Page:Guatimala or the United Provinces of Central America in 1827-8.pdf/227

Rh The manufacture of gunpowder, saltpetre and playing cards, are government monopolies, the quantity does not exceed what is required for internal consumption. Coarse hats, shoes and saddlery, are manufactured in considerable quantities. Fancy articles are finished very neatly, and mats, baskets and other curiosities are cleverly executed by the Indians.

Almost every kind of artificer may probably be met with, but they are generally very idle and more than ordinarily troublesome, in the execution of what they undertake. Juarros tells us that the manufacturers of fine earthenware, can compete in their productions with the porcelain of Germany; nothing however has yet been produced in Guatimala better than a very coarse tea cup, and earthenware and porcelain of every kind is still imported from Europe.

The only remaining source of national wealth to be noticed is the mines. Humboldt in his table of the respective produce of the mines of America, has written against those of Guatimala, “nothing,” as Spain never derived from them any benefit. Since the revolution the most exaggerated statements have been sent forth respecting the mineral wealth of Guatimala, and several of the mines are now in the hands of companies who are attempting to work them.