BOOK II. CHAP. IX. 193 



fiderable diflance into the fea, for better convenicncy of fhipping 

 goods. Here mofl of the fugars, rum, mahogany-plank, and other 

 commodities of the neighbouring eftates, are put into boats, or 

 lighters, to be carried on board fuch (hips as are to export them, 

 and lie either at Savannah la Mar, or the upper end of the bay. 

 The road from hence continues rough and ftony, till it reaches 

 Sweet River, fo called from the tranfparency and purity, of its 

 waters, which fall into the bay. After paffing this, and a long 

 tedious lane, the face of the country opens at once upon the view, 

 and appears truly beautiful from the continued fucceflion of well- 

 cultivated fugar-eftates and rich paftures. The rains in this parlfh 

 being ufually heavier than in moft others on the South fide of the 

 ifland, and the country in general flat near the fea, the roads are 

 confequently for the moft part deep and dirty, and in the rainy 

 feafons fcarcely paflable. Savannah la Mar, though it is the prin- 

 cipal barquadier, has neverthelefs but a very indifferent harbour, or 

 rather road, for the (hipping. The water is (hoal, and againft the 

 afl'aults of the fea it is defended only by reefs of funken rocks, and 

 a few fand-banks, which are apt to (liift. Nor is it much better 

 guarded againft enemies. The fort, which coft the pariftiioners 

 upwards of fixteen thoufand pounds in building, is extremely ill- 

 contrived, and perpetually fapped by the fea. Formerly it was 

 mounted with eighteen or twenty guns, moftly of too fmall a ca- 

 libre; and, indeed, both from its ftruduie and furniture, it never, 

 could have promifed any fecurity except againft privateers. Unlefs 

 it has very lately been repaired, it is in a very ruinous condition. 

 It was never compleated ; and, the South curtain being under- 

 mined, the wall on that (ide is almoft all tumbled into the fea. As 

 for the baftions, they are for the moft part unfinifhcd. Of this 

 fort we may juftly fay, 



Vis conjili expers, mole fuh fud. 

 *' Ill-counfel'd force, by it's own native weight, 

 '• Headlong to ruin falls." 

 The pari(hioners thought perhaps that they had a right to lay out 

 their money in what manner they pleafed; and therefore, confulting 

 (as one would imagine) neither engineer, nor any other perfon 

 better (killed than themfelves in fortification, they rcfolved to 

 Vol. II. C c throw 



