278 Taipfrom Angostura to the 



die of an impassable morass, and was obliged to abandon the 

 project. His design was to send thither 600 mules to purchase 

 arms, of which he was in extreme want, God knows how 

 Governor Murray would have relished the visit. The river 

 Cayuin is accessible enough, but so full of rocks and rapids as 

 not to be navigable. Dr. Burton, when obliged for some rea- 

 son or other to fly from Demerara, had, with the assistance of 

 the Indians, found his way overland to Upata; but could not 

 remember the track. No doubt, an advantageous channel of 

 intercourse might be opened with little expense, especially if 

 an English colony were established in this part of the country. 



10th. Returned this morning to Cupapuy to visit Landa, and 

 complete our inspection. Found the administrator still sick of 

 the fever, the bark having purged him, and his wife persuaded 

 him to discontinue it; indeed we found the general prejudice so 

 strong that it was impossible to persuade him to recommence ; 

 besides, petticoat government interfered. Visited the looms, 

 where the cloths are woven for the Indians ; they are of the 

 simplest contrivance, much after the East Indian fashion ; the 

 cloths coarse and irregular, but they thicken in the washing : 

 spinning is performed entirely with the hand and spindle. 

 Besides the regular establishment, which works for the public 

 benefit, nearly every habitation is furnished with a loom for 

 the manufacture of hammocks, which the elder matrons sell for 

 their private account. They are generally very substantial and 

 striped with blue : the price from four to ten dollars, accord- 

 ing to quality. All these works had been suspended by the 

 fever, and though many had been begun upon, we saw none 

 finished off. Next visited the blacksmith, whom we found 

 tolerably intelligent. The shop was but rudely furnished, 

 but he shewed us he could make nails, common hinges, and 

 the like. He seemed to regret the loss of the padre. I 

 told him the English would bring doctors and padres 

 too. Oxala ! was all his answer. Proceeded thence to the 

 tannery, which consisted of a shed with three or four immense 

 wooden blocks, hollowed out into vats for the reception of the 

 hides and tanning matter. The latter is prepared from the seed 



