BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 105 



events; and the various openings formed by the ftreets and lanes 

 may be likewife conlldered as a further fafeguard againft a total 

 conflagration. A projeft was once in agitation for bringing a part 

 of Hope River into the town, and forming a refervoir in fome com- 

 modious place at the upper end, from which a certain number of 

 conduits fhould belaid to fupply the principal ftreets. This fcheme 

 was laid to be extremely prafticable, and not expenfivc. A want 

 of unanimity prevented its being carried into execution. But there 

 is no doubt it would prove of eminent benefit, in fupplying the in- 

 habitants with a wholefome water for their common ufc; for the 

 well-water here is in general bad ; a few only are fed by lubterra- 

 neous drains from the Hope, or lome other of the mountainous 

 ftreams; the reft are brackifli, impregnated with a muriatic fait, 

 if not with iome mineral. They increafe thirft, inftead of flaking 

 it; caufe a dry febrile heat, andiometimes a dyfentery in habits liot 

 much accuftomed to them. At the bottom of the town, near the 

 water-lide, is the market place, which is plentifully fupplicd with 

 butchers meat, poultry, tifh, fruits, and vegetables of all forts. 

 Here are found not only a great variety of American, but alfo of 

 European, vegetables ; fuch as peafe, beans, cabbage, lettuce, cu- 

 cumbers, French beans, artichokes, potatoes, carrots, turnips, 

 radilhes, celery, onions, &C. Thefe are brought from the Ligua- 

 nea mountains, and are all excellent in their kind. Here are like- 

 wife ftrawberries, not inferior to the production of our Englifli gar- 

 dens; grapes and melons in the utmoft perfedbion; mulberries, figs, 

 and apples, exceedingly good, but in general gathered before they 

 are thoroughly ripe. In (hort, the moft luxurious epicure cannot fail 

 of meeting here with fufficient in quantity, variety, and excellence, 

 for the gratification of his appetite the whole year round. The 

 prices are but little different from thofe of Spanifli Town; but, 

 where they difagree, they are more reafonable at Kingfton, the 

 fupplies being more regular, and the market better fuperintended 

 by the magiftracy. The beef is chiefly from the pallures of Pedro's, 

 in St. Anne; the mutton, from the Salt-pan lands. In St. Catharine; 

 what they draw from the penns in St Andrew's parifh being very 

 indifferent meat. The fupplying of grafs for the horfes kept in 

 this town is a very profitable article to thole fettlements bordering 

 Vol. II. p on 



