Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/516

 CHAPTER V. DESCRIPTION OF ARTICLES OF IMrORTATION. Cotton Fabrics JVooUens. — Hats. — fihoes. — Iron, turought and unwr ought. — Copper. — Fire- Arms and Ammunition. — Glass-tvare. — Porcelain. — Raw and Wrought Silks. — Opiv um.-^Tea. A DESCRIPTION of the merchandise imjiorted in- to the Indian Islands will occupy much less room than I have found it necessary to bestow upon that exported. The first are generally too well known to call for full details, and in regard to them, it will be chiefly requisite to dwell upon those circumstances and modifications which suit them to the tastes and manners of the consumer. I may begin by observing, that, in a commercial in- tercourse with the Indian islanders, the merchant has, in his efforts to adapt his goods to the market, no inveterate and unsocial prejudices to struggle against. The desire of the islanders for articles of foreign luxury, utility, or comfort, has no bounds but their means to purchase, and the trader who acquires a knowledge of the little local tastes and