in2 



A VOtAGE TO 



Book VII. 



thefe are indeed the perfons who compofe the main 

 body of trade. Befides thefe there are great num- 

 bers of inferior traders, whofe capitals do not ex- 

 ceed fifty or a hundred thoufand crowns. The 

 paucity of immenfe fortunes amidft fuch advanta- 

 ges is doubtlefs owing to the enormous expences ; 

 whence, though their gains are great, they can 

 hardly fupport their credit \ fo that after paying the 

 fortunes of their daughters, and the eftablifhing 

 their fons, the wealth of moft families terminates 

 with the life of him who raifed it, being divided 

 into as many fmall flocks as he had dependents ; 

 unlefs fome either by induftry or good fortune, inv 

 prove the portion they obtained by inheritance. 



The inhabitants of Lima have a natural difpo- 

 fition and aptitude for commerce, and the city may 

 be confidered as an academy to which great num- 

 bers repair to perfed themfelves in the various arts 

 of trade. They both penetrate into the fineffes of 

 the feller; and artfully draw the purchafer into 

 their views. They are bleffed v/ith a remarkable 

 talent of perfuafion, at the fame time that they arc 

 incapable of being perfuaded, as well as of artfully 

 eluding objedlions. They affect to flight what -they 

 are moft defirous of purchafing, and by that means 

 often make very advantageous bargains, which none 

 can obtain from them. But after all thefe precau- 

 tions and fineffes in buying and felling, for which 

 they are fo diftinguiflied, none are more puudual and 

 honourable in performing their contrads. 



Besides the Ihops v/here fluffs and goods of that 

 kind are fold ; there are others for fnuff, and in thefe 

 may be purchafed the wrought plate, which is bought 

 in the cities near the mines, where it is made. 



The wholefale traders, who have large w^arehoufes, 

 are not above keeping fliops where they fell by retail, 

 which is reckoned no difgrace •, and thus they gain 

 that profit which they mutt otherwife allow^to others. 



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