79 
.«hap. in.] WEST INDIES. 
But there is a question, naturally arising from 
the premises, to which it is proper that I should, 
in this place give an answer; and it is this: Seeing 
that a capital is wanted which few men can com* 
mand, and considering withal, that the returns are 
in general but small, and at best uncertain, how 
has it happened, that the Sugar Islands have been 
so rapidly settled, and many a great estate pur¬ 
chased in the mother country, from the profits that 
have accrued from their cultivation? It were to be 
wished that those who make such inquiries would 
inquire on the other hand, how many unhappy- 
persons have been totally and irretrievably ruined, 
by adventuring in the cultivation of these islands, 
without possessing any adequate means to support 
them in such great undertakings ? On the failure 
of some of these unfortunate men, vast estates 
have indeed been raised by persons who have had 
money at command: men there are who, reflec¬ 
ting on the advantages to be derived from this 
circumstance, behold a sugar planter struggling in 
distress, with the same emotions as are felt by the 
Cornish peasants in contemplating a shipwreck on 
the coast, and hasten with equal rapaciousness to 
participate in the spoil. Like them too, they some¬ 
times hold out false lights to lead the unwary ad¬ 
venturer to destruction ; more especially, if he has 
any thing considerable of bis own to set out with. 
Money is advanced, and encouragement given, to 
a certain point; but a skillful practitioner well 
knows where to stop: he is aware what very large 
