MENDOZA. 



255 



tropics before the rains set in. Besides which; 

 the assurance I have frequently received, that 

 to one unskilled in geology and mining affairs, 

 the inspection of a mine offers little interest, 

 has determined me to avoid any further 

 delay. 



Few of the rich mines which were used in 

 the time of the old Spaniards, east of the 

 Andes, are now at work ; want of money, of 

 science, and of good roads, has induced the 

 natives to abandon them. But there is no 

 doubt of their containing the metal, in as great 

 abundance as ever. The successive revolu- 

 tions to which these republics are so liable, 

 have deprived foreigners of all hope of em- 

 barking their capital in mining adventures with 

 any chance of success. The practical know- 

 ledge, alone, of the native Indian workmen, 

 now much reduced in number, has hitherto 



VOL. I. M 



