76 JAMAICA. 



defence. The barracks are large enough to receive fixty men. 

 The quarters here have not proved healthy to the troops ; but the 

 reafon, as I have been informed, is, that the men were fed too 

 conftantly on fait provliions, which fometimes were of bad quality. 



Auracabefla has a battery, and barracks likewife for fixty men. 

 The other barracks are, one on the Weft fide of Anotto Bay, at a 

 place called Jack's Bay; and one at Bagnals, near the Decoy. 



The hamlets at Rio Nucvo, Port-Maria, and Saltgut, have from 

 eight to twelve houfes each, inhabited principally by wharfingers, 

 flore and fiiop-keepers. One of the greateil curiofities in this pa- 

 riOi is the Decoy, the feat of Sir Charles Price, bait. It is fi- 

 tuated on part of the range of mountains which borJer on St. Tho- 

 mas in the Vale. The houfe is of wood, but well finifhed, and 

 has in front a very fine piece of water, which in winter is com- 

 monly fiocked with wild-duck and teal. Behind it is a very ele- 

 rant sarden difoofed in walks, which are fiiaded with the cocoa- 

 nut, cabbage, and fand-box trees. The flower and kitchen-garden 

 are filled with the mofl: beautiful and ufcful variety which Europe, 

 or this climate, produces. It is decorated, befides, with fome 

 pretty buildings ; of which the principal is an o6lagon;il firloon, 

 richly ornamented on the infide with luftres, and mirrors empan- 

 neled. At the termination of another walk is a grand triumphal 

 arch, from which the profpeft extends over the fine cultivated vale 

 of Bignals quite to the Northfide Sea. Clumps of graceful cab- 

 bage-trees are difperfed in difl^erent parts, to enliven the fcene ; and 

 thoufands of plantane and other fruit-trees occupy a vafi: ivdd:, that 

 environs this agreeable retreat, not many years ago a gloomy 

 wildernefs. 



The late Sir Charles [«] was extremely attached to this place, 

 and fpent much of his time here, making it the abode of chear- 



fulnefs 



[«} This gentleman was a nntive of Jamaica, and endued with uncommon natural talents, 

 which were improved by education, and polifiied by travel in the early part of his life. On his 

 return to this illand, his opulent fortune only ferved to make his abilities more confpicuous, and 

 more ufeful to the community. Thefe eventually gave him the lead in public afiairs. With an 

 houpft loyalty to his fovereign, which none could furpafs, he poirefTed a truly patriotic attachment 

 for his country ; and, though ever ready to affift and facilitate adminiftration, while condu<5ted on 

 the great principle of public good, he was always the fleady, perfevering, and intrepid op])onent 

 to illei'-al and pernicious meafures of governors. If it were at all necefliiry to produce teftimonials 



in 



