in beautiful ranks, gradually rising one above another. A sheet of water, transparent as crystal, conforming itself to the flight of steps, overspreads their surface; and, as the rays of light or sunshine play between the waving branches of the trees, it descends glittering with a thousand variegated tints.

The incrustation in many parts is sufficiently solid to bear the weight of a man: in others it is so thin, that some persons, whose curiosity induced them to venture too far, found themselves suddenly plunged up to the waist in a cold bath. The sides of the cisterns, or reservoirs, are formed by broken boughs and limbs incrusted over; and they are supported by the trunks of trees, promiscuously growing between them. The cisterns themselves are always full of water, which trickles down from one upon another; and although several of them are six or seven feet deep, the spectator may clearly discern whatever lies at the bottom. The lamina which envelop them are in general half an inch thick. To a superficial observer, their sides have the appearance of stone; but upon breaking any of them, there is found either a bough between the two incrusting coats, or a vacant space which a bough had once filled, but which, having mouldered away after a great length of time, had left the cavity. After dancing over these innumerable cisterns, the pellucid element divides itself into two currents; and then falling in with other neighbouring rivulets, composes several smaller but very beautiful falls. In fine, though verbal description is inadequate, it is hoped that the Plate annexed will convey some tolerable idea of this admirable workmanship of the Divine Architect.

The other cascade, though so named by the inhabitants, may be more properly denominated a cataract, similar to that of the Rhine, at Schaffhausen, in Switzerland. It proceeds from the White River, which is of considerable magnitude; and, after a course of about twelve miles among the mountains, precipitates its waters in a fall of about three hundred feet, obliquely measured, with such a hoarse and thundering noise, that it is distinctly heard at a very great distance. Through the whole descent, it is broken and interrupted by a regular succession of steps, formed by a stalactite matter, incrusted over a kind of soft chalky stone, which yields easily to the chisel. Such a vast discharge of water, thus wildly agitated by the steepness of the fall, dashing and foaming from step to step, with all the impetuosity and rage peculiar to this element, exhibits an agreeable, and at the same time an awful scene. The grandeur of this spectacle is also astonishingly increased by the fresh supplies which the torrent receives after the rainy seasons. At those periods,. the roaring of the flood, reverberated from the adjacent rocks,

trees, and hills; the tumultuous violence of the cataract rolling down with unremitting fury; and the gloom of the overhanging wood, contrasted with the soft serenity of the sky, the brilliancy of the spray, the flight of birds soaring over the lofty summits of the mountains, and the placid surface of the bason, at a little distance from the foot of the fall, form an accumulation of objects, most happily blended together, and beyond the power of words to express. To complete this animating picture drawn by the hand of Nature, or rather of nature's God, a considerable number of tall and stately trees, beautifully_intermixed, rise gracefully from the margin on each side. The bark and foliage of these trees are diversified by a variety of lovely tints. And from the bason itself, two elegant trees, of the palm species, appear like two straight columns erected in the water, and towering towards the sky; planted at such equal distances from the banks on each side, that the hand of art could not have effected, by rule, more exactness and propriety in the positions.

Another celebrated curiosity in this parish is, the wonderful grotto near Dry Harbour, about fourteen miles west from St. Anne's Bay. It is situated at the foot of a rocky hill, under which it runs a considerable way: it then branches into several adits, some of which penetrate so far, that no person has yet ventured to discover their termination. The entrance has a truly Gothic appearance. It exhibits the perpendicular front of a rock, having two arched entrances about twenty feet asunder, which seem as if they had been formerly door-ways. In the centre of the rock, between these portals, is a natural niche, about four feet in height, and as many from the ground. In this niche, it is conjectured, that a Madona was placed at some early period of time; especially as there is a small excavation in the form of a bason at the foot of the niche, projecting a little beyond the surface of the rock, and seeming to be a proper reservoir for the holy-water of the Roman Catholics. But this idea implies the workmanship of art, and that the grotto was anciently inhabited; neither of which circumstances is to be traced in Long's detailed description of the interior recesses, which does not materially differ from the descriptions of other grottos and subterraneous cavities in various parts of the globe.

This parish is in a course of progressive improvement, which is capable of being carried to a great extent, by the cultivation of its waste lands. Comparatively speaking, Jamaica, like many other portions of the New World, is yet in a state of infancy; and though it has made rapid advances towards maturity, much yet remains undone. To combine the powers of the soil with those of the climate, and to make them both subserve the im

portant purposes of life, require a portion of time which rarely accompanies the life of man.

The internal resources of the island are certainly considerable, and the advantages of its situation are become an artificial source of wealth. Happy would it be if, in the midst of surrounding affluence and plenty, it could be added, that the gratitude of its white inhabitants kept an equal pace with the daily blessings which they derive from God! Happier still would it be, if the infinite love of Jesus Christ were felt in all its ani mating influences! Happy would it be for them, if they knew, in the day of their visitation, the things which belong to their endless peace

CHAP. IX.

HISTORY OF JAMAICA.

County of Surry-description of Kingston; its public edifices, con veniences, and advantages-Port Royal; its calamities, present condition, and means of defence-parochial divisions, advan tages; variety of productions; natural curiosities, and medicinal

waters.

THE COUNTY OF SURRY.

Description of Kingston, the county town; and of its other towns and parishes, &c.

THIS county comprises seven parishes, and ten towns and

villages, or hamlets, of which Kingston is not only the county town, but likewise a distinct and the first parish. Its geographical situation is in 17° 59 north latitude; and 76° 34 west longitude from Greenwich. It has been already noticed, that this town owed its foundation to the almost total destruction of Port Royal by dreadful earthquakes and fires. This calamity obliged the inhabitants to flee to this district in 1692, and to erect new habitations for themselves, their families and dependants, in the course of the following year, on the spot where the improved and greatly enlarged city now stands. The original plan was drawn by Colonel Lilly, a very able military and civil engineer. The town is one mile in length, and half a mile in breadth. It is laid out in thirty-five streets, traversing each other at right angles. It has, besides, a great number of lanes, alleys, and passages; on which are finished, according to a late account, nearly two thousand handsome houses, occupied by the white inhabitants; exclusively of those of the people of colour, and the negro huts; making in all about four thousand large and small buildings. The present number of the whites is estimated at seven thousand; and the total of both sexes, and of all complexions and conditions, amounts to nearly twenty-seven thousand. In general, the houses, especially in the upper part of the town, are much superior to those of Spanish Town. Some of them are really sumptuous, being two or three stories high, with a convenient arrangement of cham