i66 N ARR ATI VE O F AN 



C II A P. working theiTij the vaft number of Haves required to 

 xxin. tli'ag thern through the forefl:, where no horfes can be 

 employed, beiides the danger and lofs of time, we may 

 ^afily account for the enormous price generally paid for 

 the bell: timber in Guiana, 



This march undoubtedly afforded us the moft enchant- 

 ing pi'ofpedls that can be imagined, in a luxuriant and 

 ever-green foreft, while the dry feafon contributed greatly 

 to beautify the fcene ; and fimple nature by far outfhone 

 the mofl ftrenuous endeavours of art. Here we met 

 with immenfe favannas of the mofl: lovely verdure, in- 

 terfperfed with meandring brooks of water, cool and clear 

 as rock cryftal ; their borders adorned with flowers of 

 every lively hue and fragrance. In fome places we ob- 

 ferved fmall clumps of elegant fhrubs, or perhaps a Hn- 

 gle tree, whofe beauty would almoft induce one to think 

 they had been defignedly left growing to enrich the 

 fcene. The whole furrounded by a vaft wood of lofty 

 palm-trees, waving their fea-green foliage above the va- 

 riegated copfe of never - fading verdure, blolTom, and 

 fruit, as if to invite the panting wanderer under its 

 cooling fhade, till in the later hours he might enjoy the 

 l3racing pleafures of the limpid flood, and contemplate 

 ^nature's beauties undifturbed. — When univerfal fllence 

 jeigned every v/here around, how often have I thought 

 on my dear friend, and whhed with her to glide through 

 :life in thefe Elyfian fields !— But I muft wave the plealing 

 jecollecSlion. 



On the 19th we again marched, and fell in with our 



old 



