partially refined people, centuries before the time of Manco

Capac, the first Inca ; and that a long period of barbarism had intervened, induced, perhaps, by revolutions similar to those which, in the old world, swept all the once celebrated nations of antiquity into oblivion. The ancient Peruvians had a tradition respecting the arrival of giants, who located themselves on the coast, and who dug wells of immense depth through the solid rock ; which wells, as well as cisterns, still remain.

There is much uncertainty respecting Manco Capac. Who he was, and from what country he came, are equally unknown. According to their Quippus, or historical cords, and the opinion of the Inca, who was uncle to Garcilasso,

and who communicated to the latter all the knowledge of their ancestors then extant, he made his appearance in Peru

about 400 years before the invasion of the Spaniards. It

is said he was whiter than the natives, and was clothed in

flowing garments. Awed by his presence, they received him as a divinity, became subject to his laws, and practised the arts he introduced. He founded Cusco, and extended his influence to all the nations around. He taught them agriculture and many useful arts, especially that of irrigating land. His son succeeded him, and without violence greatly extended the limits of the kingdom ; prevailing with the natives, it is said, by a peaceable and gentle manner, " to plough, and manure, and cultivate the soil." His successors pursued the same mode, and with the same success. The fifth Inca, we are informed, constructed Aqueducts, bridges and roads in all the countries he subdued. When the sixth Inca acquired a new province, he ordered the lands to be " dressed and manured ;" the fens to be drained, " for in that art (draining) they were excellent, as is apparent by their works, which remain to this day ; and also they were (then) very ingenious in making Aqueducts for carrying water into dry and scorched lands, such as the greatest part of that country is ; they always made contrivances and inventions to bring their water.