SUGAR 



IIOTITUS JAMAICENSIS. 11 



complete He lived eas}-, and free from pain, or sickness, until his hundredth year, 

 when he died. He used Sugar to a great degree in all his Ibu I, vegetable an 1 am nal ; 

 and d i hted in -allunanner of sweetmeats He says, he followed the practice of his 

 gi ndfather, a, id used sugar in every thing he aie and drank . and, in the sixty-seventh 

 ys'ar of his age ail ls teeth were sound, and firm, and in their full numb', r. 



f* I knovy, a person at this time, ibou't eighty years old, who has lived. for several 

 3 e n-3 aim >.st on sugar ; and is as healthy and strong, and as youthful in appearance as 

 most peopie at rift . 



" The cause of this fon Iness for sugar, was a paralytic affection, with which she was 

 attaeked nearly twenty years ago, which prevented her, for a considerable time, swal- 

 lowing any tiling but fluids, i: which a portion of srigai "as dissolved. 



" Her diet novi cons ists of sugar, and the simple vehicles in which it is taken ; these 

 are tea. milk, gruel, barley- watei^ roasted and boiled apples, and beer generally for 

 supper " 



Mr. Edwards, in bis History of the West-Indies, has very justly observed that, " The 

 time of crop in the sugar islands is the season of gladness and festivi y to man and beast. 

 So palatable, salutary, and nourishing, is the juice of the cane, that e/very individual 

 of the animal creation, drinking freely of it, derives health and vigour fiom its use. 

 The meagre and sickly among the negroes exhibit a surprising alteration in a few weeks 

 alter the mill is set in action. The labouring horses, oxen, andmutes, though almost 

 constantly at work during this season, yet, being indulged with plenty of green tops of 

 tiiis noble plant, and some of the scummings from the boiling house, improve more 

 than at any other period of the year. Even the pigs and poultry fatten on the refuse." 



?' He," says Slare, " tli rt undertakes to argue against sweets in general, takes upon 

 hirria Very difficu ft task ; for nature seenis to have recommended this taste to all sorts 

 of creatures ; the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, many reptiles and Mies, seem 

 to be pleased and delighted with the specific relish of all sweets, and to distaste its con- 

 trary Now the sugar-cane, or sugar, I hold for the top and highest standard ot ve- 

 getable sweets." 



From the sugar-cane a pleasant drink is made in Jamaica, as follows: Take six or 

 seven long sugar-canes, cm them in pieces, beat them in a mortar, put them into a 

 a kettle, with about tnree gallons of water, boil them for a preyy while, then put as 

 many fresh canes, and about a gallon of water more, boil them again. When it is cooi, 

 strain your drink, set it in a jar, and put to it the white of an egg, beat 10 iro h, to 

 which some of the liquor is added; let it work twelve hours, then bottle it. It looks 

 very clear. 



The following is an account of the exports of sugar from Jamaica, agreeable to the 

 naval officer's returns, since the year 1790 : 



Tear Hhds. Tierce. 1 ;. Barrels. 



17^1 8.5,447 8037 1718 



1792 85,980 7151 1242 



1793 87,412 6581 829 



1794 90 056 11,417 1305 



1795 93,013 10,275 1292 



1796 There was no return. 



1797 78,373 9963 753 



Yectt 



