to proceed upon in computing the proper number of inhabitants in the whole of its territorial jurisdiction, except the simple fact of its sending one representative to the National Body, which is the number allowed to be elected for every fifteen thousand souls. Notwithstanding that this territory, which many rivers, and some of them of note, likewise fertilise, is well calculated for rearing many of the productions of agriculture, it is still very much behind in that science. Its inhabitants seem to devote themselves entirely to the breeding of vicunnas and horses, and that only in small numbers. Its productions are conveyed to Buenos Ayres by land, as well as by water.

SAN LUIS.

This is the first city of inferior importance, which the traveller from the jurisdiction of Buenos Ayres, by the road of Chile, passes through on his way to Mendoza. The city contains a population of only 1500 souls, although it is 260 years since its foundation; and the whole extent of its territory may comprise about 20 or 25,000. It extends, more or less, 50 or 60 leagues from east to west, and 100 from north to south. Its temperature is good; and yet the lack of population in the towns, and culture in the country, greatly diminishes its importance. The inhabit

ants appear least inclined to labour of any on the continent, inasmuch as they live satisfied amidst the many privations they endure. The fair sex in this place are the most remarkable of any on that road; not for manners or dress, in which they are inferior to the women of the other towns, but for their fine physiognomy. This province is especially well calculated for breeding cattle; in every district of it there are farms of vicunnas and horses; and its principal trade consists in the export of furs and skins. The women also make woollen stuffs of inferior quality. According to the most accurate accounts, that territory, which is very much broken, chiefly on the side where it borders on the barbarous Indians of the frontiers, has rivers containing gold, which never have been worked to any advantage, nor at present occupy in the least the attention of the natives. This city served, during the revolutionary war, as one of the depôts for Spanish prisoners of all classes, including general officers; and gave a noble instance of patriotism, by putting down, by main force, a mutiny of those prisoners against the local authorities, for the express purpose of endeavouring to effect their escape. In short, this city, which now is a place but of little interest, with an industrious population, might become of considerable importance; particularly as it possesses the advantage, that its territory is a neces

sary thoroughfare for travellers to Mendoza, on the jurisdiction of which it borders on the east, and by which it keeps up a spirited commerce with the Republic of Chile.

SAN JUAN.

This city, which is 20 leagues distant from the termination of the jurisdiction of Mendoza, almost to the south, has subsisted 265 or 266 years. It is situated in 32° 33′ south latitude, in front of the mountains of the Andes. The population of the city is about 16 or 20,000 souls; but it is computed at 30 or 35,000, including the inhabitants of the towns called Las Lagunas, Pueblo Viejo, Jacha, Valle Fertil, and also those of the rest of the country, which extends from 100 to 120 leagues north and south, and the same from east to west; terminating, like Mendoza, on the summit of the range of the Andes. The character of the inhabitants of both sexes is very amiable; and they evince the greatest desire to make progress in civilization. This town is now considered as that which most closely follows Buenos Ayres in the march of social reform. Many of the institutions recently established in Buenos Ayres have been adopted there in relative proportion; and the natives of San Juan have made astonishing progress in ecclesiastical reform, incorporating all the regular with the secular clergy, and suppressing the

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convents which they possessed. This town occupies the same rank as Mendoza, as far as agriculture is concerned. The natives dedicate themselves chiefly to the cultivation of innumerable vines, which grow in vast luxuriance, and to the making of wines and brandies, which they export, in great quantities, as far as Potosi, Buenos Ayres, Santa Fé, and a great portion of the eastern side of the Rio de la Plata. These liquors the natives of San Juan themselves transport on troops of mules, which they feed within their own jurisdiction, for which they have great facilities, as their country abounds in excellent pasturage, and the people are tolerably addicted to labour. The fertility of this country is wonderful, Wheat in general produces a hundred-fold; and the trees of various kinds grow to an extraordinary height. There are alsò olive plantations, the produce of which is much esteemed in Buenos Ayres. This territory is one of the most favoured by nature as regards mines of gold and silver, of which it contains a great many; but principally to the north, and at the distance of 30 or 40 leagues from the city, lies the gold mine, known by the name of Tacha, the richness of which has attracted many persons, who now form a populous town. It may be asserted, that the gold drawn, without much art, from that mine, and which is stamped in the mint of the Republic of Chile, exceeds, on

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an average, 80,000 dollars per annum. turage and breeding of cattle are not such important branches of commerce here as the labours of agriculture: but in the country there are vicunnas and mares in tolerable abundance.

MENDOZA.

This city, which was founded 265 years ago, is situated in the lower part of the ridge of the Andes, on the road to Chile, between 32° and 33° south latitude, in front of the two only roads, by means of which the provinces as well of Uppér Peru as of Rio de la Plata communicate with the Republic of Chile. These roads are called Uspayata and Portillo. The population of the city is about 15 or 20,000 souls; but it may be computed at 35,000, including the inhabitants of a tract extending 130 leagues from north to south, bounded by the river Diamante, which communicates with the river Negro, which disembogues itself into the sea in Patagonia, and somewhat more than 100 from east to west, terminating at. the before-mentioned summit of the ridge of the Andes. In the country there are several towns of considerable note, such as San Carlos, towards the south, in the valley of Uco, Coriconto, towards the east, and another in the same direction, 11 leagues from the city, called Los Barriales. Towards the north, at the very extremity of the