XX I N T R O D U C T I O N. 



a country, larger than France^ ini not By half fo populous ; 

 and a foil too, which is allowed in itfelf to be fufficiently fruit- 

 ful, where labour is not wanting, the common people are con- 

 tinually in a ftarving condition ; nor is it to be admired that 

 thofe fhould not be prolific, who fubfift upon a diet fpare in 

 quantity, and meagre in quality. The next thing that falls 

 under confideration is their virtue ; and it is certainly acknow- 

 ledged on everj^ fide, that the Spaniards are men of remarkable 

 probity and honour in their dealings, beyond what is found in 

 general among other nations ; and were it not carried to the 

 foppery and barbarity of fuperftition, we might fay they are a 

 people of devotion and piety : but then to counterbalance thofe 

 good qualities, they are charged with unmeafurable arrogance and 

 pride, as alfo with unbounded cruelty and revenge where oppor- 

 tunity happens of gratifying their fpirit of avarice and refentment. 

 Their immane and unparallelled inhumanity to the wnh^np^^y In dia7i 

 nations they conquered, their extirpation of the inhabitants of 

 whole kingdoms, and other horrid exceffes among them, are 

 too fhocking to be dwelt upon. Iri what degree the Httle ad- 

 vantage they receive from thefe fettlements, and that their riches, 

 gained at the price of fuch eifufion of innocent blood, make them- 

 felves wings, as the fcripture has it, and fly away, may be ac~ , 

 counted judicial, I fhall not pretend to determine. There is 

 likewife another circumftance in their behaviour that fomev/hat 

 difqualifies them from that obliging and eafy intercourfe among 

 men, which the nature of bulinefs and trade requires ; it is the 



profound 



