SOUTH AMERICA. 



15 



to the eastern horizon, and the parrots and paroquets First 



Journey. 



confirm his arrival there. 



The crickets chirp from sunset to sunrise, and often 

 during the day, when the weather is cloudy. The bete- 

 rouge is exceedingly numerous in these extensive wilds, 

 and not only man, but beasts and birds, are tormented 

 by it. Mosquitos are very rare after you pass the third 

 island in the Demerara, and sand-flies but seldom appear. 



Courteous reader, here thou hast the outlines of an 

 amazing landscape given thee ; thou wilt see that the 

 principal parts of it are but faintly traced, some of them 

 scarcely visible at all, and that the shades are wholly 

 wanting. If thy soul partakes of the ardent flame which 

 the persevering Mungo Park's did, these outlines will be 

 enough for thee ; they will give thee some idea of what 

 a noble country this is ; and if thou hast but courage to 

 set about giving the world a finished picture of it, neither 

 materials to work on, nor colours to paint it in its true 

 shades, will be wanting to thee. It may appear a difficult 

 task at a distance ; but look close at at, and it is nothing 

 at all ; provided thou hast but a quiet mind, little more 

 is necessary, and the genius which presides over these 

 wilds will kindly help thee through the rest. She will 

 allow thee to slay the fawn, and to cut down the moun- 

 tain-cabbage for thy support, and to select from every part 

 of her domain whatever may be necessary for the work 

 thou art about ; but having killed a pair of doves in order 



