BOOK II. CHAR Vlt. 51 



vnles are particularly prolific ; of thefe the Vale of Luidas, diftant 

 about twcnty-ono miles N» W. from Spaiiifh Town, is the bcil- 

 fettlcd. Before fugar-works were formed here, it contained only 

 breeding-penns, whofe paftures were fo rich, that the cattle were 

 remarkably fat, and their flefh of an exquifitc flavour. Thefe 

 penn-keepers u!"ed to fupply the market of Spaniih Town with veal, 

 which Sir Hans Sloane, I thii^k, extols very highly. The climate of 

 this parifh is cool and temperate. Exceeding good butter has been 

 made here by one or two families ; and I have feen moft kinds of 

 European garden fluff, produced in the Vale of Luidas, in as great 

 perfedion as any that is brought to Covent-garden-market. The 

 clierry, apple, quince, and peach tree, thrive and bear fruit in this 

 vale ; a llire indication of the cool temperature of the climate, 

 and that the furrounding mountains would be found on experiment 

 to produce them in dill higher perfection. The air of this parifh 

 is confequently very healthful, and has proved entirely agreeable 

 to European conftitutions. But it is far from being well-inhabited, 

 the roads leading from it requiring a great deal of improvement. 

 After crofTing the Red Hills, we enter a tolerably cultivated vale at 

 Lloyd's eftate, interfperfed with a few well-built houfes, which, 

 for want of the refidcnce of their proprietors, are haflenl'ig very 

 fafl to decay. From this vale we afcend Cudjve Hill; from part 

 of which there is a South-eaft profpedl over the Red Hills to 

 Kingflon, and VVeflward to Old Harbour and Goat Ifland, with 

 a near view of fuch plantations as lie immediately below. Some 

 miles further inland is Bolt's Hill, which rifes ftill higher; the 

 fides of it are finely cloathcd with fugar-canes ; and from the 

 fummit the Southern hills appear deprefied, and the eye takes in 

 a boundlefs profpcft over the fea, beyond Port-Royal. About the 

 diflance of two miles further North are the barracks, which are 

 built of flone, and command a narrow pafs of communication be- 

 tjveen the North and South fides of the ifland. This port is ca- 

 pable of being made exceedingly ftrong ; and even now a garrifbn 

 of fifty men might hold it againft five hundred: but hitherto (as 

 I am informed) no detachment has been cantoned In it. The bar- 

 racks are no Iboner palled, than we difcover, at the diftance of four 

 or five miles along a viflo between two continued chains of hills, 



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