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to be the only exotic fruit which has been hitherto introduced ; it 

 flourishes amazingly. I have frequently seen the branches of the 

 trees so loaded as to require perpendicular support. 



The town is of considerable extent, but by no means so well 

 peopled as when the mines were rich. Few of the inhabitants have 

 any employment except the shopkeepers, who are indeed a nume- 

 rous class. English woollens were by no means dear, superfine cloth 

 being at 30s. to 35s. per yard, coatings, &c. nearly as cheap as in 

 England ; common cotton prints at Is. 6d. to 2s. per yard ; hats, 

 handkerchiefs, kerseymeres, and Manchester piece goods in great 

 plenty. There seemed indeed to be a glut of English merchandize 

 and produce of all sorts, except earthenware, hams, porter, and 

 butter, which were dear on account of the risk of carriage. Com- 

 mon Figueras wine was at 3s. 6d. the bottle. The shops that sold 

 the produce of the country were few in number and very indifferent. 

 There were a great many taylors, shoe-makers, tin-workers, and 

 venders of hardware, some smiths, and no inconsiderable number of 

 saddlers. In a country where every one is a horseman, this trade 

 must, one would imagine, take the lead of most others. The 

 saddles that were shewn me here were of a much superior make to 

 those which I saw in Rio de Janeiro. I was surprised to find no 

 workers in gold in a place so renowned for the production of that 

 precious metal, but I was informed that the trade was prohibited by 

 law, to prevent the gold from being worked before it was permuted. 



The market of Villa Rica was but ill supplied, notwithstanding 

 the fertility of the district around it, Pulse and vegetables for the 

 table were scarce, even grass was an article in great demand *, and 

 milk was as dear as it is in London. Poultry sold at from 3s. 6d. 

 to 4s. 66. per couple. Beef of a tolerable kind, but by no means 

 good, might be had at I'd. per pound. Pork was very fine ; mutton 



Our mules required at lea?t six-penny\yorth eagh per dj»y, exclusive of their corn, 



