Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/21

 OF

PART I.

THE PERUVIAN TERRITORY.

GENERAL IDEA OF PERU.

HE productions of the foreign writers who have attempted to describe Peru, abound for the greater part in fictions and absurdities. Among the Spanish authors who have treated of that country, the earlier ones either compiled the relations of their own adventures, or introduced into their histories and annals what tradition had handed down to them. Of this class are Garcilaso, Herrera, Zarate, Gil Gonzales, &c. as are also all those by whom they have been followed, with the exception of Don Ulloa, who, in the history of his voyage to South America, has treated of the customs, manners, and diversions of the inhabitants. This illustrious author is the first among the Spanish writers, who, in describing these countries, has soared to the contemplation of man in his moral and physical relations. Rh