294 N A R R A T I \^ E O F A N 



CHAP. \eep their hoiifes extremely dean. They ufe the fineft 

 ^ linen, exquifitely well walhed with Caftile foap; its white- 

 nefs can only be compared to mountain fnow, and would 

 make the heft bleached linen in Europe appear like 

 canvafs. Their parlour floors are always fcoured with 

 four oranges cut through the middle, which gives the 

 houfe an agreeable fragrance: the Negro girls taking one 

 half in each hand, keep linging aloud while they rub 

 the boards. Such is the town, and fuch are the inhabi- 

 tants of Paramaribo, the capital of Surinam; and the 

 character will apply to the natives of all the Dutch fettle- 

 ments in the Weft Indies. But to return to my narrative. 

 Being once more reconciled to ftioes, I vifited Colonel 

 Wefterloo on board a Weft-India fliip, bound for Holland. 

 This gentleman, who had relieved me at Devil's Harwar 

 when I was ill, was now himfelf in a moft miferable con- 

 dition, having loft the ufe of his limbs. In this debili- 

 tated ftate it was doubtful whether any thing but the 

 air of his native country would recover him. Several 

 officers were now under the neceffity of felling their 

 effects to procure a fubfiftence, not being able either to 

 procure their pay or allowance from Fourgeoud. I felt 

 this hard ufage the lefs, from the kindnefs I experienced 

 from my numerous friends. 



On the 28th of January, as I was walking in the morn- 

 ing by the river fide, I faw a fifti brought afhore, that 

 deferves to be mentioned for its fize and goodnefs, being 



fometimes 



