324 A VOYAGE TO Booii IX, 



brackiih. The Portuguefe indeed fay that in the in- 

 ward parts of the ifland where thefe brooks have their 

 origin, water is never wanting ; and that it is clear and 

 wholefome. 



In the inland part of the ifland is a Portuguefe 

 town, in which refide the parifli prieft and a go- 

 vernor, who on advice of any fliips being in fight 

 repair to the forts, which are all well garrifoned, 

 there being in fort Remedios alone, while we were 

 there, near looo men, partly regulars fent from Fer- 

 nambuco, which are relieved every fix months, and 

 partly tranfports, from all that coaft of Brazil : an 

 Almojarife or treafurer, and a proveditore, who con- 

 trouls the payments and iíTues of provifions to the troops 

 and others ; which is done with an equity and cxaflnefs 

 worthy the imitation of Europeans. 



The common food of, the inhabitants of all ranks, 

 both here and throughout Brazil, is the farina de Pau 

 or wood-meal, which is univerfally eaten inftead of 

 bread.* It is made of the root called Moniato, of 

 which I have given an account in the deicription of 

 Carthagcna ; as well as of thofe of Name and Yuca. 

 They firft cleanfe it and then macerate it in water, till 

 the ftrong and noxious juice in it be entirely extrafted ; 

 then grate or grind it into meal ; which having again 

 foaked in feveral waters, they dry, and then eat it 

 with a fpoon, or mix it with other foods. They are 

 fo habituated to it, that even at a table where they have 

 wheat bread at command, with every mouthful of it 

 they take a little of this meal. Befides this flour, 

 which is little more than wood meal or faw duft, both 

 with regard to tafte and fmell, they eat a great deal of 

 rice and fugar-cane, brought from Fernambuco. f 



* Cafava, in Portuguefe called Mandioc, which is a very kou- 

 riiliing ft¡od, and the belt fubñitute for bread I ever met with. A. 



-j- N B. 7'his town ought to be written and pronounced 

 Fernambuco. A. 



Here 



