Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/231

Rh who abound in riches; but those who, by the sweat of the brow, and the labour of the hands, can scarcely procure what is necessary to the purposes of life, are equally merciful and charitable."

the centre of the square, and three feet and a half above its plane, rises a level surface of masonry, the sides of which have a dimension of fifteen yards. The ascent of stone with which it is provided, is surrounded by an open aqueduct, to collect the discharged water, which thence precipitates itself into a moat. Above is stationed the principal basin, having a diameter of nine yards, surmounted by eight lions, and as many griffons recumbent at their feet. It is covered externally with exquisite moldings and vases of flowers in bas-relief, and internally lined, both on its plane and circle, with an inlaid pavement of different colours. In the centre it has a pedestal, eighteen feet in height, composed of three square partitions, finely ornamented. This pedestal supports the second basin, three yards in diameter, which Rh