quest, commerce, the study of antiquity, and that of natural history, are seldom directed to poor countries, in which, it may be said, they never make a permanent establishment. In the centre of Spain an idea was entertained of the Batuecas[1], that is, of the inhabitants of a province which, on account of its wretchedness, was thought to have subsisted during many centuries, secluded from all traffic and social intercourse; and in America this same idea is realized in the province of Chichas y Tarija, the description of which is about to be given[2].
These vallies, capable, through their fertility and the abundant produce they might be made to supply, to revive the prodigies of ancient Sicily, and of the fabulous Arcadia, have been condemned, by their poverty, to remain confounded and forgotten. The Methodical Encyclopedia, Buffier, Echard,
- ↑ These people lived in the forests between Soria and Burgos, and resembled savages. They were discovered about three hundred and fifty years since. They were all of them fellers and carriers of wood.
- ↑ Our readers will pardon us, if we should be in some degree prolix, in treating this subject, on consideration of its novelty, and of the obscurity in which it has been hitherto enveloped. The reports of the government throw but little light on the perfect knowledge of the events and situation of this province. Some of them do not even mention it collaterally; and. the one made by his excellency count Superunua, which is among the most remarkable, and best written, confines itself to the following brief notice: "The city of Tarija, in the same archbishopric (that of Chuquisaca), has but few Spanish inhabitants capable of forming a collective body; and notwithstanding to corregidor usually resides in the province of Chichas, united to the above city, a lieutenant-general is stationed there in quality of president of the senate. The ordinary alcaids are chosen annually. The territory is fertile, at the same time that there is but little commerce, on account of its retired situation."
