B O O K II. CHAP. VII. ,7 



there is reafon to believe, that noxious exhalations muft arif'c from 

 them, which cannot fail of rendering the atmofphere innvholerome 

 to fuch houfes as lie in a proper direclion to receive them. In the 

 hot months, particularly June, another annoyance happens from 

 the dufl; which, by the power of the fea- breeze, generally violent 

 at that time of the year, is blown into the houfes in fuch abun- 

 dance, as to be exceedingly troublefome, and occafion fore eyes: 

 the particles are fo fubtle, that it is very common to fee a diniiio-.. 

 table, which has been perfedly clean before the cloth was laid 

 appear entirely covered with a fine powder upon removing 

 it. The inhabitants, if they fhut their doors and windows, 

 are almoft fuffocated with heat ; and, if they fuffer them to con- 

 tinue open, they are in danger of being ftifled with dull ; but, ne- 

 ceflity obliging them to the latter expedient, they fwallow it co- 

 pioufly with their food. Thefe annoyances might attrad compaf- 

 lion, if they were not eafily remediable: the firll, by taking in a 

 new burial-ground a little to leeward of the town ; the next, by 

 making ufe of water-carts, to li)rinkle the flreets, once or oftener in 

 the day, during that time of the year when the dull has been found 

 mofl: troublefome : fo fine a river gliding under the town feems, in- 

 deed, to point out this experiment to them fo obvioufly, that it is 

 aftonifliing they have hitherto negledled it. The air of the town 

 has always been efteemed healthy. But it is on the decreafe with 

 refpedl to inhabitants. It appears, from the regifter of marriages, 

 births, and burials, that, from 1670 to 1700, the town and parhh 

 contained above four times more white perfons than at prefent. 

 They have even diminished fince the year 1746, as will appear by 

 the following average-table of burials from that year to 1736 : 



White White Paupers Free Blaclc; and 



Refumts. and Tranfients. Soldiers. Mulauoes. Total, 



Average j5^r" 



annum of • 61 12I. 15 16^. 104* 



Deaths, . 

 According to the above table, the whole number of Whites, ex- 

 clufive of Jews, was probably about two thoufand, or near fix hun- 

 dred more than the prefent. From the beft accounts it appears, that 

 the average of marriages, baptifms, and funerals, (lands thus : 



E 2 Marriages. • 



