discordant din-the plaintive coo of the ringtail pigeon, the wild gibberish of the gabbling crow, the dismal shrieks of the clucking hen, the uncooth croaking of toads, chirping of crickets, and whistling of the yellow snake (for it is asserted that this animal has such a note). Such paths of communication are however rarely frequented, except by the sportsman in pursuit of the ringtail, or by the surveyor in tracking the woods. The traveller may also, if sojourning in the moun tains, be often gratified with the finest and most extensive prospects, and diversified landscapes. But when he descends to the low lands and vallies, this gratification in a great measure ceases; for though there are numberless spots, where nature seems to have been more lavish of her attractions than usual, yet the views are too circumscribed in general, they want decoration, and, in consequence, often present too much of a dull uniformity and insipid sameness. In this country there are indeed little pains bestowed in improving and adorning those rude scenes of nature which are susceptible of embellishment. The man who has been in the habit of contemplating nature with admiration, and of employing his fancy and his genius in heightening and setting off, by every effort of art, her native charms, will view, with a sigh, the most lovely scenes left He will see to the cold contingencies of chance. the most limpid streams flowing through fields

covered with vile weeds and bushes, the finest cascades neglected and unshaded, and the most fertile and charming spots left wild and desolate, or converted to the purposes of interest. Few of the resident proprietors have either taste or inclination to bestow their time, and waste their land in improvements of this kind; and it unfortunately happens, that those who have received their education in Great Britain, and may have imbibed there more liberal, enlarged, and classical ideas of taste, have contracted such attachments to it as for ever after rivet them to the soil. It therefore happens, that a very large proportion of the principal proprietors are resident in that country. Here they commonly marry and have families, spend their incomes, and transfer thither their whole affections. In which case, they commit the management of their estates to an attorney, or agent, who, probably, cares for little other improvement than the improvement of his emoluments. As for the overseer, he considers his situation as at best precarious, and he is therefore only solicitous to second the views of the attorney, by whom he is employed, and whose mandates he must implicitly obey, on pain of dismission. If he can make large crops, at whatever general disadvantage to the estate, he commonly gives the required satisfaction; and therefore all his efforts are directed to this one point. The proprietor, on the other hand, remains

supinely in Great Britain, and while he receives the produce of his estates regularly and unimpaired, he never thinks of inquiring about improvements and embellishments. The stranger, therefore, who comes to Jamaica with his head full of romantic ideas of charming walks and lovely groves, shaded and adorned by aromatic trees and shrubs, perfumed with a thousand flowers, refreshed by limpid streams, and harmonized by the melody of the bird of Paradise! will find himself grievously disappointed. He may find most of these objects scattered and disjointed through various parts of the country, by the hand of nature herself; but seldom or never brought together by the improving band of art. Here no Dryad presides in the woods, nor Naiad conducts the streamlets over their pebbled beds; nor is either temple or statue erected to these sylvan deities. In short, there is no such thing throughout the island as an extensive garden, laid out with its concomitant beauties and embellishments of shaded gravel walks, parterres of flowers, labyrinths of wood, lakes, fountains, &c. There are, indeed, a few tolerable repositories of exotics and medicinal herbs. This deficiency is certainly lamentable in a country possessing so many charming and romantic situations, where coy nature might be successfully wooed by art, and decked by him in the loveliest attire.

The author has often thought, that a public

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walk or garden in the principal towns of the island, would be a most desirable thing to the inhabitants. There is something of this kind near to Kingston, called Harmony-hall gardens. For want of such a spot as an evening promenade, many of the ladies of these places chuse rather to take their evening airing in their carriages, than be exposed to the inconvenience of promiscuous company. Though such a spot would require some length of time to establish, yet the expence would be but trifling to a community. A piece of ground might be enclosed for the purpose, which might be laid out in gravel walks, vistas of fruit trees, flowering shrubs, and plats of Bahama grass (a plant which spreads rapidly, and forms a sinooth and beautiful sward); and, if possible, a stream of water conducted through its recesses, with a few pavilions and benches, conveniently placed, and adorned and perfumed with the native jessamine, or the granadillo. The price of the land for such a purpose would be inconsiderable; and, after having been laid out, the annual trouble of keeping it in repair could be performed by a white gardener, employed for the purpose, and a few negroes under him, for very little; and even that little might be defrayed, in time, by the sale of the fruits it produced. There is no liberal minded inhabitant but would gladly join in such an undertaking, so conducive to health, and affording so delightful a recreation.

CHAPTER X.

Planters. Proprietors.--Attornies.--Overseers.-Book-keepers.-The situation of these last considered.

THE number of white inhabitants in Jamaica may be from thirty to thirty-five thousand. These consist of Creoles, or natives, and Europeans, who may be divided into various classes, according to their situation, profession, and circumstances; as planters, merchants, shopkeepers, and those filling various other professions, trades, and occupations. Previous to entering upon a delineation of the general character of the people, and the state of society and manners here, it may not be improper to describe these in order. The planters may be classed in the following order proprietors, attornies or agents, over

seers, and book-keepers.

The resident proprietor of Jamaica, if a man of education, talents and virtue, generally passes his time in a manner useful to the community, and honourable and pleasant to himself, being equally divided between the discharge of some public duty or trust, and an attention to his own private affairs, and occasionally enlivened with innocent amusements and liberal recreations.