Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/37

Rh fathers, in the weaving of lliellas, anacos and chuces, and in the manufacture of topos, huaqueros, &c.

Of their ancient writing, some traces are to be found among the shepherds, who make use of quipos to reckon the number, increase, or diminution of their flocks, not forgetting the day or hour on which a sheep died, a lamb was ewed, or one of the flock stolen. The language they employed when they invoked the protection of the deity, may serve to give an idea of their oratory. Of their poetry and music many records still exist. The modern Indians, who are excessively fond of dancing, have not forgotten the wind instruments, and the immense variety of quick and lively airs which were the delight of their ancestors. Their tradition has handed down a few idyls and odes, and many elegies, which are revived and augmented, as well by the Arabicus as by the Spaniards, by