2o6 " 



The whole ifland, encircled by the Atlan- 

 tic ocean, was under the eye, difplaying a 

 fcene which comprehended all the variety of 

 land and lea, of hill and vale, of rude nature 

 and high cultivation. On one hand were 

 barren rugged rocks — on the other rich and 

 fertile plains. Towns, houfes, huts, and fu- 

 gar-works were feen diftributed about the 

 ifland ; bays and rivulets were before us 

 opening into the fea ; a large fleet appeared 

 at anchor, with its forefl: of mails intermixed 

 amidft the buildings of the town ; multitudes 

 of fliips and boats were failing in all direc- 

 tions round the coafl: ; and the folemn forefl:s 

 and painted groves difplayed all the rich fo- 

 liage of tropical vegetation. To form fuch 

 a pidure would defeat the genius of a Claude, 

 or defy the bold pencil of a Salvator Rofa. 

 It was alfo further enhanced, by the circum- 

 fiances under which we faw it; the bright 

 tropical fun being, fuddenly, overcafl: by a 

 heavy black cloud ; which, fl:ealing along the 

 mountain tops, fo varied the fliades and tints 

 as to give additional efied to all the beauties 

 of the fcene: but while we were devoutly 

 contemplating it, this cloud broke upon us in 



