SO^ STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



culable. Instead of cutting down every tree, and removing 

 all the undervv^ood, according to the pernicious example 

 which was set them, they fired all the wood, except that part 

 intended for provision grounds, in direct contradiction to the 

 advice of their friendly though mistaken neighbours, who as- 

 sured them the land would be totally ruined by such a pro- 

 cedure. The event proved it otherwise, as from being too 

 luxuriant before, it was found to be improved ; the megass, 

 or soil generated from putrid foliage, which is generally a 

 foot thick, prevents the fire from penetrating too far so as to 

 injure the land. 



Messrs. B. and H. and Mynheer A. possess two estates on 

 the west coast of Essequebo, four miles distant from each other, 

 the former have only cultivated their estate five years, while 

 the latter has been twenty-five years in cultivating his ; and 

 the difference in the value of the last crop did not exceed five 

 hundred pounds sterling. 



There is a wonderful dissimilarity between the Dutch and 

 English colonists. They naturally both go out with a view of 

 making money ; but the one with an intention of ending his 

 days abroad, and the other of returning to his native country, 

 to live in ease and independence on the fruit of his industry. 

 The first thing a Dutchman does, after he is in possession of an 

 estate, is to build a splendid house; the next thing is to employ 



