BOOK ir. CHAP. Vlir. 167 



quarries in the nciglibourhood : it is of the fame quality as that 

 wliich abounds in the parilhes of St. Anne and Weftmoreland ; it 

 is very foft, and ealily wrouglit when firll: dug, but grows hard after 

 expofure for fome time to the air. The foldiers, on their fiifl ar- 

 rival here, became fiekly. This was imputed to the conftant damp- 

 nefs of the walls ; for which reafon they were afterwards plai- 

 ftered ; and it was thought they grew healthier ; but in the year 

 1768 tliey had no lefs than twenty-five on the lick lilt; nn.d upon 

 enquiry it was found, that they were fubfiftedon falt-fi(h, falt-beef, 

 and bifcuit, not the beft in quality ; and were allowed frefh pro- 

 viiions only one day in the week.. The fait provifion was brought 

 from Kingfton, and came at a much dearer rate than frefli victuals, 

 which the neighbourhood affords. Of bifcuit, for example, not 

 more than five or fix could be bought for ie\e.n pence-halfpenny ; 

 and that quantity cannot be thought more than flifficient for a 

 foldier's daily allowance of bread. Whereas fifty plantains were to 

 be had at Bath for the fame monev ; which are more than one Ibl- 

 dier could devour in a week. Frefh pork was to be got here cheaper 

 than the befl falt-beef; fowls likewife, and frefh fifh, were ex- 

 ceedingly reafonable. The number of ladies and gentlemen, who 

 had reforted here for the benefit of the water, amounted in two 

 years to only fixty-fix, by many fewer than ufed to meet here at one 

 time, when Bath was in its flourifhing sera. 



Proceeding from Bath to the Eaftward, we pafs along the rich 

 banks of Plantain Garden River, through a fuccefiion of the finefl 

 fugar-plantations in the ifland. The foil in lome parts is a black, 

 vegetable mould, of great depth, intermixed with fhells ; in other 

 parts a deep, brick mould ; and, towards the river's mouth, the 

 land on each fide is extremely flat, which lubjefts it to be overflown 

 pretty regularly once a year by the river. Thefe floods generally 

 lay all the canes proflrate, and cover them with a rich fediment of 

 mud. But they f pring again after the water retires, and grow aflo- 

 nifliingly luxuriant, requiring no other manure than what this 

 river, like another Nile, fo invariably depolits. Yet the fugar pro- 

 duced here is commonly of a good complexion, though fairefl 

 and in greatefl quantity, if the feafbu continues dry durhig the 

 crop. 



Thi& 



