Chapter VIII: Part 8

I have yet said nothing of making white Sugars, but that is much quicker said than done: For, though the Muscavado Sugar, require but a months time to make it so, after it is boyl’d; yet, the Whites require four months, and it is only this. Take clay, and temper it with water, to the thicknesse of Frumenty, or Pease pottage, and poure it on the top of the Muscavado Sugar, as it stands in the pot, in the Cureing-house, and there let it remain four months; and if the clay crack and open, that the aire come in, close it up with some of the same, either with your hand, or a small Trowell. And when you knock open these pots, you shall finde a difference, both in the colour and goodnesse, of the top and bottom, being but to such a degree, as may be rank’d with Muscavadoes; but the middle, perfect White, and excellent Lump-Sugar, the best of which will sell in _London_ for 20 d. a pound.

I do not remember I have left unsaid any thing, that conduces to the work of Sugar-making, unlesse it be, sometimes after great rains, (which moisten the aire more then ordinary) to lay it out upon fair daies in the Sun, upon cloaths, or in the knocking room, and sometimes to bring in pans of coals, well kindled, into the Cureing house. If I have omitted any thing here, you shall finde it supplyed in the Indexes of my Plots.

As for distilling the skimmings, which run down to the Still house, from the three lesser Coppers, it is only this: After it has remained in the Cisterns, which my plot shewes you in the Still-house, till it be a little soure, (for till then, the Spirits will not rise in the Still) the first Spirit that comes off, is a small Liquor, which we call low-Wines, which Liquor we put into the Still, and draw it off again; and of that comes so strong a Spirit, as a candle being brought to a neer distance, to the bung of a Hogshead or But, where it is kept, the Spirits will flie to it, and taking hold of it, bring the fire down to the vessell, and set all a fire, which immediately breakes the vessell, and becomes a flame, burning all about it that is combustible matter.

We lost an excellent Negre by such an accident, who bringing a Jar of this Spirit, from the Still-house, to the Drink-room, in the night, not knowing the force of the liquor he carried, brought the candle somewhat neerer than he ought, that he might the better see how to put it into the Funnell, which conveyed it into the Butt. But the Spirit being stirr’d by that motion, flew out, and got hold of the flame of the Candle, and so set all on fire, and burnt the poor Negre to death, who was an excellent servant. And if he had in the instant of firing, clapt his hand upon the bung, all had been saved; but he that knew not that cure, lost the whole vessell of Spirits, and his life to boot. So that upon this misadventure, a strict command was given, that none of those Spirits should be brought to the Drink-room ever after in the night, nor no fire or candle ever to come in there.

This drink, though it had the ill hap to kill one Negre, yet it has had the vertue to cure many; for when they are ill, with taking cold, (which often they are) and very well they may, having nothing under them in the night but a board, upon which they lie, nor any thing to cover them: And though the daies be hot, the nights are cold, and that change cannot but work upon their bodies, though they be hardy people. Besides, comming home hot and sweating in the evening, sitting or lying down, must needs be the occasion of taking cold, and sometimes breeds sicknesses amongst them, which when they feel, they complain to the Apothecary of the Plantation, which we call Doctor, and he gives them everyone a dram cup of this Spirit, and that is a present cure. And as this drink is of great use, to cure and refresh the poor Negres, whom we ought to have a speciall care of, by the labour of whose hands, our profit is brought in; so is it helpfull to our Christian Servants too; for, when their spirits are exhausted, by their hard labour, and sweating in the Sun, ten hours every day, they find their stomacks debilitated, and much weakned in their vigour every way, a dram or two of this Spirit, is a great comfort and refreshing to them. This drink is also a commodity of good value in the Plantation; for we send it down to the _Bridge_, and there put it off to those that retail it. Some they sell to the Ships, and is transported into forraign parts, and drunk by the way. Some they sell to such Planters, as have no Sugar works of their owne, yet drink excessively of it, for they buy it at easie rates; halfe a crown a gallon was the price, the time that I was there; but they were then purposing to raise the price to a deerer rate. They make weekly, as long as they work, of such a Plantation as this 30 l. sterling, besides what is drunk by their servants and slaves.

And now for a close of this work of Sugar, I will let you see, by way of estimate, to what a Revenue this Iland is raised; and, in my opinion, not improbable. If you will be pleased to look back to the extent of the Iland, you shall find, by taking a medium of the length and breadth of it, that there is contained in the Iland 392 square miles,

28
14
---
112
28
---
392

out of which we will substract a third part, which is the most remote part of the Iland from the _Bridge_, where all, or the most part of Trade is, which by many deep and steep Gullies interposing, the passage is in a manner stop’d: besides, the Land there is not so rich and fit to bear Canes as the other; but may be very usefull for planting provisions of Corn, Yeams, Bonavista, Cassavie, Potatoes; and likewise of Fruites, as, Oranges, Limons, Lymes, Plantines, Bonanoes; as also, for breeding Hoggs, Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and Poultry, to furnish the rest of the Iland, that want those Commodities. For which reasons, we will substract a third part from 392. and that is 130. and so the

3̸9̸2̸(130⅔
3̸3̸ 3

392
130
---
262

remaining ⅔ is 262 square miles; the greatest part of which may be laid to Sugar-works, and some to be allowed and set out for small Plantations, which are not able to raise a Sugar-work or set up an Ingenio, by reason of the paucity of acres, being not above twenty, thirty, or forty acres in a Plantation; but these will be fit to bear Tobacco, Ginger, Cotten-wool, Maies, Yeames, and Potatoes; as also for breeding Hoggs. But most of these will in short time, be bought up by great men, and laid together, into Plantations of five, sixe, and seven hundred acres. And then we may make our computation thus, _viz._ A mile square will contain 640 acres of land, and here we see is 262 acres, being ⅔ of the Iland. So then, we multiply 262. by 640. and the product will amount unto 167680. Now we will put the case, that some of those men that have small Plantations, will not sell them, but keep them for provisions, which they may live plentifully upon; for those provisions they raise, will sell at good rates; for which use, we will set out thirty thousand acres. So then we substract 30000 acres from 167680, and there will remain 137680 acres, to be for Sugar-works; out of which, ⅖ may be planted with Canes, the other ⅗ for Wood, Pasture, and Provisions, which must support the Plantations, according to the scale of Collonell _Modiford_’s Plantation, as I

640
262
------
1280
3840
1280
------
167680
30000
------
137680

3̸2̸1̸3̸
1̸3̸7̸6̸8̸0̸ (27536
5̸5̸5̸5̸5̸ (27536
-----
55072

said before. Now these two fifths are, as you see 55072 acres, and an acre of good Canes will yield 4000 pound weight of Sugar, and none will yield lesse then 2000 weight; but we will take a _Medium_, and rest upon 3000 weight, upon which we will make our computation, and set our price upon the Sugar, according to the lowest rates, which shall be 3 d. per pound, as it is Muscavado, to be sold upon the Iland, at the _Bridge_. In fifteen months the Canes will be ripe, and in a month more, they will be well cur’d, and ready to be cast up, and stowed in the Ware-house. So here, we make our computation upon the place, and say, 3000 threepences is 37 l. 10 s. ten acres of which is 375 l. sterling. So then we say, if 10 acres of Canes will produce 375 l. what shall 55072. which is the number of acres contained upon the ⅖ of the land, allotted for Sugar Plantations, upon which the Canes must grow: and by the Rule of 3. we finde, that it amounts to 2065200. in sixteen months: Now add four months more to the time of cureing, and

10 ---- 375 l.
/
/
/
55072 ---- 2065200 l.

55072
375
-------
275360
385504
165216
---------
2065200(0
2065200
---------
4130400
1032600
---------
3097800
3097800
---------
6195600

making it into whites, which is that we call Lump-Sugar in _England_, and then the price will be doubled to 4130400. out of which we will abate ¼ for waste, and what is cut off from the tops and bottoms of the pots, which will be good Muscavadoes; but we will abate for that, and waste ¼ which is 1032600. and that we will substract from 4130400. and there remaines 3097800. which is the totall of the revenue of Sugars, that grow on the _Barbadoes_ for twenty months, and accounted there, upon the Iland, at the Bridge. But if you will run the Hazards of the Sea, as all Marchants doe, and bring it for England, it will sell in London, for 12 d. the pound, and so ’tis doubled againe; and then it will amount to 6195600. and in two months time more it will be in England. Now you see what a vast Revenew this little spot of ground can produce in 22 months time; And so I have done with this plant, onely one touch more, to conclude with all; as Musicians, that first play a Preludium, next a Lesson, and then a Saraband; which is the life and spirit of all the rest. So having played you a short Preludium, to this long and tedious lesson of Sugar and Sugar-making, I do think fit to give you a Saraband, with my best Touches at last; which shall be only this, that as this plant has a faculty, to preserve all fruits, that grow in the world, from corruption and putrifaction; So it has a vertue, being rightly applyed, to preserve us men in our healths and fortunes too. Doctor _Butler_ one of the most learned and famous Physitians that this Nation, or the world ever bred, was wont to say that,

_If Sugar can preserve both Peares and Plumbs,
Why can it not preserve as well our Lungs?_

And that it might work the same effect on himselfe, he alwayes dranke in his Claret wine, great store of the best refin’d Sugar, and also prescribed it severall wayes to his Patients, for Colds, Coughs, and Catarrs; which are diseases, that reign much in cold Climats, especially in Ilands, where the Ayre is moyster then in Continents; and so much for our Health.

Now for our fortunes, they are not only preserv’d, but made by the powerfull operation of this plant.

Colonell _James Drax_, whose beginning upon that Iland, was founded upon a stock not exceeding 300 l. sterling, has raised his fortune to such a height, as I have heard him say, that he would not look towards England, with a purpose to remaine there, the rest of his life, till he were able to purchase an estate, of tenne thousand pound land yearly; which he hop’d in few years to accomplish, with what he was then owner of; and all by this plant of Sugar. Colonell _Thomas Modiford_, has often told me, that he had taken a Resolution to himselfe not to set his face for England, till he made his voyage, and imployment there, worth him a hundred thousand pounds sterling; and all by this Sugar plant. And these, were men of as piercing sights, and profound judgments, as any I have known in that way of management. Now if such Estates as these, may be raised, by the well ordering this plant, by Industrious and painfull men, why may not such estates, by carefull keeping, and orderly and moderate expending, be preserv’d, in their posterities, to the tenth Generation; and all by the sweet Negotiation of Sugar?

One Vegetable we have on the Iland, which will neither become the name of a Tree, nor a Plant; and that is a Withe; which is in some respect, the harmefullest weed that can grow; for it pulls downe all that it can reach to, Canes, and all other small plants, it makes nothing of; if it be suffer’d to look up in a Garden, it will wind about all Herbs and Plants that have stalks, pull them down and destroy them; or if it find the way into any Orchard, it will clime up by the bodies of the trees, into the branches, and there inwrap them so, as to draw them (as it were) into a purse, (for out of the maine stalk, hundreds of smal sprigs will grow;) and if any other tree be so neer as to touch it, it will find the way to it, and pull the tops of them together, and utterly disfigure the trees, and hinder the growth of the fruit; and if you cut the maine stalk below, neer the root in hope to kill it, the moysture above in the branches, will thrust down a vine into the ground, and get a new root: Nay this is not all the mischiefe, for it will reach the highest timber, and involve and enwrap so the branches, as to hinder their growths, and many times fasten one tree to another, that one shall hinder the growth of another. A couple of Colonel _Draxes_ Axemen, were felling a tree, and about the time it began to bend, that they perceiv’d which way it would fall, got cleare on the other side, and thought themselves safe: But this being fastned to another, by strong withes, pull’d a great branch of that tree after it, which fell upon the fellers, and bruised them so, as they hardly scap’d with their lives. Cleere a passage of tenne foot broad, that goes between a wood and a land of Canes overnight, and come next morning, and you shall find the way crost all over with Withs, and got neere the Canes; So that if you had left your visit till the next day, they had gotten into the Canes, and then it would be too late to help: for when they are mixt with them, you cannot destroy the one without the other, for wheresoever they touch ground they get new roots, and so creep into every place, and as they go pull down all. These harmefull Withs, have, with all these vices, some virtues. They serve for all uses, where roaps or cords are required, as for binding our Wood and Canes into faggots, or what else roapes are needfull for; and without them we were in ill condition, for we have not any wood fit to make hoops for hogsheads, barrels, tubbs, or what not; and we can have them, of what length and bignesse we please, and they are for that use very good.

Severall kinds of these Withs there are, some that beare fruit, somewhat bigger then the Cod of a Beane, which being divided long-wise with a sharp knife, you shall perceive the most various and beautifullest Colours that can be, and so well matcht, as to make up a very great beauty.

Fell a dosen acres of wood, going on in a straight line, and when the ground is cleered, the side of that wood you left standing, will be likewise in the same strait line, and in a few years these Withs will mount, to the tops of the trees, which are for the most part, eighty or 100. foot high, and from that top to the ground, on the outside of the wood, all will be cover’d with leaves, and those are broad, green, and shining, so that if you be absent from the place two or three years, and look to find a wood, you find a faire green Curtaine, 300 paces long, and 80 foot high, which is as pretty a _deceptio visus_, as you can find any where and this is one of the pleasantest Vistos in the Iland, the same things are done in the mouths or entrances of Caves, where you shall find a Cave large enough to hold 500 men, and the mouth of it, cover’d with a green curtaine, 40 foot high, and 200 foot long; and so close a Curtaine it is (the vines being wrapt and interwove one into another) as without putting it aside, you can hardly have light to read by.

These Caves are very frequent in the Iland, and of severall dimensions, some small, others extreamly large and Capacious: The runaway Negres, often shelter themselves in these Coverts, for a long time and in the night range abroad the Countrey, and steale Pigs, Plantins, Potatoes, and Pullin, and bring it there; and feast all day, upon what they stole the night before; and the nights being darke, and their bodies black, they scape undiscern’d.

There is nothing in that Countrey, so usefull as Liam Hounds, to find out these theeves. I have gone into divers of those Caves, to trye what kind of ayre is to be found there; and have felt it so close, and moyst with all, as my breath was neer stopt; and I doe beleive, if I should remaine there but one night, I should never come out againe.

I have often wondred, why such vast Caves and Rocks should not afford some springs of water; the ayre which touches them, being so very moyst; for we see in England, where Rocks are, Springs of water issue out; and sometimes (when wet weather is) the moysture hangs upon the Rocks in drops, and so runns down and finds a way to vent it selfe, into small bibling Springs; But here it does not so, though the Ayre be much moyster than in England; But certainly the reason is the extraordinary drinesse, and spunginesse of the stone; which sucks up all moysture that touches it; and yet it is never satisfied.

I had it in my thoughts, to make an Essay, what Sir _Francis Bacons_ experiment solitarie, touching the making of Artificiall Springs would doe; but troughs of that stone, being of so dry and spungy a quality, would never have been fit for it, besides we have no brakes growing there, which is one of the materials us’d in that experiment.

Another sort of Withs we have, but they are made of the gum of trees, which falls from the boughes, drop after drop, one hanging by another, till they touch ground; from whence they receive some nourishment, which gives them power to grow larger, and if it happen that three or four of them, come down so nere one another as to touch and the wind twist them together, they appeare so like ropes, as they cannot be discern’d five paces off, whether it be a rope or a withe. I have seen of these of severall sises, from the smallest whip cord to the greatest Cable of the Soveraine; and the most of those timber trees I have named, has them; some four, some five, some halfe a dozen, hanging down like Bell ropes, from the branches to the ground, which was a sight of much rarity to me at first comming.

[Sidenote: _Aloes._]

_Aloes_ we have growing here, very good, and ’tis a beautifull plant; the leaves four inches broad, ¾ of an inch thick, and about a foot and a halfe long; with prickles on each side, and the last sprout which rises up in the middle, beares yellow flowres, one above another, and those flowres are higher then any of the leaves, by two foot; These thick leaves we take, and cut them through, and out of them issue the Aloes, which we set in the Sun, and that will rarifie it, and make it fit to keep. But it is the first comming which we save; for, if we let it run too long, the second running will be much worse; but, before that comes, we throw away the leafe. The leaves of this Plant, (which we call _semper vivens_ in _England_, and growes neer the fire in Kitchins, hung up to a beam, with an oyl’d clout about the root) with the inner bark of Elder, and some other ingredients, boyl’d in Sallet-oyle, is the best medicine in the world for a burn or a scald, being presently applyed; and for that the medicine is beyond all that ever was, for that cure, I will set it down, and ’tis this.

Take _Semper vivens_, Plantine leaves, and the green rinde of Elder, of each a like quantity, and boyl them in Sallet-oyle, so much as will draw out all that tincture by boyling; then strain the Oyle well out, and put it on the fire again, and put to it a small quantity of spirit of Wine, and so much yellow Wax, as will bring it to the consistance of a Liniment.

One other Plant we have, and that is the Sensible plant, which closes the leavs upon any touch with your hand, or that end of your staff by which you hold, and in a little time will open again.

[Sidenote: _Flowers._]

There are very few Flowers in the Iland, and none of them sweet; as, the white Lilly, which growes in the woods, and is much a fairer flower then ours; as also a red Lilly, of the same bignesse; but neither of them sweet. The St. _Jago_ flower is very beautifull, but of a nauseous savour. One more we have, and that must not be forgotten for the rarity, because it opens, when all else close, when the Sun goes down; and for that reason we call it, the flower of the Moon: It growes in great tuffs, the leaves almost in the form of a Heart, the point turning back, the flower somewhat bigger then a Primrose, but of the purest purple that ever I beheld. When this flower falls off, the seed appears, which is black, with an eye of purple; shap’d, and of the sise of a small button, so finely wrought, and tough withall, as it might serve very well to trim a suit of apparell.

I know no herbs naturally growing in the Iland, that have not been brought thither from other parts, but Purcelane; and that growes so universally, as the over-much plenty makes it disesteemed; and we destroy it as a Weed that cumbers the ground.

[Sidenote: _English Herbs and Roots._]

Rosemary, Time, Winter Savory, sweet Marjerom, pot Marjerom, Parsley, Penniroyall, Camomile, Sage, Tansie, Lavender, Lavender-Cotten, Garlick, Onyons, Colworts, Cabbage, Turnips, Redishes, Marigolds, Lettice, Taragon, Southernwood. All these I carried with me in seeds, and all grew and prospered well. Leek-Seed I had, which appeared to me very fresh and good; but it never came up. Rose trees we have, but they never bear flowers.

There is a Root, of which some of the Negres brought the Seeds, and planted there, and they grew: ’Tis a very large Root, drie, and well tasted; the manner of planting it is, to make little hills, as big as Mole-hills, and plant the seed a-top, and as soon as it puts forth the stalks they turn down to the ground, on either side, and then as they touch it, they thrust up a stalk, not unlike an Asparagus, but of a purple colour. These being gathered, and eaten as a Sallet, with oyle, vinegar, and salt, will serve an ordinary pallet, where no better is to be had: But the root truly is very good meat, boyl’d with powdred pork, and eaten with butter, vinegar, and pepper. Most of these roots are as large, as three of the biggest Turnips we have in _England_. We carried divers of them to Sea, for our provision, which stood us in good stead, and would have serv’d us plentifully in our great want of victualls; but the Rats (of which we had infinite numbers aboard) rob’d us of the most part.

[Sidenote: _Strength of the Iland by Nature to Seaward._]

[Sidenote: _Captain Burrows._]

That part of the Iland which lies to the windeward, and is part East, part North, the stormes and stiffe windes comming from those points, have so wash’d away all earthly substance, as there remaines nothing but steep Rocks; and the Sea being very deep on that side, the Anchors will hardly touch the bottom, though the Cables be long; so that what Ship soever rides on that side, comes at her owne perill. Contrarily, if any Ship be under Sail, on the Leeward side, and goes but so far out, as to lose the shelter of the Iland, it is certain to be carried away down to the leeward Ilands, and then it will be a very hard work to beat it up again, without putting out into the Main. So that there can hardly be any safe landing, but where the Harbours and Baies are, which lie to the Southwest; and those places are so defensible by Nature, as with small costs, they may be very strongly fortified. But they have _been much neglected by the Proprietor_, for which reason, (and some others) the Planters refused to call him by that name. There was a Gentleman in the Iland, who pretended to be a Souldier, and an Ingeneer, that undertook to fortifie all the landing places, and to furnish them with such store of Artillery, as should be sufficient to defend them; provided, he might have the Excise paid to him for seven years, which was promised by the Governour and Assembly. Whereupon he went to work, and made such a Fort, as when abler Ingeneers came upon the Iland, they found to be most pernicious; for, commanding all the Harbour, and not of strength to defend it selfe, if it were taken by an enemy, might do much harm to the land-ward. So that at my comming from thence, they were pulling it down, and instead of it, to make Trenches, and Rampiers, with Pallisadoes, Horn-works, Curtains, and Counter-scarfes; and having left a very good Fortification of standing wood, round about the Iland, near the Sea, these were thought as much as needed for their defence, against the landing of any forraign Forces, and for their strength within.

[Sidenote: _Strength of the Iland within land._]

They built three Forts, one for a Magazine, to lay their Amonition, and Powder in; the other two, to make their retreats upon all occasions. At my comming from thence, they were able to muster ten thousand Foot, as good men, and as resolute, as any in the world, and a thousand good Horse; and this was the strength of the Iland about the time I came away.

[Sidenote: _How Governed, & how Divided._]

They Govern there by the Lawes of _England_, for all Criminall, Civill, Martiall, Ecclesiasticall, and Maritime affairs.

This Law is administred by a Governour, and ten of his Councill, four Courts of ordinary Justice, in Civill causes, which divide the land in four Circuits; Justices of Peace, Constables, Churchwardens, and Tithing-men: five Sessions in the year, for tryall of Criminall causes, and all Appeals from inferiour Courts, in Civill causes. And when the Governour pleases to call an Assembly, for the supream Court of all, for the last Appeales, for making new Lawes, and abolishing old, according to occasion, in nature of the Parliament of _England_, and accordingly consists of the Governour, as Supream, his Councill, in nature of the Peers, and two Burgesses chosen by every Parish for the rest. The Iland is divided into eleven Parishes. No Tithes paid to the Minister, but a yearly allowance of a pound of Tobacco, upon an acre of every mans land, besides certain Church-duties, of Mariages, Christenings, and Burialls.

A standing Commission there was also, for punishing Adultery and Fornication, though rarely put in execution.

Something would be said concerning the seasons of the year; but it is little, & therfore wil be the least troublesome. Four months in the year, the weather is colder then the other eight, & those are _November_, _December_, _January_, & _February_; yet they are hotter than with us in _May_. There is no generall Fall of the leafe, every Tree having a particular fall to himself; as if two Locusts stands at the distance of a stones cast, they have not their falls at one time; one Locust will let fall the leaves in _January_, another in _March_, a third in _July_, a fourth in _September_; and so all months one kinde of Trees, having their severall times of falling: But if any month falls more leaves then other, ’tis _February_; for so in my nicest observation I found it. The leaves we finde fallen under the trees, being the most of them large and stiffe, when they were growing, and having many veines, which go from the middle stalk, to the uppermost extent of the leafe, when the thin part of the leafe is rotten and consum’d, those veines appear like Anatomies, with the strangest works and beautifullest formes that I have seen, fit to be kept as a rarity, in the Cabinets of the greatest Princes. As also the Negres heads, which we finde in the sands, and they are about two inches long, with a forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, and part of the neck; I cannot perceive any root by which they grow, but find them alwaies loose in the sand; nor is it a fruit that falls from any tree, for then we should finde it growing; black it is as jet, but from whence it comes, no man knowes.

[Sidenote: _Mines._]

Mines there are none in this Iland, not so much as of Coal, for which reason, we preserve our Woods as much as we can.

We finde flowing out of a Rock, in one part of the Iland, an unctuous substance, somewhat like Tarre, which is thought to have many vertues yet unknown; But is already discovered, to be excellent good to stop a flux, by drinking it; but, by annointing, for all aches and bruises; and so subtle it is, as being put into the palm of the hand, and rub’d there, it will work through the back.

Another gummy substance there is, black, and hard as pitch, and is used as pitch; ’tis called Mountjack.

Having given you in my Bills of Fare, a particular of such Viands, as this Iland afforded, for supportation of life, and somewhat for delight too, as far as concernes the Table; yet, what are you the better for all this, when you must be scorch’t up from morning till night, with the torrid heat of the sunne; So as in that twelve hours, you hardly can finde two, in which you can enjoy your selfe with contentment. Or how can you expect to find heat, or warmth in your stomack, to digest that meat, when the sunne hath exhausted your heat and spirits so, to your outer parts, as you are chill’d and numb’d within? For which reason, you are compell’d to take such remedies, as are almost as ill as the disease; liquors so strong, as to take away the breath as it goes down, and red pepper for spice, which wants little of the heat of a fire-coale; and all these will hardly draw in the heat, which the sun draws out; and part of this deficiency is occasioned by the improvidence, or inconsideration of the Inhabitants, who build their dwellings, rather like stoves, then houses; for the most of them, are made of timber, low rooft keeping our the wind, letting in the sun, when they have means to have it otherwise; for I will undertake to contrive a house so, as no one shall have just cause to complaine of any excessive heat; and that which gives this great remedy, shall bring with it the greatest beauty that can be look’t on. The Palmetoes, which being plac’t (as I will give you directions in my plot) in convenient order, shall interpose so between the sun and house, as to keep it continually in the shade; and to have that shade at such a distance, as very little heat shall be felt, in any time of the day: For shades that are made by the highest trees, are undoubtedly the coolest, and freshest, by reason it keeps the heat farthest off. Besides this, there are many advantages to be made, in the contrivance of the house; for I see the Planters there, never consider which way they build their houses, so they get them up; which is the cause that many of them, are so insufferably hot, as neither themselves, nor any other, can remaine in them without sweltring.

First then, we will consider what the errours are in their contrivances, that we may be the better able to shew the best way to mend them; A single house that is built long-wise, and upon a North and South line, has these disadvantages: the sun shines upon the East side-walls from six a clock till eight, so as the beams rest flat upon that side, for two hours. And the beames resting upon a flat or oblique line (as that is,) gives a greater heate, then upon a diagonall, which glaunces the beams aside. As a tennis ball, strook against the side walls of the Court, glauncing, hits with lesse force, then when it feels the full resistance of the end wall, where ’tis met with a flat oblique line: So the Sun beames, the more directly they are oppos’d by any flat body, the more violently they burne. This side-wall being warm’d; the sun gets higher, and shines hotter; and then the rafters become the oblique line, which is thinner, and lesse able to resist the beames; and the covering being shingles, receives the heat quicker, and retaines it longer, than tiles would do, so that for the whole forenoon, that side of the roofe, receives as much heat, as the sun can give, and so passes over to the other side, giving it so much the more in the afternoon, as is increast by warming the house and Aire all the morning before, and so the Oven being heat on both sides, What can you expect, but that those within, should be sufficiently bakt: and so much the more, for that the wind is kept out, that should come to cool it, by shutting up all passages, that may let it in, which they alwayes doe, for feare the raine come with it; and letting in the sun at the West end, where and when it shines hottest. Therefore this kind of building is most pernitious to those that love their health, which is the comfort of their lives: but you will say, that a double house will lessen much of this heat, by reason that the West side is not visited by the sun in the morning, nor, the East in the afternoon; I doe confesse that to be some little remedy, but not much, for the double roofes being open to the sun, in oblique lines, a great part of the forenoon; and being reflected from one side to another, when it comes to the Meridian (and before and after, at least two hours,) with the scorching heat it gives to the gutter, which is between them, and is in the middle of the house from end to end, will so warme the East side of the house, as all the shade it has in the afternoon will not cool it, nor make it habitable; and then you may guesse in what a temper the West side is.

Whereas, if you build your house upon an East and West line, you have these advantages, that in the morning, the sun never shines in or neere an oblique line, (which is upon the East end of your house,) above two hours, and that is from six to eight a clock, and as much in the afternoon, and not all that time neither; and upon the roofe it can never shine in an oblique line, but glancing on both sides, cast off the heat very much; I do confesse that I love a double house, much better then a single, but if it have a double cover, that is, two gable ends, and a gutter between, though it be built up an East and West line: yet the sun (which must lye upon it all the heat of the day) will so multiply the heat, by reflecting the beames from inside to inside, and so violently upon the gutter, from both, which you know must be in the middle of the house, from end to end, as you shall feele that heat above, too sensibly in the ground stories below, though your sieling be a foot thick, and your stories sixteen foot high. Therefore if I build a double house, I must order it so, as to have the division between either room of a strong wall, or of Dorique Pillers Archt from one to another; and, in each intercolumniation, a square stud of stone, for the better strengthening and supporting of the Arches above; for I would have the roomes Archt over with stone, and the innermost poynts of the Arches, to rest upon the Pillars, and the whole house to be cover’d with Couples and Rafters, and upon that shingles, the Ridge Pole of the house: running along over the Pillars so that the covering is to serve both Arches, that covers your rooms: by which meanes there is but one Gable end, which will glaunce off the scorching beames of the sun of either side, as, with the help of the Arches underneath, there will be little heat felt in the roomes below. But then a maine care must be had, to the side walls, that the girders be strong, and very well Dove-tayld, one into another, upon the Dorique pillars, or partition walls; and well crampt with Iron, or else the rafters being of that length, will thrust out the side walls by reason the Arches will hinder the Couplets, from comming so low as to keep the rafters steady, from opening at the bottom. For prevention of this great mischiefe, it will be very needfull, to have strong Butteresses without, and those being plac’t just against the Couples, will be of main concern to the side-walls. If you make the breadth of your house fifty foot, allowing two foot to the partition, and two foot to either of the side-walls above, (but more below) which is six foot in all, you will have remaining forty four foot, which being equally divided, will afford twenty two foot for the breadth of either room; you may for the length allow what you please. But this I speak by permission, and not by direction. But, I will send you a Plot with this, and an Index annexed to it, of such a house as I would build for pleasure and convenience, if I were to live there, and had mony enough to bestow; and I believe, with such conveniences and advantages, for shade and coolnesse, as few people in those Western parts, have studied, or ever thought on.

And now I have as neer as I can, delivered the sum of all I know of the Iland of _Barbadoes_, both for Pleasures and Profits, Commodities and Incommodities, Sicknesses and Healthfulnesse. So that it may be expected what I can say, to perswade or disswade any, that have a desire to go and live there. But before I give a full answer to that, I must enquire and be enformed, of what disposition the party is that hath this designe; If it be such a one as loves the pleasures of _Europe_, (or particularly of _England_) and the great varieties of those, let him never come there; for they are things he shall be sure to misse. But, if he can finde in himselfe a willingnesse, to change the pleasures which he enjoyed in a Temperate, for such as he shall finde in a Torrid Zone, he may light upon some that will give him an exchange, with some advantage.

And for the pleasures of _England_, let us consider what they are, that we may be the better able to judge, how far they are consistent with the Climate of _Barbadoes_, and what gainers or losers they will be by the exchange, that make the adventure; and by the knowledge and well weighing of that, invite or deter those, that are the great lovers and admirers of those delights, to come there, or stay away.

And amongst the sports and recreations that the people of _England_ exercise most for their healths, without dores, they are Coursing, Hunting, and Hawking.

And for the Greyhound, though he be compleat in all his shapes that are accounted excellent, headed like a Snake, neckt like a Drake, back’t like a Beam, sided like a Breme, tail’d like a Rat, footed like a Cat, deep breasted, with large phillets and gaskins, excellently winded, with all else may style him perfect, and of a right race: Yet, what of all this, if the Country afford no Game to course at; or if there were, that would amount to nothing; for, in the running of twelve score yards, they will either bruise their bodies against stumps of trees, or break their necks down the steep falls of Gullies, which are there too common.

And for the Huntsman and his Hounds, they will finde themselves at a dead fault, before they begin; for, upon this soyle, no Stag, with his lofty well shap’t head, and active body, has ever set his nimble feet; and Herds of Vallow Deer, were never put to make a stand upon this ground; the nimble Roe-Buck, nor the subtle Fox, the Badger, Otter, or the fearfull Hare, have ever run their Mases in these Woods. And then, what use of Hounds?

Onely one kinde are usefull here, and those are Liam Hounds, to guide us to the runaway Negres, who, as I told you, harbour themselves in Woods and Caves, living upon pillage for many months together.

And for the Faulconer, though his Hawk have reach’d such excellencies, as may exalt her praise as high, as her wings can raise her body; yet, she must be taken down to a bare Lure. And the painfull and skilfull Faulconer, who has applyed himselfe solely to the humour of the brave Bird he carries, who must be courted as a Mistresse, be she never so froward, and like a coy Mistresse, will take check at any thing, when her liberty gives her license; and though by a painfull and studied diligence, he have reclaimed her so, as to flie at what, and when, and where, and how she is directed; and she, by her own practice and observation, has learnt to know, which Spaniell lies, and which tells truth, that accordingly she may sleight the one, and regard the other; and with this, has all other qualities that are excellent, in so noble and heroick a Bird: Yet, this painfull diligence in the Faulconer, this rare perfection in the Hawk, will be of little use, where there is neither Champion to flie in, Brookes to flie over, nor Game to flie at. No mountie at a Hieron, to cause the lusty Jerfaulcon to raise her to a losse of her self, from the eyes of her Keeper, till by many dangerous thorows, she binde with her Quarrie, and both come tumbling down together. No teem of Ducks, or bunch of Teales, to cause the high flying Haggard make her stooping, and strike her Quarrie dead. And for the Ostringer, though his well-man’d Goshauk, or her bold mate the Tarcell, draw a Covert nere so well; yet, no Eye of Phesants will spring, or perch in these woods.

_The Eagle and the Sacre sure, here ever misse their prey.
Since Bustard and the Barnacle, are never in the way.
No Tarcel drawes a Covert here, no Lanner sits at mark;
No Merline flies a Partridge neer, no Hobbie dares a Lark._

Another pleasure, the better sort of the people of _England_ take delight in, which, in my opinion, may be rather call’d a toyle then a pleasure, and that is Race-Horses, forcing poor beasts beyond their power, who were given us for our moderate use. These exercises are too violent for hot Countries, and therefore we will forget them.

Shooting and Bowling may very well be used here; but at Butts onely, and in Bares, or close Allies, for the turfe here will never be fine enough for a Green, nor the ground soft enough, for an Arrow to fall on. Amongst all the sports without dores, that are used in _England_, these two are onely sufferable in the _Barbadoes_. But for the sports within the house, they may all be used there, as, all sorts of Gaming, _viz._ Chesse, Tables, Cards, Dice, Shovel-abord, Billiards; and some kinds of Dances, but none of those that are laborious, as high and loftie Capers, with Turnes above ground; these are too violent for hot Countries.

Some other kindes of pleasures they have in _England_, which are not so fully enjoyed in the _Barbadoes_, as, smooth Champion to walk or ride on, with variety of Landscapes, at severall distances; all there being hem’d in with Wood, and those trees so tall and lofty, as to hinder and bar the view so much, as (upon a levell or plain) no Horison can be seen. But upon the sides of Hills, which look toward the Sea, your eye may range as far that way, as the globicall roundnesse of that watry Element will give way to; but that once seen, the eye is satisfied, and variety in that object there is none; for no shipping passe that way, but such as arive at the Iland. ’Tis true, that Woods made up of such beautifull Trees as grow there, are pleasant things to look on, and afford a very plentifull delight to the eyes; but when you are so enclos’d, as hardly to look out, you will finde too quick and too full a satiety in that pleasure. But as the Woods are cut down, the Landscapes will appear at farther distances.

Now for the beauty of the Heavens, they are as far transcending all we ever saw in _England_, or elsewhere 40 Degrees without the Line, on either side, as the land-objects of the _Barbadoes_ are short of ours in _Europe_. So he that can content himselfe with the beauties of the Heavens, may there be sufficiently satisfied. But we Mortalls, that till and love the earth, because our selves are made up of the same mold, take pleasure sometimes to look downward, upon the fruites and effects of our own labours; and when we finde them thrive by the blessings of the great Creator, we look up to give thanks, where we finde so great a glory, as to put us into astonishment and admiration.

Now for the smelling sense, though we have the blossomes of the Orange, Limon, Lyme, Cittron, Pomgranate, with the smell of that admirable fruit the Pine, and others: yet, when we consider the infinite variety of the Flowers of _England_, both for beauty and savour, there is no comparison between them; and the flowers there, are very few in number, and in smell, not to be allowed in competition with ours of _England_: For, since the differences between the Houses of _York_ and _Lancaster_ have been laid aside, no red nor white Rose have grown there; but the Lillies have taken up the quarrell, and strive in as high a contest there, as the Roses have done in _England_; for, they are the fairest and purest, that I have ever seen, both red and white, but no sweet smell. He that could transplant the flowers of _England_ to the _Barbadoes_, would do a rare work, but I fear to little purpose: For, though the virtuall beams of the Sun, give growth and life to all the Plants and Flowers it shines on; yet, the influence is at severall distances, and so the productions varie; some flowers must be warmed, some toasted, and some almost scalded; and to transpose these, and set them in contrary places, were to strive against nature. ’Tis true, that the Herbs of _England_ grow and thrive there, by reason they are stronger, and better able to endure that change; but Flowers, that are of a more tender nature, will not endure so great heat as they finde there. But to repair this sense, some will say, that Perfumes brought out of _Europe_, will plentifully supply us: But that will not at all avail us, for what with the heat and moisture of the aire, it is all drawn out, as by my own experience I found it to be most true, though I lapp’d them close up in papers, and put them in drawers of a Cabinet, where no aire could finde passage, they were so close; and for Pastills, they lost both their smell and taste.

As for Musick, and such sounds as please the ear, they wish some supplies may come from _England_, both for Instruments and voyces, to delight that sense, that sometimes when they are tir’d out with their labour, they may have some refreshment by their ears; and to that end, they had a purpose to send for the Musick, that were wont to play at the _Black Fryars_, and to allow them a competent salary, to make them live as happily there, as they had done in _England_: And had not extream weaknesse, by a miserable long sicknesse, made me uncapable of any undertaking, they had employed me in the businesse, as the likeliest to prevail with those men, whose persons and qualities were well known to me in _England_. And though I found at _Barbadoes_ some, who had musicall mindes; yet, I found others, whose souls were so fixt upon, and so rivetted to the earth, and the profits that arise out of it, as their souls were lifted no higher; and those men think, and have been heard to say, that three whip-Sawes, going all at once in a Frame or Pit, is the best and sweetest musick that can enter their ears; and to hear a Cow of their own low, or an Assinigo bray, no sound can please them better. But these mens souls were never lifted up so high, as to hear the musick of the Sphears, nor to be judges of that Science, as ’tis practised here on earth; and therefore we will leave them to their own earthly delights.

For the sense of feeling, it can be applyed but two waies, either in doing or suffering; the poor Negres and Christian servants, finde it perfectly upon their heads and shoulders, by the hands of their severe Overseers; so that little pleasure is given the sense, by this coercive kind of feeling, more then a plaister for a broken Pate; but, this is but a passive kinde of feeling: But take it in the highest, and most active way it can be applyed, which is upon the skins of women, and they are so sweaty and clammy, as the hand cannot passe over, without being glued & cimented in the passage or motion; and by that means, little pleasure is given to, or received by the agent or the patient: and therefore if this sense be neither pleased in doing nor suffering, we may decline it as uselesse in a Country, where down of Swans, or wool of Beaver is wanting.