Ch. IV. SOUTH AMERICA. 31 



the villages-, for if any Whites, efpecially women, are 

 met with, it is only accidental \ thefe generally refiding 

 in their houfes \ at ieaft, if they are of any rank or 

 charad:er. 



These cafts, from the Mulattos, all afFedl the 

 Spanifli drefs, but wear very flight llufFs on account of 

 the heat of the climate. Thefe are the mechanics of 

 the city ; the Whites, whether Creoles or Chapitones, 

 difdaining fuch a mean occupation, follow nothing 

 below merchandize. But it being impofllble for all to 

 fucceed, great numbers not being able to procure fuf- 

 ficient credit, they become poor and miferable from 

 their averfion to thofe trades they follov/ in Europe ; 

 and, inftead of the riches which they flattered them- 

 felves with poflfefllng in the Indies, they experience the 

 mofl: complicated wretchednefs. 



The clafs of Negroes is not the leafl: numerous, and 

 is divided into two parts ; the free and the flaves, 

 Thefe are again fubdivided into Creoles and Bozares, 

 part of which are employed in the cultivation of the 

 haziandes -f, or efl:ancias. Thofe in the city are ob- 

 liged to perform the moft laborious fervices, and pay 

 out of their wages a certain quota to their mafters, fub- 

 fifliing themfelves on the fmall remainder. The violence 

 of the heat not permitting them to wear any cloaths^ 

 their only covering is a fmall piece of cotton fl:uff about 

 their waifl: ; the female flaves go in the fame manner. 

 Some of thefe live at the efl:ancias, being married to the 

 flaves who work there ; while thofe in the city fell in 

 the markets all kind of eatables, and cry fruits, fweet- 

 meats, cakes made of the maize, and cafiava, and feveral 

 . other things about the fl:reets. Thofe who have child- 

 ren fucking at their breafl:, which is the cafe of the ge- 

 nerality, carry them on their flioulders, in order to have 



reafon of the great nuraber of flaves belonging to it, often equals 

 a confiderable village. 



t Hazianda in this place fignilies a coimtry houfe, with the lands 

 belonging to it» 



' , their 



