PREFACE. 



1HAVE propofed to myfelf an objeA of no 

 mean importance, in compofing this little 

 Work. I have endeavoured to paint, in it, a foil, 

 and vegetables, different from thofe of Europe. 

 Our Poets have long enough compofed their lovers 

 to reft, on the banks of the rivulets, in the flowery 

 meads, and under the foliage of the beech-tree. 

 My wi(li is to feat mine on the (hore of the Sea, 

 at the foot of rocks, under the ftiade of cocoa- 

 trees, bananas, and citrons in bioffom. Nothing 

 is wanting to the other Hemifphere of the Globe, 

 but a Theocrilns, or a Firgily\n order to our having 

 pidures, at leaft, as interefting as thofe of our owa 

 Country. 



I am aware, that travellers, of exquifite tafte, 

 have prefented us with enchanting defcriptions of 

 feveral of the iflands of the South-Sea; but the 

 planners of their inhabitants, and ftill more, thofe 

 of the Europeans which frequent them, frequently 

 mar the landfcapes. It was my defire to blend 

 with the beauty of Nature, between the Tropics, 

 the moral beauty of a fmall Society It was like- 

 wife my purpofe, to place in a ftrikiog light cer- 



s 2 taia 



