196 



LETTER XII. 



Barbadoes the metropolis of the Weft Indies. Newsletters, 

 and tidings of the army reach Guiana^ via, Barbadoes. 

 Qreat body of the armament fails from Carlifle bay. Sir 

 Hugh Chrijiian arrives at Barbadoes. Colony of Berbifche 

 fur renders to the Englifh. Roads of mud and clay. Dutch 

 cuifine better than the Engli/h. Dutch devoted to the plea- 

 fur es of the table. Slaves fent to cut grafs for file. Puni/b- 

 ment of a ftave. Author and a party make an excurfion to 

 Mr. Ofborrts. Viftt to Mr. Dougan y s. Happy condition 



of Mr. Dougan y s ftaves : of Mr. O/born's. Negroes 



in the Weft Indies fit round a fire in the evening. Muf- 

 quitoes and fire flies. 



Stabroek, May, 6» 



Previous to givingyou theintelligence which 

 reaches us at this place, it were fit to inform 

 you that the ifland of Barbadoes is now be- 

 come, as it were, the London of the Weft In- 

 dies — the great capital to which we anxiout- 

 ly look for events, and for news. Removed 

 to a greater diftance from you, and without 

 any dire£t communication, we feera depen- 

 dent upon this fub-metropolis ; and we learn 



9 



