428 MEXICO, CENTRAL AMEEICA, WEST INDIES. 



nearest towns, San German, Sabana Grande, and Tanco. Eastwards follow the 

 bays of GiiayaniUa and of Fonce {La Play a), the latter the largest city and the 

 true capital of the island. Ponce lies three miles north of the bay on a rich 

 plain surrounded by gardens and plantations. The neighbouring thermal waters 

 are highly appreciated by invalids. The Plaj^a, or " Beach," is occupied by 

 extensive depots for the produce of the interior, which is forwarded through 

 Ponce, the trading centre of the island. Next to this flourishing seaport the 

 largest places in the department are Yauco and Juana Diaz, both situated at the 

 south foot of the sierra. 



The eastern division of Puerto Rico is less densely peopled than the west ; it 

 is also less conveniently situated for trade, lying on the windward side and 

 offering little shelter to shipping. Here all the chief towns lie inland, or at least 

 at some distance from the coast. Such are Cayey, Caguas, and San Lorenzo or 

 Hato Grande, which are situated in the hilly region amid rich coffee plantations 

 and extensive grazing-grounds. Guayama and Huniacao, the two departmental 

 capitals, have been founded in the maritime district a few miles from the sea. 



At the north-east corner of the island some shelter is afforded to small craft 

 by chains of islets and reefs, and some inlets on the coast. One of these little 

 havens at the island of Culehra is frequented by fishers and woodcutters. Vieques, 

 or Crah Island, which points like a spearhead towards the north-east, is occupied 

 only by the solitary village of Isabel Segunda on its north side. La Culebra and 

 Vieques also take the name of Mas del Pasaje, because they lie in the " passage " 

 between Puerto Pico and the Virgin group 



ECOXOMIC CONDITIOX OF PuERTO RiCO. 



The prosperity of Puerto Pico is shown quite as much in its general material 

 progress as in its increased population. Since the middle of the last century the 

 social condition of the inhabitants has undergone a complete change. At that 

 time there were no towns, and the peasantry assembled only on feast-days in the 

 centre of their respective parishes. They dwelt in rude hovels without shutters 

 to the windows or doors to the entrance, and their only utensils were calabashes ; 

 an empty bottle was handed down îis an heirloom to the favourite son. 



At present more than half of the inhabitants have gravitated towards the 

 towns, especially those of the seaboard, and foreign trade has familiarised them 

 with all modern inventions tending to domestic comfort. The movement of 

 exchanges " is nil," said Iiligo Abad, a local historian, writing in 1772. In fact 

 it was restricted to a little barter in the onl}^ haven officially opened to trade, 

 supplemented by some smuggling in the other inlets round the coast, the whole 

 representing a value of perhaps £2,000. 



Since that period the yield of sugar, coffee, tobacco, and to a less extent honey 

 and wax, has enriched the island, which now possesses the means of purchasing 

 all the wares of the civilised woi'ld. Most of the exchanges are carried on with 

 the United States, whence corn, flour, salt meat, fish and lumber are imported in 



