The more I see of the Cacique and his sister, my dear Aza, the more difficulty I have in persuading myself that they are of this nation; they are the only people who seem to know what virtue is, and pay that respect which is due to it.

The simplicity of manners, the innate goodness, and the modest gaiety of Celina, would make one think she had been bred up among our virgins. While the honesty and serious tenderness of her brother, would persuade me that he was born of the blood of the Incas. They both treat me with the same humanity that we should shew to them, if by misfortunes of the same kind they had been cast among us.

I have no doubt but the Cacique is a good tributary. He never enters my apartment but he makes me a present of some of the surprising things with which this country abounds. Sometimes they are pieces of that machine which doubles objects, inclosed in small frames of curious workmanship. At other times, he brings me little stones of astonishing lustre, with which it is here the custom to adorn almost every part of the body. They hang them to their ears, fasten them on the stomach, the neck, and the shoes, all which has a very agreeable effect.

But what I am most pleased with, are little utensils of a very hard metal, and most astonishing use. Some are employed in the works which Celina teaches me; others designed for cutting, serve to divide all sorts of stuffs, of which we make as many bits as we please, without trouble, and it is really very amusing.

I have an infinity of other curiosities still more extraordinary; which not being used among us, I can find no words in our tongue to give you any idea of them.