540 JAMAICA. 



dently abfurd. It feems probable, tb.at fo much hurry, which in- 

 creafes the momentum of the blood, and throws the whole body 

 into violent heat, which is augmented by the intenfe ardour of the 

 fun at noon, may bring on fevers of the moft fatal kind. This 

 pradice is equally injudicious and unneceffary ; the former, be- 

 caufe it may be produ6live of fevere illnefs ; the latter, becaufe, 

 by riling early, much cooler hours might be found for tranfailing 

 all the bufuiefs, which any man who values his health can, or at 

 leall: ought to, go through in this climate, during tb.e forenoon. 

 When bufmefs demr.nds attendance abroad, they ought to choofe 

 the morning and afternoon for dilpatching it, and keep within doors, 

 cr in the Ihade, at that time of the day wl:en the folar rays are 

 felt with mcil fcrce and inconvenience ; but, if they cannot avoid 

 expofing thcmfelves, they ought to walk flowly, and ufe fome 

 other precaution?, to guard againft any bad eftefts. The Negroes 

 arm their heads with a load of handkerchiefs, carefully twifted 

 about them, in form of a turban. The Eaflern nations ufe the 

 turban, which is not more calculated for ornament, than as a pre- 

 fervative againft the violent aftion of the meridian lun upon the 

 delicate, capillary veflels in the head ; the obftru6lion of which 

 occafions obftinate head-achs, and fometimes that fatal apoplexy, 

 called by the French, coup de fokil. Jn the French, Spanifh, and 

 Portuguefe colonies, umbrellas are in general ufe, and found ex- 

 tremely ferviceable to proteft the head and body from thisun- 

 wholelome fultrinefs. But our brave countrymen, delpifing all 

 thefe precautions, as too ridiculous, or too effeminate, courageoufly 

 face the iun at high noon; and will fufFer death rather than put 

 on any armovu- for their defence. It is not therefore without juft 

 reafon, that the Spaniards, who fit calmly within doors, whilft 

 honeft John Bull is anxioufly trotting about his bufinefs, all be- 

 fmeared with duftand fweat, fay proverbially, that, " no animal, 

 " except a dog and an EngliJJjnian, is to be feen walking the flreets 

 '« in the middle of the day." 



D'o61or Hilary exclaims moft profanely ?ig^'m{\. danc'nig: " It is, 

 « fays he, too violent an exercife for a hot climate, and many in- 

 " jure their health very greatly by it ; I have known it fatal to 

 w fome; neither is it ulcd in the Eaftern hot countries. But moft 



of 



