2^6 J A M A r G A. 



fheir own little fchifms in religious matters ; for they are divided 

 into two tadlions, or Iccls ; one of which, called the Smoiije JewSi 

 are not acknowledged orthodox by the reft, on account of their 

 having, through the rigours of the inquilition in the Portuguefe and 

 Spanilh dominions, relaxed in fome indilpeniable rituals, or inter- 

 niarried with Chriftians ; by which abomination, they have pol- 

 luted the pure Ifraeliciili blood with the corrupt ftream of the 

 Gentiles. The Smoufcs have therefore a diftmcl conventicle, or 

 meeting, of their own, at a private houfe, where they vociferate, to 

 the great difturbance of the neighbourhood. 



The chief men among the Jews are very worthy perfons, and 

 ought not to be reproached for the vices and villainies of the lower 

 rabble, fince they ftrive all in their power to put them in the way 

 of earning their livelihood honeftly : and, although foir-e fraudu- 

 lent bankruptcies now and then happen among the poorer and 

 more knavifli tribe ; yet there are no common feggars of their 

 nation, the elders having an eftabliflied fund for the relief of all 

 their poor. They traffic among the Negroes chiefly in falt-fiHi, 

 butter, and a fort of cheap pedlary wares, manufadured by their 

 brethren in England. But among the chief men are leveral very 

 opulent planters, and capital merchants, who are connefled with 

 great houfes in the city of London. It has been a very ftriking 

 remark, that the multitude of them fettled in this ifland, the 

 purchafes they are continually making both of houfes and lands, 

 and the vaft wealth they coUedively have flaked here, are fure in- 

 dications that they are delighted with the mildnefs and equity of 

 the government, and reft fatisfied, that their property is entirely 

 fafe, and fecurely held ; from a convidion, " that a place of fuch 

 *' great importance to the mother-country will never be negleded, 

 " nor fail of receiving all due care and proteftion." Some perfons 

 have affirmed, that the Jews of this ifland are not fuch rigid ob- 

 fervers of the Mofaic ritual as their brethren of other countries. 

 Many of them have been charged with the heavy accufation of 

 gratifying their appetites now and then with a pork dinner without 

 licence ; and others are faid to purchafe a difpenfation for it of the 

 rabbijj after the manner of Roman catholic epicures in the Lent 

 feafbn. Indeed, the Weft-India pork is of fo exquifite a flavour, 



that, 



