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Rh, that "there is not a city in the world in which so many-alms are distributed." If this be an elogy, it is likewise an historical fact; and the sincere relation of heroical actions is in itself a panegyric. Without reckoning the innumerable oratories, hermitages, and internal sanctuaries in the convents, monasteries, and private houses, most sumptuously erected, and adorned with exquisite taste, curiosity, and riches, Lima is embellished by fifty-six great temples, magnificent on account of their majestic fabric, their spacious extent, the splendour of their worship, and the pomp of their solemnities. Of these, the largest and most superbly ornamented is the cathedral church. In addition to these large sacred edifices, there are twenty-six public chapels, many of which, on account of their size, might be properly denominated churches.

The above cited Murillo, taking Ulloa as his guide, reckons no more than nineteen convents of regulars in Lima. He can, however, have paid but little attention to the subject; since, however they may be at present applied to other purposes, the four colleges, or religious houses of San Pablo, Desamparados, Noviciado, and Cercado, are of that description, independently of the nineteen others, four of which belong to the Dominicans, three to the Franciscans, three to the Augustins, three to the Mercedarios, or friars of the order of Mercy, one to the Minims, two to the Ministers of the Sick, one to the hospitallers of San Juan De Dios, and two to the Bethlemites.