of its
eulogists, may have visited these islands at a season of the year
different from that in which I visited them, but to me the heat
was beyond measure oppressive. Lying, as they do, under the
influence of a vertical sun, and abounding in all directions with
cliffs of white chalk, it is obvious that the constant reflection
of the sun's rays thereby occasioned must be quite overpowering.
If these panegyrists mean to say, that as long as you contrive to
keep in the shade, and take care not to stir abroad till after
sunset, you will find the Bermudas deserving of their title of
summer-islands, then I will agree with them; but I believe there
is no man who ever walked the street of St. George's at noon, or
any other spot where the sun-beams could reach him, that did not
consider the heat as anything rather than temperate.

But whatever may be thought of the climate, there can, I think,
be but one opinion as to the soil. It is generally admitted that
there is no more unproductive spot of earth upon the face of the
deep than Bermuda. The only animals which appear to thrive are
the goat and the duck; the cedar and a few calabash-trees are the
only wood, and, except the most common kinds of vegetables, such
as cabbages, onions, and sweet potatoes; I know of hardly another
thing brought to perfection, even in the gardens. The fruits
which a stranger may meet with are no doubt delicious, since
among them he will find the shaddock and the pine-apple; but for
these, as well as for almost all their other comforts and
luxuries, the Bermudians are indebted to the continent of America
or to the West Indies. Whether this be owing to the natural
sterility of the soil, or to the extreme indolence of the
inhabitants, I cannot pretend to decide; though I should be
inclined to suspect that both were, in some degree, to blame; but
its consequences are felt by all visitors, in a very sensible
manner, every article of living being here sold for thrice its
intrinsic value. That provisions should be dear in this country
cannot surprise, when it is considered that this small colony is
the general depot and place of resort for repairs and stores to a
large proportion of the British navy, scattered along the coast
of America; but, surely, if the natives were a little more
industrious, they might afford to sell their goods at a cheaper
rate, and at the same time secure an equal, if not a greater
profit. But their indolence is beyond all