126 JAMAICA. 



ninety in Klngflon. The ground on the elevated fpots feels, snd 

 yields to the tread, like a new carpet ; it is coated all over with a 

 deep mofs. The parts I fpeak of are adjacent to Mr. Adams's houfe ; 

 for the Blue Mountain Ridge appeared from this place as much 

 higher as this feemed to be above the low lands. Every evening 

 a vapour defcends from thefe fummits towards the vales be- 

 low, and probably adds fome ftrength to the land-wind, which fets 

 from this quarter after fun-fet. In the morning the fog rifes, and 

 fcems to creep in a regular train to the higher grounds ; fo that, for 

 a great part of the day, it continues fo thick, as to give the air a chill, 

 even at noon, equal to what is felt here before fun-rife. Where 

 it is more broken and difperfed, fo as to admit the folar rays to 

 pafs freely, warm fleams immediately begin to be exhaled ; and 

 the mofly ground feels to the hand like a hot bed. Upon arriving at 

 the eminence, whereon Mr. Adams's houfe is built, a very beautiful 

 fcenery greets the view. Below are feen the richly-cultivated vale 

 ot Liguanca, the harbours of Kingflon and Port Royal, and great 

 part of St. Catharine, and St. Dorothy. On a fudden, the whole 

 is excluded from fight by a denfe cloud, interpofing itfelf like a 

 magnificent curtain. In a moment afterwards, the curtain breaks 

 here and there in diff"erent parts, admitting only tranfient glances; 

 but, when withdrawn entirely, a mod luxuriant and extenfive 

 Ixndlchape opens, animated with the full fplendor of fun-fhine. 

 In front are cane-fields of the livelieft verdure, paftures, and little 

 villas intermixed ; the towns and ports of Kingflon and Port 

 Royal; the fhipping fcattered in different groups ; the forts, the 

 hills of Healthfhire, the rocky breakers, and cayes whitening with 

 the furge ; and, beyond thefe, a plain of ocean extending to the 

 Southern hemifphere. To the Wcftward are fcen the gliftning 

 i-neanders of theCobre; the town of St Jago de la Vega ; the bay 

 of Old Harbour ; and a vaft champaign of fertile country, termi- 

 nated by the lofty range of Carpenter's Mountains, at fixty miles 

 diftance. 



Thefe objeds form all together a very pleafing combination. The 

 pleafure which the mind receives from contemplating them is con- 

 fiderably heightened by the impenetrable gloom of thick vapours 

 behind, which exhibits a noble contraft to the brilliant piilure in 



3 front. 



