Note 5 — LETTERS ON THE MORAL AND RELIGIOUS STATE OF SOUTH AMERICA. (continued 4)

The top of this ridge, or cordillera, cannot be less than 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. On arriving at this height, I recollected what I had often read of, that persons at great elevations felt much difficulty in breathing. I resolved to try the correctness of these accounts: and for this purpose, I alighted from my horse, and with a heavy great-coat on, I walked with a quick pace for half an hour. The result was, I felt not the slightest inconvenience in breathing.