THE HISTORY, 



CIVIL AND COMMERCIAL 



OF THE 



BRITISH COLONIES 



IN THE 



WEST INDIES. 



BOOK I. 



A GENERAL VIEW OF THEIR ANCIENT STATE 



AND INHABITANTS 



CHAPTER I. 



Geographical arrangement. Name Climate Sea-breeze, 

 and land-wind. Beauty and singularity of the vegeta- 

 ble and animal creation. Magnificence and sublimity of 

 the mountains. Reflections concerning the origin of these 

 islands, Kc. 



GEOGRAPHERS following the distribution of 

 nature, divide the vast continent of America 

 into two great parts, north and south; the narrow but 

 mountainous isthmus of Darien serving as a link to 

 connect them together, and forming a rampart against 

 the encroachments of the Atlantic on the one side, 

 and of the Pacific ocean on the other. These great 



Vol. I. A 



