About the rich men

“The gentry are very averse to leaving their country, having not the least curiosity to travel and see the world. Very few of them visit Spain, or even [Gran] Canaria, unless when they are obliged to attend their law-suits in that island. A gentleman here, possessing a few acres of land, a dozen of sheep, a couple of asses, and a camel, would chose rather to live all his days on Goffio, tan venture to the Spanish West Indies to mend his fortune by trade or any oth.er employment: he would even imagine that by engaging in such an undertaking, he should disgrace himself and family for ever […].

George Glas

About two years and a half ago, a monastery of nuns, in the villa of Orotava, took fire in the morning while it was dark, and was burnt so suddenly that the Nuns had but just time to save their lives: it is the custom of many people in that country, when the weather is hot, to sleep without shirts or shifts; therefore some of the poor nuns, not having time to cast anything about them, made their escape stark naked, when some of the crowd, who were assembled on that occasion, took off their cloaks and threw them upon them. Several fellows went into the cells of the convent, and, in fight of all the crowd, fat down composedly, and crammed themselves with the conserves and sweetmeats belonging to the nunnery, notwithstanding the Vicar called aloud and threatened them with excommunication. This I mention to give some idea of the thievish disposition of the lower class of people.”

George Glas