An IMPARTIAL DESCRIPTION OF SURINAM UPON The CONTINENT of GUIANA IN AMERICA.  
With a History of several strange Beasts, Birds, Fishes, Serpents, Infects, and Customs of that Colony, etc.  
Worthy the Perusal of all, from the Experience of George Warren Gent.  
London, Printed by William Godbid for Nathaniel Brook at the Angel in Gresham-Colledge, in the second yard from Bishopsgate-street. 1667.   

To the READER.  
THIS is a present of three years' Collection, not without many hazards to myself: for the delights of Warm Countries are mingled with sharp Sauces, and indeed from the Constant breathe through the Pores, more there than in Colder Regions, 'tis rationally believed, our Spirits must make haste out of Bodies exhaust by heat; but I have often seen many both Natives, and others at Surinam, very vigorous in extreme Old Age. In this Continent, the Indians will tell you of Mighty Princes upwards, and Golden Cities, how true I know not. But a brave Country it is, and it may be truly said, to a Mind untaint with Ambition (and that can live according to Nature) no place is more accommodate; whether we regard health, a luxuriant Soil, or kind Women. I have made it no design of mine either to hid the inconveniencies of the Country, or to extol the happiness thereof beyond truth: Such as it is, is here exposed. Some there are, who confidently believe, these warm Climates were the Dwellings of the Ancient Learned Heathens: to which opinion, for the pleasure of the same places, I could assent, but that the most Acute Philosophers of old, held a gross Doctrine, that under, or near the Line, 'twas not habitable, whereof daily Experience affords a Confutation: and it's great ignorance to think any considerable Improvements can be made far distant from the Sun. What advantage hath Accrued to the English Sceptre, How Navigation hath been increased by the only Trade of Tobacco and Sugar in our New Plantations, Who hath not heard? As for myself, I held it more Ingenuous to venture thy Censure for appearing in Print, than that you should lose the delight of these Observations.  
Farewell.   

A Full and Impartial DESCRIPTION of SURINAM.  

CHAP. I. Of the River  
WHICH is in Six, or Five and a half Degrees of Northerly Latitude, barred with Sand at the Entrance: but yet, Three Fathom deep at High-Water; and in Spring Tides more. 'Tis about a League over at the Mouth, of which breadth, or but very little narrower, it holds five Leagues, up to a small Village, called the Fort; and then, by degrees, in two Leagues farther, decreases a Mile, and so continues as far as hath been discovered. It hath a Channel on either side, to the East, and West, but the first is reputed best, in which, Vessels of 300 Tons have sailed near 20 Leagues up to the Metropolis or chief Town of the Colony, called Toorarica, consisting of about One hundred Dweling Houses, and a Chapel. Before the Town is a very fair Bay or Harbour, large enough to contain an Hundred Sail of Ships. 'Tis on both sides Woody, unless here and there a Plantation be open to it; and so perfect a Meander, that in a matter of fifteen Leagues sailing, a Ship steers all points of the Compass. 'Tis well stored with good Fish of innumerable kinds, and others, though not so useful, yet for their Rarity very observable: as the Swordfish, so called from a Bone growing at his Snout, resembling a Sword, or more properly a Rake, of which I have seen some above an Ell long. There is another, called the Manatee, who feeds upon Bushes by the River side, gives suck like a Cow, and eats more like Flesh than Fish: I'll but name a third, which, for the strangeness of its Nature, deserves a more particular Description, 'Tis the Torpedo or Num-Eele, which, being alive, and touching any other Living Creature, strikes such a deadness into all the parts, as for a while renders them wholly useless, and insensible, which, is believed, has occasioned the Drowning of several persons who have been unhappily so taken, as they were Swimming in the River: It produces the like Effect if but touched with the end of a long Pole, or one man immediately laying hold of another so benumbed: The Truth of this was experienced, One of them being taken and thrown upon the Bank, where a Dog spying it stir, catches it in his Mouth, and presently falls down, which the Master observing, and going to pull him off becomes motionless himself; another standing by, and endeavouring to remove him, follows the same fortune; the Eel getting lose they Return quickly to themselves.  
Plantations are settled Thirty Leagues up the River, higher than which, 'tis not probable, the Limits of that New Colony can extend, by reason of Cataracts or Falls of Water, that descend from ledges of Rocks, from one side of the River to the other, rendering any passage by Water (the best means of Conveying necessaries) altogether impossible; nor is it only one, for which, in time, perhaps some Remedy might be invented, but they are observed to be within five or six Leagues one of another, for aught is known, up to the very head: There was once an occasion to go up those Falls in Chase of some Indians, who had been down, and killed an Englishwoman, and robbed the house wherein she was: This Expedition was undertaken by a good number of men well provided, who, after they had with most grievous labour hall'd their Boats by Land above seven or eight of those Falls, were at last, compelled to return without desired Success, not having so much as seen an Indian, and adventuring as they came back to shoot those Precipices in their Boats, were some of them dashed to pieces in the Descent, and the rest hardly escaped with their Lives: These Cataracts are in most of the Rivers upon the Coast, and are the only Let to the more perfect discovery of that rich Continent.   

CHAP. II. Of the Climate and Country in General;  
WHICH, from November till July, is but moderately hot, by reason of Clouds interposed, and excessive Rains cooling the Earth all that time, and the Constant North-East-Brizes, which no less Refrigerate the Air: The other five Months, when little Rain falls, and those friendly Clouds are wanting, the heat is something violent, occasioned no less by a Reflection from the earth, which is generally Sandy, than the nearness of the Sun itself, and would be hardly tolerable, were it not for the Brizes . Being no further from the Equinoctial Line, the days and nights are always almost Equal, not differing above an hour, the Sun Rising and Setting never sooner or later, than half an hour before, or half an hour after Six. The constant warmness of the place makes it far more agreeable to Age, than Youth; The first it cherishes, and as it were, renews their years, making them sprightly and gallant, who were here crazy and impotent; the latter have less spirit, and decay more swiftly than in these Northern Countries, though Surinam be healthful enough to temperate sound bodies. The most common Diseases incident to it, are the Fever and Ague, the Yawes, and the Dropsy, called there, the Country Disease: With the first, the People were not a little Afflicted at their first settling, I believe, occasioned rather by bad Lodging, and worse Diet, than any natural Intemperature of the Climate. The Yawes is the same with, or but little differing from the French-Pox, 'tis too frequently Caught by Coition with Indian-Women, to whom 'tis no less natural than any other Malady, and which, by the Mediation of the Spaniard, is become no Stranger to almost every part of Europe; 'twill breed also there from any Sore, which if not carefully looked after (such is the Malignity of the Country to things of that nature) Converts into that most loathsome and not easily cured mischief. The Dropsy, or Country-Disease, is, I think, acquired by that unwholesome flashy kind of nourishment, which, from the hardness of the place, and penury of Masters, poor Servants are forced to make a shift with, (for I never observed any but such have it) which, lighting upon dull un-active Spirits, drives them into a melancholy Carelessness of themselves, and for want of vigour and liveliness to expel those moist humours, which such tempers in that Country do abundantly Contract, they perish, being hardly recoverable unless taken at the very beginning of the Distemper.  
The Land next the River's mouth, is low, woody, and full of Swanyes: One, but about thirty Leagues up, high, and mountainous, having plain Fields of a vast Extent, here and there beautified with small Groves, like Islands in a Green Sea; amongst whose still flourishing Trees, 'tis incomparably pleasant to consider the delightful Handiworks of Nature, expressed in the variety of those pretty Creatures, which, with Ridiculous Antic Gestures, disport themselves upon the Branches. There is a constant Spring and Fall, some leaves Dropping, and others succeeding in their Places: But the Trees are never quite divested of their Summer Livery; Some, have always Blossoms, and the several degrees of Fruit at once: The Sense of Smelling may, at any time, enjoy a full delight amongst the Woods, which disperse their Aromatic Odours a good distance from the Land, to the no little Pleasure of the Sea-tired Passenger.  
The various productions of Infects from the heat and moisture, is admirable in that Country. I have observed a white Speck, at first, no bigger than a Pins-Head, upon a new-sprung soft Excrescency from the Root of a Great Tree, which, by degrees in two or three days, has grown to a kind of Butterfly, with fair painted black and Saffron-Coloured Wings. I have found others not quite perect sticking upon the Bodies of Trees, as it were incorporated into the Wood itself. There is another, called a Cammel-Flye, from its long neck, how Generated I know not, which has its Wings like small Leaves, and, having lived a while, at length lights upon the ground, taketh Root, and is transformed into a Plant. This I relate, not from any certain Knowledge of my own, but I was encouraged to insert it, from the Information of the Honourable William Byam, Lord General of Guiana, and Governor of Surinam, who, I am sure is too much a Gentleman to be the Author of a Lye. Many more Observations of this Nature no doubt I might have made, if the vanity of my years would have suffered me to mind it.  
The Government is Monarchical, an Imitation of ours, by a Governor, Council, and Assembly; the Laws of England are also theirs, to which are added some by Constitutions, no less obliging, proper to the Conveniencies of that Country.   

CHAP. III. Of the Provisions  
WHICH are Yames, Plantons, and Cassader, for Bread; The first is a Root, bearing a Been not unlike to a Hop, 'tis Ripe in Eight Months, and being boiled or roasted is dry and crumbly; it has no bad taste, because it has none at all that ever I could find in't: The Planton is a Fruit of a Tree, but of Twelve months' growth; 'tis almost like a Bean-Cod, but bigger; they hang Forty or Fifty in a Bunch, of which, the Tree bears no more than One at a time, and being gathered before quite ripe, are also either boiled or roasted, and in my opinion not much more excellent than the former. The last, which indeed may most properly be termed Bread, is also a Root, ordinarily almost as thick as a Man's Leg, but of various Forms; it bears a small Tree about Eight foot high, and becomes fit to draw in Twelve Months, when, 'tis Replanted with Sticks of its own laid in the Ground: The Root is taken, scraped, and then pressed from its Juice, which is rank Poison, and, after, baked upon Stones in Round Cakes, half an Inch thick; when 'tis new made, 'tis pleasant enough, but by that time 'tis a day old, methinks there's little savour in't: Of this, the Indians make divers kinds of Inebriating Drinks, one whereof, called Perrinoe, is truly good, and nearly resembles our strongest March-Beer, which has been preserved to a Twelvemonth staleness: But the relation of their manner of Brewing it, will, I believe, Rebate the edge of any one's desire here, which, perhaps, might be otherwise sharp enough to taste it; First, they take Cassader-Bread baked for that purpose very black, which the oldest Women, and snotty Nose Children chaw in their Mouths, and with as much Spittle as they can, throw into a Jar of Water, so letting it stand a while, then strain the Bread from it, and with some Chawed Potatoes set it a working, which becomes fit to drink in few days. The English Planters make their Cool Drink of the Juice of Sugarcanes, and Water boiled together, a most pleasant Liquor, and supposed wholesome.  
Of Flesh and Fish they receive Constant Supplies from New-England, Virginia, and other places, though the Woods and Rivers are not unfurnished of sufficient quantities, but the incessant Rains, and overflows of water hinder their being taken Considerably, save in the day time, when no body need Complain of Want that can but take a little pains to Catch it. The Fish may justly be reputed Comparable to ours, but, a not very Curious Palate may easily discern, how much better the Flesh of England is, than the same kinds in those hotter Countries, that breed there, being observed to be for the most part, flashy and insipid: Hogs only excepted, which are far better and sweeter than amongst us.  
At one time of the year also are taken Tortoises, (not those whose Shells are so highly valued here) upon the Sea-Coast, weighing two or three hundred pounds a piece. The Females are Accounted best, who have commonly a Peck of Eggs at once in their Bellies, each as big as a Hens, but hardly so good, which they come out of the Water to lay in the Sand, where they Cover and leave them to be hatched by the Sun's heat: The Flesh of these Salted, I think, nothing but an invincible necessity can plead for; but fresh, 'tis Cried up by some for a most excellent Dish, though, for my part, I am prone to believe otherwise: The Taste is not un-pleasant, but it was always most offensive to my Stomach, which is none of the nicest; and it cannot but yield a very gross and slimy nourishment, because of its sudden aptness to Putrefaction, not being preservable from Stinking, without Salt, above two hours after 'tis killed. Sheep will by no means thrive there, being a Creature, I suppose, more appropriated to Cold and Dry, than Hot and Moist Countries. Beefs like the place well, especially by the Seaside, but the Stock is not yet grown numerous enough to find overmuch Employment for a Butcher. Hog's would increase infinitely, did not the Bats Retard it, by Biting off their Teats.   

CHAP. IU. Of the Birds  
WHICH generally both for Beauty and Goodness, may, I believe, Claim Priority from most in the World: But the Philomela's warbling Throat is wanting to all, in those too savage Mansions for so sweet a Guest. The Birds there, making no other Harmony, but in horror, one howling, another schreiching; a third, as 'twere, groaning and lamenting; all agreeing in their ill-Consorted Voices to Represent the dismal Yell of a Hellbred Choir: But what is wanting in their Music (which Contributes nothing to real uses) is more than Compensated by their other Excellencies. Duck, Teal, Widgeon, Plover, Snite, Pheasant, Partridge, etc. far bigger, and every whit as good as any here, are there frequent in all places. Parrots also are more Common than Jackdaws in England; And, upon the Sea-Coast, are a kind of Fowl (whose Name I don't remember) so tall, that at a distance, they appear like Companies of men, upon the Sand, and coming nearer, their glittering feathered Armours (of so pure a Scarlet as no Art can equal) almost dazzle the greedy Eyes of the Beholders. Exceeding these, for Beauty, (though of far different magnitude, being not bigger than some Humblebee) is a Bird in the Woods, which turning several ways, presents as many of the most delightful Colours to the Eyes, and so lively, as can possibly be imagined: 'tis called a Hummingbird, and like a Bee, gathers its nourishment from Flowers. There is another kind of Black Bird which hangs its Nest like a Pursnet, at the ends of Boughs, to secure it from the Roguish Monkeys, who would be otherwise pulling it to pieces. A great deal might be spoken more Commendatory, at least more Curious, upon this Subject, by some body, whose Observations were intended, not, like mine, taken, as it were, by chance, and without a thought of rendering them more Public, then by Cursory, and Verbal Repetitions to Familiars. I would have added something of the Bat, but it being disputable whether it belongs to Birds or Beasts, I refer it to my Description of things hurtful, being a place more proper for it than either of the former, with which, Surinam is so well and variously stored, that I think no place whatsoever, can, with more Reason, brag of its Excellency in this kind, and it is almost as easy to enumerate the Stars of Heaven as their several Species. But I'll trespass no further upon the Reader's Patience than to give a short Description of such, as are accounted most remarkable, and which my Memory presents to me on a sudden: Those are Dear, Hares, Coneys, Armadillaes', Hogs, Buffalloes', Ant-Bears, Tigers, etc. The Inhabitants of the Trees are Baboons, Quottoes, Monkeys, Marmazetts, Cusharees, Sloths, and many more, I have forgotten. The Deer are much like our ordinary ones in England. The Hares more resemble a Pig, than any other Creature that I know, they are Brown, Smooth-haired, Spotted with white, and are far bigger than an English-Hare, which, beside the mouth, they have no part like: They are excellent good meat, much better than any  Game in England. The Coneys are red, not so good meat, and less than the Hares, but not differing in Shape. The Armadillaes' are of two kinds, great, and little; of the greater, I saw one weighed Eighty Pounds. They are short Legged, have three Claws upon their feet, are Headed like a Hog, have no Teeth, and but very little Mouths, they are defended all over, save the Head and Belly, with an Armour as it were plated, scarce penetrable by a Lance, unless it happen in a Joint, they Burrow in the ground, and had they not quite so strong a Smell of Musk, would be no Contemptible meat. Of the Hogs, there are three kinds, one lives like an Otter, for the most part in the water, and is much commended, but it was never my luck to see any of that sort. The other two are called the Pakeera, and Pinko; the first, has the Navel growing upon his Back, he is of a grey Colour, and about the bigness of an English Shoot of six Months old, is indifferent good meat. The Pinko is near as big, and every whit as good as ours. The Buffalloe, is reported to be as big as a Bullock of two years old, and almost as good meat, but I cannot give him a particular Description, because it was never my hap to see one all the while I continued there, they having been rarely observed to come so low as where I dwelled in that Country. The Ant-Bear, is about the bigness of an ordinary Hog, of a black and grey Colour, having a Long-Brush-Tail like a Fox, or Squirrel, with which, he shelters his whole Body from the Rain, his Head is small, his Snout about a foot long from his Eyes, he has no Teeth, and a Mouth not big enough to thrust in two fingers, his Tongue is round, and small, which he can put out a foot beyond his Mouth to lick in Aunts, never feeding upon any thing else; he is very strong, especially in his Foreparts, and has sharp Claws above an Inch and a half long, with which, he can strike dangerously, but his Pace is slow, and therefore easily avoided; his flesh is none of the Sweetest, but if well sauced with hunger, it will down. Of the Tigers there are three kinds, Black, Spotted, and Red; The first is accounted fiercest, but he very seldom appears amongst the Dwellings. The Spotted, which I think are miscalled, being rather Leopards, than Tigers, do no little hurt to Plantations, by destroying the Cattle, and Poultry. They are of so vast a strength, that one of them will make nothing to leap over a five or six foot Rail, with a Hog in his Mouth. There was once one came into a Plantation, killed a Bull of two years old, and dragged him above a quarter of a Mile into the Woods. Unless they be wounded, or very hungry, they will hardly assault a man in the day time. I never heard of above two or three they have killed one way or other, since the settling of the Colony: one of them (who was a Huntsman and a lusty Fellow) was often heard to wish he could meet with a Tiger, and made it a great Complaint in all his Searches through the Woods, it was never his good fortune; at length, one night, lying in his Hamacko, in an open House, a Tiger comes, takes him up, and carries him two miles into the Woods, in vain Crying for help, which was heard by an Englishwoman in a Close House hard by, who had so much Courage (more than is usual in her Sex) to fire a Musket from the Window; but those who have had to do with them know, it is not noise only can scare a Tiger from his Prey: the Man was found next day with his Head and Shoulders eaten off; they are observed to be not so numerous now as formerly, partly retireing further into the Woods, and a great many having been taken by the Hunters. There is one John Millar, who has killed no fewer than a dozen or fourteen, singly with his Gun and Lance, from some miraculously escaping with his Life, and having been dangerously hurt by others. There are not many of the Red, and those not so fierce as either of the former. In the Woods, are a great many Land Tortoise, but not so big by more than three quarters, as the Sea ones, their Shells are so hard, and strong, that a Laden Cart may go over and not crush them, in which being otherwise defenceless, they secure themselves from any Enemies, but Men and Tigers: The first, breaking up their Lodgings with an Axe; the other, with his Teeth: They'll eat almost any thing, and are by the Planters preserved in Pens a great many together, to make use of when they please, being reputed none of the Coursest dishes there. There are also Porcupines shaped almost like our English Hedgehogs, but larger, and Armed all over with Black and White Quills about two handfuls long, and sharp as Needles, which Nature has taught them too shoot from their sides, with admirable Dexterity against a Coming Enemy.  
Monkeys, and Baboons, are so familiarly known in England, they need not a particular Description here; though one thing of the Baboons, wherein, I think, they differ from all others, I cannot omit inserting, which is, that at certain hours both of the night and day, they send so horrid a Roreing from their hollow Throats, that, to those un-wonted to such noises, nothing can seem at first more strange, and terrible, being easily to be heard above two miles off. The Marmazet is a very pretty Creature of a greenish yellow Colour, and, though far less than a Monkey, is Commander of all those lofty Dwellers, riding them from Tree to Tree at his pleasure, they not being able to shake him off, and in stead of Spurs, to provoke their speed, he bites them by the Ears. The Quotto is black, something bigger than a Monkey, having a very long tail, with which he swings himself from Bough to Bough, his Face is Red, with hair hanging a little over his Forehead, and his Aspect is almost like an old Indian-womans', his Cry is shrill, and very loud. The Cusharee is black, less than a Marmazet, and shaped every way perfectly like a Lyon. The Sloth is a Creature so called from the dulness of his nature, somewhat bigger than a Baboon, and of various Colours, he is so stupid, that neither shouts nor blows will make him mend his pace considerably, which one may imagine is none of the swiftest, when if not disturbed, he'll make it a days Journey in Climbing up a Tree, from whence, he rarely descends, till there is nothing left to feed upon, and then, moved more by necessity than Choice, he very gravely travels down that, and up another, where he sits Spending those Idle hours, which are not many he can spare from eating, and sleep, in whistling such tunes as himself is too lazy (and, I believe, no body else would think good enough) to Dance after.  
This is but a taste of what another (whose humours were not so volatile as mine) might frame into a Banquet: though I am persuaded the most serious observer might Continue there, almost seven years together, and yet be always finding some Creature or other he had not met withal before, and not much less worthy of his notice, than any I have named.   

CHAP. V Of the Fruits  
WHich are Oranges, Limmons, Limbs, Pomcitrons, both Water, and Musk- Melons, with some Grapes; all which are forced, not natural to the Country, though as good, and thrive as well there as in any other place. Those originally found there, are Plantons, Bonanoes, Semerrimars, Guavers, Pines, and abundance of Wild Trash, which, perhaps if Transplanted, might prove not so Contemptible as they now are. The Planton I have already spoken of, from which the Bonano is little different, but rather the better of the two, though neither of them, in my opinion, very pleasing. The Semerrimarre grows upon a pretty tall Tree, 'tis almost like a Peach, woolly on the outside, and is not to be eaten till rotten, when, the taste is not unlike to that of Marmalade of Quince. The Guaver is about the bigness of a Medlar, yellow, and full of Seeds, 'tis truly a most delicious fruit, and when quite ripe, tastes very like a Strawberry: it grows upon small Trees, commonly in Savanna's, or Pastures. The Pine, or rather the Prince of Fruits, is ordinarily eight or nine inches about, and a foot in length, the outside is green and chequered; and within yellow, juicy, and full of holes, like a Honeycomb; on the Top it has a fair Coronet of Leaves, as 'twere denoting its Supremacy; nor do I think it a Usurper, being incomparably the best, and most beautiful that ever I saw or tasted: it grows upon a small Bush, about four foot high, the Stalk coming from the root like an Artichoke: the Crown being cut off and planted, bears again in ten months.   

CHAP. VI Of the Commodities  
WHich are Sugar, Speckle-wood, Cotton, Tobacco, Indigo, Gums, and Dying-woods: of Sugar very considerable quantities are made, & accounted generally better by Ten per Cent. than that of Barbadoes. Speckle-wood is also plentiful enough, and has been sold in England equal to the price of Sugar, but by its too great and frequent Importations, 'tis now become of less value. Cotton does not thrive so well there as in Barbadoes, and other Islands, by reason as 'tis supposed, of the excessive Rains, and too far distance from the Sea, from whence arises a brackish Dew, that keeps off Caterpillars, and other things offensive to the Bushes. Tobacco thrives well, and is reputed much better than that of Virginia: for my part, I am no , and therefore an incompetent Judge of either: I think there is not yet more made than what serves the occasions of the Colony; the People, Men, Women, and Children, being very much addicted to the Pipe. Indigo has yet been but little experienced. Rum is a Spirit extracted from the Juice of Sugarcanes, commonly, twice as strong as Brandy, called Kill-Divel in New-England, whither 'tis sold, at the rate of Twelve pounds of Sugar per Gallon. Molasses relates also to Sugar, being that which drops from it, while 'tis Cureing, and is the same commonly sold in England for Treacle. The Gums yet most familiarly known there, are Montagne, and Gumma Semnia, neither of which our Drugster's are unacquainted with; they are both easily procurable, and no doubt many more excellent, which time and experience will bring to light. There's also Cassia Fistula in abundance, and a kind of Balsam distilling from a Tree, accounted second to none for a Green Hurt. Nor are Dying-Woods wanting, but more minded by the Dutch than English.   

CHAP. VII. Of the Plantations,  
WHich are in all about five hundred, whereof Forty or Fifty have sugar-works, yielding no small profit to the Owners, for a slight Disbursement, considering how brave a Revenue, if prudently managed, may be raised from it in a few years: far larger (if no Contingency divert the ordinary Course of things) than is usually produced from a greater foundation, and more Continued Industry in England.  
The Seasons for Felling down the Wood are between April and August, it being left upon the Ground to dry till about the latter end of September, when, 'tis burnt, and the Soil enriched with its Ashes. Indian-Corn and Canes are planted upon the Lower-Grounds. Yames and other Provisions upon that which is higher. The Corn grows upon a Stalk like a Reed, commonly six or seven foot high, and two Ears upon a Stalk: The Grain is about the bigness of a Pea, which becomes ripe in four Months. They have two Crops in a year, and the Increase is at least five hundred for one. Canes become fit to break in Twelve Months when they are about six foot high, and as thick as a Man's Wrist: They bear a Top like a Flag, which being Cut off, and the Canes squeezed through a Mill, the Juice is boiled in Coppers to a competent thickness, and then poured into Wooden Pots made broad and square at the top, and tapered to the compass of a Sixpence at the Bottom with a Hole through, which is stopped with a little stick, till the Sugar gins to be cold, and stiffened; when 'tis pulled out, and by that Passage, the Molasses drains from it; and being Cured a while after this manner, is knocked out into Hogsheads, and so shipped off.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the Negroes or Slaves,  
WHO are most brought out of Guiny in Africa to those parts, where they are sold like Dogs, and no better esteemed but for their Work sake, which they perform all the Week with the severest usages for the slightest fault, till Saturday after noon, when, they are allowed to dress their own Gardens or Plantations, having nothing but what they can produce from thence to live upon; unless perhaps once or twice a year, their Masters vouchsafe them, as a great favour, a little rotten Saltfish: Or if a Cow or Horse die of itself, they get Roast-meat: Their Lodging is a hard Board, and their black Skins their Covering. These wretched miseries not seldom drive them to desperate attempts for the Recovery of their Liberty, endeavouring to escape, and, if like to be retaken, sometimes lay violent hands upon themselves; or if the hope of Pardon bring them again alive into their Master's power, they'll manifest their fortitude, or rather obstinacy in suffering the most exquisite tortures can be inflicted upon them, for a terror and example to others without shrinking. They are there a mixture of several Nations, which are always Clashing with one another, so that no Conspiracy can be hatching, but 'tis presently detected by some party amongst themselves disaffected to the Plot, because their Enemies have a share in't: They are naturally treacherous and bloody, and practise no Religion there, though many of them are Circumcised: But they believe the Ancient Pythagorean Error of the Soul's Transmigration out of one body into another, that when they die, they shall return into their own Countries and be Regenerated, so live in the World by a Constant Revolution; which Conceit makes many of them over-fondly woo their Deaths, not otherwise hoping to be freed from that indeed unequalled Slavery.   

CHAP. IX. Of things there Venomous and Hurtful.  
THE propagating heat (and paucity of Inhabitants in that Country to keep them under) has I suppose occasioned its Swarming with so many several kinds of Vermin, as render the Being's of Men in some measure dangerous, troublesome, and unpleasant: Those most familiarly taken notice of, are Snakes, Crocodiles, Scorpions, Bats, Aunts, Musketoes, Toads, and Frogs; of Snakes, 'tis certain there has been some killed near Thirty foot long, and of a greatness proportionable to their length: I know some people are so foolishly incredulous in things of this Nature, that they will believe nothing which cannot be visibly demonstrated within the Limits of their own Thresholds; therefore, for fear of being thought to use the Authority of a Traveller, I dare not repeat how huge a Morsel one of them will swallow at a time: But far less danger resides in one of those huge Creatures, than their presence may seem to threaten; for they are not at all venomous, and especially when full, very unwieldy: These belong properly to the Water, though sometimes they pray by Land: what ever they take is by Surprise, never by plain glideing; nor have I ever heard of any man yet, was so much a Fool, to be Cheated out of his Life by so evitable a mischief: But the lesser kinds which are too too numerous, are a great deal rather to be feared, being many of them so poisonous, as nothing can be more, as was once or twice woefully experienced, not only killing, but the Flesh in less than a day's space, dropping by Peice-meal from the Bones of them who were bitten: Some are all over diversified with Beautiful and Lively Colours, under which Gallantry is generally observed to Lie hidden the most deadly poison. Others are knotty, with Horns in their Tails, and Tusks two Inches long upon the upper Chap. Crocodiles there are too, but those neither very numerous nor large, they need not take up the room of a Description here, their Skins being so commonly to be seen in England, in almost every Apothecary's Shop. The Scorpion is black, and almost like a Craw-fish, he lurks for the most part amongst dry Wood or Corn, his Sting is in his Tail, with which, who ever is stricken, will be vexed with most intolerable torture for some hours, but it reaches not the life: The ordinary Remedy to allay the fierceness of the misery, is taken from the thing itself being killed, and bruised upon the place. The Eats are found to be not a little noxious both to Men and Beasts, in the night drawing away their Blood, and so easily, that the loss is not perceivable, till it be past prevention, which (if I was not misinformed) has forced several people to forsake their Dwellings, to save that little blood they had, which would have been otherwise sucked out. Some seem as big as Pigeons in their flight, and, as I have already mentioned, are the only Impediments to the English Hogs more numerous increase in that Country. The Aunts, though but little Creatures, yet they are so many and hurtful, that than them, Surinam has scarce a greater trouble; very Sandy grounds have always the largest share of their annoyance, which poor men, who have happened upon such Soils, and have had no more Servants than themselves, have found so constant and insuperable, that in spite of all their endeavours to destroy them, they have been compelled to desert their Plantations, which otherwise they would have ruined, and settle in some better place. The Muskeeta is a kind of Gnat, in the night so restlessly vexatious, by Biting & Raising little Swelings in the flesh in all the lower places of the Country, but chief by the Seaside, where 'tis most overflown Marish Lands, that Fishermen for Rest-sake, have been fain to Cover themselves all over, save the Mouth and Eyes in the Sand. Toads and Frogs, the Scare-Crows of Women, like those amongst the Egyptians, are frequent in all places, as well of the Houses, as in the Fields; and in an Evening after a Shower of Rain, their Noises are so loud, that a man can hardly hear himself speak, and the Croaking of some of them are so horrid, that do but imagine the latest Groans of a Dying person, and you have it. Thus much is the worst can be justly spoken of Surinam, though its Contrary Blessings and advantages are of far greater weight; nor are these mischiefs so Considerable, but that Experience has taught infallible and absolute Remedies for some, and safe evasions may easily be found for others.   

CHAP. X. Of the Indians  
WHO are a People Cowardly and Treacherous, qualities inseparable: there are several Nations which Trade and familiarly Converse with the People of the Colony, but those they live amongst are the Charibes, or Cannibals, who are more numerous than any of the rest, and are settled upon all the Islands, & in most of the Rivers, from the famous one of Amazons, to that of Oronoque: They go wholly naked, save a Flap for Modesty, which the Women, after having had a Child or two, throw off. Their Skins are of an Orange Tawny Colour, and their Hair black, without Curls: A happy people as to this World, if they were sensible of their own hap: Nature with little toil providing all things which may serve her own necessities. The Women are generally lascivious, and some so truly handsome, as to Features and Proportion, that if the most Curious Symetrian had been there, he could not but subscribe to my opinion: and their pretty Bashfulness (especially while Virgins) in the presence of a Stranger, adds such a Charming grace to their perfections (too nakedly exposed to every wanton Eye) that who ever lives amongst them had need be owner of no less than Joseph's Continency, not at least to Covet their embraces: They have been yet so unfortunately ignorant, not to enrich their amorous Caresses with that innocent and warm delight of Kissing, but Conversing so frequently with Christians, and being naturally docile and ingenious, we have Reason to believe, they will in time be taught it. Their Houses for the night, are low thatched Cottages, with the Eves close to the ground; for the day, they have higher, and open on every side, to defend them from the violence of the Sun's Rays, yet letting in the grateful Coolness of the Air. Their Household Utensils are curiously painted Earthen Pots and Platters, and their Nappery is the Leaves of Trees. Their Beds or Hamackoes (which are also used amongst the English) are made of Cotton, square like a Blanket, and so ordered with strings at each end, that being tied a Convenient distance from one another, it opens the full breadth. For Bread and Drink, they plant Gardens of Cassader, and the Woods and Rivers are their constant Suppeditories of Flesh and Fish. For ornament they Colour themselves all over into neat works, with a red Paint called Anotta, which grows in Cod upon small Trees, and the Juice of certain Weeds; they bore holes also through their Noses, Lips, and Ears, whereat they hang glass Pendants, Pieces of Brass, or any such like Baubles their Service can procure from the English; they Load their Legs, Necks, and Arms too, with Beads, Shells of Fishes, & almost any trumpery they can get; they have no Law nor Government but Oeconomical, living like the Patriarches of old, the whole Kindred in a Family, where the eldest Son always succeeds his Father as the greatest; yet they have some more than ordinary persons, who are their Captains, and lead them out to Wars, whose Courage they first prove, by sharply Whipping them with Rods, which if they endure bravely without Crying, or any considerable motion, they are acknowledged gallant fellows and honoured by the less hardy. These Chiefs or Heads of Families, have commonly three or four Wives a piece, others but one, who may indeed more properly be term d their Vassals than Companions, being no less subjected to their Husbands than the meanest Servants amongst us are to their Masters, the Men rarely oppress their Shoulders with a Burden, the Women carry all, and are so very humble and observant in their Houses, that at Meals, they always wait upon their Husbands, and never eat till they have done; when a Woman is delivered of her first Child, she presently goes about her business as before, and the Husband feigns himself distempered, and is hanged up to the Ridge of the House in his Homacko, where he continues certain days dieted with the Bread and Water of Affliction, then, being taken down, is stung with Aunts (a punishment they usually inflict upon their Women, Dogs, or Children, when they are foolish, for that's the term they usually put upon any misdemeanours) and a lusty drinking Bout is made at the Conclusion of the Ceremony. Their Language sounds well in the expression, but is not very easy to be learned, because many single Words admit of divers Senses, to be distinguished only by the tone or alteration of the voice. When any Martial Expedition is resolved upon, the General, or chief Captain, summons the Towns and Families to Assemble by a Stick with so many Notches in't, as he intends days before he sets out, which when they have received, they cut out every day one, till all are gone, and by that only they know the expiration of the time, for their Numbers exceed not twenty, which they want Names for too, but express them by their Fingers and Toes, which they will sometimes double, and triple, but their Arithmetic is quickly at a loss, and then they Cry out Ounsa awara that is, like the Hair of ones Head, innumerable. They go to Sea in canoas or Boats bravely painted, made of one entire piece, being Trees cut hollow like a Trough, and some so large, that they'll carry five or six Tons of Goods at once. Their Arms are Bows, with poisoned Arrows, and short Clubs of Speckle-wood, some, for Defence, carry Shields made of light wood, handsomely painted and engraved. They observe no Order in their Fight, nor, unless upon very great advantages, enterprise any thing but by night. The men they take Prisoners, they put to Death with the most barbarous Cruelties a Coward can invent for an Enemy in his power. Women and Children they preserve for Slaves, and sell them for Trifles to the English. They did once Cut off some French in Surinam, and made several Attempts upon the English at their first Settling, which were always frustrated, and they sound smarted for their folly: now the Colony is grown potent they dare not but be humble. They are highly sensible of an Injury amongst themselves, and will, if possible have Revenge at one time or other, which they always effect by treachery, and dare never Assault a Man to his Face. They have no Religion amongst them that ever I could perceive, though they'll talk of a Captain of the Skies, but neither worship him nor any other. They have some knowledge of the Devil, whom they call Yarakin, and their Impostors, or, as they call them Peeys, make them believe they frequently Converse with him, whether they do so really or no, I know not, however, it serves to scare the rest, and makes think, Death, or any Misfortune proceeds immediately from him. They have also a glimpse of an after Life, in which shall be Rewards and Punishments for the good and bad, but are wiser than to pretend to any certain knowledge of what, or where. The belief of the Peeies' familiarity with the Devil, and skill in Herbs, to which also they pretend, causes them to be employed by others as Physicians, though they need not be over fond of the Profession, for one of them being sent for to a Sick Person, and, that, notwithstanding his Charms and Fooleries the Patient die, the surviving friends, if he be not the more wary, will give the poor Doctor Death also for his Fee. They burn the Dead Body, and with it, all the Goods he was Master of in the World, which are combustible, and what is not, (as Ironwork) they'll destroy by some other means, that no necessaries may be wanting in the other life: and, if he had any Slaves they are killed also, to attend him there. They solemnise the Funeral with a drunken Feast and confused Dancing (in which they are frequent and excessive) while some Woman of nearest kin to the deceased, sits by, and in a doleful howling tune, lamentably deplores the loss of her Relation.  
Hast, and an unfaithful Memory, made me omit an Observation, in my opinion, very remarkable, and for which, I want a greater reason than my own, to give me satisfaction. I have said the Warmth and Moisture causes a constant Verdancy and Flourishing of Plants in Surinam, holding true not only in all Trees natural to that Country, but also in Transplanted Vines which bear there twice a year; yet this Exception I observed in an European Appletree, which, notwithstanding the equality of Seasons, always shed its Leaves, and continued bare after the usual manner in its Native Soil all our Winter Months, and grew green again in Spring: But how it comes to pass, that the Heat and Moisture of that Climate should not Cause in that Tree an Assimilation with the rest (aswel those transplanted as natural to that Country, since they say the spirit of Nature is universally diffusive) I leave the Virtuosos to dispute.   
FINIS.   

Books sold by Nath. Brooke Stationer and Bookseller in Gresham-Colledge, at the Sign of the Angel in the second yard from Bishopsgate-street going into the Exchange.  
FAX nova Linguae Latinae. A new Torch to the Latin Tongue, much enlarged for the use of all Gentlemen and Scholars whatsoever, in order to their ready Writing and Speaking Latin purely and elegantly by Paul Jaz Bereny Hungaria Transylvania Teacher of a Grammar-School in London.  
A new Nomenclatura in English and Latin for the benefit and help of young Latin Scholars; by the same Author.  
A Survey of the Turkish Empire, History, and Government: Being an Exact Discovery of what is worthy of Knowledge or any way satisfactory to Curiosity in that Mighty Nation.  
A Compendious Chronicle of the Kingdom of Portugal, from Alfonso the first King, to Alfonso the Sixth now reigning.  
A Description of England▪ or the several Counties and Shires thereof, briefly handled. Some things also premised to set forth the Glory of this Nation. By Edw. Leigh M. A. and Author of the Books called The body of Divinity. Et Critica Sacra.