years. The better class of houses rent at from $40 to $100 per month. In the larger cities, many of the houses are built of stone, which is abundant and easily procured. The quality generally used is soft when first quarried and can be worked very easily, but hardens with age and exposure. With abundant material and cheap labor, there is no reason why such high rents should be maintained. In Managua, the capital, where the population is rapidly increasing, and in several other cities, the erection of houses for rent would be a lucrative investment, particularly as there are no taxes levied on real estate.

The markets are well supplied, but usually do not present any great variety of vegetables. In Managua, the market building covers an entire square. It was built by English capital under a Government concession granting a monopoly for twenty-five years. The selling is done principally by women. The following is a list of retail prices prevailing there at date of latest advices:

These prices, as well as all others quoted, are in Nicaraguan currency, which averages from 30 to 35 per cent less in value. than the United States gold dollar, consequently reducing prices. in a corresponding ratio as compared with United States currency.

In journeying through the country, the traveler has to depend on such fare as he may be able to obtain at native houses and such stores as he may carry with him, but in the principal towns and cities there are hotels where fair accommodations and good rations are the rule. Hotel charges throughout the Republic are from $1 to $2.50 per day, the latter rate only at those of the higher class and in the principal cities. There are places where board can be obtained for less, but they are frequented by the lower class of natives only and would not be very attractive, especially to foreigners. The rates usually charged by the meal at the best hotels are: Early coffee, 25 cents; breakfast, 75 cents; dinner, 80 cents to $1. Board by the month is from $25 to $30, without room. An extra charge of $5 per month is usually made when meals are sent to the house of the boarder. Tea is rarely used and is only prepared at special request. Coffee and chocolate are the usual beverages, and both are invariably excellent. Beer, both European and American, can be obtained, but costs from 30 to 50 cents per pint bottle. California wines, 80 cents per pint bottle. Butter is rarely seen on hotel tables, and is not usually palatable when obtained. Meat is generally good. Chickens, turkey, and venison are usually served at dinner, and in the lake cities especially, fish is abundant and good. Eggs, cooked in omelets and in every other way, are staple articles of food. Frijoles (beans) and rice are the usual vegetables, occasionally varied by potatoes, cabbage, squash, and pease, but as a rule, vegetables are not served in great variety.

Clothing is reasonable in price. The customer usually provides his own cloth, which costs from $3 to $5.50 per yard, and the tailor charges from $10 to $16 for making a suit, according to the style and trimmings required. Ready-made clothing can be obtained at from $9 per suit upwards.

Shoemakers charge from $5 to $6 per pair for gaiter shoes and for low-quarter shoes $4 to $5.50. Ready-made shoes are sold at $4 for low quarters and $7.50 for gaiters. Russet shoes sell for $4. Ladies' shoes, from $3 up per pair. The shoes found in the stores are invariably of American manufacture and come largely from Boston. It is very rarely that shoes of European make can be found in the stores of Nicaragua. Dressmakers charge for making dresses as follows: Ordinary calico house dress, $2; street costume, $5 to $7; ball dress, $10 to $15. Ladies' hats, trimmed, sell from $4 to $20, but there is little demand for millinery, as the pañolón and reboso are used in preference to the hat or bonnet.

Labor is plentiful in Nicaragua, at least so far as present needs are concerned. But to carry out any great public work or to develop the immense resources of the country on the scale that will be required whenever the facilities for transportation are improved, it will be necessary to import laborers and encourage immigration.

The following is a statement of the wages received by the different classes of labor. It also shows the salaries paid by the Government to those employed in the railroad, steamboat, and telegraphic service. The amounts are stated in Nicaraguan cur