governor. The cathedral has a good choir
of singers, also chaplains and many able clerics, and two curas and
two sacristans. It is the only parish church of the city, although
outside in the suburbs there are two others--that of Santiago, and
that of San Antonio--administered by learned and exemplary clergymen.

61. Within the city, on the Plaza de Armas and opposite the castle of
Santiago, is the royal chapel founded by Governor Corcuera. It is a
magnificent church (containing the most holy sacrament), and is richly
adorned with altars, reredos, pulpit, and sacristy ornaments of silver,
with a monstrance of pure gold which is worth 11,000 ducados. It has
a choir, an organ, and a famous chorus of singers; also chaplains,
sacristans, and other ministers, who serve it with much propriety
and pomp. These clergymen are independent of the parish church, and
go through the public streets, wearing their copes and carrying the
cross aloft, to the royal hospital for the bodies of dead soldiers,
which they solemnly convey to the royal chapel for interment.

62. In the midst of the city is the Misericordia's seminary for orphan
girls with its church dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin,
which was founded in the year 1594. It is of beautiful architecture,
handsomely adorned, and served by clerics with the utmost care
and propriety. Since the year 1653, this church has served for a
cathedral. It is in charge of the brotherhood and congregation of
the holy Misericordia, which is directed by a manager and twelve
deputies with the same rules as that of Lisboa; its mission is to aid
the poor. In the best part of the city is another seminary for the
shelter of girls, with its church of Santa Potenciana, served by a
cleric. There are two hospitals--the royal, for the soldiers; and that
of the Misericordia, for the other poor. There are two others in the
environs--one of San Juan de Dios for the Spaniards; and another for
the Indians in Dilao. There is also a noted sanctuary, that of Nuestra
Senora de Guia, besides the two parish churches above mentioned;
and the convents and colleges, which will be enumerated below.

63. Most of the clerics of this archbishopric are learned men,
excellent preachers and distinguished in all branches of study,
on account of the opportunity which this city affords in two
universities--in which they employ their abilities, emulating and
rivaling one another in letters. They administer many benefices