EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 121 



complain, fmce this was aclually one of the principal fotirces CHAP, 

 of our misfortunes, and we were likely in a few months to 

 be careffed to death by the civilities of the men, and the 

 kindnefs of the ladies : a circumftance which rendered 

 Surinam a real Capua to thefe brave fellows. 



On the 27th of June, the gentleman-like Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Baron de Gerfdorph died, much regretted indeed 

 by every perfon ; while the grim King of Terrors, confci- 

 entioufly beginning at the head of the corps with the 

 field officers, could not fail to afford fome confolation to 

 the inferior gentry who fucceeded to their places, by the 

 appointment of Colonel Fourgeoud, the commander in 

 chief, who himfelf exhibited as yet no fymptoms of mor- 

 tality. Major Becquer was now made lieutenant-colonel, 

 and a Captain Rockaph advanced to the rank of major. 



The European animals that live in this country are no 

 lefs debilitated and diminutive than the human fpecies. 

 The oxen, for inftance, are very fmall *, and their beef 

 not near fo delicate as it is in Europe, owing probably to 

 their perpetual perfpiration, and the coarfenefs of the grafs 

 on which they feed, which is not fo good as that of the 

 fait marflies in Somerfetfhire. On the banks of the 

 Oronoque the oxen run wild, and are fold by the Spa- 

 niards for two dollars per head. A fingle piece of ready- 



* This I am aftonifhed t© fee con- bullock of Smithfield market afluredly 

 tradi£ted by Dr. Bancroft, who fays they weighs down two of the largeft in Gui- 

 improve in South America, while one ana. 



Vol. L 



R 



roailcd 



