CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 



237 



commodes, the canopy, the ornamental paper, and the dial 

 which stands on the table, are still unpaid for. I owe more 

 than the one half of the amount of the calash, for which I 

 bargained two years ago, and which is already in a ruinous 

 condition. I am indebted for the whole of the fashionable 

 hammock* in which we now sleep, my wife having given the 

 other to her bosom friend. I owe I know not how much to 

 the tailor, shoe-maker, washerman, cigarre-maker, poulterer, 

 peruke-maker, to my barber, and to how many others I can- 

 not say. All I know is, that a few days ago I saw an account 

 at the house of the shoe-maker, amounting to no less than one 

 hundred and eighty-five piastres, for shoes for my blessed 

 spouse. I appeal to your conscience and good understanding, 

 gentlemen : what would you do under such embarrassments ? 

 Afford me your advice, &c. 



Plate XI. represents a female of Lima, of the middle clas& 

 of society, such as makes the subje6t of the above complaint. 



REPLY OF ANTISPASIA. 



I should be glad to know who is this prater, this Fixio- 

 GAMio, who inveighs so much against his wife in one of your 

 Mercuries. I doubt, and am indeed almost persuaded, that 

 it is a dolt of a brother-in-law of mine. If, peradventure, 

 he is the author of this satire, I am desirous to repay him in 



* la those countries, to guard against the inse£ls, the bed is suspended in the 

 air. 



his. 



