520 J A M A r C A. 



fea, that the fide next the water was cankered with rufl: in the cditrfe 

 of a few iveeks after being hungup; but the oppofite fide remained 

 perfectly found, and tlie paint as frefli as at firft. 



Tranfient fliowers here, though foraetimes very heavy, do not 

 leave the air affefted witli raoifture ; and thefe metals ruft leaft here 

 during rainy weather. 



May not fuch irrigations dilute, condudl, or carry off, thofe par- 

 ticles floating in the atmofphere, \vhich at other times a6l as 

 men/lrua upon iron ? or, may they not render them lefs aflive ? 



Fixible or mcphitic air a£ls very powerfully upon iron but has 

 not any efFefl upon copper. But copper is corroded in this climate, 

 tliough not foviolenly as iron. The volatile vitriolic acid diflblves 

 both ; this latter fubftance has been conjeftured to be plentifully 

 diftributed throughout the univerfe, in the fubterraneous regions, 

 and even in the atmofphere ; it is conftantly prefent in the eleBrical 

 Jluid v/hlch is diffufed in fuch great abundance between the Tropics ; 

 and from thefuppofed exiftence of it in the air, it has been called, 

 the Jal acidum vagum univerfale [/]. We may therefore venture, per- 

 haps, to afcribe the effedl obferved to this caufe, until fome more 

 probable, or powerful, agent fliall be difcovered. 



Having now laid down general rules for diftinguifhing a good 

 from a fickly fituation I proceed to another ellential article, which 

 merits attention from all Europeans, coming to refide in this 

 climate, viz. 



SECT. II. 



C L O A T H I N G. 



Fafhion and cuftom, fays Dr. Hilary, are two prevailing things, 

 which enflave the greater part of mankind, though often in oppofi- 

 tion both to reafon and convenience, and particularly in our drefs; 

 for no doubt but the loofc, cool, eafy drefs of the Eaftern nations, 

 their gown or banyan, is much eafier and better fitted for ufe in a 

 hot climate, than the Englifh drefs, which is clofe and tight. All 

 who have tried both, find it fo : but, fuch is the influence of fafliion 

 and cuftom, that one may fee men loaded, andhalf melting under a 

 ponderous coat and waiflcoat, richly bedaubed with gold lace or 



[y] Falconer. 



embroidery 



