102 



NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, fpent in mirth and conviviality, without the leaft difturb- 

 ^ ^' ance, nuy even with decorum and propriety, to the great 

 fatisfa6lion of the inhabitants. 



The Wefterlingwerf, Captain Crafs, now left the river 

 alfo, bound for Holland, but firft for the colony of De- 

 merary. Thus both fliips of war having failed without 

 us, there was fome reafon to fuppofe we were foon to be 

 employed on a6lual fervice. There were many motives, 

 indeed, for wifliing either that this might be the cafe, or 

 that we might fpeedily be permitted to return to Europe. 

 Not only our officers, but our privates, began to feel the 

 debilitating efFeds of the climate, and many, of that 

 continued debauchery fo common in all ranks in this 

 fettlement : and as hard labour and bad treatment con- 

 ftantly killed the poor failors, fo now our common foldiers 

 fell the vicStims of idlenefs and licentioufnefs, and died 

 frequently fix or feven in a day ; whence it is evident 

 to demonftration, that all excelTes, of whatever kind, are 

 mortal to Europeans in the climate of Guiana. 



But men will give lelTons which they do not them- 

 felves obferve. Thus, notwithftanding my former re- 

 folution of living retired, I again relapfed into the 

 vortex of diffipation. I became a member of a drink- 

 ing club, I partook of all polite and impolite amufe- 

 ments, and plunged into every extravagance without 

 exception. 1 did not, however, efcape without the pu- 

 nifhment I deferved. I was feized fuddenly with a 

 dreadful fever; and fuch was its violence, that in a 

 few days I was no more expedled to recover, hi this 



iituation 



