302 
GUATEMALA. 
script which survived the ungentle hands of the early 
rulers have been so carelessly guarded that the choicest 
are now in foreign hands (French and German); and the 
printed volumes relating to the history of Central Amer¬ 
ica, or the publications of the native Press, are difficult to 
find. There are no important bookstores in Guatemala, 
and I had the greatest difficulty in obtaining a sight of 
Fuentes and Juarros, both of which I found only in 
private libraries. In an old curiosity shop a copy of 
Villagutierre Soto Mayor’s u Historia de la Conquista de 
la Provincia de el Itza ” was held at $50, or twice the 
price the old folio fetches in London. 
With no Coast or Interior Survey (except the temporary 
work of the Commission on the Northern Boundary), there 
are few scientific or historical publications issued by the 
Government. 
The debt of Guatemala is reported at a total (1885) of 
$5,817,947.19, drawing interest at six per cent. It is 
made up of the following items: — 
An English loan for which Guatemala be¬ 
came responsible in the days of the 
Confederation.$554,268.83 
An English loan of 1869 (by President 
Cerna). 3,599,771.75 
Government bonds in circulation (Interior 
debt). 1,663,906.61 
$5,817,947.19 
For the payment of the bonds of the Interior, a sink¬ 
ing-fund is provided, consisting of fifteen per cent of the 
duties on imports, the sums received for exemption from 
military service, etc. The average duties on imports are 
between fifty-five and sixty per cent ad valorem. 
The income of the republic during the year 1882 was: 
