BOOK II. CHAP. VIT. -^-j 



fulnefs and hofpitality : to thefe, the deliglitful air breathed here, 

 and the amiable quahties of the owner of tliis paradife, mutually 

 contributed. This, which I may juflly call the temple of focial 

 enjoyments, was conftantly open to the reception of worthy men, 

 whether of the ifland, or ftrangers : and few gentlemen of rank, 

 whether of the army or navy, on fervice here, quitted the ifland 

 without having pafied fome of their time at the Decoy. Among 

 thefe was the unfortunate Mr. B — fc — n, a young officer in the 

 fquadron, of the moft promifing abilities, and liberal accomplifli- 

 ments ; who, being on a vifit in the year 1769, went early one 

 morning to bathe in the canal, and periflied before affiftance could 

 be given him. This fad accident was inexprellibly affliding to Sir 

 Charles, and left {o ftrong an impreffion upon his mind, that, be- 

 fore his own deceafe, he gave particular diredions to inter his body 

 clofe by his friend Mr. B — fc — n. The mountain on which the 

 Decoy is fituated is a great height above the level of the fea, bv 

 fome fuppofed at lead half a mile perpendicular. Upon digging 

 into a marie pit here, was difcovered a vafl: quantity of petrifac- 

 tions, refembling the large conchites or cockles, or rather perhaps 

 the efcallop kind, tiie edges being denticulated, but the outfide 

 without any vifible remains of furrows, if they ever had any. I 

 examined feveral, but could not perceive the fmalleft veflige of a 

 teflaceous covering. They were perfedly folid mafles, hard as 

 ftone, and compoled of very minute particles cemented together. 

 It would be difficult to prove, that mere inert matter ffipuld fpcn- 

 taneoufly afl'ume thefe regular forms, and apt imitations of marine 



;n juftification of this characfter, I might refer to the very honourable marks of approbation which 

 were fo defervedly conferred upon him, both by the crown, and the dlSerent aflemblies in which 

 he prefided, for fo many years, as fpeaker, with an integrity, candour, and dignity, that were almoft 

 unexampled. In private life, his complacency of manners, accomplifhed knowledge of books and 

 men, and delicacy of humour, rendered him the polite, inftruftive, and entertaining companion : 

 here he flione the inflexible lover of truth, the firm friend, and the generous patron. His mind 

 was amply llored with the treafures of liberal erudition. But theolog)' feemed his fcivourite fci- 

 ence ; and the Great Author of nature, the chief object of his lludy. Though qualified in all 

 refpefts to have made a refpeftable figure on a more extenfive theatre, he prefei'red a refidence in 

 this ifland ; which as he enriched and embellinied by the diffufion of his income, and tafte for 

 improvements, fo he benetited by an incefTant attention to its welfare. Jamaica lolf one of its bell 

 friends, when he breathed his lail:, which happened in June, 1772, after he had attained to a good 

 old age. I (hall only add, that few men in any country have attiacfed more general veneration 

 while living, or more general regret when dead. ' 



2 fhells. 



