Nay, so poor did they become, that in 1740, the year after the smallpox had again devastated the island and the very monkeys had died of it,--as the hapless creatures died of cholera in hundreds a few years since, and of yellow fever the year before last, sensibly diminishing their numbers near the towns--let the conceit of human nature wince under the fact as it will, it cannot wince from under the fact,--in 1740, I say the war between Spain and England--that about Jenkins's ear--forced them to send a curious petition to his Majesty of Spain; and to ask--Would he be pleased to commiserate their situation?
The failure of the cacao had reduced them to such a state of destitution that they could not go to Mass save once a year, to fulfil their 'annual precepts'; when they appeared in clothes borrowed from each other.
Nay, it is said by those who should know best, that in those days the whole august body of the Cabildo had but one pair of small- clothes, which did duty among all the members.
Let no one be shocked.

The small-clothes desiderated would have been of black satin, probably embroidered; and fit, though somewhat threadbare, for the thigh of a magistrate and gentleman of Spain.

But he would not have gone on ordinary days in a sansculottic state.

He would have worn that most comfortable of loose nether garments, which may be seen on sailors in prints of the great war, and which came in again a while among the cunningest Highland sportsmen, namely, slops.

Let no one laugh, either, at least in contempt, as the average British Philistine will think himself bound to do, at the fact that these men had not only no balance at their bankers, but no bankers with whom to have a balance.