uits and
vegetables of all climates thrive, almost without culture, and are
to be had in great plenty, so that there is no want of pine-apples,
peaches, grapes, oranges, lemons, citrons, melons, apricots, and
plantains; there is also abundance of onions and potatoes, two
productions of no small consideration for sea-stores. The flesh
provisions are, however, much inferior to the vegetables. There are,
indeed, small wild cattle to be purchased, something like buffaloes,
but these are very indifferent food, their flesh being of a loose
texture, and generally of a disagreeable flavour, probably owing to
their feeding on wild calabash. There are also abundance of pheasants,
but they are not to be compared in taste to those we have in England.
The other provisions of the place are monkeys, parrots, and, above
all, fish of various sorts: These abound in the harbour, and are both
exceedingly good and easily caught, as there are numerous sandy bays,
very convenient for haling the seyne.

The water, both on the island and the opposite continent, is
excellent, and preserves at sea as well as that of the Thames. After
it has been a day or two in the cask, it begins to purge itself,
stinks most abominably, and is soon covered over with a green
scum, which subsides in a few days to the bottom, leaving the water
perfectly sweet, and as clear as crystal. The French first brought
this place into repute during their South-Sea trade in the reign
of Queen Anne, and usually wooded and watered in Bon-port, on the
continental side of the harbour, where they anchored in great safety
in six fathoms, and this is doubtless the most commodious station
for ships that are meant only for a short stay. We watered on the
St Catharine's side, at a plantation opposite to the island of St
Antonio.

Such are the advantages of this island; but it has its inconveniences
also, partly proceeding from its climate, but more particularly
from its new regulations and the form of its government, as lately
established. In regard to the climate, it must be remembered that the
woods and hills which surround the harbour prevent a free circulation
of air, and the continual vigorous vegetation furnishes such a
prodigious quantity of vapour, that a thick fog covers the whole
country all night, and a great part of the morning, continuing till
either the sun gathers strength to dissipate it, or it is dispersed
by a brisk sea-breeze. This renders the place close and humi