BOOK II. CHAP. Vri. 53 



much as a want of good roads, and the impoVeriflied condition of 

 thofe who have failed in their lettlements, principally from tliis 

 c.uife. But, whatever the caufe may have been, it is tlic duty of 

 a patriotic Icgiflature, when convinced of the fail, to fcarch for 

 the fource of evil by the moft probable rules of enquiry; and, 

 when thcv have difcovered it, to apply the bell rea:iedies in their 

 power.. 



SECT. V. 



St. Thomas in the Vale. 



THIS parifli is bounded towards the North by St. Anne, and 

 St. Mary ; towards the South, by St. Catharine ; on the Eaft, by 

 St. Andrew; and on the Weft, by St. John. It is w.atered by 

 the Cobre; the D'Oro; the Rio Magno, formed by the conflux 

 of the Tilboa and Indian rivers ; and by feveral fmall rivulets 

 which foil into them. The greater part of this parifh is comprized 

 w^ithin the vale called Sixteen-mile-walk. This vale is about 

 eleven miles in length by eight in width, and contains between 

 fifty and lixty thoufand fquare acres. It is fituated Southerly, be- 

 neath the maiiT ridge or chain of high mountains which traverfe 

 the ifland from Eaft to Weft. It is alfo Inclofed on all other fides 

 with a circumvallation of high hills and mountains. It is neither 

 flat nor fwampy, but diverfified throughout with gentle rifings and 

 flopes. The foil is fertile, for the moft part a red coarfe earth 

 mixed with clay, or a dark mould upon a whithh marie. It is 

 full of Iprings and rivulets, which unite with the larger ftreamiS; 

 and thefe, meeting together near the chafm or opening betvvixt 

 the mountains on the South fide of the vale, augment that noble 

 river the Cobre, which continues its courfe irregulaily between 

 rocky mountains ar,d precipices, alternately a calcade or fmooth 

 water, as it happens to be more or lefs impeded, exhibiting for 

 fome miles a very romantic fcene till it reaches the plain below. 

 At that part of the vale where it firft fhapes its courfe towards Spa- 

 aifli Town, it enters between two yawning rocky hills, which ap- 

 pear 



