are now exchanged for cats. The clergy of Bruxelles in their famous procession of Sablon, greatly outdid their brethren of Aix. A bear was exhibited, clad in a sur plice, and decked with ribbons, majestically sitting in a chariot, and playing on an organ. This, in itself no ordinary idea, was greatly improved, however, by the whimsical construction of the organ. The music was not produced by the air compressed in pipes, as in common instruments, Twelve cats were separately confined in narrow cells, so contrived in the organ-chest, that they could not turn any way; their tails were drawn through twelve small holes, made at the top, and were fixed by ropes to the keys of the instrument. By this piece of machinery, whenever the bear laid his heavy paws upon the keys, the cats, strongly pulled by the tail, mewled most horridly, and this melody was powerfully reinforced by the voice of the choristers who performed with all their might a well-suited accompaniment. These details are not useless: they belong to the history of the human mind; a history to which it is to be regretted that writers have so little attended. The public ceremonies of a nation, the solemn festivals of a church, may surely be depended on as exhibiting the characteristics of a people, and of an age. Is it possible to deny that the suppression of these ridiculous and barbarous institutions was a service done to humanity itself? It may not be superfluous to remark here, that France is at present divided into two parties on the subject of religion; and that the sticklers for the religion of their Fathers, as they emphatically term it, are accused of attempting to renew some of those absurdities which disgraced the Gallic church, while the true spiri. of religion is suffered gradually to decay. Nor can it, sure, be amiss, to remind Christians, of every persuasion, that superstitions of whatever kind are themselves gross corruptions of their holy calling, and that the heterogeneous mixture of any pagan ceremony with the genuine institutions of Christianity, is incompatible with truth, and in direct opposition to the divine law. the Viceroy of Peru. Though the place is small, it is reckoned among the most important forts in America. The river furnishes a good port, well defended by four castles. The rich gold mines, which were formerly worked, are now abandoned. In 1737 it suffered very much by an earthquake. It is 65 leagues distant from Port Conception... The river is one of the largest in the kingdom. It divides the province in the centre, and is navigable up to Valdivia, which stands three leagues from the mouth of it. Cape Bonifacio to the north, and Cape Gonzalo to the south, form the entrance. Higher up, the river contracts, and forms the mouth of the port. There the mountains approach so near to each other, that the fire of musquetry crosses. To the south of this defile lies the port of Corral, formed by a bay capable of containing an immense navy. The country is very fertile, and produces great quantities of wheat, fruits and vegetables; but grapes do not come to maturity. It furnishes, likewise, every species of cattle, poultry, and fine ship timber. VALPARAISO, the capital of the province and government of the same name, in the kingdom of Chilé, is situated on the declivity of a mountain, and is divided into the upper and lower town. It began to be peopled at the close of the 17th century, owing to the -exportation of corn to Lima, of which the HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE COMMERCIAL SPECULATIONS ON SOUTH AMERICA. Vide Panorama, vol. II. p. 161. [Translated from the Spanish.] In the page above referred to, we ventured to suggest a few hints on those advantages which would accrue to the British trade, if it could acquire a settlement on the western coast of South America: the following articles comprize additional information on the present state of the Spanish towns along that coast, and may serve as further illustrations of the Map which accompanied our former speculations. We are obliged to a highly respected friend to our work for these translations, which are derived from sources of the first authority. VALDIVIA, the capital of the province in the kingdom of Chilé, was founded by Pedro de Valdivia, a celebrated conqueror in these parts in 1552. It stands on the banks of the river of the same name, in a commanding situation. The Araucana Indians burnt it to the ground, in 1603. The Dutch, sent by Admiral Brun, endeavoured to establish themselves here, in 1643, but failed of their object. In 1645 it was rebuilt, and peopled by Don Alonzo de Villanueva, by order of country produces great abundance, and of an excellent quality. Valparaiso is defended by three forts, and is considered as the emporium of the kingdom, for the import and export trade to Peru. It has succeeded to Port Conception. The navigable season is from June to September. During those months three voyages are made from Callao to Valparaiso. In the winter season most of the inhabitants devote their time to agriculture. The population is estimated at 2000. The country abounds with delicious fruits, particularly the Quillota apples. LIMA, the metropolis of Peru, was founded, in 1535, by Pizarro. In 1537, Charles V. gave it the title of a royal city. It stands in a spacious plain, called the valley of Rimac. A river of the same name washes it, to the northward, over which is a beautiful stone bridge, of five arches. The principal square forms a quadrangle of 186 yards on each side. The buildings are magnificent: in the centre is a brazen fountain well executed. The cathedral is in a fine style of architecture and was completed in 1758. The figure of the city is triangular; it is protected by 34 batteries; that part fronting the river is three quarters of a league in length. The streets are broad, and mostly straight; the houses, though low on account of earthquakes, are handsome, commodious, and richly fur flow nished; most of them have gardens and orchards. The city is divided into five parishes, and contains 19 convents, 9 public hospitals (one of which is appropriated for women divorced from their husbands), and an university. The climate is fine, yet rendered unpleasant by the incredible number of fleas and musquitos. Throughout the year it cannot be said that it ever rains, nothing but light dews fall. The luxuries and conveniences of life are amply supplied, and its commerce is the most flourishing in America. The most common disorders are putrid fevers, convulsions, and cancers. It has frequently been overwhelmed by earthquakes. The inhabitants are reckoned at 60,000. The jurisdiction of Lima exends over ninety three provinces. Balance of Trade in Dollars, between Callao (the Port of Lima) and the Peninsula, in the Year 1792. 1799 Silver, 4,910,643 Gold, 694,938 ARICA is a province of Peru. It is 82 leagues in length, and 16 in width. The vallies, which are mostly fertile, produce wheat, maize, and other grain. Cotton, sugar-canes, and the 4gi pepper are, likewise, much cultivated. In the last century, the pepper produced amounted annually to 200cwt. The vintages are also very abundant. Black cattle, sheep and goats, feed on the heights near the Cordilleras. For manuring the land, farmers use the dung of the huanaes, (birds) which they procure from the neighbouring island of Tqueine. The province is watered by very few rivers; two only can be considered as of any importance. One of them is formed by two large streams, which in almost opposite directions, and form a deep and spacious lake four leagues and a half in breadth, In the eastern part of the province is a volcano, in a very high ridge of mountains, from the sides of which issue streams of hot and fetid water. In the heights of Curato de Pica are veins of gold; also of the finest copper;-but they are not worked, owing to the severity of the climate. About two leagues from the sea lie the mountains of Chanavaya, Huantajava, and others, which also contain silver; but they are abandoned, on account of a scarcity of water. The province contains 46 towns, and various poris. The capital bears the same name; it stands in a fine valley about a league in length. The port is much frequented, a great trade being carried on in fruits, pepper, and glass, of which there is a manufactory in the city. Population has declined considerably since the earthquake in 1605. In 1680 it was plundered by an English pirate, and the major part of the inhabitants retired to Tacna, twelve leagues distant. Arica is 90 leagues from Atacames. The kingdom of QUITO is 400 leagues in length, and 600 in breadth. The climate is in general mild, and, lying under the equinoctial line, there is a continual spring. Hence it is styled the Evergreen Quito. It abounds with the fruits of both Americas, as well as with those of Europe. Cattle of all kinds are innumerable; and the woollen and cotton manufactories may vie with the best in England. it furnishes mines of gold, silver, copper, quicksilver, rubies, amethysts, emeralds, rock-crystals, and fine marbles of various kinds. Numerous rivers fertilize the soil, but, there being no bridges over any of them, they are crossed by means of a rope fastened to trees on each side, to which is attached a raft made of skins, having two iron rings to slide along the rope; it is drawn by a horse. The kingdom contains 16 cities, 4 towns, two courts of justice, and 260 villages, comprizing a population of 552,800 catholics, without reckoning an incredible number of wild Indians, of different nations. It is subject to volcanic eruptions, and to frequent earthquakes. The natives are industrious, and great mechanics; they are also docile, affable, liberal, charitable, and ingenious. A taste pre vails for luxury and ease among the nobility, and among the Indians and mixed nations the vice of drunkenness. The capital, of the same name, stands on the volcanic mountain of Pichinché; it is large, well built, and very populous. The principal square is formed by the palace of the President, the town-house, the cathedral, and the episcopal palace, with a handsome fountain P. Davila, in 1518. Having been sacked and burnt in 1670 by John Morgan, an English buccaneer, it was rebuilt the following year, a league distant from the shore, by Don Ant de Cordoba. It is of an irregular form, and in the centre. The houses are lofty and well-built; the churches and convents are the grandest in new Spain. The city is divided into seven parishes, containing two universities, two royal colleges, and two hospitals for male and female patients. The popula-badly defended. It ranked formerly among tion is estimated at 58,000, and is composed of Spaniards, Creoles, people of colour, and Indians. The Creoles are inild and humane, courteous, liberal, hospitable to strangers, religiously disposed, ingenious, and quick of apprehension. The Indians are the most civilized in the kingdom, particularly clever in all kinds of arts, especially painting and sculpture. The cities and villages of the jurisdiction are supplied from the capital with delicious fruits of every kind; so much so, that the market place appears like a garden of fruits, flowers and vegetables. In short, there is every thing the heart can wish to gratify the appetite, and every article is at a low price. Many persons, natives of this country, have rendered themselves illustrious in arms and letters. The province of TRUXILLO is 27 leagues in length, and 10 in width; and includes three ports within its jurisdiction. The climate is very fine, though rather hot. The soil is fertile, being watered by various rivers, particularly the Mocha. The chief productions are wheat, maize, vines, olives, sugar-canes, and all kinds of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. During thirty years after the earthquake in 1687, the country was so much impoverished, that it scarcely produced any thing; how ever it has gradually recovered its fertility, and carries on at present an extensive trade in sugar and fruits. The capital, of the same name, was founded by Pizarro, in 1535. It is of a circular form, aud surrounded with fortifications. The streets run at right angles, and the houses are magnificently built. Besides the cathedral, it contains three parishes. It has suffered by various earthquakes. Within this district, much of the wealth, concealed by the Indians during the inroads of the Spaniards, has been discovered. In 1576, such immense quantities were dug up, that the fifth part, which belonged to the crown, produced 58,527 castellanos of gold. The river Mocha, which runs about a league distant from the city, supplies it with water, by means of pipes. The population is estimated at 9000 souls, among whom are many descendants of the first conquerors. They are affable, liberal, and of a ready mind. Truxillo is eighty leagues from Lima. PANAMA, the capital of Terra Firma, was first built on the coast of the Pacific, by A castellano is the 50th part of a gold mark. the richest settlements in the world, being then the emporium of the transit trade froni Peru to Europe, before vessels frequented BuenosAyres and Cape Horn. Besides the cathedral, it contains two parishes, four, convents, a college, a university, an hospital, and a nunnery. The change of commerce, and the fires of 1737 and 1756, have reduced it to a miserable state. It is celebrated for the famous triumvirate held there in 1525, be tween Pizarro, Almagro and De Luque, for the discovery and conquest of Peru. The port is formed by an island two leagues and a half from the city, and is very secure. The tides are regular; it is high water every three hours, and the tide falls so low that the beach is dry for more than a mile from the shore. OBSERVATIONS ON THE LONGEVITY OF THE [From the Spanish.] Many and various causes concur in prolonging, or abbreviating the period of human existence. Climate, the natural constitution. of some nations, wholesome food, and bodily labour, strengthen the human frame more or less; and, consequently, more or less tend to prolong life. In cold countries, longevi ty seems to prevail, and there are found more old inhabitants in elevated situations than in low ones; no doubt, because the temperature of the air renders the body more robust. Those who are brought up in indolence and luxury, do not attain to the years of those who are inured to labour from their infancy. Hence it is, that we meet with frequent instances of protracted years among the Indians, who lead regular lives, and are engaged in labour. Don Juan de Castro-monte, attained to the age of 133, and enjoyed his health to the last. In Chorrilio died lately a female Indian, who was so old that her baptism was not found registered in the parish books. But, from the dates of some particular events, of which she declared that she had been an eye witness, she must have been at least 150. It is very common for the Indians to live to 90, and upwards; and they are as healthy and strong then, as at 50. It is true, they are exposed to acute diseases, which cause great ravages among them, particularly the great cities, effeminacy, refinement in viands, small-pox. unbridled passions, and an atmosphere charged with noxious vapours, kill annually It has been observed that in nearly the double of those who inhabit villages and hamlets; for, of the former one in 25 dies, and of the latter only one in 40. To the natives who live in huts, and enjoy a fine climate, and are accustomed to frugality and labour, the period of their mortality is postponed. In Chota, in the province of Caxamarca, lives Don M. Carguajulca, an Indian, who has completed his 117th year. His intellects are not in the least impaired. His appearance is that of a man between 60 and 70. He has not one grey hair, and of his teeth has lost only the incisores of the upper jaw. He has been twice married; with his last wife he lived 69 years. He had eleven sons, five of whom are alive and have a numerous progeny. For 45 years he has not tasted a drop of water, except what is contained in Chicha (a liquor distilled from maize), which is his constant beverage. His breakfast is a small beverage of punch made of the above mentioned liquor, with a large glass of rum. This to him is an exquisite cordial, and he never goes to bed, without a flask full of it at his bed side. Pedro Tafur, a creole, is 121. His second wife is still living, whom he married at 42. The fore-part of his head is bald, and his hair is quite white. He is rather deaf, but his sight is very good and he can walk. His life has been spent in taming wild mules and bulls. We may imagine what a harassing trade it is, and what blows he has received. In fact he bears the marks of them, and has been nearly killed eight or ten times. I heard of this old man, and sent some persons to fetch him. He was very much alarmed, thinking that the magistrates had other motives besides that of wishing to see him. "Please your worship," said he to me, I am guilty of no crime, but that of having been born among the Indians." I endeavoured to tranquillize him by saying that I was not a magistrate, and enquired why he was so frightened. He replied rather more calm, "As I am so very old, and no injury to any one, the magistrates only want to molest me. I have known more than twenty of them, and almost all have worried me." The Indians bear the same character that Fontenelle attributes to the Italians-their enmity and their affections are eternal. Nicolasa Roxas is 135. He is incredibly robust, and so animated in his occupations, that his great age appears only in the impediment of his speech. He walks many leagues without a stick, and always alone. daily food is ground barley, without salt or any other preparation. His Joseph Agif is 141. This man, admira ble on account of his years, is still more so for his fine black hair, his bodily strength, the rude exercise he daily takes, his great voracity, for the clearness of his eyesight, and the firmness of his pulge. It is astonishing to see him shoot, in which he passes the major part of the day, exposed to wet and all the fatigue attendant on that diversion. He came on foot to see me, a distance of five leagues. Roque Ramos is 147. To outward appearance he is not more than 60. He constantly rises at three in the morning, goes to the mountains, counts the sheep, and before day-break returns with a load of wool. He has all his hair and teeth. His second wife is alive, who at 74 appears more like his mother than his spouse. In passing through Mangas, in the province of Caxatambo, I recollect seeing the baptism of a female Indian at the age of 130. The curate told me that two Indians his neighbours disputed the honor of her hand; a sign that the remains of her beauty were not absolutely despicable. The famous Ninon de Lenclos, at the age of 80, saw sighing at her feet the Abbé Gedoyn. This antiquated dame, nearly double her age, boasts of the honor of having two suitors, who aspire to nothing less than an union with her. How many handsome young women will envy the age of this mountaineer! In 1788 died a Spaniard of the name of Becerra, aged 132. He was a captain in the militia, and cultivated a small estate which he had purchased. water his Don Pedro de Leon, a Spaniard, is 114 years of age. He lives at Contumasá in the province of Caxamarca. He always goes out at one in the morning to plantation of cinquefoil, and remains barefooted in the water till day-break. At 99 he married a girl who had not completed her third lustre, and before he was 100 she presented him with a daughter, to his very great delight. The above two examples are merely cited to shew, that longevity in Peru is not the exclusive privilege of the Indians. In producing these instances, there can be no mistake. I have seen them all. And not satisfied with that, I made particular enquiries among the most accredited persons in the province, who confirmed the truth of what I have advanced. (Signed) CHIROS ATYCHIO, Presbyographo. Chota, June 12, 1792. LIST OF PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS, &c. [Principally from the Repertory of Arts, &c.] John Falconer Atlee, of Wandsworth, in the county of Surrey, Distiller; for an improved apparatus to be used in fermenting of liquors. Dated March 7, 1807. John Maberley, of Bedford-row, in the county of Middlesex, Gent. ; for a method of making and constructing tents, poles, and other machinery, so as to expel and carry off |