Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/277

Rh commodes, the canopy, the ornamental paper, and the dial which stands on the table, are still unpaid for. I owe more than the one half of the amount of the calash, for which I bargained two years ago, and which is already in a ruinous condition. I am indebted for the whole of the fashionable hammock in which we now sleep, my wife having given the other to her bosom friend. I owe I know not how much to the tailor, shoe-maker, washerman, cigarre-maker, poulterer,. peruke-maker, to my barber, and to how many others I cannot say. All I know is, that a few days ago I saw an account at the house of the shoe-maker, amounting to no less than one hundred and eighty-five piastres, for shoes for my blessed spouse. I appeal to your conscience and good understanding, gentlemen; what would you do under such embarrassments? Afford me your advice, &c.

Plate XI. represents a female of Lima, of the middle class of society, such as makes the subject of the above complaint.

I should be glad to know who is this prater, this, who inveighs so much against his wife in one of your Mercuries. I doubt, and am indeed almost persuaded, that it is a dolt of a brother-in-law of mine. If, peradventure, he is the author of this satire, I am desirous to repay him in his