Much better would it have been for the Spanish government to have acknowledged the independence of Rio de la Plata, which was proposed to them in 1815, in order to have preserved the remainder of their colonies, than to teach the use of fire arms, and the science of war, to men in whose breasts ambition and the love of military glory had never been kindled; but which, having been kindled, will never be extinguished.

LETTER XII.

THE Creoles, or Spanish Americans, are divided into two classes; the first are nobles, who are descended from the conquerors; the second, are descended from the officers of the government and private adventurers who have come to the country since the conquest. Among the former are Counts, Marquises, Mayorasgos or Barons, and Knights of different military orders, and these of course hold the first rank in society. They are all possessed of independent fortunes, which they inherit from their ancestors. The education of both classes is generally superior to that of their fathers, but the education of the nobles is very irregular. These nobles are not numerous in Rio de la Plata, but the contrary is the fact in Low Peru; in Lima a great part of the population is composed of this class. The oldest sons succeed to the title and estate, and the younger sons are Curas and canons, filling the various stations in the army and the church. For these stations more learning is requisite, and they are generally much better educated than their older brothers. sons of this class ordinarily pursue the profession of their fathers; they are lawyers, clergymen, Mineros, or proprietors of mines, and owners of Haciendas, or large plantations and establishments for cultivating Coca and making wine, brandy, &c. and on which there are several Indian families attached to the soil, and to the personal service of the landlord.

The

There are commonly from 50 to 200 of these families on one Hacienda, who subsist from the 'soil by their own labour, and who are obliged to work for their landlord whenever he requires their service. The young Indians of these families are their domestic servants. A Hacienda of Coca in La Paz is worth from 60 to $70,000; these estates produce immense incomes to their proprietors. The Creoles are also owners of fine country seats, to which they are very much attached, and which are provided with every convenience for the accommodation of a luxurious master.

The profession of the Law is considered the most honourable, and is the most lucrative. The lawyers of Peru amass large fortunes in a few years' practice, and the profession is a stepping stone to public office. The Clergy in this country sometimes practice the law, the study of the ecclesiastical law forming a part of their education, and both lawyers and clergymen are well acquainted with the profession. The lawyers display great ability in drafting memorials or pleadings, and eloquence in speaking before the judicial tribunals. The want of printing deprives the world of their speeches, some of which are in no wise inferior to those of the most celebrated lawyers of France. In their writing and speaking they adopt the French manner, as they are better acquainted with the literature of that country.

The Curas, as I have before stated, have large incomes, and consequently live in the most splendid manner, and it is easy to conceive that young

men of fortune, of the first rank and consideration in the community, will readily fall into all manner of immoderate pleasures and dissipation, more especially as they are condemned to perpetual celibacy. This barbarous law, which, warring against the law of nature, plunges all who are subject to its operation into the most shameful disorders, is a fruitful source of vice and immorality among the people. This law of celibacy, which was dictated by the wickedness and corrupt ambition of the Roman court, is the cause of many calamities to Catholic countries; yet so blind are the people of South America in their prejudices, that although they well know its injurious operation, they cherish it, with its host of abominations! South America will for ever remain ignorant and enslaved, so long as the freedom of religious opinion is restrained, and the institutions of the friars, and the law of clerical celibacy supported. At Buenos Ayres, the abolition of this law has been attempted, and it was demonstrated that the Pope was only Bishop of Rome, and could not interfere with the internal economy of the church, which possessed the right of electing its own pastors. But the clergy of Buenos Ayres, who are well aware of these truths, and who in their hearts laugh at the canon laws, have not had sufficient resolution to effect a reformation. At La Paz, on the contrary, at the time of the first revolution, the Churches took the first step of electing their own bishops, grounding the measure upon the primitive doctrines of the Church.

As this revolution was unfortunate in its issue, the measure failed; but it teaches us that the people began to think of the abolition of these establishments, which are so much opposed to civil liberty and the happiness of the human race.

The creoles are possessed of an independent spirit; and they hate and despise the Spaniards: they form by far the most enlightened portion of the community. Their master passions are the love of knowledge, and a luxurious and splendid mode of life, and they spare no pains to furnish themselves with books, sumptuous furniture, and articles of luxury. And therefore, there are carried to Peru the most splendid furniture of every kind, from the first-rate workshops of France, England, Germany, and Italy. Gold and silver are employed profusely in fitting out the trappings of their horse equipage, and in furnishing their houses; the vessels in the most common use, of the kitchen and bed-chamber, being made of silver. Their houses contain a drawing-room and dining-room, furnished with clocks, chandeliers, looking-glasses, &c. of which they are very fond, and a room for a library. The drawing-rooms of the nobility are covered with velvet, embroidered with gold; they have tables of solid silver, and their window curtains, which are of velvet, are fringed with gold lace. Their tables are covered with a great profusion of dishes. cooked after the French and Spanish mode. They eat abundance of sweetmeats, made from the fine fruits of the country. At the tables of the nobility there are