AYRES, the capital of the viceroyalty of Buenos Ayres, extends along the south side of the great river La Plata ; and derives its name from the parti cular salubrity of its climate. It was originally founded by Don Pedro de 'Mendoza, in 1535, and called Xuestra Se nora de Buenos Ayres ; but ti.c colonists were so reduced by famine, and harassed by the continual hostilities of the neighbouring L.e,ialls, that in about four years after, the situation was abandoned as untenable. In the year 1580, however, tne colony was re-established under the name of Santa Trinidada de Buenos Ayres ; and in 1620 was erected into a bishopric, and constituted the capital of a province of the same name. But it was not until it be came the scat of the viceregal government, that it could vie in opulence and population with the principal cities of the southern continent. T“is city is built with great regularity and neatness, and is watered by several small streams which discharge themselves into the La Plata. The principal streets display both taste and opulence. They are broad and straight, with foot-paths on each side ; but front the great scarcity of stone, unpaved in the mid dle, which renders walking very inconvenient during drought, from the quantity of dust which is collected and continually flying about. The houses are generally built of bricks or chalk, wit!' flat roofs, but seldom exceed one story. Many of them have walls on tl'e top, from three to four feet high ; and those of the more wealthy inhabitants have a vestibule, and a court surrounded by the apartments. The interior of these houses, however, correspond very ill with their external appearance. Du ring summer, the rooms arc covered \t it.a India ne tting, and in winter with European carpets ; hut from the indo lence of the inhabitants, they are seldom kept clean ; and that part of the town which is principally inhabited by mestizos and negroes, is nothing but a receptacle of filth. Almost every house is surrounded with a garden ; and many have balconies, with lattice-work for containing shrubs and flowers. The principal square, or parade,
which is very spacious, faces the La Plata, and is surround ed with superb buildings. On one side, fronting the river, is the castle or fort, which, considered as a post of mili tary importance, is very insignificant ; forty cannon of various calibres, and 700 men, are its only defence. It contains the palace of the viceroy, and a royal chapel. On the opposite side is the town-hall, and on the west side stands the cathedral, which is a new and spacious structure, with a cupola and portico of very elegant work manship ; but the interior of the building is rather too profusely decorated with carved and gilt-work. The churches of St Francis, and of the convent of Mercy, are !Atilt with a cupola and steeples nearly in the same stile as the cathedral. In the former is a beautiful painting of the Last Supper, by an Indian neophyte. The frame is composed entirely of feathers of a bright gold colour, so contrived as to imitate the most correct carving and gilding, and the difference. cannot be discovered by the nicest observer till it is touched with the hand. The church of St John, which stands on the skirts of the town, is appropriated entirely to the use of the Christian In dians. Tne other public buildings are two hospitals, one for men and the other for women, an orphan hospital, a foundling hospital, and a college where they teach gram mar, philosophy, and theology. Toese edifices arc built of a beautiful white stone, whicic'is found not far from the town, and which gives them a light and elegant appearance. The chapter of the cathedral consists of a bishop, whose annual revenue is from 18,000 to 20.000 piastres, three dignita ries, and two canons. Besides these, there are in the city of Buenos Ayres above 136 ecclesiastics, independent of four numerous monasteries of Franciscans, Dominicans, and of the fathers of Mercy and of Bethleem, and two con vents of nuns.