We have already mentioned, that this viceroyalty is divided into five provinces; of each of which we shall now proceed to give a very brief and general descrip tion, beginning with Buenos Ayres. This province, whose name implies the salubrity of its climate, enjoys nearly the same temperature throughout the year. The rains, however, are sometimes of long continuance, and thunder storms are not uncommon. The pamperos, too, which we have already mentioned, are very disagreea ble, and even at times dangerous, from their fury. The soil in the vicinity of the town, and also on the north side of the river, is, in general, rich and productive, requiring very little labour, and no manure, to yield abundance of wheat and maize; also, most kinds of Eu ropean fruits, as grapes, melons, figs, apples, pears, peaches, and cherries; and even the productions of warmer climates, as pimento, oranges, ananas, &c. Be tween Buenos Ayres and the river Saladillo is one com plete plain, without a tree or rising ground, till near the banks of the river, which is about 60 miles from the Spanish settlements. On the south of the river, and extending far to the north-west, are the immense plains of Pampas, which present a sea of wavinggrass for 900 miles, with very few interruptions of wood and emi nences. Their luxuriant and nutritive herbage affords pasture to innumerable herds of cattle, that rove un owned and unvalued, and whose hides and tallow alone are sought after by the Spaniards, and form a principal article of the trade of Buenos Ayres. They are also the abode of immense troops of wild horses and deer, ostriches, armadilloes, partridges, wild geese, ducks, and other game ; and towards the frontiers of Chili, gua nacoes and vicunnas are met with in considerable num bers. Over these plains lies the only route between Buenos Ayres and Chili. The Spaniards generally per form this journey in companies, as the plains are infest ed by tribes of savage Indians, who go there for the purpose of hunting wild horses, and to rob such travel lers as they can surprise and overpower. Through this extensive flat, there are no landmarks or traces by which the road can be discovered for many hundred miles, so that they are obliged to pursue their route by the coin pass. They generally travel in covered caravans, drawn by oxen, and are accompanied with baggage-horses and mules. These caravans are made almost as commodi ous as a louse. They have doors to shut, and windows on each side; and the floor is covered with a mattrass, on which the passengers sleep for the greatest part of the journey. Travellers, however, are sometimes re duced to great distress, both from the intense heats, which prevail during the middle of the day, and the scarcity of water, which is often not to be met with for several days journey. The road leading from Buenos Ayres to Peru is very different. Post-houses are erect ed at regular stages, where relays of horses and car riages are piovided for travellers; and as no wild and unsubdtn. d Indians lie on that track, they are under no apprehension of any sudden surprise.
• • The province of Paraguay, though rich in none of the precious metals, is one of the most opulent in the new viceroyalty, from its vegetable productions. The cli mate is, in general, temperate and agreeable; the trees are clothed in perennial verdure ; and the extensive plains, which are covered with the richest pasture, are enliven ed with prodigious herds of horses, mules, cattle, and sheep. The herb of Paraguay, a species of tea, grows here in great abundance, and forms a considerable arti cle of traffic with the other provinces. They carry on also a considerable trade in %vax and honey. Nu merous missions, established by the Jesuits, are scat tered over the province, which arc now converted into presidencies, and governed in the same manner as the other Spanish settlements. These presidencies have
greatly declined since the fall of the Jesuits ; and it was with difficulty that the Franciscan and Dominican fathers, who succeeded the Jesuits, could prevent their total abandonment by the converted Indians. Their united population is now estimated at from 30,000 to 40,000 families.
Tucuman is a rich inland province, producing all kinds of grain and fruits, and abundant pasturage, but of a warm and rather humid temperature. It is watered with many beautiful rivers ; and there are carriage roads through the greatest part of the province. The woods afford wax and honey, and plenty of game ; but are in fested with the American tyger, and other beasts of prey. Cotton is cultivated in the neighbourhood of San Jago del Estero, and a small quantity of cochineal is occasionally collected ; but indigo, which was formerly here a great commodity, is now, through the neglect of the inhabitants, entirely lost. The Tucuman mules are famous over all the viceroyalty for strength and do cility; and, according to Estalla, there is no person in this province so poor, that does not kill a cow or a hei fer every day for the support of his family.
The province of Los Charcas contains some immense deserts and impenetrable forests ; but also some exten sive and fertile plains, intercepted by the stupendous heights of the Cordilleras. The air is in general mild, and varies very little throughout the year, except on the mountains. In the district of Potosi, it is extemely cold and dry, and the country remarkably barren, pro ducing neither grain, fruits, nor vegetables; while at Tomina, about 120 miles east from the city of Potosi, the air is hot and sultry, and the soil is covered with vineyards and sugar plantations. The delightful vales of Tarija are watered by abundant streams, and are ce lebrated as surpassing every other part of America, in the salubrity of their climate and the fertility of their soil. Wheat, maize, cocoa, grapes, flax, Paraguay tea, &c. are produced almost spontaneously ; and its annual ex portation of cattle is computed at 10,000 head, each va lued at from eight to ten dollars. The higher regions of this province abound in vicunnas, pacos, guanacoes, and lamas, which indeed are common to all those tracts, where the elevation renders the air continually cold. Los Charcas is of immense extent towards the north, rLaching from the borders of Peru to the confines of Brazil, and comprehending the extensive countries of Chaco, and of the Chiquitos, Moxos, and Chiriguanos Indians.
Cuvo borders on the Andes of Chili, and with that country presents the same phenomenon which is observ ab: in the peninsula of India, where the Ghauts, and the Table-land of Mysore, separate the coasts of Coro mandel and Malabar. The seasons in these countries are opposite in their effects to each other ; and when tempestuous on one side of the Cordilleras, it is serene on the other. In Cuyo the winter is excessively cold, insomuch that the cattle die in the fields if not housed ; while, in summer, the heats are intense, and thunder storms are frequent and violent. The soil, however, is fertile in grain, and most kinds of European fruits. Wine is produced in great abundance, and of excellent qua lity. It is drank over all Spanish America; and Men doza, and San Juan de la Frontera, sometimes export, in one year, 20,000 barrels. Brandy also forms a con siderable article of traffic ; and vicunna wool is sent in great quantities from this province to Europe.