Ch. X. SOUTH AMERICA. 457 



work, and at the fame time not negled his plan- 

 tation, he never was able to get from the mine that 

 immenfe quantity of filver which its richnefs feem- 

 ed to promife, if worked in form. All that coun- 

 try is indeed fo full of mines, that, with an induf- 

 trious turn in the minds of the inhabitants, they 

 would be found in number and richnefs to equal 

 |hofe which have proved the fources of fuch in- 

 finite wealth to the fouthern provinces of Peru : 

 but it is far otherwife. This fupinenefs is thought 

 to be owing to the great plenty ; and confequently 

 a low rate of all kinds of provifions : for the in- 

 habitants, having ail they defire for little or no- 

 thing, cannot be prevailed on to flave in digging 

 the earth for gold : whence the inhabitants of the 

 cities and towns are hindered from acquiring large 

 fortunes, and confequently increafing them, by un- 

 dertaking to work more mines. Add to this the 

 prejudice, or rather apprehenfion of the difficulties; 

 which are thought fo great, that when a perfon ex- 

 prefles his intention of working in fome mine, others 

 look upon him as a man running headlong to his 

 deftrudlion, and who rifks certain ruin for remote 

 and uncertain hopes. They endeavour therefore to 

 divert him from his purpofe; and if they cannot 

 fucceed in this, they fiy from him as if they were 

 afraid left he fhouid communicate the infediion to 

 them. It is not therefore ftrange that thefe mines, 

 fo rich in all appearance, Ihould be negleded, and 

 no perfon found defirous of reaping the great ad- 

 vantages which would doubtlefs refult from work- 

 ing them. This occupation, for want of being 

 fufficiently acquainted with it, is univerfally dread- 

 ed : whereas in the fouthern provinces of Quito 

 it is quite otherwife the celebrated miners bejng 

 men of great power, vaft fortunes, and the moft 

 eminent families in tl^e country. Befides which, are 



5 S'^^^t 



