BOOK II. CHAP. VII. 29 



and in train-oil; a congregation of ftinking commodities, which is " 

 enough to poifon the air of their habitations. Their (hops may be 

 fccnted at a great diftance ; and, in what is called the Jew-market 

 in this town, a whole ftreet of their houfes reeks incefl'antly with 

 thefe abominable odours. But theie people are abflemious, and fo 

 temperate, that a drunken Jew is rarely feen. They are particu- 

 larly nice in drinking the purefl; water, which moft of them ufe 

 unmixed ; and others make only a very fmall addition of rum. 

 They are exceedingly fond of garlic, which generally has a place in 

 all their fauces, and is known to be a great antileptic ; and they in- 

 dulge in chocolate. The more luxurious among them gormondize 

 chiefly on filli ; and no doubt but their religious falls, of which 

 they are very rigid obfervers, now and then interpofmg, affift in 

 freeing them from noxious redundancies. I think they may be 

 fuppofed to owe their good health and longevity, as well as their 

 fertility, to a very fparing ufe of ftrong liquors, their early riling, 

 their indulgence in garlic and fifh, their adherence to the Molaic 

 Ritual in the choice of found and wholcfome animal food, their 

 free ufe of fugar, chocolate, and nourifhing fruits, their religious 

 purifications, and falls. The free Negroes and Mulattoes fare 

 rather harder in refpe£l of eating, and are not fo averfe to ipirituous 

 liquors ; for both men and women are frequently intoxicated : 

 but their way of life is more laborious; they are more abroad in 

 the open air, which renders them hardier; and their occipations 

 or amufements give them fuch conftant ex€rcile, as to keep them 

 from fuffering by repletion : befides, their diet confifts chiefly of 

 nourifhing broths, in which puH'e and vegetables are principal in- 

 gredients. They too are very fond of good water and chocolate ; 

 they indulge in Imoaking tobacco, devour large quantities of pepper 

 fuch as this country produces, and feldom let a day pafs without 

 bathing, and fcouring their Ikins. Their bodies and conftitutions 

 feem peculiarly adapted to a hot climate ; yet, perhaps, they owe 

 their health not more to this adaptation, than to their mode of 

 living; fmce it is certain, that the native Whites in this ifland, I 

 mean fuch of them as are not addided to drunkennefs, nor have 

 any hereditary diftemper, are equally healthy and long-lived. 



The 



