326 



derives great advantages from it. Families ar 

 not exposed to the iastability of servants, who, 

 considering themselves as strangers, never be- 

 come attached to the house, and without hesita* 

 tion communicate all its secrets, 

 % The internal commerce of Chili has been 

 Ilitherto of very little importance, notwithstand- 

 ing the g,dvantages that the country offers for its 

 encouragement. Its principal source, industry, 

 or more properly speaking, necessity, is wanting. 

 An extensive commerce is correlative with a 

 great population, and in proportion as the latter 

 increases, the former will also be augmented.* 



Hitherto it may be said, that of the two branches that in 

 general give birth to commerce, agriculture, and industry, the 

 first is that alone which animates the internal coninierce of 

 Chili, and even that part of the external which is carried on 

 with Peru. . The working of mines also occupies the attention 

 f many in the provinces of Copiapo, Coquimbo, and Quil- 

 )ota. fiut the industry is so trilling that it does not deserve 

 the name. Notwithstanding the abundanee of its fruits and 

 materials of the lirst class, as flax, wool, hemp, skins, and 

 metals, wliich might produce a flourishing commerce, it is con- 

 dacted but languidly. The inhabitants employ themselves 

 only in making ponchos, stockings, socks, carpets, blankets* 

 skin coats, riding saddles, hats, and other small articles, 

 chiefly made use of by the common or poorer class of people, 

 siuce those of the middle rank employ European manufac- 

 tures. These, but more particularly the sale of hides and 

 tanned leather, Which they have in great plenty, with that of 

 grain and wine, form the whole of the hiterual commerce of 

 the kingdom. 



