OF NORTH CAROLINA. 135 



fore proceed to the present state of Carolina, and 

 refer the shrubs and other vegetables of larger 

 growth till hereafter, and then shall deliver them 

 and the other species in their order. 



THE PRESENT STATE OF CAROLINA. 



"When we consider the latitude and convenient 

 situation of Carolina, had we no farther confirma- 

 tion thereof, our reason would inform us that such 

 a place lay fairly to be a delicious country, being 

 placed in that girdle of the world which affords 

 wine, oil, fruit, grain and silk, with other rich 

 commodities, besides a sweet air, moderate cli- 

 mate and fertile soil ; these are the blessings, under 

 Heaven's protection) that spin out the thread of 

 life to its utmost extent, and crown our days with 

 the sweets of health and plenty, which, when join- 

 ed with content, renders the possessors the hap- 

 piest race of men upon earth. 



The inhabitants of Carolina, through the rich- 

 ness of the soil, live an easy and pleasant life. 

 The land being of several sorts of compost, some 

 stiff, others light, some marl, others rich, black 

 mould, here barren of pine, but affording pitch, 

 tar and masts ; there vastly rich, especially on the 

 freshes of the rivers, one part bearing great tim- 

 bers others being savannas or natural meads, 

 where no trees grow for several miles, adorned by 

 nature with a pleasant verdure, and beautiful flow- 

 ers, frequent in no other places, yielding abun- 

 dance of herbage for cattle, sheep, and horses. 



