LETTER VIII. 31 r 



nor were they very common. EngliJJ:> kinds of 

 Grapes were wondrous fcarce, and we had no 

 Peaches, Nedtarins, Plumbs, Apricots, Pears, Ap- 

 ples, Goole-berries, Currants, or fine Flowers. 

 Samphire at Nevis far exceeds our Rnglijh Sam- 

 phire that I eat in Lincohifiire, and Norfolk-, 

 Colly-flowers would run up to huge Stalks and 

 large Leaves, but for want of Rain, would never 

 flower. A Parifl:iioner of mine fent home for two 

 Mulberry-trees ; they grew indeed, but did not 

 thrive ; they bore but once, and then but one 

 fingle Berry, which came to perfedion, and 

 had a good flavour. Our Tobacco there is fo 

 ilrong, that few, or no People of Condition 

 fmoak it. In our Mountain Plantations we have 

 many excellent Cucumbers, good common Let- 

 tuces, as well as Nafturtiums, French (or Kidney) 

 Beans, Cellery, Gfr. 



33. Our Ship fell down the River ^hmnes 

 upon the diflTolution of the Hard Frofl:, in the 

 beginning of King George the FiriVs Reign ; fo that 

 as England when I took leave of it, looked dif- 

 mally, you will eafily imagine that in thirty-two 

 days after, I muft be tranfported at the fight of 

 Nevis, which having had plenty of Rains juft be- 

 fore, was when I arrived, in full beauty. Befides, 

 the Good-nature and Generofity of my Parifli- 

 oners charmed me : for when I took poflfeflion of 

 St. John's^ the Veftry in a moft: genteel manner 



o 2 offer- 



