( ^00 ) 



that the mint should be the general depository for it, and that it should 

 be issued from thence to the gold-washers without profit. By this 

 Regulation the article would be brought into general use, much to 

 the benefit of the state as well as of private individuals. I also 

 gave them models of earthen vessels, which might be made at small 

 expence, for evaporating and condensing the mercury, which, if 

 universally adopted, would effect a great saving in the consump- 

 tion of that article. 



The remainder of my stay, previous to my journey to Tejuco, 

 passed very agreeably. In the evening parties to which I was in- 

 vited, and which generally consisted of ladies and gentlemen, I ob- 

 served that the English style of dress prevailed, particularly among 

 the former. The houses of the higher classes in Villa Rica are much 

 more convenient and better furnished than any I saw in Rio 

 de Janeiro and St. Paul's, and are for the most part kept in the 

 exactest order. Their beds seemed to me so elegant as to deserve 

 a particular description. The posts were of fine wood, fluted or 

 carved in various ways ; the sides plain, the bottoms of boards or 

 leather. The bed itself was of cotton, the sheets of fine linen edged 

 with lace of home manufacture, full nine inches broad. The bolster 

 was covered with fine muslin, the ends of which were edged also 

 with lace. The pillows were made round at the ends and covered 

 with pink sarsnet, over which was another cover of fine muslin^ 

 terminated with broad lace, which being starched and delicately 

 managed had a very rich appearance. The coverlet was yellow 

 satin of a Damask pattern, edged like the sheets and pillows with 

 broad lace. The hangings were of the same materials, in the form of 

 a canopy, without curtains. Not excepting the refinements of 

 recent date in this article of furniture, I never saw beds so magni- 

 ficent as those of the opulent in this captaincy. 



Every thing being now in readiness for my departure, I waited 

 upon the several inhabitants to whom I had been introduced to ex- 

 press my thanks for the polite attentions they had shewn me, and 



