BOOK II. CHAP. XIII. 285 



have come to his knowleJge in the courfe of his medical praftice, 

 to inlinuate that this colmetic was in general ufe. But the women 

 here lo univerfally underftand the cauftic nature of this oil, that 

 they never attempt to open the nuts with their own fingers, for 

 fear of burning them. All families have the kernels ferved up at 

 their table in a variety of different preparations. And hence I judge 

 it impoffible, that any woman, pofleffing two grains of feul'e, could 

 think of befmearing her whole face with fuch a liniment, which 

 erodes like aquafortis, though flie might ufe the kernels in emul- 

 fion. I rather fufpeft the doctor's credulity was impofed upon by 

 fome wag; and that he feized this occafion to have a fling at the 

 ladies, who are therefore much obliged to him for fo ingenious a 

 tale, as well as for the fting at the end of it. 



It is remarked here, that the women attain earlier to maturity ,- 

 and fooner decline, than in the Northern climates : they often 

 marry very young, and are mothers at twelve years of age. They 

 confole themfelves, however, that they can enjoy more of real ex- 

 iftence here in one hour, than the fair inhabitants of the frozen, 

 foggy regions do in two. The temperance of their life carries 

 them on, notwithllanding, to a good old age ; it being no un- 

 common thing to fee women here of eighty or ninety years, and 

 upwards. A few years fince, a venerable matron died at the age 

 of one hundred and eight ; and I remember one of ninety-fix, who 

 enjoyed all her faculties unimpaired, excepting her fight, whicli 

 truly was fomewhat the worfe for wear. Many of the other fcx 

 too, who, by conllitution or from prudence, avoid ftrong liquors 

 and hurtful excefles, arrive at the fame periods of longevity with 

 fewer infirmities than accompany the fame ages in England, where 

 old folks are generally fhriveled with cold, and overwhelmed with 

 catarrhous defluxions, the natural fruits of a rav/, wet atmofphere» 

 In Jamaica, the warmth and equable flate of the air is friendly to- 

 age ; and the nutritious quality of its foods preferves vigour and a 

 lively flow of fpirits. 



Intemperance and fenfuality are the fatal inftruments which, in 

 this ifland, have committed fuch havoc, and fent their heediefs vo- 

 taries, in the prime of manhood, to an untimely grave. It is- 

 owing to thcfe dcftru£tive caufes, that v/e perceive here fuch a- 



number- 



