"The Indians have three meals [per day]: breakfast, dinner, and supper. These three meals consist of rice boiled in water but dry like the rice cooked in the Valencian style, or like the Turkish pilao. In addition they eat a trifle of fresh or salt fish, some sort of meat stew, camotes, etc.; but rarely do they have more than two different dishes, unless it is the occasion of a banquet. In the dearest provinces, the [expense of] common food cannot be estimated at more than one-half real of silver per day per adult; and since the daily wage that they earn is at least one-half real and their food, it results that this race have great opportunity to save and acquire considerable wealth. But their vices, their few necessities, and their disposition, which is indifferent and lacking in foresight, does not allow them to better the condition of their birth; and they remain in the wake of the mestizos, who are always the wealthy people of the villages." (Mas, pp. 64, 65.) [117] Mas says (p. 65): "It is not easy for anyone to explain them, so long as he tries to consider these men equal to the Europeans." [118] This sentence is omitted in M. and D. [119] All the matter above between the word "father" and this point is lacking in M. [120] The solidus was a coin of the Roman empire, which was at first called "aureus," and worth about twenty-five denarii, but afterward reduced to about one-half that value. It is used in the same manner as "farthing" or "cent" would be in English. [121] These passages are translated as follows in the Douay version of the Bible: 4. Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them. 5. Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in promise they humble their voice. 6. But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time: 7. And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one-half, and will count it as if he had found it: 8. But if not, he will defraud him of his money, and he shall get him for an enemy without cause: 9. And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries. [122] i.e., "Scarce does he return the half." [123] In the Douay version: "The sinner shall borrow and not pay again;" being only one-half the verse. M. omits the reference, but gives the passage.