V 



V 



294^ 



K E M A R K S 



O N 



THE 



PROGRESS be veiy great in proportion to the extent of country, yet we were 



led to believe that a much greater number of inhabitants might be 



OF SA- 

 I^^AGES.. 



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fupported on thofe illands, and in ages to come mignt be found 

 there, if no accidents fhould happen, or unlefs fuch manners and 



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reoulations lliould be introduced as tend to check or flop the pro- 

 grefs of population. The fertility of the foil on thofe extenfive 

 plains, and numerous valleys, the rapid vegetation and conftant fuc- 

 ceflion of coco-nuts, bread-fruit, apples, bananas, plantanes, eddoes, 

 potatoes, yams, and many other fine fruits and roots 3 the regular 

 divifion of lands in private property, well and neatly fenced in ; the 

 particular care £h«v/n by the inhabitants to the dogs, hogs, and 

 fowls, w^hich are their only domeftic animals ; the convenience and 

 neatnefs of their houfes and boats, their ingenious contrivances for 



i 



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fifhing ; the tafte and elegance fhewn in many of their utenfils and 

 houfhold furniture 5 their dreffes fo well adapted to the climate, 

 fo curioully varied both in their texture and dyes ; their delicacy 

 of manners, true courtefy andpolitenefs; their chearful and open 

 behaviour 3 their goodnefs of heart, and hofpitality; their know- 

 ledge of plants, birds, fifhes, fliells, infe(£i:s, vermes, and all the 

 branches of animated nature ; their acquaintance with the flars, 



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and their motion, with the feafons and winds; their poetry, fongs, 



W L 



dances, and dramatic performances ; their theogony and cofmogonyj 



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the various ranks and regulations of civil fociety ; their eflabliili- 



ments 



