CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER XVII.
On the acquisition of the precious metals from the discoveryof America , in 1492, to the opening of the mines of Po-tosi in 1546.—Small quantity of gold at first found inAmerica.—The accumulation of years.—Humboldt ’sestimate rather too great.—The receipts from Mexico .—Those from Peru much larger.—The mines openedof both gold and silver and amount obtained.—Appli-cation of these metals to domestic purposes and religioususes ..... Page 41
CHAPTER XVIII.
On the acquisition of the precious metals from the openingthe mines of Potosi, in 1546, to the end of the year 1599.—Discovery of Potosi.—Amount of its produce.—Hum-boldt ’s estimate.—Other mines of Peru.—Those of Chili.—Brazil gold-washings.—Mines of Europe.—Estimate ofthe aggregate amount of the stock of gold and silver atthe end of the 16th century.—Of its application to do-mestic uses in Europe and in Asia. —Of the quantityconverted into coin . . . .57
CHAPTER XIX.
On the rise of prices simultaneously with the increase of goldand silver in the first century after the discovery ofAmerica. —Advance of prices in England.—Comparisonof those of 1480 and 1599.—Prices of corn during this
time.—Laws relative to the export of corn_Rise of
rents noticed by Latimer.—Alteration in the value ofcoin and in the expenses of subsistence —Table of theadvance of prices in France.—Alteration in those ofSpain, Italy, and Germany . . .71