BOOK II. CHAP. VIII. 143 



in the country; and all in St. Jago de la Vega, except what were 

 built by the Spaniards. During the(e convulfions, which conti- 

 nued with little intermiffion, though in a (lighter degree, for feme 

 weeks afterwards, the moft oflcnfive flenches were emitted from 

 every fiflure and opening made in the fand near the harbour ; the 

 Iky became dull and reddifli, which indicated a plentiful difcharo-e 

 of vapours fropi the earth ; the weather grew hotter than had been 

 obferved before the (hock ; and fuch prodigious fwarms of niuf- 

 keetos infefled the coafts, as to aftonifh the inhabitants ; the 

 beauty of the mountains was quite effaced, and, inftead of their 

 lively, youthful verdure, they appeared diftorted with fragments, 

 bald, and furrowed. 



After this fiitality, many of the inhabitants, who had furvived 

 the lofs of Port Royal, removed to that part of Liguanea where 

 Kingfton now (lands. Here they took refuge in miferable huts, 

 which could not defend them from the rain. Thus deflitute of 

 fuitable conveniences and medicines, they foon perifhed with m^ 

 lignaut fevers. The air, empoifoned with noxious vapours, co- 

 operating with the terror of thefe calamities, and the diflrefs they 

 occafioned, brought on a general ficknefs, which very few efcaped 

 in any part of the ifland. Not lefs than three thoufand are com- 

 puted to have died ; the greater part at Kingflon only, where five 

 hundred graves were dug in a month's time, and two or three bu- 

 ried in a grave. What rendered the fcene more tragical were the 

 numbers of dead bodies which, after perifhing in the (hock at Port 

 Royal, were feen in hundreds floating from one fide of the harbour 

 to the other. Thus fell the glory of Port Royal; and with it all 

 the publick records; which proved a heavy lofs. In the fol- 

 lowing year, the afiembly taking into confideration, that the 

 fort and many of the houfes were (till left (landing ; that it was a 

 place lb excellently adapted to carry on trade, and of great flrength 

 to refift an enemy ; refolved upon rebuilding it. Firfl, however, 

 they endeavoured to (hew the deep impreflion which the late misfor- 

 tune had made upon their minds, by appointing every 7th of June 

 to be obferved, for the future, as a day of fafting and deprecation 

 of the divine wrath; which (lill continues, and ever ought, to be 

 religioufly kept here. The fand on the South fide of the town 



was 



