COTTON TEXTILES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 225 



v The total amount for 1888 by lots or class of goods according to the 

 general tariff. 



The comparative total of 1887, 1886, and of 1889 up to September 30 

 ultimo. 



The length and width of the pieces of goods which we took as samples 

 (in meters and yards). 



The weight, per meter or yard, of the same. 



The corresponding price per yard or meter. 



These last notes I extracted from the original invoices allowed me by 

 the merchants, besides weighing and measuring the pieces with the 

 greatest exactness. 



Fixing our attention somewhat to the details of the annexed list we 

 observe : 



(1) That the importation of 1888 exceeded that of 1887 by 34 per 

 cent., due, without doubt, to the greater consumption caused by the trav- 

 elers attracted to the late Universal Exposition of Barcelona. 



(2) That England alone contributed about 70 per cent, of the supply 

 of cotton goods in this capital, France about 20 per cent., Germany 

 about 6 per cent., and Switzerland 3 per cent. 



Here it will be proper to observe that this subdivision, as regards 

 France, Germany, and Switzerland, requires more exactness because the 

 goods from these three countries, which are embarked at the French 

 ports of Cette and Marseilles, are very often noted down at this custom- 

 house as of French origin, though not being in reality, and thus consti- 

 tuting by these declarations an erroneous base for the official report. 



(3) That the stamped, checkered, and ornamented goods proceed pref- 

 erably from England, the novelties from France and Switzerland, and 

 knit- work and lace from Germany. 



(4) As to prices, taking a certain kind of goods which comes from dif- 

 ferent countries, the German goods turn out the cheapest and most in- 

 ferior. 



Eespecting considerations of sale and delivery, I observe that the Eng- 

 lish sell free on board at the port of embarking, taking upon themselves 

 the packing, transport, embarking, and insurance, the freight remain- 

 ing on account and risk of the owner, paid at thirty, sixty, and ninety 

 days in pounds sterling at the exchange of that date. 



That the French and Swiss sometimes impose the same conditions, 

 and others deliver the merchandise free on board at Marseilles or Cette, 

 giving the franc for a peseta, that is to say, without difference for ex- 

 change. 



That the Germans now almost always make it a rule to deliver free 

 on board at Barcelona without difference of exchange, this custom of 

 theirs being one of the reasons which explain the marked preference 

 towards the business with German houses, whenever it is a question of 

 articles of the same quality as those of any other origin. In fact to 

 give the most approximate appreciation possible of the importation of 

 608A 15 



