BOOK III. CHAP. VI. 59 J 



prbdu<n:ionso£ the country to which tbofe difeafes are endemlal. Tlie 

 pra£tice of phyfic then, where neccflarily deviating fi-otn the Europeau 

 (refpeft being had to the diftindio^s occafioned by chmate) would be- 

 come eftabhihed upowi more rational, and certain grounds; many lives 

 woiitdianinTiaily be faved, and the profefiion, which is now difgraced 

 by illiterate dabblers, would refide i^ hands, from whofe flcilfulnefs 

 the iahahitaiits - might pxpe6l more fecurity to their life and welfare, 

 whitfl: the ifland, thiis relieved from one principal caufe of mortality, 

 would fee its people multiply, its trade and exports enlarge, its 

 ftrength and opulence augment. From the neceffary connexion of 

 caufes with effefts, it is reafonable to think, that all thefe advantages 

 would happen, in confequence of a thorough purgation of abufes from 

 the pradlice of phyfic in this ifland. 



A moderate (hare of induftry, with health, has laid the foundation 

 of many a great fortune in Jamaica ; this place is, therefore, juflly an 

 objeft of attention to thofe, whofe flender patrimony, or indigent cer- 

 cumftances, render them unable to gain a competent provifion in their 

 native country. It is the afylum of the dillrefled and unfortunate, 

 where all may enjoy fuflenance, and where a beggar'^'is unknown. 

 They who arrive now have an advantage, unknown to ouranceftors, 

 of coming to an eftabliflied fociety, which, from the number of towns 

 and fettlements, has every accommodation and convenience that can 

 be defired. Here is flill ample room for many young beginners, fince 

 much of the bcfl: land has hitherto, by reafon of its central fitua- 

 tion, lain negleiled and uncultivated. The daily improvements that 

 are making in the roads will foon (with the public aid) render tliefe 

 lands of the middle diftrids extremely valuable, and convenient for 

 fettlers ; the chief difficulty which always attei^ds new fettlements, in 

 hilly or woody countries, being the want of good carriage roads, af- 

 fording an eafy communication with towns and fea- ports. It is a fur- 

 ther inducement, that thefe diftridts are as healthful as any part of 

 Great Britain ; which circumftance feems fully evinced by the undif- 

 tempered lives of tliofe perfons who have already refided in tiicm. The 

 purity and mild cool temperature of their air, at all times of the year, 

 are propitious to human health, whilfl: the fruitfulnefs of the foil is in- 

 exhauftible, and affords abundant fupplies of food more than anfwera- 

 ble to the labour ^eftowed upon it. What may be further conducive 

 Vol. II. 4 G 2 to 



