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EX
J: Osborne 1740
-
LIBRIS
LUCIUS L HUBBARD
}
Iohn Dennett,
Hubbard
Imag. Voy.
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560
L523
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1

JOS
TRIA
LSOS
&c.
A New
VOYAGE
TO THE
Eaft-Indies
BY
FRANCIS LEGUAT
AND
His Companions.
Containing their
ADVENTURE 9 in two Defart Iſlands,
And an Account of the moft Remarkable
Things in Maurice Ifland, Batavia, at the
Cape of Good Hope, the Iſland of St. He-
lena, and other Places in their Way to and
from the Defart Ifles.
Adorn'd with MAP Sand FIGURES,
LONDON:
Printed for R. Bonwicke, W. Freeman, Tim. Goodwin,
J. Waltboe, M.Wotton, S. Manfhip, J. Nicholson, B.Tooke,
R. Parker, and R. Smith. MDCCVII.
1
1-8661924
To the moft Honourable
HENR Y,
Marquefs of KENT,
Earl of Harrold, and Viſcount Goderich,
Lord Chamberlain of Her Majefty's
Houfhold, Lord Lieutenant of the
County of Hereford, and one of the
Lords of Her Majefty's moft Ho-
nourable Privy Council,
MY LORD,
Th
HE only Excufe the Tran-
flator of this Voyage has to
make Your Lordship, for prefu-
ming to put your Name before it,
is that he found it in the Origi-
nal, and hop'd your Lordship, who
has diffinguiſh'd your ſelf by your
Humanity and Love of the Belles
A 2
1
Let-
1
}
The Dedication.
Lettres, will be as well pleas'd to
fee it in an Engliſh, as in a French
Drefs. The Original'tis true, has
the advantage of being known to
more Nations, and the Spreading
your Lordships Fame, was a Justice
the Language of our Enemies on'd
to the many bighQualities that have
plac'd you in one of the firſt Poſts of
the British Empire, and one of the
nearest to Her Majefties Sacred
Perfon and Favour. I cou'd not
bave forgiv'n my felf, if any Fo
reigner fhou'd have shewn more Re-
Spect for your Lordship than an En-
glifhman, or if a Traveller in
rude and defolate Islands fhould be
more ambitious of your Protection
than one who has had the honour at
other times to frequent the deli-
¿
་་
?
cious
The Dedication.
}
cious Plains of Parnaffus, a Re-
gion that is immediately under your
Lordships Government, and that
bas vifibly flourish'd, fince you have
condefcended to make it a part of
your Care, which is otherwife more
nobly employ'd for the Service of
the beſt of Princes, and the best of
Countries. Let it be faid my
Lord; Notwithstanding our unbap-
py Diviſions, against which all your
Lordships moderate Councels have
vigorously declar'd, and endea-
vour'd to unite us all in our Duty
to Her Majefty, and Peace among
our felves; but Divifion is fo
natural to Mankind, that who can
hope to fee an end of it in his Time?
We find the folitary Inhabitants of
Rodrigo bad their Debates and
Dif-
The Dedication.
#
Difputes; and 7 Men united by
common Intereft, and common Dan-
ger, were divided by their Paffions.
May Your Lordships eminent
Worth always meet with the Pro-
fperity it deferves, may it never
be wrong'd by Jealousy, nor reach'd
by Envy, too Common in this de-
generate Age, to the prejudice of
the most Heroick Virtue. This
my Lord will always be the bear-
ty Prayer of
Your Lordships moft Humble,
moft Obedient,
and moft Devoted Servant,
诲
​I
A Catalogue of Books newly Printed or am
bout to be Printed, by the Perfons that
print this.
N
EW Voyages to North-America; Contain-
ing an Account of the ſeveral Nations of
that vaft Continent, their Cuftoms, Com-
merce, and way of Navigation upon the
Lakes and Rivers; the feveral Attempts of the English
and French to difpoffefs one another, with the Reafons
of the Miscarriage of the former, and the various Ad-
ventures between the French and Iroquefe Confederates
'of England, from 1683, to 1684. Together with a
Geographical Defcription of Canada, and a Natural
Hiftory of the Country, with Remarks upon their Go-
vernment, and the Intereft of the English and French
in their Commerce: To which is added a Dictionary
of the Algonkine Language, which is generally fpoke
in North-America; illuftrated with Twenty three
Maps and Cuts: Written in French by the Baron La-
hontan, Lord Lieutenant of the French Colony at Pla-
centia in Newfoundland; Now in England. Done into
English in two Volums in Octavo.
A Collection of Voyages undertaken by the Dutch
Haft-India Company for the Improvement of Trade
and Navigation, Containing an Account of feveral At-
tempts to find out the North-Eaft Paffage, and their
Diſcoveries in the Eaft Paffage, and their Difcoveries
in the Eaft-Indies, and the South Seas; together with
an Hiftorical Introduction, giving an Account of the
Rife, Progreſs and Eſtabliſhment of that great Body:
Tranflated into English, and illuftrated with ſeveral
Charts, in Octavo.
A New Voyage to the Levant, Containing an Ac-
count of the moft Remarkable Curiofities in Germany,
France, Malta, and Turkey. By the Sieur Du Mont:
Done into English; the 4th Edition in Octavo.
J
The Solitary or Carthufian Gardiner, Containing
the Method to make and cultivate all ſorts of Gardens,
alſo a compleat Floriſt. Tranflated from the French: In
Octavo.
The
1
A Catalogue of BOOKS:
}
The Roman Hiftory Compleat in 5 Vol. The two
firft done by Mr. Echard, and the three laft continued
by an Accurate Hand: In Octavo.
A Compleat Body of Chirurgical Operations, Con-
taining the whole Practice of Surgery, with Obferva-
tions and Remarks on each Cafe, Illuftrated with Cop-
per Plates By M. De la Vauguion: Done into English.
The 2d Edition: In Octavo.
The Compleat Surgeon, or the whole Art of Sur-
gery explained in a moſt familiar Method: By Mon-
fieur Le Clerc. The 4th Edition Enlarged : In Twelves.
The Anatomy of Human Bodies improv'd, according
to the Circulation of the Blood, and all the Modern
Diſcoveries: By Monfieur Dionis. With an ample Dif-
fertation upon the Nature of Generation, and ſeveral
new Syſtems: In O&avo.
Recreations Mathematical and Phyfical; laying down,
and folving many Profitable and Delightful Problems of
Arethmetick, Geometry, Opticks, Gnomonicks, Cof-
mography, Mechanicks, Phyficks, and Pyrotechny. By
Monfieur Ozanam, Profeffor of the Mathematicks at Pa-
ris. Done into Engliſh, and illuſtrated with ſeveral hun-
dred Cuts: In Octavo, Price 6 s.
Propoſals are alſo offer'd for Printing Mr. Ozanam's
whole Courſe of the Mathematicks in 5 Vol. in Octava.
Done into English by feveral Hands, and each Vol.
illuftrated with feveral hundred Cuts, being much more
Copious, Exact and Uſeful, than any yet done: Any
Perfon that enters his Name with the Proprietors that
print this, and pays 5 s. fhall have a perfect Book when
finiſhed, on paying 17 s. 6 p. more, and their Name
printed before the fame. Price to Subſcribers 1 1. 2 §. 6 d.
to others 30 Shillings.
Propoſals alfo for Printing Mr. Guillim's Diſplay
of Heraldry, carefully Corrected from the Errors in the
former Edition, and enlarg'd near one Third: In large
Folio.
Propoſals alfo for Printing the Gentlemans Recreatie
ons in large Folio, with great Additions throughout,
and one entire Book added, being a compleat Body of
our Forefts, Chace and Game Law, as they are now
in England, with thofe of France, Germany, &c. In large
Folio.
}
I
THE
Author's Preface.
L
ET who will fay what they pleaſe
againſt Prefaces, for my part I al-
1
ways read them with Profit. To de-
prive ones felf of fo neceflary a Thing, is
to leave off a good Faſhion at the peril of
Reaſon and Inftruction: He that expofes a
Work to the Multitude, brings himſelf into
fuch great Danger, let his Defign be ever
fo juft, and the execution of it ever fo per-
fect, that in Prudence he ought to neg-
lect nothing to prepare the minds of his
Readers, and prevent the ill effects of Igno-
rance and Malice: But if the Author do's
this for his own Advantage, the Readers alſo
in my Opinion benefit by it; for by this he
fmooths the way for them. He enlightens
them, and makes feveral things eafy, in
which otherwife they would find a great deal
of Difficulty. Be it as it will, I beg the favour
of you, courteous and juft Reader, to fuffer
me to Difcourfe with you a little before you
turn to the Relation of my Adventures
which I am about to prefent to you,
22
7
When
1
ii
The Author's PREFACE.
When the Companions of my Fortune
and my ſelf embark'd aboard our Ship the
Swallow at Amfterdam, abundance of our
Friends attended us to the Water-fide, and
when they took their leaves of us, they
cry'd as long as they could fee us;
Pray let us hear from you, fend us all the
News you can, and fill your Letters with the
particular Circumstances of your Adventures.
From that very Minute I form'd to my
felf the deſign of giving them Satisfacti-
on. But you will find when you have read
my Hiſtory, that my Defign could not be
executed. After my return, I could neither
refuſe them the demand they made of fee-
ing my Journal, nor excuſe my ſelf from
anſwering a hundred Queſtions they ask'd
concerning things which I had not inferted
in it, but which were however ftill in my
Memory. I have met no Body ever fince
who has not been very Inquifitive, and I
have endeavour'd to fatisfie the curioſity of
my Friends to the utmost of my Power.
Tho' if I may be fo free, I have met with
Perfons who have been fo Importunate, that
they became troublefome with their Inqui-
ries.
To ſave my felf anſwering an infinite num-
ber of Queſtions, and being continually
teaz'd by the like importunity, it one day
came into my Mind, that the beſt way to
do it would be to write down a Relation of
my Voyage and Adventures, and to fhew
it
The Author's PREFACE.
it to thoſe of my Friends and Acquaintance
who defir'd to fee it. Accordingly I wrote
theſe Memoirs, they were preſently feen in
the World, and I fanfy'd I faw in the looks
of thoſe that had read them, when they re-
turn'd them, an air of Content, which I
took for a very good Omen, and was pleas'd
with it. I perceiv'd they intereſted them-
felves in every thing that had happen'd to
Me, and fome of them went fo far as to ſay,
Print them, fear nothing, the Book will be very
Entertaining: A Man Show'd be Modeft, but
not a Coward. There is fomething in them ve-
ry extraordinary and fingular, with which all
the World will be pleas'd. Take your Friends
words for it, and publish them. Thus did they
perfwade me. To which they added one
thing that weigh'd very much with me, and
help'd to overcome the repugnance I had to
Print them; which was their naming to me
a great number of falfe Voyages, and fome
of them ill enough related, which however
went off. Indeed, ſaid I to my felf, there's
fuch a one, and fuch a one, (I can ſcarce
forbear naming fifteen or twenty) fuch a
one, and fuch a one, have had the Impudence
to impofe on the Publick, and their ridicu
lous Falfities have been very well receiv'd,
Why therefore is it not lawful for an honeſt
Man to tell things which are true, and of
which fome ufe may be made. Wretched
Romances, and ill contriv'd Fables, find a
Vent; why may not my true Romance have
as favourable a fate?
2 2
iv
The Author's PREFACE.
1
&
I expect the Critical Reader fhou'd fay
here, there's a manner of expreſſing things':
A Story well told, is read with Pleaſure,
tho' 'tis even a little Romantick or Trivial in
its felf. People are now more earneſt than
ever for perfection of Language. As for
Example, the little Nothings of the Abbot of
Choify in the Voyage to Siam, have an incom-
parable Grace in them, and pleaſe much
more than many other things made of more
precious Materials. We caft Anchor: We made
ready to Sail. The Wind took Courage. Robin
is dead. We faid Mafs. We Vomited. Tho'
they are poor Words any where elſe, yet in
his Book, which is half compos'd of them,
they are Sentences, and the worth of them
is not to be told. His Phrafes are fo fine,
fo pretty, that we fhould be more in love
with them, than with Difcoveries. And
what then can you hope for, you a Country
Gentleman who relate your Affairs groſſo mo-
do, and ſpeak plainly without glofs or dif
guife, what you have feen, or what you have
heard: You are in the wrong to imagine your
Hiftory, tho' true, fingular, nay even moral,
and as political as you pleafe, can enter into
Compariſon with a Book that is well Writ-
ten.
I own all this, I am no Polite Author,
nor indeed any at all. Neither did I ever
believe I cou'd ever fet up for one, till I was
as it were forc'd to give way to Importuni-
ty, which lafted five or fix years.
'Tis true,
and
The Author's PREFACE.
and most true, that I am very far from ha-
ving the Abbot Choify's rare Talent. His
Delicacy is without doubt extream. He
writes politely, and the fine fimplicity of
his, Eafter approaches: His Calm quite flat.
1 fee nothing but Water. The fame Song. To
tell you nothing is a new Ragou, which pleaſes
and Charms, tho' I must indeed own, Thave
not been able to relish it. Perhaps it may be
too high fealon'd for me. Simple and naked
Truth, and the fingularity of our Adven-
tures, are the Body and Soul of my Rela-
tion. But fince the Prince of Roman Elo-
quence has commended Cæfar (or the Au-
thor of his Commentaries) for writing with-
out Artifice or Ornament, I hope I fhall
alfo find Men of a moderate Taft, who
without leffening the extraordinary value
of the Abbot of Choify's admirable Simpli-
city, will readily bear with mine tho' Com-
mon.
+
*
in Paris
There's deceit in this Simplicity, ſo very
fimple; and 'tis very well known the Inha-
bitants of the Republick of Letters, as well
as thoſe of the Friperie, make uſe of ſe- A Place
veral forts of Lights: I know alſo that a Lat- where Se-
tin Cloak is as Convenient as Venerable, and cond-hand
often proves a great help to fuch as have and other
nothing to fay, and yet would raife Admira- sold,
tion; and that the politeness of a gay gal-
lant Stile, and the Convenience of Rimes are
a good cover for many Authors: Juvenal
and Boileau are in the Right to rail at whom.
a 3
they
Cloaths
vi
The Author's PREFACE.
The Name
of an Au-
thor.
they plcafe, as long as they rail in Verfe;
and the moft Scoundrel Rimers find alfo
their Account in their Songs and Lampoons.
If my Voyage was written in Hebrew, I am
very well aflur'd it wou'd at leaſt fucceed as
well as that of Rabbi Benjamin: And if it
was only in Latin interlarded with Greek,
* a la Montfauconne with a word or two of
Arabick to relifh it a little, I ſhould without
doubt have at leaſt Admirers, if I wanted
Readers. For who with Impunity, and even
with Succefs, would publish a hundred ufe-
lefs and impertinent things, a hundred feve-
ral forts of infipid Literature, a hundred Co-
pies of things that have been faid again and
again by others, a hundred Lyes and In-
vectives? if they had not been in Latin,
or in Verfe, they wou'd never have
as they did.
gone off*
There's a certain Reverend Father of our
Acquaintance, whofe Book is full of Faults,
of things ill Chofen, of fhocking Repetiti-
ons, of Trifles, of Pedantick Infolence, of
Injurious and ill-grounded Contradictions;
but then 'tis all in Latin. This Learned
Doctor endeavours to give the World a Re-
lation of his Voyage, in imitation of Father
Mabillon, whofe Scholar he is; and whoſe
Novelty confifting wholly in Catalogues of
Balls and Decretals, and of other Species of
bafe allays, which have been a hundred times
examin'd, and a hundred times confuted
with a Manufcript of poor Vacca, which till
now
The Author's PREFACE.
vii
now was defpis'd by every Body: What
cou'd he do? He cou'd write tolerably in La-
tin, add Rhapſodies to his Trifles, and give
them a Latin Paſs-port, and a Latin
Drefs?
But had he not done better if he had
written in his own Tongue, Judiciouſly, Ci-
villy, Wifely and Briefly? Or rather if he
had not written at all. What had the Tur-
ba Eruditorum, which he explains fo ill, and
yet with fo much Pomp and Variety, to do
with his Journal? There's but very little in
it that deſerves to be publifh'd; and that that
is, may be found in Meff. Trevaux and elfe-
where. Who is concern'd in his German
Quarrel, and his Chimerical Triumph about
St. Mark's Golpel, being written in Latin
with the Apoflles own Hand. If this Fan-
taſtick Monk had told his Reaſons modeſt-
ly; if he had not with as much Rudeness as
Injustice, offended thoſe who never thought
any thing of him, good or ill, and who are
in a condition to Chaſtize him when they
think fit, he had been more Excufable.
As for Me then, I write in French, and in-
plain French, not afpiring to any higher de-
gree of beauty of Stile, than what is necef
fary to be understood, nor to any Superna-
tural Language. I muft defire the Reader to
remember, that it cannot be expected that
a Defart Ifland fhould furnish me with fuch
ample Matter, as Travellers commonly meet
with in the inhabited Countries which they
Vifit.
a 4
+
Vill
The Author's PREFACE.
7
; to
Vifit. I found neither Cities nor Temples,
nor Palaces, nor Cabinets of Rarities, nor
Antique Monuments, nor Academies, nor
Libraries, nor People, on whofe Religion,
Language, Government, Manners and Cu-
ftoms, I might make Obfervations. I have
faid already, and I fay it again, that all that
can make this fmall Treatife, which I have
been encourag'd to prefent you with, any
way valuable, is in the first place, the parti-
cularity and variety of the Facts and Adven-
tures. To dwell two years in a Defart
be fav'd by a Miracle; to fall from Charyb
dis upon Scylla, as the ancient Proberb fays;
to fuffer a thouſand Miferies for three years
together on a dry Rock, by an unheard of
Perfecution; to be deliver'd contrary to
Appearance and Hope, and with fuch ftrange
Circumftances, muft certainly have fome-
thing very Singular in it. What is Secondly
valuable in this Relation, is the pure and
fimple truth of all I have related. It never
enter'd into my Thoughts to adorn my Hi-
ftory, to exaggerate any thing at the ex-
pence of that Truth, which I have always
Reſpected. And I will add for your Satif-
faction, that there are living Witneſſes of
every thing I have reported. Among the
things which thofe that have Travell'd laft
in the Countries that are known and de-
fcrib'd, report, 'tis unavoidable but there
muſt be ſomething which the firſt Travel-
lers make no mention of: Be it as it will
with
The Author's PREFACE.
ix
with respect to my felf, when I talk of the
Cape of Good Hope, Batavia, and other Pla-
ces treated of in other Voyages, I fpeak
of thoſe things that I thought worth obfer-
ving, without troubling my felf whether o-
thers have made any mention of them be-
fore me or not. If on thoſe occafions I
make fome Remark which have not entire-
ly the grace of Novelty, it will be fome a-
mends for that Deficiency, that they will
doubtlefs be accompany'd with new Circum-
ftances: For when did it happen that Men
who are not Copyifts, but Eye-witneffes and
udges of things, fpoke of the fame Subject
In the fame manner?
I hall conclude with making fome Re-
flection on three Difficulties that have been
ftarted to me. For, Dear Reader, I will dif
femble nothing with you, nor neglect any
thing to fatisfie yon.
I. 'Tis faid I have too many Digref
fions.
Upon this I defire you to confider two
things, I confefs that in writing theſe Me-
moirs, the fame thought came often into my
Head, as it did in the Abbot of Choify's, of
whom we have more than once ſpoken. I am
forry (fays he from time to time) that the Mat-
ter did not preſent it felf as I would have had
it-I give what I have-I wish I had fome-
thing more pleaſant to tell you. The truth
is,
The Author's PREFACE.
is, I frequently find my felf in the fame
cafe: My Defart Iſlands did not furniſh me
with variety enough, and I confefs I was
fometimes oblig'd to go a little out of the
way for it.
Nevertheless if you do me Juftice, I hope
you will approve of the fecond Anfwer that
I have to make. The true character of a
good Relation, in my Opinion confifts in
containing the Remarkable things which the
Traveller faw or heard, or which happen'd
to him, and in fuch a manner, that the Rea-
der may be as well inform'd of it, as if he
had Travell'd himſelf, and had been an Eye-
Witneſs of all that had happen'd. Granting
this to be true, the Traveller ought to Com-
municate every thing that came to his Know-
ledge; his Converſations, Diſcourſes, Ad-
ventures, Reflections, provided they have fo
much relation to the Voyage, that they
cou'd not be learnt without it. On the con-
trary, the beſt and moſt agreeable thought
will come in very Mal a propos, in a Relati-
on of this Nature, if 'tis not, as one may
fay, born in the Voyage, and do's not pro-
perly and independently belong to it. Purfu
ant to this Idea, I might report at length,
and keep ftill in my charecter of a Travel-
lel, all the long Difcourfe upon the Subject
of Women: All that is taken out of the Gol-
den Sentences, all that is faid on the Rights
of Mankind, and almoſt every thing elſe
which I have spoken of, that feems to go
from the Subject.
II. Some
The Author's PREFACE.
xi
II. Some advis'd me to put my Name
to thoſe Memoirs, and others were
of Opinion that I fhou'd not do it.
The latter grounded theirs on a Prin-
ciple of Humility or Modefty, as
the thing explains it felf: And the
former pretend that every Man who
affirms a Fact, is oblig'd to make him-
felf known.
I am entirely of their Sentiments. I believe
that whoever (peaks as a Witneſs, ought, as we
ſay in French, to decline his Name, and to o-
mit nothing that may ferve to convince the
Reader of his Candour, and the moſt ex-
act truth of all he fays. As to my felf in
particular, I own I never had any Opinion
at all of a Voyage, without the Authors
Name to it; nor even of the Relation of a
Voyager of an indifferent Reputation, tho'
he puts his Name to his Work, if he do's
not alfo produce Witneffes, eſpecially if he
comes from a far Country. Who do's not
know the Difpofition of all Men? A Tra-
veller of an ordinary Character for Fidelity,
and one who has no Witneffes to prove
what he affirms to be true, is under a
great Temptation when he conceals his Name
to lace his Hiftory a little, to render it the
more agreeable.
And we have fo many
proofs of this Truth, that no body can doubt
of its being true.
"
I there-
xii
The Author's PREPCE.
1
I therefore conclude again, that thoſe who
tell the World any thing that is Rare, and
that they faw in very remote Countries, are
under an indifpenfable neceflity to let the
Publick know clearly, and diftinctly who
they are, and even to infinuate without Af-
fectation, all the Particularities which are
proper to acquire Credit. From whence it
naturally follows, that the Authors of Rela-
tions which have no Name to them, are al-
moſt always Rogues and Cheats who impoſe
on the Publick, and generally propoſe fome
baſe End to themſelves by it.
Such a one moſt certainly is the Author
of a Wretched Book that appear'd two years
agoe, under the Title of Hiftorical and Cri-
tical Remarks, made in a Journal from Italy
to Holland, in the year 1704. Containing the
Manners of Carniola. This Impudent Ano-
nymous Author, whom we know, and who
forg'd his Collection of Tables according to
his common Practice, had no other view,
befides a little vile and fhameful Profit; but
to infult against all the rules of Juftice, a
Perſon whom he ought to Honour, and one
who has fpar'd him too long; 'tis fit fome-
times that certain Rafcalls fhould have a
mark ſet upon them, and that the World
fhould know their Villainous Tricks, of which
there are very few Perfons that wou'd be fen-
fible, if they were not told them.
III. It
The Author's PREFACE.
xiii
6
C
III. It has alſo been faid to me, when I
was once like to die of a cruel Scur-
vy,
at another time perfecuted by
an Army of Rats; when I have
been expos'd to the fury of Tem-
peſts and Hurricanes, or have been
the Sport of a little Tyrant; Why
'did you engage your felf in
ſuch an Enterprize? did not you
know that there is nothing more
uncertain, nor more difficult, than
• Settlements in the New World >
notwithflanding the fine Colours
in which the particular Interefts of
• fome Perfons will have them Pain-
'ted? Cou'd you be ignorant of the
great Labour, and the great Dan-
ger that attend the execution of fuch
Projects as theſe?
C
"
C
In a word, My Reafon was this: After
having been forc'd to leave my Native Coun-
try, with fo many Thouſands of my Bre-
thren, to abandon my fmall Inheritance, and
to forfake for ever, according to all outward
appearance, thofe Perfons that were dear to
me, without finding in the New Country,
to which I firſt Tranſported my felf, that
ſufficient Relief which my prefent Neceffity
demanded, I gave my felf up entirely to
Providence, and determin'd humbly and
patiently to make ufe of the Means that of-
fer'd
xiv
The Author's PREFACE.
fer'd for me, perhaps to preferve my Life.
Weary of the bustle of the World, and fatigu'd
with the Troubles I had endur'd in it, I
quitted Variety and Tumult without any re-
gret, and at an Age already advanc'd be-
yond its Prime, I thought I wou'd endea-
vour to live in a Place where I might be free
from the common and frequent Dangers to
which I was expos'd. I had nothing to loſe,
and therefore risk'd nothing, tho' I had a
great deal to hope, at leaſt that I might find
that delicious Repoſe which I never knew;
but for the two years that I remain'd in the
Defart Ifland, where I had without doubt fi-
nish'd my Courfe, if the wicked Man who
carry'd us thither had not betray'd us, and
ruin'd the Deſign that had been form'd in
Holland.
After all, I breath'd an admirable Air there,
without the leaft alteration of my Health.
I liv'd like a Prince at eaſe, and in abundance
without Bread, and without Servants. Thad
there been Rich without Diamonds, and
without Gold, as well as without Ambition.
I had tafted a fecret and exquifite Pleaſure,
and content in being deliver'd from an in-
finity of Temptations to Sin, to which Men
are liable in other Places. Collected in my
felf, I had feen there by ferious Reflection,
as plain as if it was within reach of my
Hand or Eye, what Nothings the Inhabi
tants of this wretched World admire; of
this World, I fay, where Art almoſt always
deſtroys
The Author's PREFACE.
XV
deſtroys Nature, under pretence of adorn-
ing it: Where Artifice worſe that Art, Hy-
pocrify, Fraud, Superftition and Rapine, ex-
ercife a Tyrannical Empire over Mankind
where in short, every thing is Error, Vani-
ty, Diſorder, Corruption, Malice and Mi-
fery.
00
I cannot help adding here by way of Ad-
vance, that whatever Inconveniences might
have attended a longer ftay in this Ifland,
I had never left it, had I not been forc'd to
do it: And nothing but the boisterous Hu-
mour, the wild Precipitation, and the rafh
attempt of Seven, in that, Inconfiderate young
Men, cou'd have conſtrain'd me to have aban
don'd that fweet Abode.
What do I fay,-No, 'twas not Man but
Providence that conducted me thither, and
that brought me thence. 'Twas Providence
that conducted me fafely thro' fo many Dan-
gers, and has happily tranſported me from
my Defart Ifles, to this vaft Powerful and
Glorious Ifland of Great Britain, where the
charity of the Generous Inhabitants has held
out its Hand to me, and fix'd my Repoſe as
much as it can be fix'd in this lower World.
}
THE
A MAP of the ISLAND of
DIEGO RUYZ or DIEGO RODRIGO
discoverd by the Portugueses under
John IV in the year 1645.
And afterwards inhabited the Space
of two Years & Twenty Days.
By FRANCIS LEGUAT PAUL BE✶✶✶LE,-
JAMES DELA CASE, JOHN TESTARD, JSAACh
BOYER, JOHN DELA HAYE, ROBERT ANSELIN
and PETER THOMAS French Protestants and
Refugees for their Religion, They arrivd there
the 30th of April 1691 & departed from thence y 20
of May 1693.
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THE
SEA
OF
་་
n
T
THE
VOYAGE
1
AND
ADVENTURES
OF
Francis Leguat,
A Gentleman of Breffe.
HE State of the Affairs of Religion
in France, obliging me to feek after
fome means to leave the Kingdom,
I made uſe of that which Provi-
ence furniſh'd me with, to paſs into Holland,
where I arriv'd the 6th of August, 1689.
&
I had ſcarce begun to taffe the Sweetneſs
f that precious Liberty, which I found in
hy abode there, and which I had been de-
riv'd of four whole Years, ever fince the Re-
ocation of the Edict of Nants in 1685, when Henry.
underſtood that the * Marquis du Quefne was Abraham
y the good Pleaſure, and under the Protecti- was also to
n of my Lords the States General, and Mef- accompany
His Brother
fieurs him.
2
?
The Voyage and Adventures
fieurs the Directors of the East India Compa-
ny, making Preparations for a Settlement in
the Iſland of Mafcaregne. To this Purpoſe
two great Ships were equipp'd at Amfterdam,
aboard which all the French Proteftants, who
were willing to be of this Colony, were re-
ceiv'd gratis. The Defcription of this Ifland,
which was made publick at that time, and the
Name of Eden, that was given it on account
of its Excellency, made me conceive fo good
an Opinion of it, that I was tempted to give
it a Vifit, refolving to end my Days there in
Peace, and out of the Care and Confufion of
the World, if I found 'twas but, in fome mea-
fure, fo Pleaſant and Commodious as 'twas
defcrib'd to be.
'Twas fo eafie for a Man to enter himſelf
in this Colony; and the Idea I had of the
Quiet and Pleafure I hop'd to enjoy in this
lovely Iſland, was fuch, that I got over all the
Obſtacles which lay in my way. I offer'd my
felf to the Gentlemen who were concern'd
in the Enterprize: They receiv'd me very fa-
vourably, and honour'd me with the Poft, or
rather Name, of Major of the biggeſt of the
The Law. two Ships, which was call'd La Droite.
All Things neceffary being aboard, and the
Maſters ready to fet fail, waiting only for a fair
Wind, we understood that the French King,
who had formerly taken Poffeffion of this Ifle,
had fent a Squadron of feven Men of War
that way. The Uncertainty we were in of
the Deſign of that little Fleet, and a juft Fear
grounded on fome Advices lately come from
France were fuch powerful Motives with
Mr. du Quefne, that he difarm'd the two Ships,
and difembark'd the Goods and Neceffaries,
,
being
*
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
}
being afraid to expofe fo many poor Wretches,
who were already miferable enough, to Dan-
ger;
the greateſt part of them being Women,
and other Perfons who cou'd not defend them-
felves. But that he might fully inform himſelf
of the Deſign of that Squadron, if there was
fuch a one, he refolv'd to fet out a little Fri-
gat, and ſend her away upon Diſcovery. Some
Perfons were chofen to go aboard her, and
they had Orders given them concerning the
Deſign of the Voyage: The fubftance of which
was,
1. To vifit the Iſlands that lie in the Way to
the Cape of good Hope; particularly, thofe
of Martin Vas, and Tristan.
2. Afterwards to pafs the Cape of good Hope,
to learn, if it was poffible, more certain
News of the Iſle of Eden, and the Defigni
of the French Squadron, which was faid
to be at Sea.
3. To take Poffeffion of the Isle of Mafca-
regne, in the Name of the faid Marquis,
who was authoriz'd to enter upon it, in
cafe there were no French there.
4. If it cou'd be done without running any
confiderable Risk, to proceed as far as the
Ifland of Diego Ruys, which the French call
Rodrigue.
If that Iſland was found to be fufficiently
provided with Things neceffary for a Set-
tlement, and the Subfiftance of thofe that
would live there, then to take Poffeffion
of it, in the Name of the faid Marquis.
6. To fend the Ship back, after unloading
the Things that were for the ufe of the
Colony, that intended to fettle in this
new World.
B z
7. Ang
Rodrigues
1
་
4
The Voyage and Adventures
+
7. And lastly, to take an exact Account of
the Ifle, where thoſe that were left behind
ftaid in expectation of the reft of the Co-
lony, who were to come after, in two
Years Time at fartheft, and then to pof-
fefs themſelves of the Ifle of Eden, under
the Protection, and by the Affiſtance of
Meffieurs of the Company.
This Project being thus form'd, all Hands
were ſet to work to forward the Execution of
it; and 'twas done with ſo much Warmth and
Expedition, that the Ship was foon ready to put
to Sea. Care was taken to provide every Thing
neceffary for fuch an Enterprife; and the Vef-
fel was fo little, and fo good a Sailer, that fhe
was nam'd the Swallow. Her Flag had Monf. du
Quefne's Arms in it, with this Device, Libertas
fine Licentia; which was us'd by that wife Pope
Adrian VI. Our little Frigat was mounted
with fix Guns, and had ten Seamen, comman-
ded by Anthony Valleau, of the Iſle of Rhe. When
'twas ready to fail, feveral of the Paffengers,
whofe Names had been enroll'd for this Ser-
vice, fhrunk back and chang'd their Opinion;
which was the occafion of the fmall Number
that embark'd; for the firft Complement that
defign'd to go in her were five and twenty
The Ten who continu'd in their Refolution to
the laſt, were,
(
Paul Bele, twenty Years old, a Mer-
chant's Son of Metz.
Facques de la Cafe, thirty Years old, a Mer-
chant's Son of Nerac, who had been an
Officer in the Elector of Brandenburgh's
Army.
Jean
1
1
Pag. 4
The Flag
f the
Swallow
On the other Side was Libertus Sine Licentia.
LIBERTAS
SINE
LICENTIA .
;
5
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
Jean Teftard, a Druggift, twenty fix Years
old, a Merchant's Son of St. Quintin in
Picardy.
Ifaac Boyer, a Merchant, about twenty feven
Years old, Son of an Apothecary near
Nerac.
Jean de la Haye, a Silversmith of Roan,
twenty three Years old.
Jacques Guiguer, twenty Years old, a Mer-
chant's Son of Lyons.
Jean Pagni, thirty Years old, a Convert.
and Patrician of Roan.
Robert Anfelm, eighteen Years old, a Mil-
ler's Son of Picardy.
Pierrot, twelve Years old, of Roan.
* And Francis Leguat, Efq; above fifty Years* P. Tho
of Age, of the Province of Burgundy, mas omite
who was put over the reft.
Tho' it cou'd not but be a very great Trou-
ble to us to fee our felves depriv'd of fifteen of
our Companions, when we least expected it,
and look'd on them as Perfons deftin'd to the
fame Fortune as we were, who perhaps might
be a Comfort and Help to us: Yet we cheer-
fully refign'd our felves into the Hands of Pro-
vidence, and parted from Amsterdam the roth
of July 1690. The 13th we arriv'd in Texel
Road, where we lay till the fourth of September
following. We then fet Sail, in company of
24 Ships, English and Dutch. We bent our Courſe
Northward, by favour of an East South-Eaft
Wind, which fill'd our Sails to our Hearts con-
tent; but the next Night it chopp'd about, and
became contrary: there rofe alfo a Tempeft,
which, however, did us no more hurt than to
make us pay the ufual Tribute to the Sea,
The
B 3.
ted.
}
6
The Voyage and Adventures
The 14th the Wind ſhifting to the South-weft,
our Admiral fir'd a Gun, to make us keep our
Way Northward. The next Day we ſpy'd the
Isles of Schetland, in the height of 29 deg. 42
min. The 18th we made thofe Ifles, and our
Ship doubled the Cape, but with much diffi-
culty; the Man that was at the Helm, and had
not perceiv'd that our Veffel was carry'd away
by a rapid Current, was furpriz'd when he faw
a flat Rock, which was not above a Foot un-
der Water, and but feven or eight Fathom di-
ftant from us; he cry'd out fo terribly, that
we were all frighted, and every Man began to
ftrip, in hopes of fwimming to the Island; but
the Water was deep enough at the fide of the
Rock for our poor little Frigat to pass, and
we had the good Fortune to efcape being Ship-
wreck'd.
Such as have been as far as this End of the
World, fays an ancient Author, as far as the
Schet- famous Thule, have a Right to Lye with Im-
land.
punity, and to make themſelves be believ'd,
without fear of being reprehended; and cer-
tainly the Number of thofe that make uſe of
this Privilege is very great, conformable to an
old Proverb of ours, A Beau mentir qui vient de
Loin; A good Lyer ought to come a great way.
As for us, we fhall fay nothing but exact Truth,
no more than if we had never been as far as
Thule.
This Iſland makes us ftill afraid as often as
we think of it, and as we were all of us bu-
fie endeavouring to preferve our felves from
this new Danger, one of our Seamen fpy'd a
French Privateer bearing down upon us with
all the Sail fhe could make. We went to
Prayers, and prepar'd to defend our felves;
but
い
​!
Pag. 7.
*
A PORPOISE
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
7
but we were fo happy as to eſcape this Enemy
alfo; for after we had doubled the Cape, we
found fhe cou'd not gain upon us: however,
fhe purfu'd us fix Hours,till Night coming on we
loft fight of her, and ran back the falfe Courfe
we had kept to eſcape him. We were all of
us convinc'd by this double Deliverance the
fame Day, that we had been under the fingu-
lar Protection of the Almighty, and we ren-
der'd the Thanks that were due to his Divine
Favour.
The 22d we took a fort of Curlew by hand,
for it came and perch'd upon our Sails: abun-
dance of Purs follow'd us, flying about our
Ship.
The 28th an innumerable Army of Porpufes
paft by us; at which Sight we were very well
pleas'd: they feem'd to us to march really
along in order of Battel, and they leap'd up
and down by turns, ftill keeping their Ranks;
they approach'd fo near to us that we ftruck
one; we darted at him with a Trident, faſten'd
at the End of a Rope: when they are wounded
they grow weak, through lofs of Blood, and
then may be eaſily taken up: The Blood of
theſe Animals is hot; they bear their Young
in their Bellies like Whales, Lamantines, and
fome other Fiſh; the infide of their Body is
very like that of a Hog, but the Flesh is Oily
and has an ill taſte.
The 6th of October we fpy'd a Squadron of
13 great Dutch Men of War, of which one
gave us chafe; for, not knowing what ſhe was,
we made the beft of our way from her; when
The came up to us, fhe hung out her Colours;
we did the fame, and then we both continu'd
our ſeveral Courfes.
В 4
The
8
The Voyage and Adventures
t
The 22d we diſcover'd the Canary Islands by`
Moon-light, and fell in with the Trade-Winds,
which never left us; or, rather, which we ne-
ver left till we came in the 9th Degree. By
our Account we were 50 Leagues to the Wind-
ward of Palma, between Forteventura and the
Grand Canaries.
•
We coafted along the Inland Forteventura,
with a Larboard Tack, a whole Day, and in
the Evening about Sun-fet we perceiv'd the
Grand Canaries; we paft by it in the Night with-
out meeting with any Ship, tho' commonly
they are to be met with thereabouts, eſpecially
Turks; they poft themſelves there to lie in wait
for the Ships that come out loaden with Wines,
in hopes of picking up fome of them.
The 28th we were in the height of 24 deg.
29 min. and faw a vaft Number of flying Fish
about us. I obferv'd one of them very exact-
ly; 'twas about 10 Inches long; there are few
larger, and abundance fhorter: Its Back was
of a Ruffet-brown Colour, fpeckled with blue
Spots, inclining to a greenifh, with a little
black amongst it. Its naked Belly was black
and blue, and its Sides cover'd with little Scales
of dark red. Its long Wings or Fins were
brown, with Seagreen Spots upon them. The
young Ones are of a light grey, and their Tail
the fame. Its Eye is great and rais'd; the
Sight of it large and blue, the reft black. The
Prickles upon the Head of it are of a greyish
Colour, and like a fort of very rough Cha-
green.
Our Books reprefent this Fifh after another
manner; and I doubt not but there are ſome
of them of different forts of Figures; for Na-
ture varies in every thing. The Irish Horfes
are
1
i
A
FLYING
1
FISH
Pag. 8.
“
<
11
a
Pag. 9.
B
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
9
la
are not of a like make with thoſe of Frifeland,
nor Kentish Cows like Middlefex, tho' thofe two
Counties are contiguous; much less are they
like thofe of Ifeland, which have no Horns.
And, without going out of our own Species,
one Man is a Negro, another a Dutch Man, and
another a Chineſe.
<
To return to our Fifh. A certain Natura-
lift calls that which is mark'd A, a Sea-Swal-
low, and attributes a great many Properties to
it, which I fhall not repeat. That which I
have mark'd B, is called a Mullet, in Sanfon Ma-
thurin's Journal; he was a famous Pilot in the
Mediterranean,and us'd to fee them in the Gulph of
Lyons and elſewhere. The 3d,mark'd C,was taken
from the K. of Denmark's Cabinet,where I have
fome reaſon to believe 'tis not exactly defign'd:
For when thefe Animals grow dry, 'tis a hard
matter to obferve their true Form. There are
fome of them that have four Wings. Thofe
we eat tafted fomething like a Herring.
Theſe poor little Creatures, that may be ta-
ken for an Emblem of perpetual Fear, are con-
inually flying and rifing to fave themſelves:
they are very often caught in the Ship's Sails:
they fly as long as there remains any Moiſture
n their Wings; which, as foon as they are
ry, turn to Fins again; and they are forc'd to
ake again to the Water, or elfe, their Fright is
lways fo great, they would fly to the End of
the World.
The Efforts they make to become rather In-
habitants of the Air than of the Water, is to
void the Perfecution of the Goldfish and the
Bonita's, who are at eternal War with them.
But thefe wretched Animals fly from one Peril,
and are immediately overtaken by another;
for
1
!
10
The Voyage and Adventures
1
for the cruel Birds are their irreconcilable Ene
mies, and always on the watch in great Flocks
to devour them, as foon as they enter the new
Element, where they thought they fhou'd find
an Afylum from their Foes of the Sea. The
Porpoifes make the fame War upon the Gold-
fish, as the latter do on the Flying Fish: and
all this gives us a true Image of human Life;
which is nothing but continual Dangers, and
in which the Weak commonly fall a Victim to
the Strong.
Our Ship wanting Balaft, we put into the
Iſland of Salt, one of the Ifles of Cape Verd,
which we diſcover'd the 29th of October, and
arriv'd the next Day in the Road, where, we
caft Anchor in a Creek to the Southward of the
Iſland, in eight Fathom Water. A great Num-
ber of Sea-Birds came to viſit our Veffel, and
perching on our Yards, let us take them by
Hand we eat fome of them, but we did not
like them. We caught Fools, Frigates, Long-
tails, and other Birds. Perhaps I fhall have
room to ſpeak of theſe Animals hereafter. We
had a Swallow ever fince we came from the
Canaries, which we let go every Morning, and
it return'd to us at Night; 'twas kill'd here by
an Accident.
!
The 31ft we went afhoar, early in the Morn-
ing, with our Arms and Dogs to hunt; we
found preſently a prodigious Quantity of Goats;
we cou'd eafily fee them, tho' at a great di
ftance, for the Ifland is extreamly dry, with-
out Tree or Buſh, producing nothing but a fort
of fhort Grafs, at leaſt in the greatest part of
what we faw: We kill'd fome of them, and
left 'em on a Bank, to take them with us when
we came back; for we went farther into the
Iſland
4
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
11
Iſland, and fearch'd about two or three Hours
for freſh Water, but all that we met with was
brackish; by which means we were almoft
dead with Thirft. The Sun fhines very hot in
this Ifle, and there being no Shade, the Heat
was very troublefome to us; we therefore re-
turn'd to our Goats, and thence to the Sea-
fide, where we arriv'd about Sun-fet. When
we came back we found there a very handfome
Horſe, of a reddiſh bay Colour, his Main and
Tail trailing on the Ground; 'twas fierce, and
never had any Horſe a better Shape, nor a
more magnificent Cheft: he ran away imme-
diately, and let us fee that his Heels were
good. I know not what Name to give to ano-
ther Animal which we alſo faw, but were not
fo near it; I believe 'twas a fort of Cat, but
one of our Company would have it to be a
Fox And I am miſtaken, if he is more hap-
py in his Conjecture, than the Tranflators of
the Pfalms into French, when they make David
fay, His Enemies should be a Prey to Foxes. We
found most of our Companions afhoar catch-
ing Turtles, we went along with them up into
another part of the Country and digg'd, in
hopes of meeting with freſh Water, but all our
Labour was in vain, Night came upon us, and
we flept on the Sand, it being a Star-light
Night. Nor were we lefs weaken'd by Hun-
ger and Thirst, than tir'd with Hunting. As
we lay all of us in a found fleep, we were on
a fudden waken'd by the braying Mufick of a
Ruftick Regiment of Affes, of which we cou'd
not rid our felves, but by braying as they did,
and firing twice or thrice a Fuzee at them ;
but they had ſcarce turn'd their Backs upon us,
when another Troop of the fame Beafts enter-
}.
tain'd
12
The Voyage and Adventures
tain'd us with the fame Song: They were ac
company'd by above five hundred Goats, which
furrounding us, we cou'd fleep no longer: At
laft thefe Animals retir'd, and we imagin'd
if we follow'd them, they might perhaps lead
us to fome hidden Spring. As we believ'd, it
happen'd, part of them defcended into a little
Pit, where there was Water, which they drank;
We rejoyc'd all of us, as if we had found a
Treaſure; but this Water was alfo falt. Thefe
Beafts having been forc'd to drink of it from
their Births,'tis now become cuftomary to them.
Day broke, and Hunger ftill preffing us, we
had a mind to roaft a Leg of a Goat, I dare
not fay of a Kid, 'tis too honourable a Term
for it, and I am forry that ever I fhould call
thefe Beafts Goats. For want of Wood, we
heap'd Affes and Horfe Dung together, made a
Piramid of it, like one of Dutch Turfs, hung
Pieces of Flesh on Strings, and turning 'em
round by a good Fire, our Meat was foon rea-
dy. But, alas, fuch Meat, fuch a Tafte, fuch
a Smell, that I can fcarce forbear vomiting
when I think of it. There's no Sawce like a
good Stomach. Every Man's Teeth went to
work, we tore it to pieces, chaw'd it as well
as we cou'd, and down it went without Water.
'Tis probable the Reader will fay here, we
were in the wrong to amuſe our felves in this
Rafcally Ifland, whereas we might have gone
aboard and have eat and drank our fill: He
muſt therefore know, That the Seamen who
had fet us afhoar,were return'd with their Long-
boat to the Ship, and, whether we wou'd or
not, we were oblig'd to ftay till they came
for us: They cou'd not think that we far'd fo
ill; they faw us making good Cheer by a
}
good
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
13
good Fire afar off, and did not doubt we were
very well at our eafe. At laft they brought the
Boat for us about Noon, and we return'd to
our Swallow.
The Iſle of Salt is not eight Leagues about,
'tis fo call'd, becauſe Ships go thither to load
Salt, which is there excellent in its kind, and
in abundance, lying in the crevifes of the
Rocks, on the South Coaſt of the Iſland. 'Tis
made without Art by the Sea and the Sun.
Here alfo Sailors come to turn the Turtle, a
Term us'd by them for killing it, becauſe they
turn the Turtle on its Back when they catch
it all the Shoaris cover'd with theſe Animals ef-
pecially in the Seafon when they lay their Eggs.
We turn'd fome of theſe ftupid and flow Crea-
tures, and amongst the reft, two which accor-
ding to the gueſs of the Skillful, weigh'd soo
Pound each. We carry'd all that was good of
them aboard with us.
There is nothing more to be faid of the Iſle
of Salt. We found fome Cow-dung there, but
could fee no Cows; and all the Birds we met
with were Sparrows, they are like ours except
in their fize, for they are not half fo big.
J
We must not forget the fine Shells that are
fpread over all the Coaft, the variety of them
is Charming, and I never faw any in any other
Place fo beautiful as here; they are certainly
the work of an excellent Workman. The fhine-
ing of the Enameling, the mixture and diver-
fity of the Colours, the Form, the Delicacy,
the Symmetry, every thing Charms, and raifes
in us a juft Admiration of the Great Creator.
I was bound for the Indies, the Antipodes, I did
not know whether; for Defert Iflands from
whence I thought I ſhould never return; And
my
i
14
The Voyage and Adventures
my Head being full of fuch Thoughts, I could
not amuſe my ſelf to gather Shells; but had I
touch'd at this Iſland when I came back, I fhould
certainly have furniſh'd my ſelf plentifully with
them.
I must own, now it comes into my Mind, I
was forry that as I walkt about the Ifland, I
could not meet with any of thofe great and
beautiful Birds call'd Flamans, from Flamboyans
Flaming, which by relation of Voyagers, are
the moſt confiderable of the Place. "Twas not
only a fimple defire to fee theſe Birds; the
greateſt Pleaſure I propos'd to my felf by it,
was to compare the different draughts I had of
them with the Original; For all that have de-
fcrib'd them, except Mr. Willoughby, at leaſt all
the Authors, (and they are not a few in num-
ber) which I have feen who have ſpoke of
them, make the beak of theſe Birds like a Spa-
tula or a Spoon, whereas Mr. Willoughby defigns
them with a fharp Beak.
This curious Naturalift adds, that he believes
thefe Birds had the name of Flamantes given them,
rather on account of fome of their Feathers,
whofe colour is like that of flaming Fire, than
becauſe they were originally of Flanders. And
certainly our learned Author is in the Right;
for 'tis moft fure that fuch Flemings as thefe are
as great Strangers in Flanders, as in England.
The 6th of Novemb. we weigh'd Anchor the
Wind being fair, and fail'd towards the Ifle of
Martin-Vas, according to our Orders.
The 7th the Wind continuing ftill fair, we
faw and doubled the Iſland Bonagift, which is
as bad as the Ifle of Salt; 'tis longer and more
Mountainous. We could fee no more Trees on
this Iſland, than we had done on the other.
The
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
15
The 11th we the first time made tryal of
one of thofe fhort but troubleſom Tempefts,
which the Seamen call Gufts, and we had 'em
from time to time afterwards till we croft the
Line. Theſe are a fort of violent Whirlwinds
mingled with Rain, which rifes at once, but
do's not commonly laft above a quarter of an
Hour. We always prepare to receive them;
for we can ſpy the Gufts afar off: we imme-
diately furl our Top-fails, which otherwiſe
wou'd be carry'd away, and the Mafts bro-
ken.
When the Wind is too ftrong we lower all
our Sails, or carry as little as we can. While
this Tempeſt lafts, the Sea is in an extream agi-
tation, and feems to be all on Fire. Theſe
Gufts often happen ſeveral times in the fame
Day, during which the Ships Crew is ev'ry
Man hard put to it; a Calm commonly fuc-
ceeds in a very little while after the Storm. We
alfo efcap'd feveral watry Dragons, and on the
12th the Wind ceas'd in the height of 7 Deg.
15 Min.
At Night we caught a Bird fomething like a
Woodcock, which flew about our Ship all day
long; The Mariners kill'd her not ſo much for
the pleaſure of eating her, tho' that was worth
their while, as to revenge her driving away
four Swallows which had follow'd us fome time,
and every Morning and Night entertain'd us
with Mufick the more agreeable, becaufe
it puts us in mind of the dear Land, which is
fo well belov'd by all Men that are failing in
the middle of the vaft Ocean.
The 13th an hour after Day-light we met
with a furious Guft, which brought our Main-
top-maft by the Board, having broke the Iron
Hoop
16
The Voyage and Adventures
Hoop that bound it. I obferve this only be-
caufe all our Crew were very much amaz'd
at it.
The 14th we faw a prodigious number of
Gold-fifh and Bonita's, of which I have ſpoken.
Theſe Fiſh being well enough known, I did
not defcribe them; but fince I have occafion
to ſpeak of 'em again, I have a great mind
to tell what fort of Fiſh thoſe were that I faw.
The Gold-fiſh of America, of which Mr. de
Rochefort writes have fharp Heads, I know no-
thing of fuch Gold-fifh as theſe; thoſe that I
faw had a round flattiſh Snout, that gives them
a certain Phyfiognomy, in which I did not take
much delight. Neither do I believe that any
Body values this Fiſh for the beauty of its fhape,
but that of its Colours are admirable: There are
two forts of Gold-fifh, that which I have giv'n
the Figure of, is enammel'd on its Back, with
fpeckles of a blewiſh Green on a black Ground:
Its Belly is of a bright Silver Colour, its Tail
and Fins as if gilded with fine Gold; Nothing
can be more bright and fhining when 'tis in its
Element, or before it begins to Mortifie, which
it does preſently when 'tis out of it: 'Tis four
or five foot long, and not thicker than a Sal-
mon. Rondelet calls it the Sea-Bream, our Ma-
riners told me, that the other Species of the
Gold-fifh differs from this only in that its Jaw
ſticks out a little more, and that its Speckles
are a beautiful Azure on a Golden Ground.
The Fleſh of this Fiſh is firm, and tafts very
well.
:
The Bonita is generally three or four Foot
long, very thick and Fleſhy, its Back is cover'd
with a little Scale, ſo thin, that one can ſcarce
perceive it; 'tis of a Slate colour, and a little
upon
;
THE
FISH
DORADO.
ABONITO FISH taken in the Sea
of Guinea
Pag. 16.
I
.. Pag. 17
A BONITO taken on the Coasts of Kent
b
Ъ
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
17
upon the Green in fome Places. Its Belly is
of a grey Pearl colour, and turns brown near
the Back; four ftreaks of a yellowish colour
begin at the fide of its Head, run along the
Body almoſt at a Parallel diſtance, and join aț
the Tail, which is not unlike that of a Maka-
rel. Its Eye is large and lively, refembling a
Jet-ftone fet in a Silver Ring. I have defign'd
the Shape of its Body, and the Difpofition of
its Fins. Near the Tail of it, there are fix
little things like fquare Fins on the Back of it
not an Inch high, and over againſt them un-
der its Belly there are feven.
{
>
As I was writing this a Friend of mine
who is always admiring the Divine Wonders of
Nature, and very nicely confiders them; told
me that he had meafur'd and defign'd a Bo-
nita which was taken in the year 1702. near
Rye, on the Kentish Shoar, and which differ'd
in feveral things from that I have been ſpeak-
ing of. The Reader will I doubt not be pleas'd
to ſee the Billet which my Friend wrote me
on this Subject, when he fent me the draught
of this Bonita.
C
The Fish which in the Indian Sea is call'd
Bonita, is known on the Coafts of France,
' and particularly between the Loire and the
Garonne, by the name of Germon.
It very
$ rarely enters the Channel, which I note en
paffant is quite contrary to the Makarel ; for
f the Coafts of Normandy, efpecially the Befin
and Coftentin are full of them; whereas they
f are never, or very rarely feen about Rochelle,
The Germon or Bonita of our Seas, is cer
'tainly a Fish of the fame Species with the Bo-
nitas you faw in your Voyages, but the Spe-
çies varies a little, a thing that may be ob-
C
£ ferv'd
A
18
The Voyage and Adventures
6
6
C
6
me;
ferv'd in all forts of Animals, as foon as we
change the Country, as you have your felf ta-
C ken notice. The laft Bonita which I faw,
and which was taken near Rye in the begin-
ning of June 1702. was juft three Foot long,
and its Body proportionably greater than that
which you defign'd in the Figure you fhew'd
for thrice the breadth of it where 'twas
broadeft, made compleatly its length. I fend
you an exact draught of it. At the firft view
one would think that this Fifh did not open
its Mouth very wide, but there's a fecret
help for that, and it opens it as far as the place
mark'd a. Its Teeth above and below are fo
little, fo fhort, and fo weak, that one wou'd
think they were only made for Scratching:
Its Tongue is broad, blackish and hard at
the Root, but foft and a little reddifh at the
Tip. Its Eye is a good Inch Diameter: The
Sight like very white and tranfparent Chry-
ftal, and the Circle that furrounds it, is more
Brillant than pollifh'd.Gold.
C
<
C
C
<
S
The colour of this Fifh is the fame with
that of which you have giv'n us a Deſcripti-
on, tho' it has no Scales on its Back, it has
nothing but a fmooth Skin on its Back and
C Belly, and on its Side between the Tail and
the Fins near the Gills, there's a fcaly Lift
two Inches broad, the Scales fo little and fo
fine, that they are fcarce perceptible: Its two
Fins, if I may call them fo, which are mark'd
B, are bony and immoveable. In the nar-
roweft part of its Tail, there's a knot on each
fide, out of which grows a little hairy Tuft
that is not above an Inch and a half long.
C
<
6
6
C
Whereas your Fifh has but fix of thoſe lit-
tle Fins which you have reprefented in your
Draught,
!
C
}
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
19
6
Draught, to be upon the Back toward the
Tail, and feven under it; this has nine a-
bove and eight below. c. c, Shews where the
Gills are which open one another very easily.
And d. d. is like a great Scale, which cannot
be but very little lifted up all about it.
The Trade-winds having left us in the 9th
Degree, we had nothing after that but Gufts
and Calms till we came to the Line, no foon-
er was one gone, but another came. The Heat
was not exceffive, we cou'd very well bear our
Night-gowns all Night long.
We croft the Line the 23d of November, and
were oblig❜d to undergoe the impertinent Ce-
remony of Baptifm, at least all thoſe who had
not affifted at the fame Feſtival before, or
would not buy themfelves off for a piece of
Money.
'Tis an ancient Cuftom, and will not be a-
bolish'd without difficulty; 'tis alfo fometimes
done when we pass the Tropicks. I fhall in a
few words report how this fine Ceremony was
perform'd in our Veffel. One of the Seamen
who had paft the Line before, dreft himſelf in
Rags, with a Beard and Hair of Hards of
Hemp, and black'd his face with Soot and Qil
mix'd together. Thus Equip'd, holding a Sea-
Chart in one Hand, and a Cutlafs in the other,
with a Pot full of blacking Stuff ftanding by
him, he prefented himſelf upon Deck atten-
ded by his Suffragans, dreft as whimfically as
himſelf, and arm'd with Grid-Irons, Stoves,
Kettles and little Bells; with which rare In-
ftruments they made a fort of Muſick, the good-
nefs of which may be eafily imagin'd.
They call'd thofe that were to be initiated
into theſe Rites and Myfteries one after ano-
C 2
ther,
20
The Voyage and Adventures
انه
ther, and having made them fit down on the
edge of a Tub full of Water, they oblig'd them
to put one Hand on the Chart, and promiſe
that on the like Occafion they wou'd do to
others, what was at that time done to them.
Then they gave them a mark in the Forehead
with the ftuff out of the Pot, wetted their Fa-
ces with Sea-water, and askt them if they wou'd
give the Crew any thing to drink, promifing
them they wou'd in fuch cafe let them go
without doing any further Pennance. Thoſe
that gave were prefently difcharg'd, and ſome
avoided this unpleafant Præludium to what was
to follow, by giving 'em fomething Extraor-
dinary It coft me but a Crown to have the
fame Privilege with the Latter. As for thoſe
who paid nothing, they were thrown into the
Tub of Water over Head and Ears, and then
wafh'd and ſcrub'd every where with the Ships
Ballaſt; and I believe this fcrubbing and waſh-
ing lafted much longer than thoſe who were
fo treated defir'd.
Our Frigat and Boat having never paſt the
Line, they were fubjected to the fame Law.
The Captain was oblig'd to give fomething to
fave the Beakhead of his Ship, the Seamen al-
ledging, 'twas their Right to cut off the Boats
Nofe elfe. The Money the Men got by it,
was laid up to be ſpent on the whole Crew
when opportunity offer'd. Every Nation practi-
ces this ridiculous Cuftom after a different Man-
¡ ner.
We kept on a ſtraight courſe towards the Iſles
of Martin Vas, which are in 20 Degrees South
Latitude, and we bad the Captain put in there,
that we might go a-fhoar and vifit them accor-
ding to our Orders. He having no defign to
touch
Pag. 21.
:
THE GREAT THROAT
·
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
21
touch there, reply'd, That the Round-top of
our Fore-Maft was half broken, and we ſhould
have a great deal of trouble to make thoſe
Iſlands, becauſe we must go near the Wind,
and tack all the Way He therefore chang'd
his Courſe, notwithſtanding all our Entreaties
to the contrary, and the Contempt we fhew'd
for his falfe and trivial Reaſons. Thus we made
the Cape of the Iſland of Tristan d'Acugna, which
is in 37 Deg. of South Latitude.
The 10th of December we paft the Tropick of
Capricorn, and enter'd the Southern Temperate
Zone.
The 13th we were vifited by feveral Birds,
there were abundance of thofe which are call'd
Great Gullets, and which rather fhou'd have
the name of great Craws, on account of their
great hanging Breafts. They are almoft as big
as a Goofe, are very tall, but neither handfom
nor good to eat; their Fleſh being tough, and
having á ftrange Taft. Their Heads are big,
their Beaks long and fharp, their Bodies white,
their Wings brown or ruffet, their Neck fome-
times fhort, fometimes long, according as they
pleafe, either to ftretch it out or fhrink it up.
Tis a melancholy Bird that paffes whole days
on the brink of a Rock, hanging its Head over
into the Sea, like a Fiſherman with a Line to
catch little Fiſh. Though the figure of this
Creature was not at firft fight very pleafing to
us, they were however very welcome, becaufe
we were weary of feeing nothing but Water,
and the leaſt new Objects diverted us. Like
their Highneffes in thofe little out-of-the-
way Courts, where no Company comes to in-
terrupt their Solitude; or like the Nuns who are
fo greedy of Society in their Solitary Con-
vents.
C 3
The
2.2
The Voyage and Adventures
>
!
The 17th we heard the Seamen cry a Whale,
another Marine Pleafure; every Body roſe
immediately to pay our Compliment to the
Eminency of a great black Back, which fwam
up and down flowly about our Ship.
A Moment after we faw fifteen or twenty
more, which put me in mind of what Mr. de
Godeau fays elegantly in his Poems.
Thou, for the Beauty of the Universe,
With Monsters various in their Forms
Haft Peopled all the Liquid Plains;
And wil'ft that all within the fpatious Deep,
To the huge Whales fhou'd Homage pay
Who look like floating Rocks upon the Sea.
Indeed fuch as have no more Experience of the
Sea than honeft Aloyfio Cadamufto had, and all
his Ships Crew imagine, that thefe huge Beafts
feek after to devour them. This celebrated
Voyager in the I. Chapter of the History of his
Navigation tells us, they were all very much a-
fraid of a terrible Monfter, whofe Fins were
like the Sails of a Windmill, which came
down upon them, but they efcap'd that Dan-
ger, by clapping all their Sails to, and flying
fafter than the Monfter could purfue them. As
for us, We were fo far from being afraid, that
we were extreamly delighted to fee thofe Co-
loffes play in the Waves with as much agility,
as a Bird flies in the Air. One of thefe Whales
was much bigger than any of the reft, and
lookt like a little Ile with a little Mountain in
it, on the furface of the fmooth Ocean.
I question whether that prodigious half of a
Jaw which is thought worthy to be faften'd to
the Wall of the Pallace of St. James's in Lon-
doa,
i
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
23
don, belong'd to an Animal of a more Mon-
ftrous fize, Our Seamen who had Patricius
Vartomanni's Relation; cou'd not help laughing
when they read what that famous Author writes
of Whales that pifs'd as high as the Clouds.
But if they had read Pliny and Solinus, vene-
rable for their Antiquity, with their Whales
960 Foot long, their inclination to Laugh,
had been chang'd into a mortal Fright, for
fear of being all fwallow'd, Ship, Anchors,
Sails, Mafts, Men and Goods: For tho' thofe
that are commonly call'd Naturalifts, have for
a long time us'd themfelves to affirm, that fo-
nas cou'd not be fwallow'd by a Whale, becauſe
the Throat of thefe Animals is fo ftraight, that
hardly a Pilcher can go down it; yet every
Body do's not believe what they fay, as a mat-
ter beyond all Difpute. There are few Men
who have themfelves Diffected Whales, and
have feen with their own Eyes, what fort of
Throats they have; befides, we muft; confider
there are feveral different kinds of theſe Ma-
rine Monſters. And as I cannot refufe belie-
ving P. George Fournier, a very curious Man, and
very knowing in every thing which belongs
to the Sea, who affures us in his Hydrography,
that two Men were found in the Belly of a
Whale that was thrown a-fhoar at Valentia, on
the Coaft of Spain, a Jaw of which is preferv'd
in the Efcurial, ſo I am fatisfi'd a Whate of the
fize Solinus fpeaks of, wou'd have fwallow'd us
up as eafily, as they do Sack and Loaches in
England. Signior Cadamufto fays, that his Levi-
athan was bigger than the Whale; but the Dif
pute concerning the Whale and the Leviathan,
is about a word only; for the Animal that in
all Languages is call'd a Whale, is the biggeſt
C 4
of
}
24
The Voyage and Adventures
of all Fiſh, and even of all Animals. And from
thence Mr. Bochart writes (Phal. Vol. II. Book
1. Chap. 1.) that the word Baleine or Whale is
a Syriaque word, which fignifies Lord of
Fiſhes.
I cou'd willingly fay one word more on this
Article, to confute the Error of thofe whỏ
imagine the Whale-bone which Women uſe in
their Stays and Gowns, is taken out of the Tail
and Fins of this Fifh; for what I fay, I know
very well, and that is, the Whale-bone we
fpeak of is never found any where but in the
Mouth of feveral kinds of theſe Animals which
have no Teeth: Enough of this, 'tis time to
keep on our way, and that I may not be ac-
cus'd here of loving Digreffions, Í fhall fay no-
thing of the Battel between the Sword-fifh and
the Whale, which our Mariners told us of, tho'
it cou'd not properly be call'd a Digreffion,
and the thing is curious enough, much more
fo than the fighting of Cocks, or that of Dogs
and Bears, in which whole Nations take de-
light.
The 21st we again met with abundance of
Whales, and there was one which I believe
fcratch'd her felf againſt our Ship, but fo rude-
ly, that she was flead with it; the found fome
Fracture which rub'd off the Skin, for when
The was at a Diſtance from us, we perceiv'd fhe
was all bloody, and her fcratching had giv'n
our Veffel a little fake.
Arriving in the height of the Ille Tristan we
fail'd Eastward to endeavour to gain it, but we
cou'd not fucceed becauſe of the Fogs and hazy
Weather, which we had for five or fix days;
we lay by all that while, that we might not go
beyond it, nor come too near it. The Wear
ther
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
25
1
ther not clearing up, we were afraid of lo-
fing our time there, and refolv'd to take hold of
the opportunity of a fair Wind which then
prefented, and might bring us in a few days to
the Cape of Good Hope: But we had not kept
on our Courſe thither fix Hours, before the
Wind ſhifted again, and was in our Teeth,
which oblig'd the Captain to tell us, he muft
make a new effort to put into the Ifle of Tri-
ftan. His pretended defign fucceeded in fome
fort, we faw that Iſland Thursday the 27th of
December, about fix in the Morning, and coaft-
ed it from the North, to the South and by East,
but we cou'd find no place to caft Anchor, we
were always Sounding, but never reach'd the
Bottom.
We perceiv'd plainly enough that the Cap-
tains Chart was falfe, becauſe there was a Bay
mark'd to be in that part which we faw, where
there certainly was none at all; and having
no intention that we fhould land there, he
wou'd have perfwaded us the Ifle was inacceffi-
ble But we were fure Ships had formerly an-
chor'd there, and were confirm'd in that Opi-
nion by a good Chart of the Sieur Teftard's,
where a Bay was mark'd in another place to
the Westward, and it reprefented the Coafts that
were before us, to be, as indeed they were, ve-
ry high and ſteep.
We obferv'd à little Iſland to the Southward.
but we did not come near it. That Coaft of
the Iſle of Tristan which we faw, was about
two Leagues long; it feem'd to be extreamly
agreeable, tho' very fteep, as I have faid; and
tho' we had Mifts from time to time, which
depriv'd us in part of the fight of it, and fome-
times hid it all entirely from us, yet we cou'd
..
fee
་
1
26
The Voyage and Adventures
fee the Hills from the top to the bottom, were
adorn'd with the most beautiful verdure in the
World, and we faw the Sun with Pleaſure thro?
tall and ftraight Trees, with which the tops of
the Mountains were cover'd, Birds were every
where flying about, the running Waters flow'd
abundantly in feveral places, from Bafon to
Bafon, making admirable Cafcades; and from
the foot of the Hills, to which they rapidly
rowl'd, they fell precipitately into the Sea.
All the different Beauties of this charming Pro-
fpect, made us more defirous to have a nearer
view of it, and refreſh our felves in fo delici-
ous a Place; but we defir'd it in vain.
The Sea was almoft cover'd with Whales and
Sea-Wolfs, which fwam to the very Shoar of
the Ille playing with the Water, and fome of
them ran againſt our Frigat; about which flew
a great number of Sea-fowl of feveral kinds,
fome as big as our Geefe, others no bigger than
Ducks. The fight of them fill'd us with new
Joy, as did every thing that brought the much
defir'd Land to our Remembrance: 'Twas to
no pu pole for us to flatter our felves with hopes
of Landing on the lovely Ille that lay before.
us, and perhaps we might have ftay'd there.
too long if we had. There was the greater like-
lihood of it, inafmuch as our Healths were very
much impair'd, the moft Vigorous finding his
Strength extreamly decay'd, but we cou'd dif-
cover neither Bay nor Port, our Captain not
having done all that was in his Power to fearch
after one: We durft not stay near the Shoar
in the Night-time; befides, we were too much
expos'd to violent gufts of Wind which blew
off Land from between the Mountains, fo we
purlu'd our Voyage towards the Cape.
In
Pag. 27
A SEA-COW
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
27
In the Night the Wind rofe fo high, that all
our Hands found buſineſs enough to employ
them. The Waves flew up to the top of our
Mafts, and there fell fo much Water upon Deck,
that our young Lad had been drown'd if he had
not been very nimbly affifted.
On New-Years-day, 1691. we were entertain'd
with the fight of a Sea-Cow of a ruffet Colour;
fometimes her whole Head, and fometimes a-
bove half her Body appear'd above Water; fhe
was thick and round, and feem'd to be more
bulky than the bigeft of our Cows. Her Eye was
large, her Teeth or Tusks long, and her Muz-
zle fwell'd out a little : One of our Mariners
affur'd us, this Animal had Feet the fame as you
fee in this Figure.
The 11th and 12th we faw abundance of
Birds as big as Partridges, and very near of the
fame Colour, which our Ships Crew call'd by
the Name of Griffards or grey Birds: There
were feveral other forts, and all of them diffe-
rent from thofe of our Continent. You may
imagine theſe new Objects were not difagreea-
ble to us; but what pleas'd us moft was, that
they were a certain fign of our being near
Land.
The 13th in the Evening we faw and knew
the Cape of Good Hope, but loft fight of it again
in a great Fog, which rofe on a fudden, and
oblig'd us to keep out to Sea all that Night.
The next day we drew near and faw the Iſle
Robben, which is at the entrance of the Port.
This little Iſland is flat, and has no Dwellings
upon it but fome Hutts, where the Lime-burners
live, when they are fent thither to make it.
All of us had a long while earnestly defir'd
to arrive at the Cape, for we all wanted Re-
freſhment
}
1
28
The Voyage and Adventures
freſhment extreamly, being almoft eaten up
with the Scurvy, and the Grapes beginning to
ripen, the Seaſon was very favourable to us.
After having Coafted along the Cape two days,
fometimes with a Larboard, and fometimes
with a Starboard Tack, becauſe of the contrary
Wind and Current, we at laft enter'd the Bay
the 26th of January, 1691. and caft Anchor a-
bout four in the Afternoon.
>
Tho' this feems to be an admirable Bay, its
vaſt Baſon being enclos'd on one fide by a
ridge of Mountains, and on the other by a long
tract of Earth, which feems inſtead of a Mole
for it. 'Tis however very often dangerous to
ride in, the reaſon of which is, partly for that
one of thoſe Mountains which ought always
to be a fhelter to it, is fometimes, and even
frequently a fatal Source of thofe impetuous
Gufts, that preſently put all the Ships into a
terrible Diſorder; befides, the Sea-winds are
very furious, they blow with a frightful force,
and the Anchorage not being very good,
Ships are in great danger of running a-fhoar,
or overfetting, and no Boats are then fuffer'á
to come off to them. This bad Mountain is
near the Point of the Cape, and call'd the
Devil's Mountain, on account of the mifchief it
do's. 'Twas in the year 1493. that Bartholomew
Diaz, was fent by John II. King of Portugal to
diſcover this Cape; but he fays, the dreadful
Winds that always blow there, hinder'd him
from Landing, and for that Reafon he gave
the Place the Name of Tormentado the Tempe-
ftuous. The ſtory adds, the King reply'd they
fhou'd not be fo foon difcourag'd, and that he
wou'd himſelf give that Land the Name of the
Cape of Good Hope.
There
}
THE BAY OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Ch
01!!!
Page 29.
1
1
1
1
}
Isle Robben
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
2.9
There are two other Mountains near the De-
vil's, one call'd the Lyon's Mountain; for that
when we ſee it from the Bay, fome Men fan-
fie it looks like a Lyon Couchant. On the top
of it there's always a Guard, and ten pieces of
Canon: And when any Ships are diſcover'd at
Sea, notice of it is giv'n to the Port.
The other Mountain is call'd the Table Moun-
tain, and with good reafon; for its Summet
being cut off Horizontally, it naturally enough
repreſents the figure of a Table. There's a
little Lake or Pond at the top of it, which fup-
plies part of the cultivated Lands in the bot-
tom with Water: We had feveral Charts, and
took ſeveral views of the Bay, but this ſeem'd
to us to be the beſt.
We found four Ships there, two Dutch (the
Black Lion and the Mountain of China,) one En-
glish, and one Danish. Our Guns being ſtill in
the Hold, we cou'd not Salute them at firft ac-
cording to Cuſtom. 'Twas the next day be-
fore they were ready, and when fir'd, it had
been better we had let it alone, unleſs we cou'd
have come off more luckily; though as it hap-
pen'd, 'twas well it was no worfe; for one of
our Guns which was loaden with Ball ever fince
we came from the Texel, and had not been dif-
charg'd, was forgotten to be loaden, and be
ing fir'd ftruck the Wall of the Fort, after ha-
ving paft through the middle of thirty Per-
fons, and brush'd a little the Beard of the Ser-
jeant, who return'd us our Bullet: We were
chid for our Negligence, and that was all. I
remember to have read in Lambard's Defcripti-
on of the County of Kent in England, a like
violent Salutation of a Bullet which was fhot
thro' the Palace of Greenwich, and whift'd in
the
!
}
30
The Voyage and Adventures
the Firſt Queen Mary's Ears. Kings don't love
fuch fort of Honours, and our Serjeant was of
the fame mind with Kings.
The next day we went to deliver our Let-
ters to the Governour, who check'd us for the
Blunder we had made in entring the Port, and
indeed we deſerv'd it: However, he receiv'd us
very civilly out of reſpect to the Treaty Mon-
fieur du Quefne had made with Meffieurs the Di-
rectors of the Eaft-India Company, from whom
we alfo brought Letters of Recommendation.
We afterwards made the neceffary Inquiries for
the profecution of our Voyage, particularly if
the French had again taken poffeffion of the
Ifland of Mafcaregne, and if there was any news
of their Squadron at the Cape? But we cou'd
meet with no certain account of either the one
or the other.
1
Some told us, the Squadron of Seven Men
of War had put three hundred Men a-fhoar
there, in their way to the Indies: Others faid,
the French who were driv'n out of Siam, had
feiz'd the Ille. And others affur'd us, that
Squadron never touch'd there, and that
there were only a few Families at Mafcaregne,
who had dwelt there a long time. Thefe Re-
ports being all different, were of no ufe to us.
All agreed, that nothing cou'd compare with
the Inland of Mafcaregne for Beauty and Fertility.
That Corn, Grapes, and every thing elfe pro-
per for the Nouriſhment of Man, grew there in
abundance, and almoft without Cultivating.
This made us refolve to depart with all conve-
nient ſpeed for Maurice Ifle, which is not far
from that of Mafcaregne or Eden. We might ex-
pect there to be better inform'd of things, and
enabled to concert our Meaſures better, to fol-
low
1
T
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
31
low the Orders that were giv'n us in Hol-
land.
Thofe of us that were fickeft: Landed at the
Cape, as foon as we arriv'd, to cure our felves
of the Scurvy, ftaying at Land being the on-
ly true and fovereign Remedy for that Diftem-
per.
The Grapes were juft beginning to grow
ripe when we came there (which was an ex-
cellent Refreshment for our felves, and our
Ships Crew:) We ftay'd there Weeks at
the Cape, as well to recover our Health, as to
refit our Ship. Since my deſign is to ſpeak more
largely of the Cape of Good Hope in the fequel
of this Relation,and to give an account of what
Remarkable things I faw there in my Return,
I fhall not detain the Reader any longer a-
bout it now, our good Swallow having been
refresh'd as well as we, and all our Company
being in a good ſtate of Health, we weigh'd
Anchor the 13th of Feb. 1691. after three Weeks
reft a-fhoar. We Saluted the Fort with five
Guns, and ſo ſet Sail, tho' the Wind was not
quite fair for us. After having tack'd to and
again fome time, we went on in a ſtraight
Courfe to double Cape Needles; we came into
40 Degrees, and the Wind continu'd changea-
ble till the 15th of March, when we had all the
Prognofticks that fore-run a terrible Tempeft.
I
The Wind became Impetuous in a very little
time, and the Sea foaming and lifting up its
Waves, form'd Mountains that feem'd higher
than our Mafts: the Air appear'd to be all on
fire, Lightnings ftruck us almoft blind, and the
Waves rowl'd dreadfully in upon us. But our
Crew were most of all terrify'd at the fight of
St. Elme's Fire, which ſtuck to our Mafts: Our
Ship
32
The Voyage and Adventures
!
1
}
1
Ship was fo little, that People were amaz'd at
the fight of it at the Cape, and 'twas now
driv'n along with inconceiveable fwiftnefs: All
things were in Confufion, and horrible Dif-
order. Our Tackling broke, our Chefts, our
Arms, Beds, the Mariners and Paffengers were
tumbled Pell-mell, from one fide to t'other: The
Heavens which appear'd at firſt to us to be all
on fire, were now hid from our Eyes by black
Clouds, from whoſe profound depths iffu'd fuch
Torrents of Water, as threaten'd to overwhelm
thoſe that handled the Ropes with preſent De-
ftruction.
Our Deck was always a Foot deep in Wa-
ter, for the Sea threw it in fafter, than it cou'd
run out; and it added to our Terrors, that no
body there had ever feen the like before, fo
extraordinary was this Storm; the fame Wind
encreas'd ſtill to a certain Point: after which
all the others blew fucceffively, and fome-
times mingled together with equal fury to
make Sport with our poor little Veffel, which
this Minute they toft up to the Skye's, and
the next funk down to the Earth. During the
ten hours that this Tempeft lafted, all the
Winds confpir'd to make an entire tour of the
Compafs; and it being impoffible to handle
the Ropes and Sails to work the Ship regularly,
we were all that while oblig'd to abandon our
felves to the caprice and fury of the Waves.
At laft the Storm decreas'd by little and
little, we recover'd Hope' in the midſt of De
fpair, and heartily Congratulated one another
on our common Deliverance, each of us feel-
ing a fecret Joy, which none can be fenfible
of, that has not efcap'd the like Danger, and
been deliver'd out of fo great and fo juft a
Fright.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
33
[
:
:
Fright. We therefore return'd thanks to him,
that had preferv'd us in the midft of it thro' his
infinite Mercy.
When we were a little come to our felves,
we lookt upon thofe dreadful Billows which
threaten'd ftill to fwallow us up, as if they only
play'd with us, and concluded that the Tem-
peft in which we had been, cou'd be nothing lefs
than a Hurricane. We found a true and lively
Deſcription of it in the CVII. Pfalm, which
we read with great Pleaſure and Admiration, as
we did alfo the XXIX.
Let who will boaft of the famous Idea's of
Virgil on the fame Subject: What he fays, do's
not come up to the Sublime of theſe two Pfalms:
And indeed all the Places admir'd by the Pe-
dants in the Greek and Latin Poets, are but Tri-
fles, in Compariſon with the Magnificent and
Inimitable Canticles of David.
We Diſcours'd a long time on the terrible
and almoſt incredible effects of the Matter of
Air, which is in appearance fo foft, fo weak,
fo light, fo invisible, and like to nothing, and
which in the impetuous Agitations of thefe
Whirl-winds, tear up the greateſt Trees by the
Roots, break Ships to pieces, throw down
Houfes, and in a few Minutes caufe fuch great
Diſorders.
10
What's moft to be admir'd in it, is, that the
fureft Prefage of a Hurricane (an Indian Word
which we have adopted) is a perfect Calm
the Sea puts on a deceitful Mien, fhe ſmooths
all her Furrows, and leaves not the leaft wrin-
kle on her Brows, but looks on you with a gay
and ſmiling Air.
I wifh thofe Gentlemen whom we call Phi-
lofophers, wou'd fhew us diftinctly the fecret
D
Springs
t
34
The Voyage and Adventures
1
1
1
Springs of theſe feveral wonderful Movements;
inſtead of filling their famous Writings with
their little fuperficial Reaſons, which are al-
moft always falfe. True fages humbly confefs
that Nature has her unfearchable Depths, and
that to speak properly, all theſe are things Di-
vine. They acknowledge alfo, that one of the
greateſt Sciences of true Philofophy, is not to
be ignorant of ones Ignorance.
It has been thought, that the Rain is falt when
the Hurricane is at the height; feveral Voya-
gers have written as much, but tho' I will not
pofitively deny the matter of fact, I am very
apt to believe they confound the fprinklings of
the Waves with the Rain: If 'tis faid that the
Rain has been found to be Salt a-fhoar, in the
middle of certain Iflands, I anſwer in the firft
place, that I doubt it, and add, that the fame
Whirl-winds that lift up the greateſt Veffels,
may alfo raiſe up great quantities of thoſe bro-
ken Waves, and fcatter them to a vaft diftance,
in theſe Ifles or other Places far from the Sea,
where falling down in drops, they may cafily
be miſtaken for Rain.
I fhall fay one word only of St. Elme's Fire,
which I faw flicking to our Mafts when the
Storm was at the ftrongeft, becauſe I did not
make any particular Obfervation of that Pha-
nomena. I faw it but by chance, and my Mind
was then fo employ'd about things of another
Nature, that it had no time for matters of Cu-
riofity. I obferv'd a Body of blewifh Light,
as it were curl round one of our Mafts, and I
did not look to fee if there was any more ;
what makes me believe there was but one, is,
our Seamen were frighted at the fight of it;
whereas had there been two,
thefe poor
Wretches
2726+7%AEG%མཐ
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
Wretches wou'd have taken it for a Happy
Omen. 'Twas without doubt according to this
Idea, that the Name of one of theſe two Fires
only, is not mention'd by St. Paul fpeaking of
the Ship he was in, but of both together: I
fay of both, becauſe two was then ſpoken of.
The two Children that came out of the fame
Womb with Hellen and Clytemnestra, the two
Eggs of Lada, which fome have transform'd in-
to the Conftellation of Gemini, and others a-
dore under their Primitive Name of Caftor and
Pollux, as Gods of the Sea, becauſe they ſup-
port Pirates: But I know there fometimes ap-
pear four or five together, and perhaps more.
As for Monfieur St. Elme fucceeding Monfieur
St. Caftor, and Monfieur St. Pollux, 'tis a queftion
that I leave to fome Seraphick Doctor to decide
how it came about.
{
The 3d of April we faw Land, great News!
What it was we cou'd not tell, for we had loft
our Tramontane: Nevertheleſs we flatter'd our
felves with Hopes that 'twas the Ifle of Eden;
and we made Merry with the thoughts of fet-
ting foot on the Land we fo much defir'd, as
defign'd for the place of our Habitation. The
Wind feem'd to have a fpirit of Contradicti-
on, and wou'd not let us approach it, howe-
ver, we difputed that Matter fo effectually with
it, that in fpite of its Obftinacy we drew fo
near it, as to perceive after a ftrict Examinati-
on, 'twas the fame we fought after, and had
now found with equal Surprize and Joy.
We difcover'd feveral Beauties in this admi-
Table Country, from the place where we ftopt
to view it: All that part of it which prefen-
ted it felf to our View appear'd to be a Level,
with Mountains rifing in the Middle; and we
D &
con'd
35
36
The Voyage and Adventures
*
cou'd eafily difcern the agreeable mixture of
Woods, Rivers and Valleys enamell'd with a
charming Verdure: If our Sight was perfectly
well pleas'd, our Smell was no lefs; for the Air
was perfum'd with a Delicious Odour that af
cended from the Ifle, and that plainly arofe
from the abundance of Limons and Oran-
ges which grow there. This fweet Odour
Itruck us all alike, when we came at a certain
diftance from the Iſland; ſome agreeably com-
plain'd, that the Perfume hinder'd them from
Sleeping, others faid they were fo embalm'd
with it, that 'twas as much a Refreshment to
them, as if they had been fifteen days a-fhoar.
The Account which Monfieur Du Quefne or-
der'd to be publiſh'd of this Iſland, has not this
Particular, but Mr. Delon did not forget it; and
he even writes, that he believes the Reafon
why there are no Serpents, Rats, nor Veno-
mous Infects in that Ifle, is, becauſe the great
number of Odoriferous Flowers with which it
is cover'd, are Poyfon to thofe Animals, which
he fays he has experienc'd. We cou'd not help
praifing this Paradife, all of us extoll'd it but
the Captain, who affected to ſpeak the quite
contrary, whatever Difpofition he then fhew'd
to it, and however pofitive his Orders were
to Land on that Illand, he never intended it;
and 'twas pure chance that brought him fo near
it, for he thought he was above forty Leagues
off when we difcover'd it. He feem'd to be
amaz'd when the Pilot told him he ſpy'd Land,
and believ'd 'twas that we fought after. I fhall
not pretend here to give this Mans fecret Rea-
fons for what he did, becauſe I know nothing
but by Conjecture; and befides, 'tis not to our
purpoſe, be it one way or t'other. (Alas, I can
hardly
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of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
37
hardly hold my Pen in my Hand to ſay it;)
this Cheat, this Rafcal, took hold of the weak
Condition we were in, drew farther off from
the Ifland by little and little, and fail'd direct-
ly to Diego-Ruys. His Ships Crew were all at
his Difpofal, and we the Paffengers being all
Sick, cou'd not pretend to force him to exe-
cure his Commiffion. 'Tis eafie to imagine how
we were furpriz'd and troubled.
As for the Defcription of this Amiable
Country, fince I was not fo happy as to vifit
it my felf, which the Reader has expected I
fhould do from the beginning of the Voyage:
I believe he will not be difpleas'd, if I have re-
courſe to a means to procure it for him that
will in a great meaſure make amends for my
diſappointing him. To this end I will a-
bridge the Relation of the moft Remarkable
Rarities of this Ifland, which Monfieur du
Quefne made publick before our departure from
Holland. 'Tis true, this Relation may be fuf-
pected by thoſe who think 'twas his Intereft
to prepoffefs the World with an advantageous
Opinion of the new World which he was
going to Inhabit: But to this I fhall firſt
reply, that Monfieur de Quefne was fo very
far from adding to the truth, that he wou'd
not fuffer any thing to be inferted in the
Book he order'd to be Publifh'd, which had
the leaft air of Exaggeration: And in the next
place I add that at Maurice Ifland, Batavia and
the Cape, I can my felf Witneſs, every Body
allow'd there was nothing in that Relati-
on which was not exactly conformable to
Truth.
C
,
This Ifland was at firft call'd Mafcarenas, by
the Portuguese, who took Poffeffion of it in
D 3
• the
38
The Voyage and Adventures
J
*This is an
Error of
the Author,
it should be
John III
K
.
6
C
C
the Reign of their King John * IV. in the Year
1545. M. de Flacour fet up the Standard of
France there, one hundred and eight Years af-
terwards, in the Name of Lewis XIV. now
reigning, and gave it the Illuftrious Name
of Bourbon. What he wrote concerning it is
to be feen. He put the Arms of France on
the very Monument where he found thoſe
of Portugal, having done the fame at Madd-
gafcar.
1
I believe the French have as good as aban-
don'd this little Ifland. Others that have
fince landed there, have found it to be fo ex-
<cellent and fo beautiful, that they look'd up-
on it as a Terreftrial Paradiſe, and gave it
the fine Name of Eden; that is, The Country of
Delight.
..
The Relation out of which I have taken this
Abftract, fays,no Body ever went quite thro'
the Ifland, which was for want of good In-
formation. The Map I have plac'd here, was
taken from a Defcription given by Perfons
that vifited it all over, and liv'd there feveral
Years.
<
C
$
<
Monfieur du Quefne adds, Be it as it will, 'tis
certain the Ifle of Eden is of a fufficient Ex-
tent, to contain eafily a long Defcent of
Generations, of whatever Colony will fettle
there.
6
'Tis moft true, fays our Author, That Voy-
agers have not made mention of any Coun--
try where the Air is more healthy than in
this Ifle; which is a very important Article.
'Tis well known abundance of fick People
દ have gone afhoar there, and have recover'd
their Health in a very little time. The fame.
have thofe faid, who have remain'd there
much
}
-
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
39
“
much longer; tho' they wanted ſeveral Con-
veniencies, and were but too much expos'd
fometimes to the Sun, and fometimes to the
'Dew. The Sky is clear; the Exhalations of the
Earth, as well as thofe of the Aromatick
Plants and Flowers, with which 'tis cover'd,
'perfume the Air, and they breath'd in a Bal-
my Spirit equally wholefome and agree-
C
C
• able.
C
C
<
This charming Ifle lies between 21 and 22
deg. of S. Latitude, and has one Advantage
in common with other Countries near the
Line, that the Heats are temper'd by certain
cool and regular Breezes, which Providence,
admirable in all its Ways, has fo difpos'd to
"render thefe Countries more Commodious for
Habitation.
(
c
،
The abundance of Springs that are found
in this Ifle, is one of its Rarities. The Water
' is clear and wholeſome, and fome of it Pur-
gative. From theſe Springs flow Rivulets,
and even fome Rivers, which water all the
Plains, and are ſo full of Fiſh, that Voyagers
affirm, Those who ford them find it so flip-
pery, they can hardly stand for the Number of Fish.
There are feveral Lakes, and one among the
reft, ſo plentiful of Springs, that ſeven great
Rivulets run out of it into a vaft and rich
• Plain.
r
C
C
،
:
C
There is no venemous Creature upon it,
neither in the Water, neither on the dry
Land; whereas almoft all other hot Coun-
tries are full of Snakes, and fuch fort of Ani-
mals, whofe Sting or Bite is dangerous, if not
mortal. The fame thing is affirm'd of the
Plants and Fruits here.
D 4
' I
1
40
The Voyage and Adventures
I fhall fay nothing of the admirable Shells
that are pick'd up on the Sea fhoar, nor of
the Coral and Ambergreefe that are found
C here, tho' they are both valuable and ufeful
Things. But I muft declare, that the Sea is
full of Filh, and that its Turtles only wou'd
abundantly and delicioufly fubfift the Inha-
bitants. The Land Turtles are alfo fome of
the Riches of the Island. There are vaft
Numbers of them: Their Flefh is very deli-
the Fat better than Butter or the beſt
Oil, for all forts of Sawces. Some of the Sea
Turtles weigh above 500 Pound weight. The
Land Turtles are not fo big; but the great
ones carry a Man with more eafe than a Man
can carry them. This Oil of Turtle, for 'tis
a fort of Fat, which do's not congeal as other
Fat do's, is an excellent Remedy in ſeveral
Diftempers.
6
C cate;
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The Forrefts are not fo thick but one may
eafily go thro' them, and the Shade do's not
hinder the Fruit from ripening. There is abun-
dance of Cedars, of Ebony, and Timber for
Carpenters ufe, Palm-Trees, Fig-Trees,
Plantanes, Oranges, Limons, &c. We might
C name 20 other different kinds of Trees that
bear Fruit good to eat, and the variety of their
Taftes are enough to content thofe of all
Men. Aloes, Indigo, Sugar Canes, Cotton,
Ananas, Bananas, Tobacco, Potatoes, Pump-
kins, Land and Water Melons, Cucumbers,
Charibbean Cabages, Beans, Artichokes, a
certain fort of Peafe, and a hundred other
Plants Fruits or Roots of this nature grow
naturally every where. 'Tis experienc'd that
Indian Corn, Millet, Rice, Wheat, Barley,and
Oats, grow very well there, and that one
.
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of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
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.
C .
may have above one Crop a Year of all theſe
'feveral forts of Grains. People have had the
Curiofity to fow fome of each fort of our
Pulfe and Garden Herbs (which I fhall not
particularize, for fear of being tirefome) and
they all came up to a wonder. The reafon
is, 'tis an excellent Soil, and the Father of
Nature has render'd it admirably fruitful.
Since we find very good Grapes there, we
have reaſon to believe one may have very
& good Wine; and, no doubt, might with the
fame fuccefs raife any of the Fruit-trees pe-
culiar to our Continent.
<
C
f
C
The black Cattle, Hogs and Goats, that
were formerly left there by the Portugueſe, are
fo multiply'd that we meet with them in
Droves in the Forrefts; and one may reafo-
nably expect that Dear, Sheep, and all Ani-
'mals that we find any where elſe, in the fame
Climate, wou'd in the fame manner fucceed
? there.
<
(
6
،
€
The Fowl that are moft plenty in this
Ifland, are Partridges, Doves, Ducks, Wood-
Pigeons, Woodcocks, Quales, Black-Birds,
C Puets, Thrufhes, Geefe, Coots, Ducks, Bit-
terns, Parrots, Herons, Peacocks, Fools, Fri-
gats, Sparrows, and abundance of other ſmall
Birds, as alfo Birds of Prey, and other Birds,
There are Batts whofe Bodies are bigger than
a Hens, and the Flesh of them very pleaſant
to eat, when a Man gets over that Averfion
to 'em which is begot by Prejudice. The
Parrots are alfo excellent Food. The Pea-
C cocks, are great Birds mounted upon Stilts
they frequent Lakes and Rivers, and their
Fleſh taftes much like that of a Bittern. The
Partridges are all grey, and half as little again
$ as
C
ċ
C
૬
J.
42
The Voyage and Adventures
•
C
C
C
c
as ours. The Males of the Sparrows have
red Breaſts, and when they make Love, red-
der than ordinary: But theſe little Animals,
which, like Flowers and Butter-flies, feem to
be made only to embellish Nature, multiply
fo faft, that, to fay the Truth, they are trou-
• blefome. They come in Clouds, and carry
C away the Corn that is fown, if great Care is
C not taken of it; which is doubtlefs an Incon-
venience; but a little Gunpowder foon frigh-
tens 'em away. There are alfo Caterpillars
and Flyes, which are a little vexatious. And
laftly (for we muſt fay all we can, if we
'wou'd give a true and entire Idea of Things)
' thofe dreadful Tempefts, that are known by
the Name of Hurricanes, are a difmal Article.
However, we are affur'd they are much lefs
'violent than thoſe of America; and, after all,
do not laft above four and twenty Hours.
< Befides, theſe terrible Tempefts never happen
but once a Year, and there are infallible ways
of providing againſt them: to which we may
C add, that for one bad Day there are three
⚫ hundred fixty four wonderfully fair ones. And
this Confideration is very comfortable. Wife
Men, who have had a little Experience of
the World, and travell'd a little, know that no
perfect happiness is to be expected in it, nei-
ther under the Line nor under the Poles. Eve-
ry Thing has its For and Againft, and the
beft is but the leaft bad. All that can be
'done therefore on this Occafion, as well as in
others, is to take the Balance and weigh
"Things before we determine what to do. If
fome Inconveniencies in our Eden trouble
you, fays Mr. du Quefne, Put the Catterpil-
lars, the Flyes and the Sparrows of this Ïle,
C toge-
C
C
C
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
43
C
together with one Hurricane a Year, in one
Scale, and add, Health, Liberty, Safety, A-
bundance and Peace. To counterbalance
theſe three forts of little troublefome Ani-
mals, put all thofe ftrange Beafts that our fa-
mous Moliere calls Harpagons, Purgons, Ma-
cratons, Mafcarils, Metaphrafts, Triffotins,
Town-Fops, all the Race of Mifers, Cheats,
'Coxcombs and Blockheads, add to that Dra-
gons and Beetles, Cellar-Rats, Barn-Rats, Sla-
C very, Poverty, Alarms, and a thouſand Mife-
، ries, and fee which Scale is the heavieſt.
с
C
I muft again declare, 'twas to our great
Regret, that we faw our felves leaving this
Iſland behind us, this charming Iſland, ſo much
defir'd by us. We were fo weak and fo trou-
bled, that we conſented to what we could not
help; and the Commander of our Swallow en-
deavour'd to perfuade us he wou'd carry us to
a Place every whit as good as that of which we
were fo fond. 'Twas but one hundred and fifty
Leagues from this Iſland, but the Wind was fo
contrary, that we were forc'd to tack to and
again for a Month together.
Poor John Pagni, one of our Companions,
dy'd between the Ifle we had found and that
we were ſeeking: He cou'd no longer refift the
Violence of the Scurvy and the Oppreffion
that tormented him.
On Saturday Morning, the 25th of April,
1691, Old Stile, we fpy'd Land, which was the
little Inland Diego Ruys, where our Captain re-
folv'd to carry us; we came very near it, by
the Eaſtern Point failing Southward. It ap-
pear'd to us to be difficult of accefs, it being
furrounded with Rocks call'd Shelves, which
-run very far out into the Sea. We did not at
firft
The Voyage and Adventures
firſt perceive either Port, or Bay, or any Place
where we might land. In the Evening we
founded and met with the Bottom,three Leagues
from Shoar. We caft Anchor, 'twas a Calm,
and we ftay'd there till Monday the 27th.
for what reafon I know not. That and the
next Day we ſpent in examining the outfide of
the Iſle as much as we cou'd, to endeavour to
diſcover fome Place that was acceffible. The
28th. about four in the Afternoon, we per-
ceiv'd an Opening, which feem'd proper for
our Deſign: But the Night following we were
driy'n out to Sea, and beat there till the next
Day. About II a Clock in the Forenoon a
Calm took us, and brought us into great Dan-
ger; for a rapid Current plainly carry'd us
among Rocks, that run out above a League
into the Sea. We were fo near that there was
no likelihood of avoiding them, when by the
ſpecial Mercy of Heaven there fprung up a
brisk and fair Wind that drove us back.
then made the Cape towards the North Point,
and at Noon the Captain put out his Boat to
feek for a Place to enter. In the Evening we
fail'd towards the Northeast Point, and the
Boat gave us a Signal that it had found out
good Anchorage: We were then on the Rock
in eight Fathom Water only, which oblig'd us
to be always founding, We caft Anchor in
nine Fathom, a fandy Mud at Bottom; our
Ship was tow'd along by the Boat: We lay
there till the next Day, when we intended to
look out for a better Place. Accordingly, ear-
ly in the Morning, the 30th of April, we caft
Anchor in nine Fathom Water, a good Bottom
of Ouzy Sand, and fhelter'd from the Eaft and
South-Eaft Winds, which blow almoſt always
in that Country,***
We
The
:
45
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
The Iſland afar off, and near at hand, ap-
pear'd to us very lovely: The Captain, who
had his Reaſons for not landing us at Triftan or
Mafcaregna, defir'd nothing better than to leave
us at Rodrigo, and with that Deſign he highly
extoll'd the Beauty and Advantages of this
Ifland; and indeed this little new World feem'd
full of Delights and Charms. 'Tis true, we did
not fee fo many Birds flying about as at Triftan,
and our Road was not fo perfum'd with the
Odours of the neighbouring Shoar as at Eden,
from whence we had been come about a Month.
But we cou'd not thence conclude there were
no Birds in the New Iſland, nor no Flowers to
fend up grateful Sweets. Befides, the Face of
it was extreamly Fair. We cou'd hardly take
our Eyes off from the little Mountains, of
which it almoſt entirely confifts, they are fo
richly ſpread with great and tall Trees. The
Rivers that we faw run from them water'd Val-
leys, whofe Fertility we cou'd not doubt of;
and, after having run thro' a beautiful Level,
they fell into the Sea, even before our Eyes.
Their Banks were adorn'd with Forrefts; and
fome of us, at the fight of this Lovely Ifle,
call'd to mind the famous Lignon, and thofe fe-
veral enchanted Places, fo agreeably defcrib'd
by Mr. d'Urfe in his Romance: But our
Thoughts were immediately carry'd away by
other Contemplations. We admir'd the fecret
and wonderful Ways of Providence, which,
after having permitted us to be ruin'd at home,
had brought us thence by many Miracles, and
now dry'd up all our Tears, by the fight of
the Earthly Paradiſe it prefented to our view
where, if we would, we might be rich, free
and happy; if contemning vain Riches, we
13
wou'd
46
The Voyage and Adventures
wou'd employ the peaceable Life that was of-
fer'd to us, to glorifie God and fave our
Souls.
We were all of us more bufy'd with theſe
fweet Meditations, than poffefs'd with Tran-
fports of Joy,when the Boat was put out again,
and we were ask'd who wou'd go afhoar?
Upon which every one rofe up haftily, tho'
there was not one but was fick. All my Com-
panions got into the Boat, but feeing it was
full, I made no great hafte after them. I was
older by much than any of them, and confe-
quently more Mafter of my ſelf; and being full
of I know not what, mixtures of Grief and
Joy, I spent the reft of the Day in profound
Silence.
In the Evening the Captain return'd, and
told me Wonders of the Country, which he
exaggerated much beyond the Truth, as I had
time enough to difcover. He talk'd to me of
Animals and Fruits that were never ſeen in that
Ifland. 'Tis true, he brought back feveral forts
of great and good Birds: I experienc'd the
Truth of that by making an agreeable Meal on
this new and unknown Difh. The next Day,
(the rft. of May 1691.) I follow'd my Com-
panions, and went afhoar.
This Iſle, which is call'd either Diego-Rodrigo,
or Diego-Ruys, or Rodrigo, is fituated in nineteen
Degrees of South Latitude. 'Tis about twenty
Miles in Circuit. Its Length from Eaft to
Weft, and its Shape, are as may be ſeen in the
Map.
We feated our felves near the Sea, on the
North North-Weft Shoar, in a lovely Valley,
by the fide of a great Brook, the Water of
which was clear and good. We went all over
the
ور
.
A PLAN OF THE SETTLEMENT
Pag. 47.
...
******
مال
策
​༼9•བ”ཐག-
7
H
حمة ١٠٠٠ افوق
7:
اورزی که تو تا دوره
ركة
1. The House of
Peter Thomas.
2. of I de la Haye.
3. of Rob. Aufelin,
and the Common
Kitchin.
The Common Garden.
4.
5.The House of FrLeguat
6. of 9. de la Case.
7. of I. Testard.
8.of Paul B* *,&
of Is. Boyer.
9. The large Tree under
which they eat.
ނ
ނ
ނރ
*
~
لا
S
MER
DES
INDES.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
47
.
the Iſland, and chofe this Place as the moft
convenient, and that which Providence defign'd
for us, by conducting us firſt to it.
I have obferv'd, that every one to whom I
have told my Adventures, have had a great
Curiofity to know the Difpofition of our little
Habitations ; 'tis for that reafon I now lay
down a Plan of them. For by my own Expe-
rience, I know very well, that when the Rea-
der by this means conceives any Idea of the
Places where Things happen'd, he is the more
concern'd about the Things themſelves.
Let him therefore caft his Eyes on the Map
I fet before him, he will fee I diftinguish it
from the General Plan of the Ifland, becauſe
Things cou'd not have been fo diftinctly mark'd
there. I defire he wou'd pardon my deficien-
cy in Defigning, which I profefs not to under-
ftand, I give him what I have, and I can do
no more. As I have made but an imperfect Re-
lation of Things, fo I have drawn but an im-
perfect Defign, in this ſmall Delineation of our
poor Settlement. And I hope my Defects will
not be found to be fo great, but he may him-
felf eaſily ſupply them.
The little River he ſees, comes from the mid-
dle of the Iſland, and at four or five thouſand
common Paces below our Cabbins, it forms
feveral Caſcades, falling from Rock to Rock,
and ſeveral Bafons, that wou'd adorn a Prince's
Garden. In a hot and dry Time it receives
very little Water from its Fountain: But in all
Times the Tide fills it to the Brink of the
Banks. The little Space which I have mark'd
towards the Left, and at the Mouth of it, is
low Ground, which the Sea covers as often as
it rifes. This fide of the Water is in general
lower
48
The Voyage and Adventures
lower than the other, and fubject to frequent
Inundations by the Floods in Hurricane time.
Peter Thomas, one of our Pilots, of whom I
have made mention, chofe to inhabit a little
Iſland form'd by the River. He built his Cab-
bin there, and made a little Garden with a dou-
ble Bridge. He was a very pretty Lad, and
us'd to perch upon a Tree in an Inundation ;
which brings to my Remembrance the glorious
Monarch Charles II. when he was mounted up
in the famous Oak at Bofcobel, whofe Relicks
are Venerable to this Day. But whereas that
King durft not fay a Word, or only Whiſper
to Captain * Sans-Soucy, the Companion of his
The Name
Fortune, Maſter Peter Thomas play'd on the
of the Cap.
tain that Flute, or fung, or chatter'd freely with his
accompa. Friends. He was the only Man of the Com-
ny'd the
pany that fmoak'd Tobacco: He was alſo a
King in the
Mariner. When his Tobacco was gone he
Bofcobel, fmoak'd Leaves.
Oak at
was Care-
lefs, an English Word which fignifies Negligence or without Care. But the
King thought fit to change his Name from Careless to Carlos. (See Sylva-
nus Morgan's Spheres of Gentry, and Dr. Chamberlain's Preſent State
of England. Vol. I. Ch. 4.
The next Cabbin to the Ifle on the Right-
hand towards the Sea, was Mr. de la Haye's. He
was a Silverfinith, and had built a Forge, fo
that he was oblig'd to make his Houfe a little
bigger than the reft. La Haye was always fing-
ing of Pfalms, whether he was at work or
walking.
The Cabbins were ten or twelve Foot fquare,
fome more fome lefs, according to the Fanfie
of the Builder. The Walls were made of
the Trunks of Plantanes, and the broad Leaves
of the fame Tree ferv'd to cover them.
The
Dotts
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
49
Dotts about every Cabbin fhew where the Pal-
lifado's ftood, which enclos'd our Gardens.
The Doors are alfo mark'd by the void Spaces.
The Plan fhews at what distance thefe Hutts
were one from the other.
Near poor la Haye's, on the fame fide of
the River, and not far from the Water, was the
Stadt-Houfe, or, if you pleaſe, the Place of Ren-
dezvous for our Republick, whofe chief Coun-
cils concern'd the Affairs of the Kitchen. This
Edifice was about twice as big as the others, and
Robert Anfelm lay in it. 'Twas there we pre-
par'd the Sawces for our Difhes, but we eat
under a tall and great Tree, on the Bank of the
Rivulet, over-againſt the Door of that Cab-
bin. This Tree afforded us a very fine Shade,
and defended us from the burning Rays of the
Sun. 'Twas in the Trunk of this Tree
which was very hard, that we cut a fort of a
Nich, to leave there the Memorial and Monu-
ments, of which I fhall fpeak hereafter. On
the other fide of the Water, oppoſite to the
Common Hall, was the Common Garden:
'Twas fifty or fixty Foot Square, and the Pal-
lifado's that encompafs'd it of a Man's height
and very cloſe: Infomuch that the leaft Tur-
tles cou'd not go between them. For that, as
may be imagin'd, was the only reafon which
oblig'd us to encloſe our Gardens.
2
But let us re-pafs the Bridge, and come back
to Francis Leguat, the Author of this Relation's
Cabbin; you fee 'twas between two Parterres,
and upheld by a great Tree, which alfo co-
ver'd it on the fide of the Sea. This Tree bore
a Fruit fomething like an Olive; and the Par
rots lov'd the Nuts of it mightily.
E
1
50
The Voyage and Adventures
A little lower and nearer the Water on the
fame fide of the Brook, flood Mr. de la Cafe's
Lodge. This brave Man, who is now in Ame-
rica, had been an Officer in the Brandenburgh
Troops, and knew already what it was to live
in Tents. He was a Man of a good Prefence,
Ingenious, full of Honour, Courage and Wit.
On the other fide of the Rivulet between
the Ifles and the great Garden, was the Cab-
bin of poor Mr.Teftard, whofe fad Deſtiny we
fhall fee in a fhort time: He was a ftout Man,
and one whom I very much regretted the lofs
of.
Meff. ***le and Boyer liv'd together, and
built their Hutt a little farther from the Brook,
and nearer the Sea. The Reader wil find a
true Picture of honeft Ifaac Boyer in his Epi-
taph; for I muft tell him before-hand, that this
dear Companion of our firit Adventures, laid
his Bones in Rodrigo. And fince I have giv'n
a Character of thoſe whom I have fpoken of,
I fhall add concerning Mr. B***le (who is
thanks be to God, now alive and in Health)
that we all lov'd him for the good Qualities
with which he is adorn'd. I obferv'd with
pleaſure in this young Man (for he was not a-
bove twenty years old) an honeft and upright
Soul, good natur'd and lively: He had by his
Studies acquir'd more Knowledge, than the
generality of Mankind can pretend to. He
was always Gay, and in good Humour, and
'twas chiefly owing to his faculty of Inventi-
on and Addreſs, that we built the rare Veffel, of
which we fhall fay more hereafter; as alſo that
we Manufactur'd certain little Hatts, which were
very great Comforts to us in our great Di-
ftreffes. To conclude, I muſt inform the Rea-
der,
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
5 a
der, en paſſant, that except P. Thomas and R.
Anfelin, Men of mean Fortunes, all the reſt of
our Friends were not driv'n out of Europe by
Mifery, nor did they defperately caft them-
felves on Defert Iſlands, becauſe they knew
not where to fet their foot in the World. They
were Men of good Families, and of no con-
temptible Eſtates; but Mr. du Quefne's Colony
made fuch a noife, that having no ties of Fa-
milies or Affairs to detain them, they had a
mind to make this Voyage.
I believ'd, Reader, you wou'd be better
pleas'd with the Continuation of our Adven-
tures, after I had given you fome light into
the Characters and Circumftances of the Ad-
venturers.
You ſee Trees fcatter'd up and down in our
little Town, they are Remainders of a much
greater Number, which we thought fit to fell,
and twas no hard matter to do it; for the
Ground is extreamly light, and the Roots were
eaſily taken up: I don't doubt, you Laugh to
hear us talk of our little Town, but what I
pray you was the famous Rome in its begin-
ning? Had there been Women amongst us, 100
years hence, inftead of feven Hutts, one might
have reckon'd feven Pariſhes.
When we had finifh'd our Preparations for
building our little Houfes, the Captain who
ftay'd fifteen days in the Road weigh'd An-
chor,after having deliver'd us the greateft part of
the Neceffaries we brought for a Settlement,
and taken fresh Provifions Aboard. We fent
Letters by him to our Friends in Holland, where-
in we had fet out his Panegyrick as he deferv'd,
but he was not fuch a Fool as to deliver them,
as we underſtood afterwards, and indeed, as we
E 2
expected
52
The Voyage and Adventures
1
expected from him. What he left us was
chiefly
Biskets, Fuzees, and other Arms, Powder
and Bullets, Tools for Husbandry and building
our Cabbins, as Saws, Hatchets, Nails, Ham-
mers and Sheers, Houthold-ftuff, a Turn-broach,
Fiſhing-Nets and Lines; in fhort, every thing
except Drugs, which I believe, the Captain ra-
ther forgot, than malicioufly kept from us :
Befides this, every Man had his particular Goods,
Neceffaries and Provifions.
Peter Thomas, whom I have mention'd, having
quarrell'd with the Captain, and fearing to re-
turn with him, refolv'd to ftay in the Ifland,
and that wou'd have made up the lofs of one
of our Companions who dy'd at Sea near Mafca-
regne, if the Captain, the Night before he left
us, had not taken away two of our Company
(Facques Gaiguer and Pierrot) fo that we had but
eight left.
When the Ship was gone, and each of us
were well recover'd of the Fatigues of the Sea,
we made the tour of the Iſland to fee whether
we cou'd difcover any better Place to fettle in,
than that where we firft Arriv'd; but we found
'twas much the fame all over it, and even tho'
there were about twenty feveral forts of level
Land, and almoft as Commodious as Ours, yet
we met with none that was not fomewhat In-
ferior to it in Beauty and in Goodness; fo that
we refolv'd to ftay in the place where we firft
fat down.
As foon as we had clear'd the Earth as much as
was neceffary for Tillage, we dug it, and fow'd
our Grain. We had abundance, and of all forts;
but that which we brought from Holland, was
fpoil'd by the Air of the Sea, we having forgot
$0
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
53
1
to put it into Earthen Pots, and Seal them down
well. We furniſh'd our felves with other Seed
at the Cape of Good Hope. Only five Seeds of
Ordinary, and as many of Water-Melons came
up; three of Succory, three of Wheat, fome
Artichokes, Purflin, Turnips, Muftard, Gilly-
flowers and Clover-grafs. The Gillyflowers rofe
high, but they did not blow, and at laft they
all perish'd.
The Turnips did the fame, and were entire-
ly deſtroy'd by the Worms before we cou'd eat
them. The Melons which I call Land, to di-
ftinguish them from Water-Melons, came up
almoft without Culture in abundance, prodi-
gioufly Large, and excellently well tafted. I
do not believe there can be better any where,
and we found by Experience they had this rare
Quality, that tho' one did eat of them a little
to Excefs, no Inconvenience happen'd after-
wards.
We put 'em into all our Sauces, and they
were admirable in all: We might have had
them all the year long, but we obferv'd that
thoſe which came up in the Winter, that is,
when 'twas not fo hot as at other times, to-
wards the Months of June and July, were a
great deal better than the others.
We thought at firft we muſt expoſe them to
the Sun, as we do in France, but we foon found
they wou'd thrive better in the Shade, which
we may fuppofe is caus'd by the difference of
the Climate and Soil.
Among our five Plants of Water-Melons,
there were two forts, Red and White; the firft
were the beft. The Rind was Green, and the in-
fide Red; they are very Refreſhing, and never
do any hurt no more than the others: They
E 3
are
54
The Voyage and Adventures
are ſo full of Water, that one may easily go with-
out Drink when they are eaten: Sometimes
they were fo big, that all Eight of us cou'd
hardly eat up one of them.
Thefe feveral kinds of Melons grew with-
out taking Pains about them, as I have faid al-
ready, and produc'd Fruit in great Abundance.
When we mingled a little Afhes with the Earth
in the place where they were Sown, it made 'em
grow and fructifie extraordinarily, and the Fruit
was more than ordinarily delicate. We had great
hopes of our Artichokes. We cou'd almoft fee
them grow. They fpread very much, but they
yielded very little Fruit. Indeed we cou'd not
be fure that the Seed was true Artichoke Sced,
tho' it had the figure of it, and the Plant was
like that of an Artichoke. We brought it from
the Cape of Good Hope, without knowing what
it was.
We did our utmost to make the fides
of it whiten, but to no purpoſe, tho' we
Vere
not ignorant of the feveral ways of doing it.
And we had as bad Succeſs with the Succoury:
It came up to a wonder, fo did the Purflain and
the Mustard-Seed; but do what we cou'd, we
cou'd never take off its bitterneſs. Of three
Grains of Wheat that came up, we cou'd pre-
ferve but one Plant: It had above 200 Ears,
and we were full of Hopes that it wou'd come
to fomething, but it produc'd only a fort of
Tares, which very much troubled us, as you
may imagine; becauſe we found our felves de-
priv'd of the Pleafure of eating Bread.
However we fhou'd not from hence conclude,
that Wheat Corn will always turn to Tares
here, fince in Europe fuch like Degenerations
are often to be met with. And if our young
Men instead of precipitately fowing all our
{
Seed
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
55
1
Seed in one Place, and in one Day, had kept
fome for other Soils, and other Seaſons, per-
haps we might have had an ample Harveft, and
better luck with all our other Grain.
The Air is very clear and healthy at Rodrigo,
and none of us having been ill all the while we
liv'd there, is a very good proof of it, confi-
dering the great difference of the Climate and
Food. He who dy'd juft as we were about to
leave it, as I fhall relate in the fequel of thefe
Memoirs, was perfectly born down by the vio-
lence of Fatigue.
The Sky is always fair and ferene, and the
heats of the Summer very Moderate; becaufe
preciſely at Eight a Clock in the Morning there
rifes every day a little North-Eaft or North-
Weft Wind, which agreeably cools the Air,
and tempering the hotteft Seafon, caufes a per-
petual Spring all the year round, and a conti-
nual Autumn, no part of it deferving the Name
of Winter, infomuch that one may bath one's
felf at any time. The Nights are cool and re-
freshing; it feldom Rains, at leaft we faw no
Rain, except for four or five Weeks after the Hur-
ricane; that is, in January and February. There
fall great Dews, and frequently, which ferve
inftead of Show'rs. As for Thunder, which is
fo formidable in our Europe, and in feveral o-
ther parts of the World, I believe it was never
heard in this Ifland.
'Tis as I have hinted, compos'd of lovely
Hills, cover'd all with fine Trees, whofe per
petual Verdure is entirely Charming. Thefe
Trees are very rarely entangled one in another
by the nearneſs and thicknefs of their Bran-
ches. They naturally form Ally's to defend
us from the Sun's Heat; and the Profpect is
£ 4
every
}
56
The Voyage and Adventures
every where adorn'd by the fight of the Sea,
thro' the Boughs which are almoft in all Pla
ces open enough, to admit a View of the vaft
Ocean between them.
At the foot of thefe Hills are Valleys, the
Soil of which is the moſt excellent in the World,
as we may eafily conceive, if we confider it
confifts chiefly of rotten Trees; whofe Mat-
ter being reduc'd to duft, is driv'n by the Floods
down the Hills. This Mould is very light,
and produces almoft without Cultivating. It
abounds in fruitful Juices.
The Valleys are cover'd with Palm-Trees,
Plantanes, Ebony's, and feveral other forts of
Trees; the Beauty of whofe Leaves and Bran-
ches may compare with that of the fineſt of our
European Trees. In the low parts of thefe Valley's
we frequently meet with Rivulets of freſh Wa-
ter, whofe Springs are all in the middle of the
Iſland. Thefe pure Streams are never dry, and fo
conveniently difpos'd for watering all this little
Country, that nothing can be more Commodi-
ous. What pity 'tis that a Place fo Delicious in all
things, fhou'd be ufelefs to the Inhabitants of
the World. I infift the more on theſe charm-
ing Rivulets, becauſe there are a great many
Iſlands that have none; and 'tis doubly a won-
der to find ſo many here, and all ſo happily
diftributed.
Several of the other Rivulets befides that near
which as I have faid we built our Cabbins,
form Cascades by falling from the top of Rocks:
I reckon'd ſeven Bafons, and as many Caſcade's
all together, and form'd all by the fame Ri-
ver.
4
There are abundance of Eels in theſe Ri-
vers, fome of them very big, and all excellent-
ly
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
57
ly well tafted. We have taken fome fo Mon-
ftrous, (I am afraid to tell it) that two Men
cou'd hardly carry home one of them; 'tis eafie
to catch them, for you can fcarce put your
Bait into the Water, before the Fifh bite. This
Water is feldom deep, and being very Tranſpa-
rent, we cou'd eaſily ſee theſe huge Eels creep-
ing at the bottom; and if we pleas'd, might
have taken them with a Harping-Iron: We
have fometimes fhot them with a Fuzee and
Hare-fhot.
The Valleys I am talking of, Water'd and
made fertile by theſe little Rivers, extend them-
felves Infenfibly as we draw nearer the Sea,
and form a Level, which in fome Places is
two Miles broad, and two long. The Soil
of theſe little Plains is excellent eight or ten
foot deep, and there thofe great and tall Trees
grow, between which one may walk at eafe,
and find fuch refreshing coolness in their fhade
at Noon; ſo ſweet, fo healthy, that 'twou'd
give Life to thofe that are dying. Their
Spreading and tufty Tops, which are almoſt all
of an equal height, joyn together like fo ma-
ny Canopy's and Umbrello's, and jointly make
a Cieling of an eternal Verdure, fupported
by natural Pillars, which raiſe and nourish them.
This is certainly the Workmanſhip of a Divine
Architect.
What is more Remarkable, is the greateſt
part of the Trees of this little Eden, are not
leſs uſeful or neceffary for the Conveniencies
of Life, than pleaſant to the Eyes or the Mind.
For Example, the feveral forts of Palm-Trees
and Plantanes are Admirable Magazines of
Neceffaries for thofe Sages, who Believe and
Practife what St. Paul fays. The Fruit of them
•
is
1
Ł
58
The Voyage and Adventures
..
is excellent, and the Water which the Trunks
of thefe Trees yield, and which runs from its
Spring without Preparation, is a kindly and de-
licious Liquor; fome of the Leaves are good
to eat, others ferve inftead of Silk or Linen.
There are abundance of theſe wonderful Trees
all over our Iſle. Perhaps the Reader may ex-
pect that I fhou'd explain my felt a little on this
Head.
I fhall not undertake to give a Defcription of
Palm-trees and Piantanes, a Thouſand and a
Thouſand Men having written of them, and I
know there are above thirty feveral forts of
them: Neither fhall I enlarge in the Deſcripti-
on of thoſe I am fpeaking of, but give a
fmall Ide of them, for the fake of fuch as do
not know what fort of Trees theſe are.
Our Palm-trees are commonly thirty or forty
Foot high; their Trunk is ftraight, and with-
out Leaves, but 'tis cover'd with a fort of
prickly Scales, whofe prickles ftand out a lit-
tle: Some have a fmoother Bark than others.
On the top of the Trunks grow thofe Boughs
of Palm, of which no Man ever faw a lively Pi-
ature. Thefe Boughs form a great Knot, and
fall down all about it in Plumes: Below thefe
Boughs, or rather below the Trunk from which
they grow, are produc'd long Bunches, each
Fruit or Grain as big as a Hens Egg, and of
the fame Shape, known by the Name of
Dates.
In the center of this great Knot, and at
the Summer of the Trunk, is what we call
the Cabbidge. One cannot fee it, being hid-
den by the Boughs that rife a little all about
it. This Summet confifts of tender Leaves;
which cloſely embrace each other, joyn to-
gether,
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
19
gether, and form a Mafs fomething like that
of a Cabbage Lettice," or common Cabbage;
'tis about two Foot high if the Tree is large,
and of the fame bignefs with the Trunk. The
large outfide Leaves of this Mafs are white,
foft, pliable, and as ftrong as Buff, which it re-
fembles. They will ferve alfo for Linen, Sa-
tin, for Napkins, Table-Cloths, and any thing
what you pleaſe. The Membrana or infide
Leaves are tender and brittle, like the Heart
of a Lettice: They are good to eat raw, and
taft like a Filberd; but we made an admirable
Ragout of them when we Fricafi'd them with
the Fat and Liver of a Turtle. We put them
alfo in our Soops.
We come now to the Liquor, or rather the
Nectar of the Iſle of Rodrigo. 'Tis call'd Palm-
Wine all over the Indies: There are two ways
of drawing out the Juice. We make a hole in
the Trunk of the Tree at about a Mans height,
as big as ones two Fifts. We preſently put a
Pot or other Veffel there to receive the delici-
ous Liquor, which runs out faſt enough, o-
therwiſe we dig the Cabbage, and make a lit-
tle Ciſtern at its Head. We need only go twice
or thrice a Day, and draw this rare Wine at
the Fountain Head, and we may be abundantly
fupply'd with it. The Wine of the Trunk, and
that of the Cabbage, are in my Opinion of an
equal Goodneſs.
But thofe who wou'd be good Husbands of
their Trees (for as for us we were lavish enough
of them), the firſt way is the beft, becauſe
after the Cabbage has yielded its Liquor for
about a Month, it Withers, and the Tree de-
cays and dies. 'Tis the fame thing if you tear
off the Cabbage, when its Head and Brain are
gone it dies almoſt ſuddenly.
Where-
41
3
The Voyage and Adventures
60
!
Whereas if you only pierce its Side, the Tree
do's not die, provided the Wound is not too
deep; but the Liquor will not run out at that
Hole above four Days: The wounded Tree
muft afterward have time to recover. I do not
know what is done elſewhere, but I can tell by
Experience what I have faid here, we having
made trial of it daily for two years together.
The Bark of this Tree is very hard, 'tis an Inch
thick, Porous and Tender in the Infide. If one
make the Hole on the fide of the Trunk too wide,
there is reafon to fear 'twill weaken the Tree
there, and that then the next Hurricane will
Break it.
The Plantane is a fort of Palm-tree, and the
Arboriſts place it in the fame Clafs. Our Plan-
tanes have a ſtraight Trunk, which feems to be
form'd of large Rings at an equal Diftance.
They have no fuch prickly Scales as I have
talkt of. At the top of the Trunk is a Cab-
bage, very like to that I have defcrib'd. At the
foot of this Cabbage inftead of Palm Boughs
are broad Leaves, with Stalks about fix or fe-
ven Foot long: Thefe Leaves are ſtrong and
thick, and like a Fan when 'tis open the
Sticks of which come a little out of the Cir-
cumference, and are pointed at the end. Some
of theſe Leaves are eight Foot Diameter, in-
fomuch that they ferv'd to make rare Cover-
ings for our Cabbins. We cut 'em out into
little pieces, and made Hatts and Umbrello's of
them. The Stalk is four Inches broad, an Inch
thick, and a little roundifh at the fides; at the
bottom where it joyns to the Tree, it widens,
and grows like a flat Shell which ſticks to the
Trunk, and in part embraces it. This wide
and hollow Plate is fometimes above a Foot
Diame→
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
61
and Sawcers.
Diameter, and of the thickness of a Crown-
Piece. We made ufe of it for Difhes, Plates
The firft Rind of the Stalk ferv'd
us inſtead of Ropes, and the Fibres of the fe-
cond made good Thread to Sow with. One
might have wove Stuffs with it, had it been
prepar❜d.
We cou'd not perceive any difference in the
Taft, or in any other qualities of the Palm-
tree or Plantane. This Liquor is whitiſh like
white Whey, and fo fweet, that no other fweet-
nefs, if I may judge of it, can compare to it:
The newer it is, the more agreeable. In three
or four days it begins to turn Sowre, and in
feven or eight, 'tis as fharp as the ſtrongeſt Vi-
negar without changing its Colour.
The Dates of the Plantane are bigger than
thoſe of the Palm-tree. Having abundance of bet-
ter things to feed on, Fish and Flesh, Fruits, &c.
we left the Dates for the Turtles and other
Birds, particularly the Solitaries, of which we
fhall hereafter make mention.
About the Cabbage of the Plantane, near
the bottom of it, and between the Stalks of its
broad Leaves, is a fort of Cotton of a Limon
Colour, which all thro' India is known by the
name of Capoc. We made very good Quilts of
it. It may be Wove, and Manufactur'd for all
the Ufes that Cotton is put to: Perhaps we
might have thought of making a fort of Stuff,
both of the Capoc and the Fibers of our Plan-
tane Leaves; but we had Stuff enough of our
own to ferve a long time, and the Air is fo
mild, fo fweet, that we did not make much
ufe of our Cloaths. Happy for us had we
fav'd them; for the time when the Perfecuti-
on of a New *giv'n of God, whom we fhall Diodati,
fpeak
*
62
The Voyage and Adventures
}
fpeak of, expos'd us to a thouſand Miſeries on
the fatal Rock, whither that wicked Man ba-
nish'd us.
There are feveral other kinds of Trees in
this Iſland, which yield tolerable Fruits. Thoſe
that bear a fort of Pepper, are not a little like
Plum-trees of a moderate fize: Their Leaves
are much like that of the Jeffamine; they bear
their Fruit in little Bunches, and it did very
well in our Sauces.
The Sea having thrown us up fome Cocos
which began to bud, we planted fome of that
Fruit fome Months after our Arrival, and when
we left the Place, the Trees were four Foot
high.
I leave it to the Reader to gueſs how theſe
Cocoes, fome of which weigh'd five or fix
Pound, can be thrown on the Coaſts of Rodrigo,
and come three or four fcore Leagues by Sea
without Corrupting. For we are very certain
they come from the Isle of Ste. Brande, which
is to the Windward, to the North-Eaft of Ours,
and at leaſt as far off as I have ſaid.
The Sea brings in nothing but from that
fide, from whence we may conclude, there
are certain Currents which contribute very
much together with the Wind and Tide, to
throw abundance of things on the Coaft. We
may therefore fuppofe, thefe Fruits were blown
off from the Isle of Ste. Brande, very far into
the Sea; and from thence brought to us by the
Tide and the Currents.
There's a wonderful fine Tree at Rodrigo,
whoſe Branches are fo round, and fo thick,
'tis impoffible for the Sun-Beams to pene-
trate thro it: Some of thefe Trees are fo big,
that two or three hundred People may ftand
under
1
1
KAS
TA.
or
PARETUVIER a parti
cular sort of
Tree
Pag. 63.
5
{
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
under them, and be ſhelter'd from the Sun or
the Weather.
The vaft Extent of it is occafion'd thus.
Some of the great Branches naturally tend
downwards and reaching the Ground take
Root, and become new Trunks themſelves,
which make a fort of little Foreft.
The first time I faw this Tree, I remember
I had read in fome Voyages, that they are to
be met with every where in the Indies, and in
the Continent and liles of America. I do not
think there's any of them in Europe. The Eaſtern
Idolaters have a great Refpect for them, and
commonly build their Pagods under them.
La Boulaye le Gouz, writes, that this facred Tree
is call'd Kafta, and that the Indians fay, 'tis
cherish'd by the Saints; becauſe their God Pan
diverts himſelf with playing upon the Flute,
under the ſhade of its broad Leaves.
The fame Author adds, that no Man dares
pull off one of thofe Leaves for fear of dying
within the year; and refers his Reader to what
Herodotus and Quintus Curtius have faid on the
fame Subject. Tavernier alfo fpeaks of it, and tells
us the Perfians call it Lull, but that the Franks
have giv'n it the Name of the Banians Tree;
becauſe the Penitents of the Fiquors and Bani-
ans dreſs their Meat, and pay their Devotions
under this Tree. Mr. de Rochefort calls it Pare-
- tuvier in his Natural History of the Antilles, and
fays, its Leaves are broad, thick and long, with-
out faying any thing of the Fruit: And the
two Voyagers before mention'd, tells us nothing
either of the Fruit or,of the Leaves.
+
The Rodrigo Kaftas (for I ought to keep the
Indian Name at leaſt in the Indies) bear Leaves
as broad as one's Hand, pretty thick, and fome-
what
63
}
1
64
The Voyage and Adventures
{
what like that of a Lilach or a Heart in fhape,
they are fofter than Satin to touch. Their
Flower is white, and fmells well: Their Fruit
is red and round, and as big as a black Damask
Plum. Their Skin is hard, and within it is a
thin Seed, a little like that of a Fig. The
Fruit is not prejudicial to Health, but 'tis infi-
pid. The Batts commonly feed upon it, and
multitudes of them neft in the tufted Branches
of this Tree.
The Wood of all the Trees in this Ifland, is
generally hard. We made this Obfervation in
building our Cabbins: The Timber we us'd a-
bout them, in a few Weeks after 'twas cut,
wou'd be full of Worms, till to prevent that In-
convenience, we let it lie three Weeks in the
Sea, and then the Worm never came into it.
There is a Tree we call the Nafty Tree, be-
cauſe it ſtunk: 'Tis the beft Wood of all for
Carpenters ufe, but 'twas of no Service to us;
for it ftinks fo, that it makes all the Places a-
bout it fmell of it, and the Smell is very Of-
fenfive.
We did not find in this Inland any Plant,
Tree, Shrub or Herb, which grows naturally
in any part of Europe, that was known to us,
except Purflain, which is fmall and green.
There's plenty of it in fome Places of the Val-
leys, and that which we fow'd having brought
fome of the Seed from the Cape, came up ex-
ectly like the Purflain of the Inland.
We faw no four-footed Creatures, but Rats,
Lizards and Land-Turtles, of which there are
different forts. I have feen one that weigh'd
one hundred pound, and had Fleſh enough a-
bout it, to feed a good number of Men. This
Flesh is very wholfom, and tafts fomething like
Mut
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
65
Mutton, but 'tis more Delicate: The Fat is
extreamly white, and never Congeals nor ri-
fes in your Stomach, eat as much as you will
of it. We all unanimously agreed, 'twas bet-
ter than the beft Butter in Europe. To anoint
one's felf with this Oil, is an excellent Reme-
dy for Surfeits, Colds, Cramps, and feveral o-
ther Diftempers. The Liver of this Animal is
extraordinarily delicate, 'tis fo Delicious that
one may fay of it, it always carries its own
Sauce with it, drefs it how you will.
be
The Bones of thefe Turtles are Maffy, I
mean they have no Marrow in them. Every
one knows, that theſe Animals in general are
hatch'd of Eggs. The Land-Turtles lay theirs
in the Sand, and cover them, that they may
hatch'd: The Scale of it, or rather the Shell,
is foft, and the Subftance within good to eat.
There are fuch plenty of Land-Turtles in
this Ifle, that fometimes you fee two or three
thouſand of them in a Flock; fo that one may
go above a hundred Paces on their Backs; or,
to ſpeak more properly on their Carapaces, with-
out fetting foot to the Ground. They meet
together in the Evening in fhady Places, and
lie fo clofe, that one wou'd think thofe Places
were pav'd with them. There's one thing ve-
ry odd among them; they always place Ser
tinels at fome Diſtance from their Troop, at
the four corners of their Camp, to which the
Sentinels turn their Backs, and look with the
Eyes, as if they were on the Watch. This we
have always obferv'd of them; and this Myfte-
ry
feems the more difficult to be comprehended,
for that theſe Creatures are uncapable to defend
themſelves, or to fly.
F
66
The Voyage and Adventures
'
17
We have also great plenty of Sea-Turtles
here: Their Flesh tafts like Beef, that of the
Breast is admirable. The fat is as good as Veal
Marrow, but being green, it has fomething the
Air of an Ointment, which at firft renders it
Naufeous. This fat is not only delicate, but
wholfom, and purges gently. The Indi-
ans make uſe of it as a Soveraign Remedy in
the Venereal Diſeaſe. When we eat this Fat,
(fhall I tell it you) the Water we make is as
green as a very fine Emerald.
The Sea-Turtles are prodigious big, we have
feen fome that weigh'd above 500 Pound. When
we wou'd take them, we turn'd them on their
Backs by ftrength of Arms, or with Leavers;
and when they are overturn'd, 'tis impoffible
for them to get up again. They lay their Eggs
in fandy Places near the Sea, and always in the
Night-time; they make a hole about three Foot
deep, and a Foot broad for that purpoſe: The
greateſt of them will lay near two hundred in
lefs than two Hours. They cover them with
Sand, and in fix Weeks time the Sun hatches
them: As foon as they are hatch'd, all theſe
little Animals which are not fo big as a Chicken,
juft coming out of the Shell, go directly to
the Sea, do what you will to hinder them;
they are generally hatch'd in an Hours time.
We have often, to divert our felves, carry'd
fome of them a quarter of a League off on
the Mountain, and as foon as we put them on
the Ground, they immediately went directly
to the Sea. They then go fafter than when
they are grown bigger.
J
The Fools, the Frigats, and feveral other
Birds which lie in wait for them upon Trees,
deſtroy abundance of them when they are fo
young
Pay 67.
THE LAMANTIN.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
67.
young; infomuch, that hardly ten in a Hun-
dred of them are fav'd. Yet there are fuch
prodigious Numbers, that 'twou'd have amaz'd
one if we had not confider'd, every Turtle lays
two thouſand Eggs a year at times, that they
have multiply'd thus from the beginning of the
World, and perhaps have not met with any De-
ftroyers but our felves.
Their Eggs are not quite fo good to eat, as
thofe of the Land-Turtles, neither is their Fleſh
fo Delicate. They are of the fame ſhape, and
the white both of the one and the other cannot
without a great deal of difficulty be chang'd;
but in length of time it changes fo entirely,
that it turns quite yellow. The Liver of the
Sea-Turtle hath not at all the Taft of that of
the Land; befides, 'tis very unwholſome, it
finells offenfive like bad Oil: 'Tis Rank, and
rifes in the Stomach a good while after it is
eaten.
Thefe Animals feed upon Weeds at the bot-
tom of the Sea, and never come a-fhoar but to
Lay. And I muft obferve here en paſſant, that
before that time they couple for nine days to-
gether without Disjunction.
Their Fat remains Liquid when 'tis melted,
and tafts Admirably, as well as that of the
Land-Turtles. It may be made ufe of in all
forts of Sauces, either for Fleſh or Fiſh.
The Turtle is a dull, heavy fort of a Crea-
ture. It can live without eating a whole Month,
provide d 'tis difcharg'd of the burthen of its
Eggs, and you water it from time to time with
fome Pails of Sea-Water.
The Lamentins, which other Nations call
Manati, that is, having Hands, abound in the
Sea about this Ifle, appearing often in nume-
F 2
FQUS
1
1
68
The Voyage and Adventures
I
}
1
}
rous Troops. Its Head is extreamly like that
of a Hog, whatever is faid in Mr. Corneilles
Dictionary of Arts and Sciences; for in the Arti-
cle of this Fifh, of the difference of Palm-
Trees, and feveral other things that have fallen
within my Knowledge; he is apt to erre fre-
quently and grofly, as is the leaft imperfect
Dictionary that ever was. He borrows the
Heads of an Ox, of a Mole, of a Horſe and a
Hog, to Compofe that of a Lamentin; and
in this cafe falls into the fame Confufion
which happens to all that undertake to de-
fcribe things they never faw, and have no di-
ftinct Idea of. As for my felf, I have feen,
and carefully and nearly examin'd feveral
wherefore I fay again, that not only I, but my
Companions alfo found the Head of a Lamen-
tin was altogether very like that of a Hog, ex-
cepting that its Snout was not fo fharp.
,
The greateft of them are about twenty Foot
long, and have no other Fins but the Tail and
two Paws. The Body is pretty big down to
the middle, and a little below it, the Tail has
this in Particular with the Whales; that its
breadth is Horizontal, when the Animal lies on
its Belly. The Blood of this Creature is hot,
its Skin is black, very rough and hard, with
fome Hairs, but fo few, they are fcarce per-
ceiveable. Its Eyes are fmall, and it has two
holes which it opens and fhuts, and for that
reafon may be call'd Gills and its Ears. Be-
cauſe it often draws in its Tongue, which is
not very great, feveral have affur'd me it has
none. It has Hind-Teeth, and even Tusks like
a Boars, but no Fore-Teeth: Its Jaws are hard
enough to bite Grafs, its Flesh is excellent,
and tafts fomething like the beft Veal: 'Tis ve-
ry wholfom Mcat.
ليه
The
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
69
The Female has Tets like Women's: Some
fay it brings forth two young ones at a time,
and gives them Milk together, carrying them
both at its Breaft with its two things like Hands:
But fince I have never ſeen it hold but one, I
encline to believe it bears no more at once.
I never faw this extraordinary Nurfe, with-
out remembring with double Reafon my own
Condition, that of an Exile, and that Paffage of
the Prophet Jeremy, in his Lamentations, where
he there Complains thus. Even the Sea-Monsters Chap. IV.
draw out the Breaft, they give fuck to their young
ones; the Daughter of my People is become cruel like
the Ostriches in the Wilderness.
Ver. 3.
This Fifh is very easily taken, it feeds in
Herds like Sheep, about three or four foot un-
der Water; and when we came among them
did not fly, fo that we might take which we
wou'd of them, by either Shooting them, or
falling upon them two or three at a time upon
one without Arms, and pulling it a-fhoar by
main force. We ſometimes found three or
four hundred together feeding on the Weeds
at the bottom of the Water, and they are fo far
from being Wild, that they wou'd often let us
handle them to feel which was fatteft. We put
a Rope about its Tail, and fo hale it a-fhoar.
We never took the greateft of them, becauſe
we cou'd not mafter them fo eafily, and they
might perhaps have mafter'd us: Befides, their
Flesh is not fo Delicate as that of the little ones.
•
Their Lard is firm and excellent, no Body
that ever faw and tafted the Flefh, took it for
any thing but Butchers Meat. This poor Ani-
mal dies as foon as it has loft a little Blood.
We diſcover'd that they were to be met with in
thefe Seas, by finding one dead on the Shoar
F 3
fome
The Voyage and Adventures
•
fome Months after our Arrival on the Iſland.
We did not obferve that this Creature ever came
to Land: We imagin'd it might be thrown
there, for I do not take it to be Amphibi-
ous.
We found feveral other forts of Fish, and all
different from thofe of Europe, except Oyfters
and Eels.
We eafily caught Sea-Eels with a Line, as
well as Fresh-Water. Between the Shelves and
the dry Land, there are certain ſpaces of Ground
which are cover'd when the Tide is in, and dry
when 'tis out. In this Extent there are Ditches
or forts of Reſervatories, which the Sea has
dug, and which remain always full of Water,
and alfo full of Fiſh. 'Tis there that we fifh'd
with Eaſe and Pleafure; for the Water being
very clear, we cou'd fee the Fish catch greedi-
ly after the Bait; and fometimes there wou'd
be a kind of Battel about it, who fhou'd bite
firft; infomuch that we might catch abundance
in a very little time.
The fiſhing with a Net is not lefs Diverting,
for we had the pleaſure of taking a great num-
ber of Fiſh, whofe Variety was very agreea-
ble.
:
About a thouſand Paces from our Lodges
there was a Creek, which was full of Sea-Wa-
ter, and at its entrance we caft our Net; fo
that when the Sea went out, abundance of Fiſh
remain'd dry, and we took up what we pleas'd,
letting the reft go, as long as there was Water
enough to carry them.
We had alſo another Creek on the other fidë
of our Cabbins, and full of Oyſters, ſticking
to the Rock, We went often to Breakfaſt there,
and brought fome home, with which we made
÷
:
an
...i
Pag. 71
2
The Solitary-Bird
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
71
an excellent Ragout with Palm-Tree-Cabbages
and Turtles fat. Of all the Birds in the Ifland,
the moſt Remarkable is that which goes by the
Name of the Solitary, becaufe 'tis very feldom
ſeen in Company, tho' there are abundance of
them. The Feathers of the Males are of a
brown, grey Colour: The Feet and Beak are
like a Turkeys, but a little more crooked. They
have ſcarce any Tail, but their Hind-part co-
ver'd with Feathers is Roundish, like the Crup-
per of a Horfe, they are taller than Turkeys.
Their Neck is ftraight, and a little longer in
proportion than a Turkeys, when it lifts up his
Head. Its Eye is black and lively, and its Head
without Comb or Cop. They never fly, their
Wings are too little to fupport the weight of
their Bodies; they ferve only to beat them-
felves, and flutter when they call one another.
They will whirl about for twenty or thirty
times together on the fame fide, during the
ſpace of four or five Minutes: The Motions of
their Wings makes then a noife very like that
of a Rattle; and one may hear it two hundred
Paces off. The Bone of their Wing grows grea-
ter towards the Extremity, and forms a little
round Mafs under the Feathers, as big as a
Musket Ball: That and its Beak are the chief De-
fence of this Bird. 'Tis very hard to catch it
in the Woods, but eafie in open Places, be-
cauſe we run fafter than they, and fometimes
we approach them without much Trouble. From
March to September they are extreamly fat, and
taft admirably well, efpecially while they are
young, fome of the Males weigh forty five
Pound.
The Femals are wonderfully beautiful, fome
fair, fome brown; I call them fair, becaufe
F 4
they
i
The Voyage and Adventures
$
they are of the colour of fair Hair: They have
a fort of Peak like a Widow's upon their
Breafts, which is of a dun Colour. No one
Feather is ftragling from the other all over
their Bodies, they being very careful to adjuſt
themſelves, and make them all even with their
Beaks. The Feathers on their Thighs are
round like fhells at the end, and being there
very thick, have an agreeable effect: They
have two Rifings on their Craws, and the Fea-
thers are whiter there than the reft, which
livelily Reprefents the fine Neck of a Beauti-
ful Woman. They walk with fo much Stateli-
nefs and good Grace, that one cannot help
admiring and loving them; by which means
their fine Mein often faves their Lives.
Tho' thefe Birds will fometimes very famili-
arly come up near enough to one, when we
do not run after them, yet they will never
grow Tame: As foon as they are caught they
ſhed Tears without Crying, and refufe all man-
ner of Suftenance till they die.
We find in the Gizards of both Male and Fe-
male a brown Stone, of the bignefs of a Hens
Egg, 'tis fomewhat rough, flat on one fide,
and round on the other, heavy and hard. We
believe this Stone was there when they were
hatch'd, for let them be never fo young, you
meet with it always. They have never but
one of 'em, and befides, the Paffage from the
Craw to the Gizard is fo narrow, that a like
Mafs of half the bignefs cou'd not pafs. It
ferv'd to whet our Knives, better than any o-
ther Stone whatfoever.
When thefe Birds build their Nefts, they
chooſe a clean Place, gather together fome
Palm-Leaves for that purpoſe, and heap them
up
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
73
up a foot and a half high from the Ground,
on which they fit. They never lay but one
Egg, which is much bigger than that of a
Goofe. The Male and Female both cover it
in their turns, and the young is not hatch'd till
at ſeven Weeks end: All the while they are
fitting upon it, or are bringing up their young
one, which is not able to provide for its felf
in feveral Months, they will not fuffer any o-
ther Bird of their Species to come within two
hundred yards round of the Place: But what
is very fingular, is, The Males will never drive
away the Females, only when he perceives one
he makes a noife with his Wings to call the
Female, and fhe drives the unwelcome Stran-
ger away, not leaving it till 'tis without her
Bounds. The Female do's the fame as to the
Males, whom fhe leaves to the Male, and he
drives them away. We have obferv'd this feve-
ral times, and I affirm it to be true.
The Combats between them on this occafi-
on lafts fometimes pretty long, becauſe the
Stranger only turns about, and do's not fly
directly from the Neft: However, the others
do not forfake it, till they have quite driv'n it
out of their Limits. After thefe Birds have
rais'd their young One, and left it to its felf,
they are always together, which the other Birds
are not, and tho' they happen to mingle with
other Birds of the fame Species, thefe two
Companions never difunite. We have often
remark'd, that fome days after the young one
leaves the Neft, a Company of thirty or forty
brings another young one to it; and the new
fledg'd Bird with its Father and Mother joyning
with the Band, march to fome bye Place.
We frequently follow'd them, and found that
after
!
74
The Voyage and Adventures
?
1
afterwards the old ones went each their way
alone, or in Couples, and left the two young
ones together, which we call'd a Marriage.
This Particularity has fomething in it which
looks a little Fabulous, nevertheless, what I
fay is fincere Truth, and what I have more than
once obferv'd with Care and Pleafure; nei-
ther cou'd I forbear to entertain my Mind with
feveral Reflections on this Occafion. I fent
Mankind to learn of the Beafts. I commended
my Solitaries for marrying young (a piece of
Wiſdom practis'd by our Jews) for fatisfying
Nature in a proper time; and when fhe wants
to be fatisfy'd according to the ftate of the
fame Nature, and conformable to the intention
of the Creator. I admir'd the Happineſs of
theſe innocent and faithful Pairs, who liv'd fo
peaceably in conftant Love: I faid to my felf,
if our Pride and Extravagance were reftrain'd,
if Men were or had been as wife as thefe Birds,
to ſay all at once, they wou'd marry as theſe
Birds do, without any other Pomp or Cere-
mony, without Contracts or Jointures, without
Portions or Settlements, without fubjection to
any Laws, and without any Offence, with
which Nature wou'd be moft pleas'd, and the
Common-Wealth moft benefited; for Divine
and Human Laws, are only Precautions againſt
the Diſorders of Mankind. Know, kind Reader,
that my chief Employment in this Defart Iſland
was thinking, and fuffer me therefore fome-
times to ſpeak my Thoughts. I have already
giv'n you notice, that you were not to expect a
Differtation on the Antiquity of Greek Accents,
nor on Manufcripts of our Eden, nor on the
Medals found there, any more than Deſcrip-
tions of its Amphitheaters, Palaces and Temples.
Our
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
75
Our Wood-hens are fat all the year round,
and of a moft delicate Taft: Their Colour is
always of a bright Gray, and there's very lit-
tle difference in the Plumage between the two
Sexes. They hide their Nefts fo well, that we
cou'd not find 'em out, and confequently did
not taft their Eggs. They have a red Lift a-
bout their Eyes, their Beaks are ftraight and
pointed, near two Inches lóng, and red alfo:
They cannot fly, their fat makes 'em too hea-
vy for it. If you offer them any thing that's
red, they are fo angry they will fly at you to
catch it out of your Hand, and in the heat of
the Combat, we had an opportunity to take
them with eafe. We had abundance of Bit-
terns, as big and as good as Capons, they are
more familiar, and more eaſily to be caught
than Wood-hens.
The Pigeons here are fomewhat lefs than
ours, and all of a Slate colour, fat and good.
They pearch and build their Nefts upon Trees;
they are eaſily taken, being fo Tame, that we
have had fifty about our Table to pick up the
Melon Seeds which we threw them, and they
lik'd mightily. We took them when we pleas'd,
and ty'd little Rags to their Thighs of ſeveral
Colours, that we might know them again if
we let them looſe. They never mifs'd attending
us at our Meals, and we call'd them our Chick-
ens. They never built their Nefts in the Ifle,
but in the little Ilets that are near it. We
fuppos'd 'twas to avoid the perfecution of the
Rats, of which there are vaft Numbers in this
Ifland, as I fhall report in the Sequel of this Re-
lation: The Rats never pafs into the Iflets. The
Fools, the Frigats, and perhaps fome other Sea-
Birds who live upon Fish only, build their Nefts
༨་
on
}
76
The Voyage and Adventures
on Trees; but there are fome other Birds that
fit on the Land, in the fame Illes where the Pi-
geons neft. All theſe Birds have a rank Tafte,
which is not agreeable; to make amends their
Eggs are very good. The Fools come ev'ry
Night, and Rooft in the Ifland; and the Fri-
gats which are larger, and fo call'd, becauſe they
are light, and admirable Sailers, lie in wait
for them on the top of the Trees, from whence
they flounce down upon them like Falcons on
their Prey, not to kill them, but make them
bring up the Fifh that is in their Craw, which
the Fool as foon as it is thus ftruck, is forc'd
to do. The Frigat catches it always before it
comes to the Ground: The Fool cries, and
fometimes is very unwilling to part with its
Prog, but the Frigat who is a bolder and ftron-
ger Bird, laughs at its Cries, mounts into the
Air, and down he flounces again upon it, fei-
zes upon the Throat, and do's fo till he has
compell'd it to obey.
The Frigat is blackiſh, and about the bigness
of a Duck. Its Wings are very large, 'tis a fort
of Bird of Prey; for it has Talons, and its
Beak which is above half a Foot long, is a lit-
tle crooked at the end. The old ones of the
Males, have a kind of red Flefh like a Comb
under its Neck, as our Cocks have. The Fools
are fo call'd, becauſe they inconfiderately come
about Ships, Perch on the Ropes, and inno-
cently fuffer themſelves to be easily taken. Their
Simplicity is fo great, that they judge of o-
thers by themſelves, and do not take Men to
be Mifchievous Creatures. Their Backs are of
a Chefnut Colour, their Bellies whitish, their
Beaks fharp, four Inches long, and big towards
the Head, a little indented at the edges. Their
Legs
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
少
​Legs are fhort, their Feet like thofe of a Duck,
and of a pale Yellow.
There's another fort of Bird as big as a Pi-
geon all over white, its Beak is fhort and ftrong,
it has a Feather at its Tail a Foot and a half
long, from whence it takes its Name, being
call'd Straw-Tail. Theſe Birds made a plea-
fant War upon us, or rather upon our Bonnets;
they often came behind us, and caught 'em off
our Heads before we were aware of it: This
they did fo frequently, that we were forc'd
to carry Sticks in our Hands to defend our
felves. We prevented them fometimes, when
we diſcover'd them by their fhadow before
us; we then ftruck them in the Moment
they were about to ftrike us: We cou'd never
find out of what uſe the Bonnets were to
them, nor what they did with thofe they took
from us.
I fhall fpeak of the Pluto and the Tag in
Maurice Iſland: There's but one fort of Imall
Birds at Rodrigo, they are not much unlike
Canary-Birds; we never heard them fing, tho'
they are fo familiar, that they will place them-
felves on a Book which you hold in your
Hand.
There are abundance of green and blew
Parrets, they are of a midling and equal big-
neſs; when they are young, their Fleſh is as
good as that of young Pigeons.
There are Purrs and a few Swallows.
The Batts fly there by Day as well as o-
ther Birds; they are as big as a good Hen, and
each Wing is near two Foot long: They ne-
ver Perch, but hang by their Feet to the
Boughs of Trees, with their Head downwards,
and their Wings being fupply'd with feveral
Hooks,
78
The Voyage and Adventures
>
,
Hooks, they do not eafily fall tho' they are
ftruck. When you fee them at a Diſtance
hanging thus wrapt up in their Wings, you
wou'd take them rather for Fruit than Birds:
The Dutch whom I knew at Maurice Iſland
made a rare Diſh with them, and preferr'd it
to the moſt Delicate Wild-Fowl. Every Man
has his Taft: As for us, we found fomething
in theſe Batts that we did not like, and having
a great many things that were much better,
at leaft in our Opinion, we never eat any of
theſe filthy Creatures. They carry their young
about with them: We obferv'd they had always
two.
J
The Palmtrees and Plantanes are always loa-
den with Lizards about a Foot long, the Beauty
of which is very Extraordinary; fome of them
are blue, fome black, fome green, fome red,
fome grey, and the colour of each the moſt
lively and bright of any of its kind. Their
common Food is the Fruit of the Palm-Trees.
They are not Miſchievous, and fo Tame, that
they often come and eat the Melons on our
Tables, and in our Preſence, and even in our
Hands; they ſerve for Prey to ſome Birds, ef-
pecially the Bitterns. When we beat 'em down
from the Trees with a Pole, theſe Birds wou'd
come and devour them before us, tho' we did
our utmost to hinder them; and when we of-
fer'd to oppoſe them, they came on ftill after
their Prey, and ſtill follow'd us when we en-
deavour'd to defend them.
There's another fort of Nocturnal Lizards of
a grayiſh Colour, and very ugly, they are as
big and as long as ones Arm, their Flesh is not
very bad, they love Plantanes. We found Salt
enough in holes on the Rocks upon our Coaſts,
and
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
79
and had the Iſland been full of Inhabitants,
they might have been fupply'd there. The
Waves throw up the Sea-water in their Agita-
tion, and the Sun, that admirable Workman
of all the Metamorphofes of Nature, turns it
into Salt. The Sea brings yellow Amber and
Ambergreece: We found a great piece of the
latter, which we did not know, and which
prov'd the caufe of all the Misfortunes that
happen'd to us afterwards, as will be related in
the fequel of this Hiftory. We found alfo a-
bundance of a fort of black Bitumen
which we gave the name of Amber, but I be-
lieve 'tis properly Jet.
to
There's a certain admirable Flower in this
Ifland, which I fhou'd prefer to Spanish Jeffa-
mine, 'tis as white as a Lily, and fhap'd fome
think like common Jeffamine. It grows parti-
cularly out of the Trunks of rotten Trees,
when they are almoft reduc'd to the Subftance
of Mould. The Odour of this Flower, ftrikes
one agreeably at a hundred Paces diſtance.
The Air of this Ifle will not fuffer Lice or
Fleas, as one may be affur'd by Experience af-
ter ſuch a Voyage as ours. Neither were we
troubled by any ftinging Flies, nor other In-
fects that are fo troublefom in the Night, or
rather fo intolerable, in other Places.
In thoſe little Iſlands before-mention'd where
the Pigeons build, there are an infinite num-
ber of Sea-Fowl; their Fleſh not pleaſant to
the Tafte, nor very wholefom, but their Eggs
are very good. There's fuch abundance of
thefe Birds, that when they rife, the Sky is even
darken'd by them.
They hatch on the Sand, and fo near one
another that they touch, tho' of different Kinds.
Thefe
80
The Voyage and Adventures
3
Thefe poor Creatures are fo Tame, and fo lit-
tle Diffident, that they will not rife tho' you
are almoft upon them. They lay three times a
year, and but one Egg at a time, like the Soli-
taries; which is the more Remarkable, for that
if I am not Miftaken, we have no Example of
any thing like it among our European Birds. I
fhall add one very particular thing which I
obferv'd in fome of thefe Birds in Maurice Ifland,
when I come to treat of that Iflei
Thus have I related the moft confiderable
Obfervations we made in and about the Iſland
of Rodrigo. I muft now, to give the Reader a
true Idea of the Place, take notice of the difa-
greeable and inconvenient things in it: I fhall
begin with what we firft faw. As foon as we
Landed, we were furrounded by a prodigious
Number of certain little Flies which cover❜dus.
"Twas in vain to kill them, for after you had
bruis'd ten Thouſand of them to pieces, they
wou'd be no more mift, than ten drops of Wa-
ter in the Sea: 'Tis true, thefe little Creatures
did not Sting, all the Inconvenience they put
us to, was a little tickling when they touch'd
our Faces. They retire to the Trees as foon as
the Sun is down, and leave them when it
Rifes. They always feek fhelter, and the mild
cooling Breeze; and after we had fell'd thé
Trees about the Place where we built our Ca-
bins, it expos'd them ſo much to the Wind,
that it drove 'em to the Woods, and deliver'd
all the extent of our Habitations entirely from
them: But we met with them every where
when we walkt out into the Ifland.
There's alſo a kind of great Flies which do
not fear the Wind as the others do, and are very
Troublefom. Their Bellies are full of Worms,
which
0
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
81
which they lay on our Meat, and fometimes
let 'em fall as they fly along, fo that thofe
Proviſions quickly tainted, when, inftead of
leaving them open to the Air, we wrapt them
up in Linen. The only means we found out
to cure this Evil, was to dip them in Sea-Wa-
ter from time to time. The Nerves or Fibres
of the Stalks of our Plantane-Leaves, wou'd
have made an excellent fine Trellis which
thofe Flies cou'd not Penetrate, and with which
we might have made, a Safe to fecure our Meat,
but we did not think of that Machine.
The Rats were our fecond Plague, they are
like thoſe in Europe, are very Numerous, and
very Troubleſome.
They did not only eat the Seed we fow'd,
but came into our Cabbins, and nibbled every
thing they found there. I am apt to doubt
whether Mr. de Rochefort was well inform'd,
when he wrote there were no Rats in the A-
merican Iflands, before our Diſcoveries there ;
for I have often found in the Relation of Voy-
agers, that they met with prodigious quantities
in Defert and unknown Iſlands. It's not im-
poffible that fome Ship might have touch'd, or
been caft away there; but let our Modern
Philofophers fay what they will, I have very
good reafon to believe, that Rats as well as
other kind of Vermin are engender'd fome-
times by Corruption, tho' they are alfo brought
forth by the common way of Generation: If
'tis the good pleaſure of God, the Great Ma--
fter of the Univerſe, that it fhou'd be fo, what
fhou'd hinder Rats being found in thoſe Iſlands
where never any Veffel was?
**
Whereas the Americans have Adders which
are naturally bent to exterminate this Villa-
G
nous
82
The Voyage and Adventures
i
1
1
nous Race, as alfo Cats and Dogs that are
taught to make War upon them: We had no-
thing to affift us but Owls and Traps. We
foon banish'd them from our Quarters, by the
help of the latter; however we must own,
that a new Multitude fometimes return'd, and
found us new Work to clear them. The moſt
ready and fure way of getting rid of great
Numbers of them, wou'd be to lay poyfon'd
Meat for them: The Iſland not being very big,
this wou'd foon have a very good Effect; and
nothing cou'd come of it that we needed appre-
hend, if it happen'd before the Ifle was well
fetled.
t
The feveral Inconveniences occafion'd by
theſe Animals when they come thus by Ar-
mies, render Credible what is ſaid of that young
English Adventurer (Richard Wittington, in the
year 1397.) who made his Fortune by a Cat
which he carry'd out of his Country by chance,
and which he prefented to a Lord in fome
Iſland in the Indies. This little Prince charm'd
with the Cats admirable Hunting, liberally
Rewarded him who brought it, and who ha-
ving fet a high Price upon it, return'd Rich
to London, and became Lord Mayor. He is
often to be ſeen painted with his Cat in his
Mayors Habit, and ferves for one of the Signs
in that City.
The Land-Crabs were our next Enemies:
'Tis impoffible to deftroy them, there's fuch
a prodigious quantity of them in the low
Grounds, and 'tis very difficult to get them
qut of their Holes. Their Burroughs are ve-
ry broad, and have feveral Entrances: They
never go far from them, ftanding always upon
their Guard.
They
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
83
They tore up our Plants in our Gardens day
and Night, and if we fhut up the Plants in a
fort of a Cage, in hopes of faving them; if
they were not far off, they wou'd dig under
Ground from their Burroughs to the Plants,
and tear them up under the Cage. The back
Scale or Shell of this Crab is of a dirty Ruffet
Colour is almoſt round, and about four Inches
Diameter. They march directly with eight
Claws or Paws, about four Inches from the
Ground, and have two that are indented
of an unequal Bignefs, as we know all forts of
Crabs have, the Right Claw or Paw being
bigger and ſtronger than the reft. You can-
not ſee the Mouth of one of them when it
goes along, becauſe it is downwards, but its
Eyes are much like thofe of the Crabs in France
and England, are a good Inch one above ano-
ther on the Brink, and without the Shell.
When one approaches it, it preſently retires ;
but when we throw Stones after it, 'twill al-
ways run after the Stones, by which it is eaſily
ftruck: 'Tis dangerous venturing to be pinch'd
by it. This Animal often cleans its Hole, and
after having made a little heap of the Ordures
it finds there, it carries them out by preffing
them againſt its Belly with its Claws: This it
do's often, and with fo much nimblenefs, that
it foon removes what is Troubleſom to it. Its
Flesh is pretty good, and tafts fomething like
River-Crabs.
A little before and after the Full-Moons in
July and Auguſt, theſe Crabs march by Milli-
ons, from all parts of the Ifland to the Sea.
We never met with one but what was laden
with Eggs: We might then have deftroy'd
great quantities of them with eafe, for they go
Q 2
1
AN
+
84
The Voyage and Adventures
*
in prodigious Troops, and being far from their
Burroughs, have no place of Retreat. We have
fometimes kill'd above three Thouſand in an
Evening with Sticks, yet we cou'd not perceive
the next Day, that their Number was at all
Diminish'd. The Second year of our abode in
this Ifle, we thought of a way to rid our felves
of them, in fome meafure; which was, by
Sowing abundance of Seed in the places where
they moft Inhabited; that finding Occupati-
on enough at Home, they might fave our Plants,
which if they had time to grow to any bigneſs,
were out of Danger. This helpt us a little,
and we were fo cautious as to Sow thoſe Plants
which we were willing to Cultivate, in Places
they did not frequent, as well in our Gar-
dens, as in Hills far from the Rivers where the
bottom was Rock.
One of our Companions who at all ventures
had brought two great Chefts of Merchan-
dife with him, which were in demand in India,
and alfo a good quantity of Louis d'ors, but was
at leaft as Diffident as Rich, was pleasantly
caught by one of thefe little Beafts. His Pi-
ftoles were in feveral Purſes; and we obferv'd,
if he went at any time a little way from his
Cabbin, he took them along with him. He
never fail'd to hide them every Night before he
went to Bed, in the fafeft place he cou'd think
of; but as cunning as he was, he found one
that was as cunning as he, and was bubbled
by a Thief he did not think of, I mean, fome
Crab or Rat that took away one of his Pur-
fes from him; which being of Leather, was
no doubt very agreeable to the Robbers Taft.
The next Day we perceiv'd he was Chagrin,
and fearch'd for fomething with great Appli-
cation;
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
85
cation; we preft him to tell what he had loft,
and at last thro Importunity, or hoping we
wou'd help him in finding it, he told us the
whole truth of the Matter. Tho' we cou'd
not forbear Laughing a little, we however
went about with him to feek it, but all our
feeking fignify'd nothing, and the Perfon Rob'd
was forc'd to comfort himſelf for the Robbe-
ry: 'Tis true, he ever after made War upon
the whole Nation of Crabs, and we affifted him
in it. He never kill'd one without giving him
fome blows after he was dead.
The Sea-Crabs are much better than the
Land, and the Fleſh eaſier to Digeſt.
There's alfo another fort which I am in-
form'd goes by the Name of Tourlouroux in the
Antilles, and are very like the firft Crabs I
ſpoke of, but fomewhat lefs: They dwell be-
tween the Sea and the Land like true Amphi-
bious Creatures, as they are; infomuch that
the Sea twice a Day fills their Holes with Wa-
ter, and they are continually at work to keep
'em clean.
The Hurricanes which we were terrify'd
with every year, in the Month of January or
February, as I have already noted, is alfo a dread-
ful Enemy. We felt its rude Attacks twice:
This furious Wind rifes commonly after fair
Weather, and even after a great Calm; and its
greateft Violence lafts at leaſt an Hour. We
then faw feveral huge Trees torn up by the
Roots in a Moment, and our Cabbins utterly
over-whelm'd. The Sea Raging and Foaming
roar'd fo, that it frighted us; and lifting up its
foaming Waves like Mountains, dafh'd'em a-
gainſt the Coafts with fo much Impetuofity.
that it feem'd as if Nature was in fuch Con-
vulfions,
G 3
!
86
The Voyage and Adventures
}
і
vulfions, as wou'd foon reduce her to her Ori-
ginal Chaos. Heaven and Earth mingled a
thick Darkneſs involv'd the Sky, and the Clouds
breaking diſcharg'd a Deluge of Rain, like that
which immerg'd the first World. Our fair and
fruitful Valleys were immediately drown'd
and look'd like a new Ocean: The Torrent
overwhelm'd every thing that lay in its way;
and I believe if this Violence had lafted three
Hours, there was not a Tree in the Iſland that
cou'd have refifted it. The Beafts by a natu-
ral Instinct of Gracious and Wife Providence,
forefaw thefe Storms before they happen'd, and
fav'd themſelves in the Cavities of the Moun-
tains; but the next Day they appear'd abroad
as before, for the Weather return'd to be as
fair and clear as ever. The laſt Hurricane
we felt at Rodrigo, was much more terrible
than the firft: In the midft of its greatest Fu-
ry, there was a fudden and profound Calm, not
the leaft Noife was heard, and we believ'd all was
over, when immediately the Storm return'd with
more Violence than ever. It entirely deſtroy'd
all our Gardens; for the force of the Wind rais'd
up the Waters of the Sea, and blew about ev'ry
where a deluge of Salt Water that burnt up or
kill'd all our Plants. But it doing no hurt to the
Soil at bottom, as foon as we got out of the
Holes of the Rocks to which we fled, we fow'd
more Plants, and they came up as before.
In fine, The fourth and laft Enemy we had
to Combat with, were little green Caterpil-
lars, which always come after a Hurricane,
and are certainly one of its fecret Productions.
Theſe Infects troubled us very much, from the
Month of February, to that of April; for they
eat up or Melons, not leaving a Leaf on the
1
Trees.
:
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
87
Trees. Experience taught us the way to pre-
vent it, which was by covering 'em all Night,
and uncovering them in the Morning: Glafs
Bells wou'd have been a good Buckler for them.
Theſe Vermin did not touch our Succory, nor
our Purflain; and we may therefore reaſo-
nably conclude, that there are ſeveral forts
of other Herbs and Plants which they will not
meddle with, as not being to their Guft.
In fome Places we met with little Scor-
pions, eſpecially on the Plantanes; but we did
not find that they were any way dangerous,
becauſe we were feveral times ftung by them,
without any Inconvenience afterwards. It on-
ly caus'd a little Pain for a Moment or two,
like the prick of a Pin.
When we bath'd our felves in the Sea, or
when we were oblig'd to walk in our Fishing,
we were often furrounded with a great Troop
of Sharks, among which fome were very great,
yet we were never attack'd by them. And
when we were on that fatal Rock of the Ifle
Maurice, which I fhall fay more of hereafter
I have a hundred times feen a great Pack of
Dogs follow a Stag into the Sea, and Swim
after him in places where were abundance of
Sharks; yet they never did them any hurt, any
more than they did us when we were Ba-
thing. Let the Reader therefore judge, whe-
ther this is fuch a Voracious Animal as 'tis
repreſented to be, or whether the Sharks in
thefe Seas, are different from thoſe in others.
The Relations of fuch as bave made Voyages
to America, and ſeveral other parts of the World,
tell us unanimoufly, that the Sharks in thofe
Seas are extreamly dangerous and ravenous,
and feveral Perfons fpeak as if they had
G4
been
}
88
The Voyage and Adventures
1
been Eye-Witneſſes of it; wherefore 'tis moſt
reaſonable to conclude, that all the Sharks are
not of the fame kind. This Fifh is commonly
fifteen or fixteen Foot long: Its Mouth is fo
made, that it must neceffarily turn upon its
Back to ſwallow its Prey, or muft thruft half
its Head out of Water: It has feveral rows of
Teeth which are extreamly fharp, and like
thofe of a Saw. I was told at Batavia, and
elſewhere, that the Brain of a Shark had a Vir-
tue in it, which made Womens Pains in Child-
Bed not fo racking to them, as they generally
are; but we cou'd not try the Experiment in
our Iſland: Some fay, the little Fiſh which we
call Succet, or the Shark's Pilot, is his Guide,
but that's a Chimera, which Father Tichard
has very well Confuted. This Succet, which
is reaſonably enough thought to be the Rhe-
mora thofe good Men of old (who are vene-
rably call'd Antients, and who often did not
know very well what they faid) have render'd
fo famous and formidable: This Succet, Ifay,
has on its Head, and on the forepart of its
Neck a grifly Membrane flat, and in Folds
by which it flicks faft to the Back of the Sharks
and Sea-Dogs, and fometimes to inanimate
things as Wood; for we have feen it ftick to
the Deck of the Ship with its Belly upwards.
There are at leaft two forts of them different
in Bignefs and Colour, but fhap'd alike: They
have no Scales, and their Skins is as flick and
lippery as an Eel's. Thofe of the biggeſt fort
are two or three Foot long: The colour of
their Backs is a greenish Brown, which to-
wards the Belly turns whitish. The others are
not longer than Herrings, hardly fo long.
Their Snouts are fhorter, and not fo dark Co-
lour'd,
}
Pag. 88.
SUCCET
REMORA
OR
CORA
THE
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
89
lour'd. The Flesh of both the one and the o-
ther is not firm, but 'tis not ill tafted: They
are very well provided with Fins, and are thin
and long; fo that they dart into the Sea like
an Arrow out of a Bow. Their Teeth are a
little round at the end, and fo fhort, they are
fcarce perceptible: 'Tis moft certain that theſe
Fiſh often ſtick to the Ships in the Water, and
when they do it in a great Number, they doubt-
lefs hinder her Courfe, becauſe fhe cannot run
fo lightly over the Waves. I was the more
willing to ſpeak of this Animal at large, for
that others have not done it; and I cannot
help faying, en paffant, that I fometimes wonder
at the mighty Reputation the Famous Rondelet
acquir'd; for I never confulted him concerning
any thing within my Knowledge, but I found
him
very falfe and very dry.
All our Employment as long as we ftaid in
this Iſland was very Infignificant, as may be
eafily imagin'd; however, we cou'd not live
without doing fomething. The looking after
our Cabins, and Cultivating our Gardens, took
up one part of our Time, Walking another:
We frequently went to the South of the Iſland,
either in croffing it, or going about it: There's
no Place upon it but we Vifited very nicely;
none of the Mountains or Hills are without
Verdure, tho' they are very full of Rocks.
The bottom which is Rock, is fpread with two,
three or four foot Earth, and amongst the
Stones where there's no appearance of Earth,
great Trees tall and ftraight grow, which at
a diſtance gives one a better Idea of the Ifland
than it deferves, becauſe one wou'd think it
was compos'd of a Soil univerfally Excel-
lent,
One
1
L
1
90
The Voyage and Adventures
!
1
One may go every where all over it with eafe,
there being few or no parts of it, which are
not very Acceffible, and no Place but affords
abundantly Meat and Drink. Go where you
will, and if you fee no Game, you need on-
ly ftrike against a Tree, or cry out as hard as
you can, and Game will immediately offer it
felf of all forts, which you may knock down
with a Stick or Stones: 'Twas Chance made
us experience this, becauſe when we walkt out
together and wander'd in the Woods, if any one
of us loft Company with the reft, we were
forc'd to cry aloud to let him know where we
were, that he might come to us. We were
then amaz'd to fee what quantities of Birds
flew out, and ran up and down from all parts
about us: Providence as it were bid us Kill
and Eat, and we had nothing to do but to fire
a Fuzee, and roaft what we kill'd to provide
a Feaft Turtles are to be met with every
where. The Air is fo fweet and fo temperate,
that one might lye down boldly under the Ca-
nopy of the Sky; but if we pleas'd, might at
any time make a fort of Hutt immediately with
five or fix Plantane-Leaves which we have
fpoken of.
To return to our Employments, and the
manner of ſpending our tedious Hours, I fhall
add without Boafting, that we had every day
our exerciſes of Devotion. On Sundays we
did as far as we cou'd what is practis'd in our
French Churches, for we had the Bible entire
with us; fome Hymns, a large Commentary
on the Teftament, and feveral Sermons upon
the Old Rock, which were fenfible Difcourfes.
If we had believ'd we fhou'd ſpend the reft
of our Days there, or at leaft ftay fome lon-
ger
{
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
91
ger time than we did, or intended what fhou'd
have hinder'd the Wifeft among us from taking
upon him the Miniſterial Office; and that theſe
two or three meeting together, and in the
Name of God, fhou'd not have form'd a true
Church, and have receiv'd thofe particular Con-
folations which are participated in the Holy
Communions. I often thought of propofing
it to my Companions; but on one hand, I
faw they were all difpos'd to endeavour fud-
denly, at the hazard of their Lives, to return
into the inhabited World: On the other I had
reaſon to fear there wou'd be thought fome
kind of Affectation in that Deſign, which they
wou'd not have been pleas'd with. For in the
Reflections we fometimes made upon Religion,
we were always on our Guard in an extraor-
dinary manner, leaft we fhou'd fall into any
Practice, or have any Idea which tended in
the leaft to Superftition, the most dangerous
and moſt fatal Peft of Chriftianity: We were
fo happy, as to be united all in the fame Spi-
rit, without the falfe Wiſdom of the Sages, and
that Pernicious Knowledge of the Learned;
the Diſputers and Innovators of this Age,
which have caus'd fo many wicked Sects, and
other Diſorders in the Chriftian World; the
Errors of the Roman Catholicks and fome others
in the matter of the neceffity of Baptifm
ought to be a Leffon to us, not to fall into the
like Miſtake, in the uſe of the other Sa-
crament, the Practice of which by the com-
mon confent of all the Chriftians this day
alive is not in it felf neceffary. We found a
great Comfort in our felves, in keeping cloſely
to that Pure and Primitive Evangelical Do-
rine, which all Divines without exception
>
fay,
1
92
Voyage and Adventures
The Voyage
fay, contains the Soul and Effence of ſaving
Faith, without entring into any Inquiries,
which had the leaft appearance of Unprofi-
tableneſs or Curiofity we delighted in, and of-
ten Repeated Paffages out of the Scripture,
and thefe offer'd themſelves to our Remem-
brance. All that I propose to you is to know Jeſus
Chriſt, and him Crucify'd. This is eternal Life to
know thee, the only true God, and fefus Christ whom
thou haft fent. If thou confeffeft the Lord Jefus
with thy Mouth, and believe in thy Heart that
God has rais'd him from the Dead, thou shalt be
Sav'd. Whoever believes in me, has eternal Life ;
Whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be
fav'd. I have declar'd unto you all the Counsel of
God, to wit, Repentance towards God, and Faith in
Jefus Chrift. The Religion that is Pure and without
Spot towards our God and Father, is to vifit the
Orphans and Widows in their Tribulations, and to
avoid the Defilements of the World, &c. We were
free from the accidental Theology of Contro-
verfies, from Chimerical and Heretical Ideas,
which we look'd upon, as if they had never been;
from all Superftitious Fooleries, from all vain,
impertinent rafh Thoughts, which are as Perni-
cious to the Soul, as they are unreaſonable V s
and had a delicious Tafte of the excellency of
fimple and pure Religion. We abhorr'd as the
facred Writers did, thofe Makers or Botchers
of Religion, who accommodate the Doctrine
and Worſhip of Chriſtianity to their own fan-
cies, pretending to be more wife than Wiſdom
it felf: We ador'd God the Creator in purity
and fimplicity of Heart. We worship'd Fa-
ther, Son, and Holy Ghoft, according to the
Terms and Rules of Revelation, without valu-
ing our felves on foolish Explanations, or en-
deavour-
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
93
!
deavouring to unfold the facred Myfteries,
which by the confeffion of all Men are necef
farily, and will always be hidden from mor-
tal Men, and impenitrable to Human Eye;
or they wou'd ceafe to be Mysteries. We thus
invok'd the Almighty with Joy and Confidence,
(doing good as far as we cou'd) by the Medi-
tation of our Redeemer and Saviour Jefus
Chrift, the way, the Truth and the Life. In
theſe happy Difpofitions we look'd on Death,
not as a Terror, but as the Meffenger of glad
Tidings.
Befides thofe great Walks, or rather thoſe
little Journeys we us'd to take, we never mift
walking out in the Evening, in the Neighbour-
hood of our Habitations. We had one Walk
among others on the Sea-fhoar to the left of
our Rivulet, and 'twas a very lovely one :
'Twas an avenue to it form'd by Nature,as ftraight
as if it had been planted by a Line at a parallel
Diſtance, from the Sea; and about twelve
hundred Paces long, which is exactly the length
of the Mall at London, in the fine Park at St.
James's. We might have lengthen'd it to ſeven
or eight Miles if we wou'd, and upon firm
Ground, which was a perfect Level. We had
on one fide of this delicious Walk, a View of
the vaft extended Ocean, and heard the con-
fus'd murmur of the Waves breaking againft
the Rocks, about a League off, fo that 'twas
not loud enough to disturb our Converfation;
it only threw us often into Contemplations,
to which we gave our felves up with the grea-
ter Pleaſure, becauſe we had not much to fay
to one another. On the other fide our Pro-
ſpect was agreeably bounded by charming Hills,
and the Valleys which reach'd to it were like
:94
The Voyage and Adventures
1
a fine Orchard in the fweet and rich Seafons
of Autumn.
Among the great number and variety of
Trees in this Ifland planted by Nature, there
is one which is wonderful and worthy our par-
ticular Obfervation, for its Beauty, Bignefs,
Roundness, and the rare Symmetry of its exact
Branches: The ends of which are every where
very much tufted, and its Leaves fo great and
thick, that they fall down almoft to the Ground
all about it; fo that come which way you will
at this Tree, you can perceive but a ſmall part
of its Trunk, and that at the bottom of it:
And fometimes you can fee nothing at all
of it.
It being as one may imagine, all fhady in
the middle, the Branches are within-fide like
dry Poles, which feem to be the work of a
Carpenter, and fet there to bear up the Plumes
or Branches which are quite about it, and
thus make a fort of Cage or Tent of the
Tree. 'Tis true, the greateft beauty of this
Tent, is in its charming Outfide, though the
coolneſs and fhelter of the infide have alfo their
Charms: 'Twas unhappy that its Fruit was not
good to eat. Thofe of us who had the Curio-
fity to eat it, found it Sour, and knew by Ex-
perience, that was all the hurt that was in it.
It had the ſmell of a very fine Quince: 'Tis a
fort of a Grape, the Seeds of which are cloſe
and all together. It lookt at a diſtance like the
Fruit of the Ananas. For which reafon we
us'd to call thefe Trees Ananas; tho' there's
a great difference between the two Plants. As
for me, I was for calling it the Pavilion or
Tent. The Leaves are of an admirable Green,
and the Stalks of them are fo fhort, that one
wou'd
THE PAVILLION.
A
Tree newly
Discover
E
Pag.94
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
95
wou'd think they grew immediately to the
Wood. The greateſt are four or five Inches
broad, fharp at the end, and about five In-
ches long. They form a great Bunch, and
here and there, one may fee the Grapes, which
are of divers Colours, according as they are
more or lefs Ripe. I have often taken Pleaſure
to Survey theſe natural Palaces, and was e-
qually ravifh'd with its largeneſs and fingular
Beauty.
We fometimes play'd at Chefs, at Trictrac,
at Drafts, at Bowls, and at Scales. Hunting
and Fiſhing were fo eafie to us, that it took
away from the Pleaſure. We often delighted
our felves in teaching the Parrots to ſpeak,
there being a vast number of them. We car-
ry'd one to Maurice Ifle, which talk'd French and
Dutch.
We fhall foon fee that all the laſt year of
our abode here, we were employ'd in building
the fine Bark, of which we muſt ſpeak in the
Sequel of theſe Memoirs. If any one defires
to know how we lighted our Cabbins when
'twas dark, or the Places we were then in, I
muft acquaint him that we brought Lamps
with us; and inftead of Oil, made ufe of Tur-
tles fat, which as I faid before, never Con-
geal'd. We lighted our Fires with Burning-
Glaffes.
>
The Reader finding we had Abundance of
Variety of Flesh and Fiſh, Roafted and Boil'd,
Soops, Ragouts, Herbs, Roots, excellent Me-
lons, other Fruits, Palm-Wine, clear and freſh
Water,do's not apprehend the poor Adventurers
in Rodrigo, were in any danger of Starving.
But fince he's fo kind as to concern himſelf a
little in their extraordinary manner of Living,
I af-
96
The Voyage and Adventures
}
I affure him they made very good Cheer with-
out Surfeits, Indigeftion, Difeafes, and thanks
be to God without Bread. The Captain had
left them two great Barrels of Bisket, but they
feldom made ufe of it, except 'twas in Soops
or Broth, and often they quite forgot it. When
we had ftay'd above a year in our new Ifland,
we began to wonder we faw no Ship come;
for to lay truth, fome of us were not a little
tir'd. They regretted the lofs of their Youth,
and were troubled to think they fhou'd per-
haps be oblig'd to pass away the beſt
part of
their Lives in a ftrange Solitude, and intole-
rable Idleneſs. After feveral Deliberations,
'twas at laft almoft unanimously agreed, that
when we had ſtay'd two whole years in expe-
ctation of News from Mr. Du Quefne, which
we at firft refolv'd to do, then if none came, we
wou'd do our utmost to get to Maurice Ifland,
which belong'd to the Dutch, where we might
embark to go where we pleas'd, there being a
Governor, and Ships coming every year from
the Cape of Good Hope. This Ifle is above one
hundred and fixty Leagues from Rodrigo, a
great way for us to make; but we confider'd
the Wind blew generally one way, and that
fair for that Iſland; wherefore we put all hands
to Work to build a Bark as well as we cou'd,
and if there was any likelihood we might make
uſe of it, we wou'd convey our felves thi-
ther in it, after having implor'd the affiftance
of him, who Commands the Winds and the
Seas.
This Enterprize appear'd very difficult, even
to thoſe that Projected it; but however, it did
not ſeem to be wholly impoffible. We were
to build a pretty big Boat, but we had no Skil-
ful
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
97.
ful Workmen, and few Tools; we had nei-
ther Pitch nor Tar, nor Cordage, nor Anchor,
nor Compaſs, nor a hundred other Neceffa-
ries, and near two hundred Leagues by Sea
was a great Voyage. The Wifeft of us faw a
thouſand other Difficulties, and were afraid our
Deſign cou'd never fucceed: But thoſe that
Projected it, were fix'd in it; and 'twas a-
greed upon, that we fhou'd prepare to put it
in Execution, and by way of Diverfion, to un-
dertake the building of a Bark, tho' we loft
our Labour: No fooner faid than done. And
all eight of us without ferving any Appren-
ticeſhip, became Carpenters, Smiths, Rope-ma-
kers, Mariners, and generally every thing that
was neceffary for us to be. In this Underta-
king neceffity was a Law to us, it ſupply'd all
our Defects: Every one propos'd what he
thought, wou'd be moft proper and advantage-
ous, and we went all chearfully to Work, ha-
ving a good Underſtanding one with another,
as 'twas our Common Intereft.
Among other Inftruments we had a great
Saw and a little one, with which we began to
faw Boards, and very happily made ufe of a
Beam of Oak which the Sea had ſometime be-
fore thrown on our Coafts. If the Curious
Reader demands by way of Parentheſes, from
whence that Beam came, I muſt anſwer, that
truly I cannot tell. Let it come from whence
it will, we had it, the Sea brought it to us,
and we us'd it for the Purpoſe I tell him. We
faw'd out fome good Boards, but the great Saw
breaking thrice, and being handled by unskil-
ful Perfons, the greateft part of thofe Boards
were of an unequal thickneſs, and Confequent-
ly not very good to the Eye, nor indeed fit for
Uſe.
H
Qur
1
98
The Voyage and Adventures
Our Bark was twenty Foot long at the Keel,
fix broad, and four deep, we rounded it at both
ends. We had fome Nails, but John de la Haye
who was a Silver-Smith, had fome Forge-Tools
and other Inftruments, helpt us to more: He
mended our Saw for us feveral times. For Calk-
ing we made ufe of old Linen; and inſtead of
Pitch and Tar, mingled Jet with Gumms which
we found on the Trees in Plenty, and tem-
per'd it with Oil of Turtle. We work'd up fe-
veral forts of Ropes with the Threads or Fi-
bres of the Stalks of the Plantane-Leaves; which
Ropes were ftrong enough, but not very Sup-
ple, and were proper only for fix'd Work, but
were always frizing out and untwisting when
we employ'd 'em about running Work. Inſtead
of an Anchor we provided our felves with a
piece of Rock, which weigh'd one hundred
and fifty pound Weight, and we made a Sail
as well as we cou'd.
Every Man was Induftrious as it lay in his
Power to be, to carry on this Work, and the
two years being almoft expir'd, we were fo
forward in it, that the Bark was Lanch'd, no
one of us fparing his Labour on this Occa-
fion.
As for Provifions we dry'd Lamentins Flefh,
we fill'd the Barrels we had for that uſe with
fresh Water; the little Bisket that was left us
we put aboard, and fupply'd our felves with
Land and Water-Melons. The latter wou'd
keep a long time, what I have faid is true,
we began the building our Boat knowing we
had no Compafs, and fo we finifh'd it; but
every Body feeking for fomething Ufeful to-
wards fupplying its Place, one of us found a
little Solar Quadrant of Loadftone which coft
!
him
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
99
him three Pence at Amfterdam; and tho' 'twas
not good, we were glad he had found it, ho-
ping to reap fome Benefit by it.
When the Bark was in the Water, we were
all furpriz'd to find fhe did not obey the Rud-
der, and that to turn it we must make uſe of
an Oar.
The day of our Departure was fix'd to be
Saturday the 19th of April, 1693. The Moon
being then near at the Full, the Sea wou'd be
high, and confequently the eafier to pafs above
the Shelves. The Reafon why we did not
chooſe the time when the Moon wou'd be quite
at the Full, was, becauſe we wou'd have as
much as we cou'd of her Light.
Theſe Shelves of which I have often ſpoken,
are (to inform, en paffant, thofe who do not un-
derſtand the Term) Rocks rifing up in the
Sea like a fort of a Wall, with which the Iſland
is encompaſt at an unequal Diftance; except
in two Places, where there's a Breach about
10 or 12 Foot broad, that gives acceſs to the
Ile. This is not to be feen in the Map.
When we arriv'd on the Ifland, we perceiv'd
the Names of fome Dutchmen who had Landed
there before, Written on the Bark of fome
Trees, with the date of the Time; and this
put us in mind of doing the fame when we
left it. We therefore wrote an Abridgment of
our Hiſtory in French and Dutch, with the date
of our Arrival, the time of our Abode, and our
Departure. We put it into a Viol, with a Note
to Paffengers to look into it. We plac'd it in
a fort of a Niche Dug in the Trunk of the
great Tree, under which we us'd to eat, and
which we had experienc'd to be proof againſt
Hurricanes.
H 2
At
r
100
The Voyage and Adventures
·
At laft the appointed Day for which my
young Companions heartily long'd, arriv'd,
and having put up our Prayers to Heaven for
the Divine Affiftance, we embark'd about
Noon with our Provifions and Goods. The
Weather was extreamly fair, and the Wind the
fame; fo that tho' we wanted a Rudder, Cor-
dage, Anchors, and almoſt every thing necef-
fary for our Boat, weak and ill built as it was,
we were full of Hope, that we fhou'd do very
well in her: We reckon'd the fair Weather
wou'd continue, and if fo, we might depend
upon the Trade-Wind, of which I have ſpoken;
and which according to our Calculation,founded
upon what we had heard the Captain and Sea-
men fay, always blow'd at that time of the
year, and as long as the Weather was fair. In
fuch cafe we might expect to make St. Mau-
rice Iſland in two Days and two Nights.
We therefore departed with Joy, and ear-
neftly defiring to arrive in fome Place where
we might fee the Inhabitants of the World,
we paſt ſwiftly enough to the Shelves But in
ſtead of ſeeking for one of the two Breaches
before-mention'd, and to Hale the Ship by
Land or by Sea, to a Place where 'tis eafie to
pafs, we depended too much on our good For-
tune, and thinking to go thro' directly, we
happen'd to ftrike. We went fo fwiftly along,
that we cou'd hardly perceive when we ftruck,
and thought we only brufht by the Rock.
Wherefore we proceeded, and were got about
fifty Paces beyond the Shelves, flattering our
felves we were paft the greateſt Danger, when
on a fudden we were fadly convinc'd of our
Miſtake; for the Water came pouring in, and
we faw 'twas time for us to return as faft as we
cou'd
1
Pag.101.
WM ath
DOMINE SALVANOS||
2
5
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
101
cou'd to Land. In the mean time the poor
Boat fill'd apace, the Rudder cou'd not guide
us. The Wind in fpite of us, drove us farther
off Shoar: Fear depriv'd us of the little Skill
we had, and as for my felf in particular, I
believ'd our time was come; one may ea-
fily imagine the Condition we were in, our
Peril was fo terrible and apparent. The De-
fire of Living made us fet to work to fave our
felves; but the truth is, 'twas to no purpofe;
one endeavour'd to lave the Water out of the
Bark with his Hat, another employ'd himſelf
with Labour every whit as unprofitable, and
all cry'd out or Pray'd like loft Men. Howe-
ver at laft one of us handled an Oar fo effectu-
ally, that the Bark tack'd about, and the Wind
being brisk, it drove us in four Minutes time
on the other fide of the Shelves; but thirty
Paces from thence nearer the Island the Boat
funk down to the Bottom. If that Misfortune
had happen'd to us half an Hour before, we
had been drown'd every Man of us; but there
being not above fix foot Water, and the Bark
not Over-ſetting, we ftood all of us upright
on the Deck, with the Water up to our Mid-
dles. 'Twas a Happineſs in our Trouble, that
the Rock on which we ftruck made fuch a
hole in the Boat, that we faw the Water en-
ter immediately; for if we had not ſo viſibly
and readily feen it, we fhou'd have kept on
our way, and then had infallibly Perifh'd:
However, as it was, we were very unpleaſant-
ly Poſted in the Water on one end of the Deck.
Tho' it began to Ebb, and we were but half a
League from the Shoar, we cou'd not tell what
to refolve on. 'Twas concluded after we had
thought of it a little, we wou'd ftay till the
H 3
Water
1
102
The Voyage and Adventures
Water was fo low that we might get to Shoar,
haling our Chefts and Barrels after us as they
floated in the Water ty'd to one another.
(
1
This was accordingly done, but not without
putting us to terrible Fatigues; for we had fe-
veral Voyages to make, fometimes up to the
Neck in Water, the Bottom being uneven, and
fometimes we were oblig'd to Swim, it being
out of our Depths, and draw our Chefts after
us with Ropes ty'd about our Wafts. We all
of us fiript, that we might have the more li-
berty in Swimming, and the fharp and keen
Stones made our Feet all bloody: To add to our
Misfortunes, the Current ev'ry now and then
carry'd away part of our Baggage, neverthe-
Jefs we fav'd moft of our things the fame day,
and put the heavy part of our Luggage out of
the Bark on the Land; the Sea cou'd not fweep
that away, and when the Tide was quite out,
we might at our Leafure recover it, which we
intended to do next Day, and fee if we cou'd
hale our poor Boat after us. We now ty'd it
to a Rock, and at laft got to Land with much
Joy, and much Sorrow, having made proof by
a woful and happy Experience, that evil and
good things are often mix'd together by For-
tunė.
The next Morning as foon as 'twas Light
we went to the Bark, which now lay a-fhoar,
to Refit her as well as we cou'd: We Launch'd
her when the Tide came in, put our heavy
Goods aboard, and got fafe to à Place where
we cou'd conveniently Land them. Each of
us loft fomething in this Shipwreck, and what
we had left was generally damag'd; but we
had fav'd our Lives almoft by a Miracle. We
return'd our moſt humble thanks to God, the
Graci-
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
103
་
Gracious, and Mighty Protector, who had af-
fifted us in our extream Peril.
In the mean time one of us who feem'd to
be the moft Strong and Vigorous Man in the
Company, found himſelf very much out of
Order after fo great a fatigue. As foon as he
got a-fhoar naked and frozen, as he was, he
laid himſelf all along upon the Sand, which
the Sun had heated extraordinarily: He thought
at first he wanted only a little Reft, but a
while after his Face turn'd as red as Scarlet:
His Head grew very heavy, and his Diftemper
encreas'd ev'ry Minute. We carry'd him to
his Cabbin with much adoe, and being of a
very vigorous Complexion, 'twas three or four
days before he wou'd confine himfelf to his
Bed, but at last he yielded: His Head fwell'd,
and fo many Impofthumes appear'd in it, that
we cou'd fcarce open all to let out the Cor-
ruption. We were at firft forry that our Rogue
of a Captain had left us no Unguents or Drugs,
as I have faid before: However, we confi-
der'd none of us understood very well how to
Adminifter them, if we had had them; and
indeed, that take it all together what we call
Phyfick or Pharmacy, is commonly nothing
but a Cheat more Pernicious than Ufeful to Man-
kind; fo we did not trouble our felves much
for the want of it till now. We had a Con-
fultation, whether the Patient ought not to be
Blooded: Some cry'd he wou'd die in the Ope-
ration, if he loſt one drop of Blood only, o-
thers cry'd out louder, that he wou'd give up
the Ghoft in three Minutes, if he was not
Blooded; and we were all fo warm in the
Vindication of our feveral Opinions, that who-
ever had feen us, wou'd have taken us for true
*
H 4
Phy-
1
104
The Voyage and Adventures
1
Phyficians. Nevertheleſs we did not come to
Blows, and there being four out of feven Voi-
ces for Bleeding, 'twas not neceffary that we
ſhould ſtay for any other way of deciding the
Queſtion, tho' the Sacred Minifters of Afcula-
pius, have recourfe fometimes to others in fuch
Cafes. The Boldeft of the four Phlebotomifts
fharpen'd as well as he cou'd the point of his
Pen-knife, and made Incifions in feveral parts
of the poor dying Man's Arm, but 'twas all to
no Purpoſe: The Fever Augmented, he grew
Delirious, and remain'd fo fome Days. We
cou'd then do nothing for him, but apply to
the Great Phyſician of Body and Soul, which
we had done all along. Before this Struggle
was over, we had the Satisfaction to ſee our
Dear Brother recover his Underſtanding, and
give us the moft certain and moft edifying
Tokens of a fincere Repentance, and holy
hope of his Salvation. Thus it continu'd with
him till the eighth of May, 1693. when he ex-
pir'd in the 29th year of his Age, after three
Weeks Sicknefs. Such was the end of honeft
Ifaac Boyer, the eighth part of the Kings, and
the Inhabitants of Rodrigo. And that you may
not, kind Reader, go fo far as this New World
without feeing fome Monument, Read if you
think fit, the Epitaph that I add here.
Neither our Sorrow for the lofs of a dear
and uſeful Friend, nor the bad Succefs of our
firſt Enterprize, hinder'd us from thinking of
leaving the Ifland: Thefe young Men bad, as
Horace fays, Hearts of Oak and Brass, which made
them freely expofe their Lives in the weakest of all
Boats, and rafhly to defie the fury of the Winds.
They perfifted therefore obftinately in their first
Refolution, and added to the Fundamental
Reafons
Nascimur
PARES
DESPARES
Morimur
104.
Pag. 1
*
ENTE··
*
NOVS..
༣
255
N
A
P
ERMAN
PLLI ··· 3 6h I
B
P
OINT
Eneath thefe Immortal Palms,
In the faithful Bofom of a Virgin Earth,
Are piously depofited
The Bones
of ISAAC BOYER,
אדס
An honeſt and faithful Gafcon, defcended from Adam,
Of as Noble Blood as any of the Mortals his Brethren,
Who all reckon, among their Ancestors
Biſhops and Millers.
If all Men would live as He liv'd,
Dancing, Laces, Bayliffs, Locks and Keys,
Cannon, Prifons, Tax-Gatherers, Monarchs,
Would be useless things in the World.
BOYER
He was Wife, and more a Philofopher than the Philofophers.
He was a Chriftian, and more a Divine than the Divines.
He knew his Ignorance, and was more a Doctor than the Doctors,
He was more Independant than Sovereigns,
Being neither plagu'd with Flatterers, nor drunk with Ambition.
He was richer than Kings, for he wanted but one Thing,
AWIFE.
In that Execrable Time
Which makes my Pen tremble with Horror,
He was forc'd to abandon his Dear Country
And every thing with it,
To fly from the
Furious Minifters of the great Tribulation.
He crofs'd Mountains and Seas,
ཀ
膏
​ALIT EGothDA.
M M O R
N
Box OW BoEt
And coming to this Ifland,
Found here the true Port of Safety.
Himself and feven Companions of the fame Forte,
Stay'd here two whole years,
The People and the Rulers of the Place.
He had longer enjoy'd
The Delights of this new World,
If his Heart had not been touch'd
With a Secret Defire for
The Too Lovely Sex,
Which engag'd him in an Enterprize
That caus'd his Death.
He wrestled boldly with that terrible Enemy,
And came off Conqueror ;
Since at the fame time that he yielded Duft to Duft,
He procur'd the Honour for the Ifle of Rodrigo,
To
Render to the Lord one of the Bleſſed at the Refurrection.
His Soul
Is gone Triumphantly
Into the Palace of Immortality.
His few and evil Days
Were not at most above
Ten Thouſand Six Hundred ;
And
That in which he took his leave of the World,
Was the Eighth of May, in the Year of our Redemption,
MDCXCIII.
Whoever thou art, Paffenger, that Reads this,
Remember
Thou muſt die in a little while,
And
Improve thy Time.
ΑΧΩ
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
105
Reaſons alledg'd in the beginning: That they
wou'd benefit themſelves by the Misfortune
that had happen'd to them, and take better
meaſures for the future. They faid they wou'd
ftrengthen the Bark in Repairing it, that they
wou'd lay fome Buoys, or fome other Tokens
in their way to direct them in this Cafe, and
wou'd depart when the Tides were higheft,
that they might not run the Risk of touching
the Shelves, without fpending time in feeking
after other Breaches, if they cou'd not fol-
low exactly the way mark'd them out by the
Buoys.
!
I was, as well as they, a little weary of Con-
finement, and cou'd not with Pleafure think
of living all the reft of my Days in one of the
Iſlands of the Antipodes; but I did not imagine
fuch a forry Gondola as our Boat, was capa-
ble of carrying us fuch a vaft way, eſpecially
having no neceffaries for the Voyage: Where-
fore I oppos'd the execution of the firft De-
fign with all my Might. As Refolute as they
feem'd to be, to be gone, I beg'd them in the
moft perfwafive Terms I cou'd ufe, to reflect
a little more upon what they were going about;
and not to fhock them too much at first, I
highly commended their Courage, and gave
way to their moſt plaufible Reafons; but I
conjur'd them alfo to confider, that this was
an Affair of the laft Importance, both for the
Body and the Soul; that without a fecond Mi-
racle, we muſt be a ſecond time Ship-wreck'd,
and that then they wou'd never be able to a-
void Reproaches very like Defpair, for having
tempted God: I added, Experience ought to
make us wifer than we were before. That it
had already coft us one of our Companions
Lives,
106
The Voyage and Adventures
}
t
-}
Lives, and we fhou'd look upon that fad. Acci-
dent as the Warning of Providence, and the
Manifeſtation of God's Will, of whom we had
demanded with Fafting and Refignation, that
he wou'd be pleas'd to infpire us what we
fhou'd do, I told them farther, that fince thoſe
that were to follow us, had not promis'd to
come til after two years, 'twas convenient to
ourftay that time a little: Perhaps Succour
was now upon Sea for us, and might arrive
ev'n when we were the deplorable fport of the
Waves, if we were not before that, Food for
the Monſters of the Sea; Befides, fince we
were in a good Place, we ought to have a lit-
tle Patience; and in the mean time have Re-
courfe to a reafonable Means, which no Body
had yet thought off: And that was, to light
great Fires on the top of our high Mountain,
and fet Lanthorns all about the Ifland, to in-
vite Ships that paft by us, to come to our Af-
fiftance. The Cotton of our Plantanes, and
our Turtles Oil, made the execution of this
Deſign eafily; and we had ftuff enough to co-
ver it with, and make a kind of Lanthorns if
it had been neceffary.
I had a thouſand things more to fay, if I
had had to do with Men of ripe Underftand-
ing, and well reclaim'd from the follies of the
World. For to caft up all things, what cou'd be
comparable to the Sweetnefs, the Innocence,
the Advantages, and Delight in a Solitude
fo much refembling an Earthly Paradife as
ours? What can be imagin'd more happy, af-
ter having groan'd and fuffer'd under the Yoak
of Tyranny, than to live in Independance and
Eafe, without danger of Worldly Temptati
ous: But when a Man is young, he is not ca-
pable
}
107
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
pable of making fuch Reflections. I therefore
finifh'd my Speech, in reprefenting further to
them the length of the Voyage, the weakneſs of
our Veffel, the wretched Tackling we had, and
their Unskilfulnefs. They heard me patiently;
ſeveral of them feem'd not to digeft it, and
one of them whom I had touch'd in a fore
Place, of which I was not aware, alledg'd
briskly,a new Reafon for our Departure; which
was-fo agreeable to the relifh of the reft, that
it occafion'd a new Difcourfe, and all my Ar-
guments were forgotten. Do you imagine, faid
this young Man, That we will condemn our felves
to Spend all our Lives here without Wives. Do you
think your Earthly Paradife more excellent, than that
which God prepar'd for Adam; where he declar'd
with his own Mouth, it is not good that Man fhou'd
be alone: I reply'd, My Dear Friend, Adam's
Wife prov'd fuch a Curfe to him, and all his Pofte-
rity, that certainly our Paradife wou'd not be much
improv'd by the Company of Such an Eve among us.
They all Laugh'd, and what I little thought of,
all the Difcourfe was afterwards on the Subject
of the Ladies, which was,as is faid,the Gofpel of
the Day. I foon faw where the Shooe pinch'd,
and in the Reign of Quolibets fome fine Wit
wou'd certainly have faid on this occafion,
there was not one of my Adventurers who
wou'd not have lov'd a Chimene much better
than a Rodrigo. The moft Moderate of us (and the two
'twas time to be moderate after Fifty and I chief Cha
do not know how many more Winters) put on racters in
à ferious Air; and the bufinefs of Marriage the Gid.
and Women not being a queftion that is en-
tirely decided, for or against it, more than one
of our Company joyn'd with him, as to the
Inconveniencies that attended them. 'Twas
+
faid
Alluding to
108
The Voyage and Adventures
faid, that an eternal Slavery, and a juſt and
natural Love of Liberty, were incompatible:
That 'twas a ftrange Refolution to ſubſcribe
ones felf voluntarily, to a Bondage that has
no end. And if all Animals were born with a
defire of Conjunction, Nature had for all that,
loaden them with Irons. The Cares and Tri-
bulations mention'd by St. Paul, were alfo urg'd
againſt them; and 'twas faid, the Beauty of
Women was no more durable, than that of
Flowers. That the Sweets which we fanfie we
may enjoy with them, are no folid good; and
after all this juft devife of Marry'd Men, will
be eternally true; for one Pleasure,a thousand Pains.
That notwithstanding all the Precautions we
endeavour to take, we fhall often find our
felves coupled with Harpyes and Traitereffes,
and the Rage of Jealoufie, together with all
the Misfortunes that accompany Marriage, are
often the fruit of the greateſt Love. The quar-
relſome Contentious Women, of whom Salo-
mon fpeaks, were not omitted; nor the fa-
mous Paffages in the XXV. and XLII. Chap-
ters of the excellent Book of Ecclefiafticus, where
'tis faid, All Malice is little, and all Wickedness.
Supportable, provided the Malice of a Woman is ex-
cepted; and the Iniquity of a Man is of more Worth,
than the Woman that do's good, or than the goodness
of a Woman, as fome Authors Tranflate it. Be-
fides we confider'd, that if fuch a thing has
been heard of, that the Union between Man
and Wife is very great, the thoughts of an una-
voidable Separation, and the grief of Parting,
muſt be moſt Cruel, and moft Bitter.
The Subject being fertile, it gave occa-
fion to other Reflections againſt the Sex, with
which I would not tire the Ladies, who fhall
vouch-
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
109
vouchsafe to caft their fair Eyes on this Re-
lation.
One of the youngeſt faid with a modeft and
pleaſant Air, that he did not believe any one
of the Company thought then of Marriage or
Debauchery; but that in truth 'twas very hard
to him, to think he muft for ever be depriv'd
of the Company of a Woman; and the more,
becauſe God had otherwife order'd things from
the Beginning. That all that had been faid
againſt them in General, feem'd to him to be
very unjuft; and for his part he own'd he lookt
upon them as the moſt lovely half of the
World.
Reader, 'Tis at your own choice to look over, or
pass by this Difcourfe; when once it was a foot, our
young Men who did not want Wit, faid feveral plea-
Jant things which I put here together, and the more
willingly, because thefe forts of Subjects are rarely dif
agreeable.
'Tis not enough, faid he with a loud Voice
who had demanded Eve's for the Adam's of our
Eden; the Women are not only the moft lovely
half of the World, they are alſo the beſt half.
(His Temper being a little quick, his Expref-
hions alfo were fometimes a little Vigorous.)
'Tis a fhame, added he, to talk of Women, as
fome among us have done, and I cannot bear
their Injurious Reflections: If there are wick-
ed Women, there are without Compariſon, a
much greater Number of Rogues of our own
Sex. If there are Impudent Women, 'twas
certainly the infamous Temptation of Men
that corrupted them. Whoever have faid or
Thought, that the Wickedness of Men is Preferra-
ble to the Goodness of Women, have faid fo Im-
pertinent and Extravagant a thing, that 'tis not
worth
1
110
The Voyage and Adventures
worth Anſwering. No Body denies, but there
are fcolding, Contentious Women; and what
Confequence can be drawn from thence to the
Prejudice of thofe Wife and Virtuous Women,
of whom the fame Salomon fpeaks. Thoſe wor-
thy Wives, who, according to him, are the
Happineſs, the Joy, and the Crown of their
Husbands; a Gift of God, and a Favour of
Heaven: Thofe excellent Women whom St.
Paul calls the Glory of a Man. The firft of
whom was the Mafter-piece and Crowning-
Work of the Creation.
We may with boldness affirm, that the pofi-
tive Will, and the certain and manifeft Defti-
ny of the Maſter of the World, is, that all the
Defcendants of Adam, fhou'd each have his
Help-Mate, as he our Common Father had.
Thoſe Continent Perfons St. Paul ſpeaks of,
who either by their Stripes, their Faftings or
Mortifications, have vanquifh'd or overwhelm'd
Nature, as being born with a Conſtitution that
render'd them Monftrous; that is, Animals,
whofe Difpofition was against the Order of
Nature, thefe Perfons I fay, are of a particu-
lar Species, fo rare, that the Laws were not
made for them. Encreafe and Multiply: It is not
good that Man fhou'd be alone: A Man fhall leave
his Father and Mother, and cleave unto his Wife.
Theſe are Oracles pronounc'd when the World
was made: The Primitive Indifpenfable Laws
that ought to be deeply engraven on Marble
and Brafs, and tranfmitted to Pofterity in Let-
ters of Gold in civiliz'd Covernments. I call
them Laws, and not a fimple Permiffion, which
leaves Man at his liberty to do what he pleaſes,
according to his Fancy or Caprice. The firft
Eve was not made to live a Virgin, but to be-
come
?
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
111
come a Mother, and begin to People the World;
and the Eve's of the following Ages are not
given us, let 'em be what they will, but to
perpetuate the Work of the Creation. If there
are a fort of Men, who like thofe vile Infects,
of which fome fpeak, grow out of Mud
and Corruption: Let thofe Men live by them-
felves as long as they pleafe, and wallow as
much as they pleaſe in the Filth and Ordure of
their Origin: But 'tis not thus, that the No-
ble Race of the Children of Adam are Immor.
taliz'd. A fingle Man, to a fingle Woman, are
not each properly fpeaking, but a part of them-
felves. Theſe two half's together, make one
whole: How unjuft and cruel is it, to keep
thefe imperfect Portions always naturally defi-
ring to be joyn'd and deftin'd to Union by
Eternal Wiſdom in a ftate of Separation. Let
us therefore conclude thus, Dear Companion,
That Women are entirely all that's Fine in thè
World, all that is Lovely, all that is Neceffary;
and that we ought to be unſpeakably pleas'd in
Loving them, and being belov'd by them, as alfo
in feeing them bring forth, and breed up the
Pledges they give of Mutual Love. Call them
Yoaks or Fetters,or what you pleafe; and give the
Union of Marriage, the odious Name of Chains,
but let us remember we are never weary of
enjoying what we Love, and fhould not think
it a tirefom flavery, to keep our Treaſure a
long time. Our forrowful and imperfect So-
ciety, can have no Relief, no Support here;
we fhall die, and our Illand remain Defert. He
who dies laft, will have no Body to Affift and
Comfort him,his Corps have no other Burial but
the Belly of thofe filthy Batts, that feem now
ready to devour us alive. A little Water wou'd
perhaps
112
The Voyage and Adventures
perhaps Refreſh him in his Bed of Languiſh-
ing Sickneſs, but his weakneſs not permitting
him to fetch it, he will fee himfelf confum'd
by a heat without Remedy, and all his Diftref-
fes will be extream. Let us therefore fave
our felves from this fate, and for a more hap-
py Society. We have Philofophers among us,
who they fay, love their Liberty; with all our
Hearts, let them enjoy it. The Ifle is their
own, and they may be as free as they pleaſe
in theſe Forefts. They need not fear that any
Nymph will come and trouble the Pleaſures of
their Contemplative Life: As for us, Let us go
and fubmit to the agreeable Yoak (if it muft
be a Yoak) the amiable Yoak of thofe whoſe
Victorious Charms ought, in my Opinion, to
be preferable to the moft fweet Oil of our Tur-
tles: But we loſe Time, we have ſaid enough
on this Subject; Follow me, my Friends, and
let us immediately think of what we ought to
do, in order to our Departure.
The truth is, we rofe up all haftily, and as
if the question had been decided by an Ora-
cle, not a Word was faid, but of refitting
the Bark, and preparing things neceffary for
our Voyage. However I made a new Propo-
fition to gain Time, but they wou'd not hear-
ken to me, and 'twas refolv'd we fhou'd re-
embark the next time the Moon was at the
Full.
Since nothing cou'd happen worfe to me,
than to Live and Die alone in an Iſland of the
other World; I refolv'd, yet not without fome
contrary Reflection, to go with them. The day
prefix'd arriving, we bad this Charming Ifland
adieu, and with the Ifland, what is worft of
all, we bad adieu to our true and noble Titles
of
Nos
Patria pulsos.
Pelagique
extrema
Franciscus
Leguat.
Paulus
Be***le.
Iacobus
Sequentes.
:
de la Cafe.
Fortuna
Omni potens
&
ineluctabile
Fatum
His pofuere
Locis.
An.Dom
MDC. XCI.
XXX
Aprilis.
Joannes
Jestard.
Ifaaccus
Boyer.
Joannes
de laHaye.
Robertus
Anfelin
Petrus
Thomas.
Biennio
Cum 2.diebus
ibidem peractis.
Fragilem
truciPelago
commifimus
ratem.
Die xx. Maj.
An.Dom.
M.DC. XCIII
Ifaaccus
Boyer.
Mundo
Valedicens
Ad
Celeftem
Patriam
abût.
MajD8A.1693-
Pag. 113.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT
113
of Freemen, to become e'er long the Sport and
Prey of a little Scoundrel Tyrant.
I have already fhewn, that the day before our
firſt Departure, we left a little Monument behind
us, to inform all fuch as might one time or other
happen to Land in this Ifle of our Adventures
But that being very fhort, and containing fome
General Things, I had a mind before our fe-
cond Departure, to add fome Particulars in a
little Writing, a Copy of which I have here
very freely inferted. If the Reader is of Opi-
nion, that it breaks off the Thread of the Hi-
ftory, it is eafie for him to turn over and pafs
it by, and he will foon come at what he feeks
after.
!
I
Dear
!
114
The Voyage and Adventures
DEAR ADVENTURER:
REad, if thou wilt, this weak and flight Monument.
FRANCIS LEGUAT,
Who now writes thefe Lines with his own Hand,
Was born and honourably bred,
In the good and little Province of Breſſe
Which our Predeceſſors call'd the Country of the
Sebufians fome thousands of years agoe.
'Tis a fruitful Peninfula,
Form'd by the Rhofne and the Soane,
And bleft with the most benign Afpects of the Father of Nature.
There I liv'd Innocently in Profperity and Peace,
When an Irruption of wild Beafts,
Which rofe out of the bottomless Pit,
Like a Vomit of Fire,
Impetuously falling from the horrible Vefuvius,
Cruelly plunder'd my Habitation.
A little after a Hurricane quite over-whelm'd it,
And Transported me and ſeveral of my Coountrymen
Into the Republick, bleft by Heaven,
Which is Famous all over the World,
By the Name of
HOLLAND.
I was scarce recover'd of the Fright I was in,
Which feem'd to me to be the effects of a Dream,
When a Voice call'd me
From within a Ship then ready to Sail.
I ran,
And after a long and dangerous Voyage,
I was brought to this Iſland with my Companions,
Whofe Names are not unknown to thee;
And
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
115
And one of whom is departed a Moment fince
For his true Country.
We have feen in this delicious Abode,
Two whole Revolutions of Years,
Which I thought was a little Golden Age;
I, who in an Age of Reflection,
Defire nothing more than what is truly Neceffary
But my Companions who were but just
Coming into the World,
And knew not the little worth of it,
Cry'd, that they wou'd have Wives.
Wives! faid they, the only foy
Of Man,
And the Masterpiece of the Creator.
The Latent Fire of their Imaginations kindled,
They wou'd have Wives.
And fuch was the wretched Bridge they made themselves,
To pass over it in queft of the Soveraign Good,
I must therefore stay here alone,
Or fuffer my Self to be torn away from my Repofe,
By the Violence of the Torrent,
Which drove me into a thousand Dangers.
Pity my Destiny I pray thee,
Thou Dear Confident of my Adventures;
And let no more hurt ever happen to thee,
Than what I wou'd do thee!
Further,
I cou'd not leave thee this Memorial,
In a more Univerfal and more Noble Tongue,
Than that of Glorious and Formidable France,
My Dear and Defolate Country.
Given in the Palace of the Eight Kings of Rodrigo,
The Twenty Firft of the Month we call May,
And the Year which the Chriftians, Succeffors to the
Ifraelites,
Compute to be One thouſand fix hundred ninety three,
After the coming of the Meſſias;
↓ 2
The
:
116
The Voyage and Adventures
The fourth Year of the Reign
Of the Moſt Wife, and moft' Mighty Princes,
WILLIAM and MARY,
Defenders of the Faith.
Reftorers of Religion,
ذ
1
And of Liberty when they were fhaken in Europe:
In that Year of the World which no true Learned Man
Will ever be fo bold as to pretend to Deſign.
Thou
Little and lovely Island,
I wou'd render thee famous above all the Ifles of the Eaft,
If my Power was answerable to my Will:
My Mouth confeffes from the abundance of my Heart,
That my Soul is touch'd with Sorrow,
Now I am about to leave thy wholefom Air,
Thy good Palm-Wine, thy excellent Melons;
Thy Solitaries; thy Lamentines;
Thy Hills always Verdant;
The clear Water of thy Rivers ;
Thy fruitful and ſmiling Sun ;
And all thy Innocent and Rare Delights.
Can I forget the precious Treaſure of Liberty?
Thou shalt never be call'd Barren,
Since thou broughteft us forth Plenty of exquifite Meats
And at the Day of Eternal Doom,
A new IS A A C who has been ſown in Corruption
In thy Earth,
Shall rife to Immortality and Glory.
O Ifle, most defirable among the
Daughters of the Ocean!
How many good and laudable Things may be faid of Thee!
May a wifer and happier People than We,
One day Cultivate with foy thy fertile Soil;
And without Interruption, enjoy all thy Natural Riches,
May that People Multiply!
May they Profper without Trouble and Alarms,
And no Succeffor in the Government,
Ever
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
117
Ever call thy Inhabitants bis Inheritance,
And never become their Enemy and Destroyer.
May never King nor Viceroy fuck thy Blood,
Nor break thy Bones.
May Heaven preſerve thee from all wicked Fudges,
From all pretended Diftributers of Justice,
Who fit in the Seat of Difcord, Rapine and Iniquity.
May Heaven preferve thee from the Pride of the Great,
And the Wantonnefs of the Rich
May Heaven for ever preferve thee
From that pernicious Race of Animals,
Who without Wisdom, Virtue, Courage or Honour,
Aflume the fair Name of Noble.
May the Cry of the Poor in Diftrefs,
Never be heard on thy Coasts.
May never Begging Amballador
Carrying on his Shoulders
The Miferable, Dirty Train that feem to follow him,
Raife Pity in thy People!
May never any wicked Heretick, nor Orthodox Fool,
Nor Rafcally Monk,
Trouble thy Peace.
May thy holy Religion never depend
On the Sword, or on Custom.
May no Sellers and Buyers of Holy Things,
Ever fet foot on thy Land.
May no Proud-youth and ignorant Declaimer,
Ever found his poor Orations in thy Land,
Nor his Antichriftian Satyrs
Under the Name of Preaching.
May no unskilful Copyift, nor bold Parrot,
Have the liberty to pretend to teach thy People.
May thy facred Sanctuaries,
(The Palaces of the Holiness of the Almighty,)
Never be miferably chang'd
Into Theaters, Shops, and Retreats for Robbers.
Let never Difpute upon a Word, create Schifm, Hatred or
I 3
Cruelty
}
118
The Voyage and Adventures
Cruelty among thy Children.
Let never any foolish or fuperftitious Bigot,
Corrupt or dishonour the Divine Laws,
By his Trifles or Fables.
Never let any Man by his extravagant Devotion,
Expofe Piety to Laughter,
Nor render the facred Truths fufpected,Scandalous and Ridiculous,
To fuch as want Knowledge and Difcernment.
May Heaven to the end of the World preferve thee
From all thofe prefumptuous Earthworms,
Who proudly boast they can explain Mysteries,
And pretend to Embellish Faith and Worship,
According to their Folly or Rafhnefs.
May no Aftrologer ever be permitted in thy Common-wealth.
No learner of Paffages out of Homer,
No Slave of mufty Otho's,
No Searcher after the Philofophers Stone,
No Poetafter.
And may no Man be ever ſo Ridiculous,
As to hope to get Honour by vain Sciences,
Or other fuch like things which he has Learn'd,
And of which wife Men know only enough to defpife them.
Mayft thou ever be defended
From the poor and wretched Sect of Antiquaries.
A Race of Monkey's, Parrots, and not of Reaſonable Creatures.
May no mad Pedant
Ever Dedicate,within the Bounds of thy Coafts,
The short courfe of his Life,
(Which ought to be imploy'd about Important Duties)
Tofuch fort of Studies that bring no Content to the Mind,
And that are made Famous only
By miferable Custom,
Founded upon popular Prejudice.
May never any Echo of the Multitude,
Be taken by thee for any thing else but an Echo :
May no Honourable Robber or Murderer
Set up the obliging Trade
•
To
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
119
To cheat thee of thy Money,
By Shortning with Impunity the Days of thy
Inhabitants,
After having a long time kept them on the
Rack in a Bed of Sickneſs.
May no unprofitable Vifiters
Ever come to disturb the good Employments
of thy Sages.
May never Dragoons, nor Highneffes, nor Monks,
Nor Louvres, nor Dungeons,
Nor Reprifals, nor Complement:
Nor Slavery, nor troubleſome Faſhion,
Nor Powder for the Cartridge or Dreffing-Box,
Ever be known
Among thy Peaceable, Reaſonable, and Happy Society ;
May'st thou ever be free
From Fraud, Ambition, Avarice,
Tyranny, and all Villany.
May
Virtue, Wisdom, Truth, Fidelity, Innocence,
Justice, Safety, Abundance,
Happiness, Peace and Joy,
Make thy little Terreftrial Paradife the Defire or
Envy of all Mer,
As a Taft or Semblance
Of the Paradife which the Angels
Inhabit.
As I had done writing theſe my Vows for this charm-
ing Ifle, I remember'd I had read in the Hiftory of
the War with the Vandals, Written by Procopius; that
when that Author was in Africa with Belifarius, he found
in a City of Numidia, two Stone Pillars, on which was
Ingrav'd this Infcription in the Phænician Tongue; We
are Some of these that fled from Jofhua the Great Robber.
I had neither Stone nor Marble to make any thing like
a Pillar; but having a fmall piece of Vellom which
may last as long as Brafs, if 'twas kept in the Vial I
I 4
hav
120 The Voyage and Adventures, &c.
haye fpoke of, I made a Draught of a Pillar after my
Way; on the top I plac'd the Crofs and Thorns of
our Tribulations, wrote our Names on one fide, and
theſe words on the other.
We are fome of thofe
Hundreds of Thouſands
To whom Wings have been giver
To
Escape the furious Dragoons
of
The Great Loyola.
But after I had a little reflected upon it, two things
oblig'd me to blot out this Infcription. First, I thought
the Compariſon was not very Juft: And Secondly, I
imagin'd it might difpleafe the fefuits, a Venerable So-
ciety, fomewhat falfe and Dangerous, 'tis true; but
my Companions and I were very much oblig'd to them.
I therefore took away this Infcription, and put two
Verſes of Virgil in the place of it; which reprefent our
Condition plain enough, as the Reader may fee by
looking upon the Pillar here prefented to him. I do
not love Latin in French Books, and indeed I have al-
moſt forgot all I knew of that Language, but 'tis dif-
ficult to Tranflate thefe Verfes, without taking away
their Force and Beauty.
The End of the First Part.
i
THE
THE
VOYAGE
AND
ADVENTURES
OF
Francis Leguat,&c.
A
PART II.
T length the time for our Departure
came, when having recommended
our felves to the Almighty Power,
which even the Winds and Seas obey,
we re-embark'd on our poor Gally the 21ft
of May, 1693. At firft we only made ufe of
our Oars, little or no Wind being ſtirring;
and alfo that we might more exactly ob-
ferve the Sea-Marks we had ſet up, by which
means we in a ſhort time ſafely pafs'd the Rocks
and Shoals: But a Moment after, one of our
Oars broke, as we were endeavouring to a-
void the Rapidity of a Current which wou'd
કે
have
121
122
The Voyage and Adventures
have hurry'd us into a dangerous Eddy; and
the Calm rendring our Sails uſeleſs, we thought
we muft inevitably perifh. True it is, we
were all feiz'd with a great fright, and I dare
fay, not one amongft us but wou'd have pre-
fer'd a favourable Wind to the fineſt Woman in
the World. At laft a fmall Gale arofe, which
affifted by our other Oar, help'd us to eſcape
the Rock. There was another Rock about two
Leagues off, towards which the Current, which
was ftronger than the Wind, was driving us;
but the time we had to refit our Oar, made us
likewife to efcape that Danger. I am afham'd to
tell that fuch was the blindneſs of our Own-
ers, that they had not provided us above two
Oars: They thought, I fuppofe, that Precauti-
on wou'd have been needlefs, becauſe they
reckon'd upon a Trade-wind, which wou'd in-
fallibly have blown in our Poop; but it was well
for us, this inftrument of our Deliverance was
refitted, otherwife we had certainly gone to
the Bottom, the Current dragging us along
with Rapidity, in fpite of the fmall Gale that
affifted us. The Sea which dafh'd impetuouſly
against the Rock we were apprehenfive of,
roar'd terribly; and the difmalnefs of the Night
redoubled our Fears and Apprehenfions; nay,
to compleat our Mifery, the violent agitation of
our Veffel made us fo Sea-fick, that we had hard-
ly any Strength left; and our Interpreter him-
felf, the Champion that had put himself at
the Head of his Party, remain'd motionlefs in
the Hold of the Ship. Then both he and the
other contrivers of this Enterprize, had rea-
fon to be convinc'd of the vanity of their
Imaginations, in that they had form'd to
themfelves an Idea of the eafinefs of this
Paffage,
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
123
}
Paffage, while not one of them but wou'd
willingly have return'd immediately back, had
fuch a defign been Practicable. But we were
forc'd to continue in this fad Condition, from
eleven a Clock at Night, to two in the Morn-
ing; at which time we found we had paſs'd all
the Rocks, by reafon we heard no more the
Waves beat against them. We had hitherto
ply'd our Oars only, but now we began to
make uſe of our Sails, and take a little Breath.
Next day we had the Wind very Variable, and
for fix days after, it was altogether againſt us;
which as we ſince underſtood, is not a little ex-
traordinary in thofe Seas. I remember we
were oblig'd to throw our boil'd Provifions o-
ver-board being full of Worms, and referv'd
only a little Lamantin (a fort of Fiſh) broil'd,
and fome Water-Melons, of which we refolv'd
to content our felves with two or three Oun-
ces a Day, to lengthen out our miſerable
Lives, in cafe we fhou'd have the Misfortune
to over-fhoot Ile Maurice, which was the
nearest Land to us, and whither we were
bound. This doubt of ours was well groun-
ded, and 'twas no leſs than a Miracle, that we
lit upon that Iſland, as I fhall fatisfie you more
at large hereafter. The Wind which we had
had almoſt always contrary, even to the be-
ginning of the eighth day of our fetting Sail,
was fucceeded by a violent Tempeft. The day
began bright enough, but towards Noon the
Heavens lour'd, and pour'd down fuch a pro-
digious quantity of Water, that our fmall Vef-
fel had been foon fill'd with it, had not we la-
bour'd inceffantly at the Pump. This Rain
lafted above four Hours without any other
Storm; but as foon as Night came, the Wind
arofe,
124
The Voyage and Adventures
arofe, and that feeble Light we had remaining,
was follow'd by a profound Obſcurity.
•
The Tempeft encreafing, we were oblig'd to
ftrike our Main-Sail; and as we cou'd not keep
our Lights in, and confequently not confult
our Compass, we made but little way, and fuf-
fer'd our felves to be driv'n before the Wind
with our Fore Maft up. The Night not conti-
nuing equally dark, we cou'd fometimes ob-
ferve the Vane, which we endeavour'd not to
lofe fight of, becauſe if we had not taken par-
ticular care to manage the Waves, one of
them wou'd have been fufficient to have over-
fet us.
What gave us the more reafon to ap-
prehend this danger, was, that our Veffel was
Deck'd only at one end, as I have already ob-
ferv'd, a fault committed thro' vain Hopes,
that we fhou'd always have fair Weather, but
we found our felves very much out in our Cal-
culation, for this Night was the moft dreadful
that cou'd be imagin'd. The Hurricane we un-
derwent between the Cape of Good Hope, and
the Iſland of Mafcaregna, had been terrible e-
nough, but then we were under the Conduct
of Experienc'd Seamen; and our Veffel was
much better provided to refift a Storm than
this poor Cock-Boat, whofe deplorable Con-
dition my Pen is not able to defcribe. Amidft
thefe Obfcurities the Heavens once more
pour'd down a Deluge upon us, which indeed
was like to overturn us. The Winds which a
fmall ſhower fometimes abates, became now
but more furious: Sometimes we were lifted
up to the Skies, and then immediately precipi-
tated to the profoundeft Abyss. A certain Noife
in the Hold of the Ship, occafion'd, as we af-
terwards underſtood, by the Water's fquafhing
و
between
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
125
between two Planks, made the moft Courage-
ous of us fquaul out from time to time, think-
ing it was our laft Moment, each Shock ma-
king us believe the Veffel was about to Split. We
look'd upon prefent Death as inevitable; we
had loft our Route, and according to our Cal-
culation, there was no likelihood of meeting
either with Ile Maurice, or any other Land.
Being under Defpair, we knew not what to do,
and debated whether we fhou'd forfake the
Helm, and without relying any longer on Hu-
mane Endeavours, wait amidft our Prayers for
our laft Moment; but it was carry'd, it was our
Duty to make our utmoft efforts to the end.
This made us recollect our Courage, and fome
prepar'd to Swim at fuch time as the Ship fhou'd
be fwallow'd up.
Whilft we were under this Dilemma of Life
and Death, the Sun began to brighten the Ho-
rizon, and the rage of the Wind ceas'd. The
Sky clear'd up, and the Light as a Meſſenger
of good News, made us to perceive a large
Cape, which belong'd to Ile Maurice. This
Sight caus'd no fmall Joy among us, and as e-
very one difengag'd himſelf from his Cloak,
where we had as it were buried our felves in.
expectation of Death,one might reaſonably have
taken us for fo many Perfons newly rifen from
the Dead. Hope foon took place of our dif-
mal Apprehenfions, and Strength returning to
us at the fame time with our Joy, we began to
make Reflections at our eafe. But we did not
above all omit to admire the Divine Providence
which had turn'd to good, all the Misfortune
of that terrible Storm; for doubtlefs if we had
not been forc'd out of the Route we propos'd
to our felves, we had never lit on the Inland
where we defign'd to Land.
About
126
The Voyage and Adventures
About five at Night, on the 29th of May,
and the ninth Day after our fetting Sail, we ar-
riv'd in a ſmall Bay of Isle Maurice. We went
up a tolerable large River with the Tide, and
Landed at a Place agreeable enough,at the foot
of a ſmall Mountain all cover'd with Trees.
We had been fo tumbled in our poor Weather-
beaten Bark, that we ftagger'd about like fo
many Drunken Men, and were hardly able to
keep our Legs, nor refift this kind of Vertigo;
but a good Sleep, with fome Refreſhments that
Hunting furnish'd us with, foon brought us to
our felves again. Thus we efcap'd the Defarts
of Rodrigo, and the great Hazards of a terrible
Storm. But alas! Our new Ifland was no Port
of Safety to us, for we got free of theſe Dan-
gers, only to fall into greater, as we fhall
fhew by what follows.
Af
Being thus a little come to our felves, we
re-enter'd our Veffel, and coafted along the
Iſland in fearch of fome Inhabited Place.
ter five or fix Touchings on the Coaft, where
we always lay a Night or two, we came at
length to the Black-River, where we found three
or four Huts inhabited by Dutch Families,
who receiv'd us very kindly. Thefe People
have difcover'd and cultivated as much Land,
as they thought fit in a pleaſant and fertile
Valley. Their Gardens abound with our Plants,
as well as thofe of the Indies, and they have
a particular fancy for Planting Tobacco. Their
Back-yards are full of our Poultry, which was
no fmall Pleaſure for us to fee, after the long
Refidence we had made in our Island, where
we had hardly met with any thing we ever
faw before. I believ'd my Companions, who
had been fo long difus'd from Women, wou'd
not
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
127
not be able to contain themſelves, when they
again beheld thofe amiable Objects, or at leaft
that they wou'd furfeit themſelves with looking
on them; but I was not a little miſtaken,
when I found they were no more mov'd
with them, than with the fight of Cows: So
true it is, the fhadow of Enjoyment many times
mortifies the ftrongeft Inclinations. The Huts
of this little Colony were cover'd, in like man-
ner with ours, with Plantane-Leaves, but then
the Roofs were higher, and the Rooms much
larger, becauſe this Iſland is lefs expos'd than
Rodrigo to Whirl-winds and Tempeſts.
Theſe good People live partly upon Hun-
ting, having Dogs proper for that Sport. Af-
ter we had continu'd with them about a Month,
five of our Company were pitch'd upon to go
and give the Governor Advice of our Arrival.
The Place where he Refides, bears the Name
of Frederic Henry, and lies on the South-Eaft of
the Iſland, about 28 Leagues from where we
were. His Name was Rodolfe Diodati, and he
was born at Geneva. Whilft our Deputies were
going in fearch of him (one of which by the
by was like to ftarve in the Woods, having
ftray'd from his Companions) he happen'd to
paſs by the Place where we were, in his Pro-
grefs round the Iſland, which he was accuftom'd
to make every year. As foon as I came to
know it, I went with the other Perſon that re-
main'd with me, and beg'd his Protection, which
he granted with all the Civility I could defire,
and gave me a kind Reception. When he
and his Attendants had heard our Story, and
confider'd our poor Veffel, they cou'd not but
wonder at our rafh Undertaking. The Go-
vernor promis'd to fend us an Anchor, to a
Port
128
The Voyage and Adventures
+
Port on the North-Weft fide of the Ifland,
which, he ſaid,we might make uſe of, as occafi-
on fhou'd ferve, in our way to his Lodge, fo the
Houfes of the Governors of theſe Iſlands are
call'd after what manner foever they are built,
He affur'd us at the fame time, we fhou'd want
for nothing, and added we might thus wait at
leaſure for a Veffel that wou'd arrive in a
fhort time.
Upon theſe good Words, which he repeated
feveral times, we left the Black River, where
our Companions had juft joyn'd us, and foon
got to the North-Weft Port. As a fore-run-
ner of the Misfortunes we were yet to undergo,
we found no Anchor there, as the Governor
had promis'd, but inftead thereof perceiv'd we
had not thoſe Inftructions given us were ne-
ceffary; for whereas they ought to have told
us, how we were to continue our Voyage to
the Lodge by Water, they let us know we
muft refolve to carry our Baggage by Land as
far as Flac, a fmall Village eight Leagues off,
where the Company have a Garden. As this was
a Force-put, we immediately refolv'd to un-
dergo what was impos'd on us, and tranfport-
ed our Goods in feven or eight Turns; but
which were very fatiguing, and wherein we
many times loft our way by traverfing untrack'd
Forefts.
I
Before we continue the thread of this Rela-
tion, it will not, I imagine, be foreign to the
purpoſe, to acquaint you that as foon as we
arriv'd at the Lodge, we found the Surgeon of
our Veffel, one Clas, there, with the Sieur
Jaques Gaiguer one of thofe Pilgrims for-
merly mention'd, whom Valleau, our Captain,
had forc'd from us at Rodrigo. He had his Rea-
fons
เ
•
129
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
L
1
fons for playing us that Trick, and I fuppofe
he had others for leaving Gaiguer and Clas
in Ile Maurice, For my part I fha'n't trou-
ble my felf to dive into thefe Matters; Į
ſhall only tell you in a word or two, what theſe
two Men told us. They acquainted us, that
a little after they had weigh'd Anchor in the
Bay of Rodrigo, the Captain open'd our Let-
ters, read them without fcruple to the whole
Ships Crew, and afterwards threw them over-
board: Whatever Complaints we made con-
cerning this ill Treatment, had no effect upon
him, and, to ſay Truth, we expected no better
from him. They inform'd us likewiſe, that
two days after their Arrival at Ifle Maurice, Val-
leau continuing there at the fame time, an En-
glish Captain chanc'd to come in with his Boat,
having fav'd himſelf from Ship-wreck with his
whole Crew, when his Ship bulg'd on the
Sands near Rodrigo: That the faid Captain pro-
pos'd to Valleau to go to the faid Ship, which
yet appear'd above Water, and fee if they cou'd
fave any of the Merchandize ; that Valleau
confented, and the two Captains with their
reſpective Crews, took Oaths reciprocally to
keep the Secret. Valleau, who was oblig'd to
give an account of his Actions to the Gover
nor of Ile Maurice, then the Sieur Lamocius,
thought to conceal his Defigns, by telling him
the eight Adventurers he had left at Rodrigo,
being like to ftand in need of Neceffaries, he
could not but efteem it the greateſt Charity
to fend them fome fpeedy Relief; and at the
fame time gave in a Lift of fuch things as he
believ'd we wanted. This weigh'd very much
with the Governor, to whom we had been ear-
neftly recommended by the Governor of the
+
1
K
Cape
}
130
The Voyage and Adventures
Cape of Good Hope, and thereupon the former
immediately order'd our fmall Veffel to be la-
den with Deer, Calves, Goats, Hogs, Turkeys,
Ducks, Poultry, Citron-Trees, Orange-Trees,
Ananas, Banane-Trees, Vine-Plants, Tobacco,
Potatoes, Rice, Millet, and other Trees, Fruits
and Grains in great abundance. But all this
was only a Pretence in our good Captain; for
either out of Malice of Avarice, he depriv'd
us of every Jot of thofe good things had been
fo charitably fent us. This, it may be, caus'd
his Enterprize to Miſcarry; for after he had
fail'd féveral times to and fro in fight of our
Iſland, and rounded the Bulg'd Ship as many,
he was roughly repuls'd by the revenging
Waves, and cou'd not recover the leaft part of
what he pretended to. This is what we learnt
from the Sieur Gaiguer and Clas: Now let us re-
turn to our unfortunate Adventures.
John de la Haye our Gold-fmith, having fe-
veral ponderous Tools which incommoded
him, he refolv'd to fell part of them to one of
the fame Trade, whom he met with at the
North-West Port. Among theſe Tools was that
fatal Lump of Amber-greece formerly men-
tion'd, which had been found at Rodrigo, and
weigh'd about fix Pounds. La Haye having ask'd
the Gold-fmith what it was, he anfwer'd cold-
ly, it was a fort of Gum made uſe of in the
Ifle of Maurice, inftead of Pitch, and that
great quantities of it were to be met with about
certain Trees, but that it was worth little or
nothing. La Haye giving credit to this Ac-
count, and having no occafion for Pitch him-
felf, he let the Gold-fmith have it into the Bar-
gain, only he kept two or three ſmall pieces out
of Curioſity.
Next
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
131
Next day fomebody having inform'd him
that this infignificant Gum was really Amber-
greece, he went, in all haft, to the Gold-fmith
to demand the lump of Pitch again of him
but he anſwer'd, he had pitch'd his Pails with
it, and therefore cou'd not reftore it to him.
This occafion'd great Heats, and they parted
with a great deal of Anger, the former threat-
ning the latter, to complain of him to the Go-
vernor. Now as the Gold-fmith that bought
this Amber-greece, had feveral times found of
it at Ifle Maurice, and knew that the Inhabi-
tants were forbid either to buy or ſell it, under
fevere Penalties, being oblig'd to carry all they
got to the Company, and part with it at a cer
tain rate; he to prevent poor La Haye, went
immediately and carry'd the lump of Amber-
greece to the Governor, telling him after what
manner it came to his Hands. La Haye hearing
this, went likewife and made his Complaint,
but the unjuft Judge being prepar'd, and Self-
intereſted,affur'd him that lump of he knew not
what, was no Amber-greece, but a certain Gum
of little or no value, and which he knew by
Experience. La Haye reply'd, he had referv'd
feveral Pieces of it, to juftifie the truth of what
he afferted, and therefore demanded Juftice:
What further plainly fhew'd it to be true Am-
ber-greece, was, that certain days after the Con-
teft, the Gold-fmith that purchas'd it for Pitch,
had been fo unadvis'd as to offer 60 Crowns
for the pieces that remain'd, which we look'd
upon as done by the Governor's Order, who
could now no longer diffemble his Sentiments.
It appear❜d by their Subtleties, that the greateft
part of this Amber-greece had been melted, no
body knowing what to make of it, and that
K 2
only
1
1
!
t
132
The Voyage and Adventures
only a ſmall piece remain'd, which being pro-
duc'd, was adjudg'd to belong to the Company,
and fent to Batavia. He of our Companions
that was a Druggift, and very Skillful in his
Profeffion, had learnt at Rodrigo that this lump
was really Amber-greece, but he diffembled
what he knew, and pretended in fpite of our
Sufpicions that it was no fuch thing, out of
hopes, I fuppofe, that he might one day have
an opportunity to appropriate it to himſelf.
This was fo much the greater Villany, in that
it not only occafion'd us the Misfortunes that
happen'd afterwards to us, but likewife de-
priv'd us of an Opportunity of enriching our
felves by fearching for more Amber-greece,
which we might undoubtedly have found in
great quantities in that Ifland, during the
ftay of two years we made there; befides,
'tis likely we might have ftay'd much longer
there on that account. I could bring divers
other Reaſons to prove that the Druggiſt muſt
needs have known it was Amber-greece from
the very Minute it was brought into the Hutt
at Rodrigo by La Haye, but I fhall infift no more
upon that Point. I have already told you,
the first time we faluted the Governor, he re-
ceiv'd us with great Civility, and promis'd us
all the beſt Treatment we cou'd defire; but as
foon as ever this buſineſs happen'd we were at
a Lofs for all thofe fine Promiſes. As we
could not attribute this alteration in his Hu-
mour to any Difrefpect we fhow'd him we did
not doubt but he was chagrin'd on account of
mif-carrying his Point. He had reafon to ap-
prehend we might relate this Story at Batavia;
and that the Company might call him to account
for the Wrong he did, firſt to us that had found
this
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
133
this Amber-greece in an Iſland that belong'd
to no body, and confequently we ought to
have been left quiet poffeffors of it; And Se-
condly to the Company, in cafe it had been ad-
judg❜d to have been their Right. All this con-
fider'd, made him to form a barbarous Refolu-
tion against us, as fhall appear hereafter. The
firft Injustice he did us, was to feize upon our
Veffel without letting us know a word of it,
and the ſecond was burning it.
Inſtead of reftoring our Sails, which were
made of a good piece of Flanders Cloth, he
gave them to his Hunts-Men to make Cloaths,
and this notwithſtanding all we could fay to
him.
He began likewife to give us Inftances of his
Hatred and Malice, by lodging us in a Hutt
where we had nothing fent us to eat, but what
the Company's Servants had left.
Afterwards he kept us in a manner Prifo-
ners, by forbidding us to go beyond our Hut
above a thouſand Paces. He took the only Ser-
vant that remain'd to us, away from us, and
lifted him in the Company's Service; fo that he
whom we had brought from Rodrigo, having
likewiſe joyn'd with him, our Number was re-
duc'd to Five.
Theſe methods of Proceeding, fo contrary
to the Civility we at firft receiv'd, gave us rea-
fon to apprehend that worſe would follow:
Nevertheless, we rely'd entirely upon Provi-
dence, which had hitherto affifted us in all our
Calamities.
But as in all Societies there are fome Spirits
more reſtleſs and impatient than the reft, two
of our Number, viz. the Sieurs La Cafe and
Teftard, projected to retrieve our ill Circumftan-
K 3
ces
t
134
The Voyage and Adventures
!
ces by a Proceeding, that to ſpeak Truth, was
not altogether Juft. This was, as a Reprifal
for our Veffel and Sails, to feize upon one of
the Company's Chaloupes, and make our eſcape
to Mafcaregna, which was not above 25 Leagues
from Ile Maurice. Now as they thought, what-
ever colour they might give to their Defign,
the two others and I would never approve of
it, they did not think to let us know any thing
of the matter: However, as they could not
well execute their Purpoſe without Affiftance,
they apply'd themſelves to a Soldier of the Com-
pany's, one John Namur, who had giv'n them
to underſtand, he was not over-well pleas'd with
the Governor. This Soldier no fooner came
to know their Secret, but he went and acquaint-
ed the Governor with the Propofal had been
made him, adding, that three of our Number
were entirely Innocent, and knew nothing of
the Plot. Some Weeks pafs'd before the Go-
vernor took any notice of what had been Re-
veal'd to him, caufing, nevertheleſs, our Con-
duct to be strictly obferv'd, efpecially that of
the Accus'd: But perceiving at length that no-
thing came of all his Politicks, and fearing if
he delay'd any longer, he might altogether be
depriv'd of his Revenge, he on the 15th of Ja-
nuary in the Night, fent a Troop of arm'd Sol-
diers to ſeize on us, who Conducted all five in-
to his Prefence. The firft words he spoke were
to juftifie us Three that were Innocent, decla-
ring he all along knew we were guiltlefs, and
therefore had nothing to fay to us. After ha-
ving put fome queftions to the other Two, they
own'd ingenuouſly the Defign they had, but
added withal, that the Veffel we had loft was
more worth than the Chaloupe they defign'd
to
I
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
135
to take, infinuating moreover that their In-
tention was to pay for it, as the Soldier him-
felf confefs'd. We were, however, all hurry'd
away together, both Innocent and Guilty, to
an obfcure Prifon which I may well call a
Dungeon, and there laid in Stombs. Thefe
Stombs are a fort of Stocks compos'd of two
thick Beams of Wood, which having two Semi-
circular Holes made in them,were let down up-
on our Ancles; moreover, we were to lie up-
on the Ground with our Heels higher than our
Heads, which is a Pofture you may conceive
not very eaſie. The difference between us
Three, and our two Comrades that had own'd
their Crime, was, that they had the next day
Irons of thirty Pound weight added to their
Mifery. We continu'd in this bad Condition
two Days and two Nights, at the end of which,
we Three that were Innocent were fet at Li-
berty. We were immediately carry'd to the
Governor as before, who declar'd to us anew,
that our Innocence was well known to him,
and that we had been entirely clear'd both by
the Accufer and the Accufed: He added more-
over Treacherously, that he fhould always have
a kindneſs for us, and that we fhould find our
Treatment anfwerable to his Promife at our
first coming, not forgetting to infinuate how
much we were oblig'd to him, for thinking
our Sails worthy to Cloath his Huntfmen, and
for giving us his Servants Bones to pick, but
all this while he took no notice of the Injury
and Injustice he had juft done us. All theſe kind
Promifes however vanifh'd in a Moment, for
he foon after fet Guards over us, who waited
upon us Day and Night. Some few days after
one came by his Order to feize upon all we
K 4
had,
136
The Voyage and Adventures
!
had, Money, Arms, Husbandry-Tools, Kitchin-
Utenfils, Bed-Cloaths, Table-Linen, and in
a word, almoft all we were Mafters of, except-
ing a little Linen, our Beds, our Cloaths, and
part of our Books. Our Gold-fmith too had
all the Inftruments of his Trade taken from him,
not leaving him fo much as one: After this we
were put into a Chaloupe together with the
Accus'd, who were ftrip'd to their Shirts and
loaded with Irons, without knowing what they
intended to do with us, but we foon found to
our Coft and Detriment. We were Tranſport-
ed to a Defart and frightful Rock about two
hundred Paces long, a hundred broad, and
near two Leagues from Shoar: Here we
were to live, tho' it was almoft impoffible to
walk, by reafon of the many Holes and fharp
Stones we were to tread upon. 'Tis true, we
cou'd fometimes go to fome neighbouring I-
flands, which I fhall fpeak of hereafter. They
fetled us here in a vile Hutt, built upon an
Eminence near the Sands and Shoals, and about
two Paces from the Sea when it was full, and
exactly in the feafon of the Hurricanes. This
Hutt half ruin'd by Time, and which it was
impoffible for us to Repair, having nothing to
dò it withal, had formerly ferv'd for a Priſon to
fome Criminals, who a few years before had
been baniſh'd thither.
This was the place my Lord Diodati was
pleas'd to fend us to, and where we continu'd
near three years, I mean fuch of us as did not
die before that time. Thus we became the
fad Repreſentations of thofe unhappy Flying-
Filh, who have no fooner efcap'd the Jaws of
one Enemy, but they fall into the Claws of
another. This wicked Governor fed us only
with
f
222
G
오오
​22
H
오늘
​오오
​THE
ATheRock of Exile
BThe New Lodge
C.The Old Lodge
D. An Island where
there are Trees
E. AnIsland all
Rock without Trees
F.Shoals &Flat Rocks
that discover themselves
when the Tide is out
GIsle Maurice.
H.The Fort.
1. An English Veffel
in the Road.
ETH
I
IOPIAN
SEA
!
J
F
D
Lag. 136.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
137
with Salt-fleſh which was often Corrupted, as
may eaſily be imagin'd, if one confiders the
exceffive Heats of thefe Countries. Our Water
likewiſe almoſt always ftunk, becauſe it was
brought us in Veffels that were never clean,
and we had never enough of it neither. At
firft we had our Provifions every eight Days,
but afterwards they did not come in fifteen,
and fometimes in twenty, fo that we had hard-
ly ever any Refreshment. Thus either thro'
the Malice of our Perfecutor, the Negligence
of his Purveyors, or oftentimes bad Weather,
we were oblig'd to ftint our felves to fhorter
allowance of Meat and Drink, than we had
ever done, however naufeous and unhealth-
ful the miferable Nourishment was that was
brought us: All this occafion'd us to defire
Netts for Fiſhing, and Veffels to catch Rain-
Water in, but we were deny'd both one and
the other. It was impoffible but all this ill
Ufage, and bad Diet, muft alter our Healths,
and more particularly mine, for I was then
above three and fifty years old. At first I was
attack'd with a fort of Malady, which we
Frenchmen, in that Country, call'd Le Perfe.
This was a continual flux of Blood, by which
I was in a very fhort time reduc'd to a very
lamentable Condition: My Distemper encrea-
fing to a dangerous Degree, the Governor was
advis'd of it, and defir'd to let me be brought
back to his Inland: He fent a Surgeon, who
after he had vifited me, declar'd, I fhould never
recover unleſs I went a-fhoar; but his Opini-
on had no better fuccefs with the cruel Go-
vernor, than my Prayers; for he defir'd nothing
more than to fee us all Perish. He was conjur'd
at length to fend at least once in fifteen days
fome
?
་
138
The Voyage and Adventures
>
fome freſh Proviſions, that I might have fome
Broth made me, but which was likewife bar-
baroufly refus'd; fo that wanting every thing
that was proper for me, I was at laft brought
to Death's Door. My Cure was abfolutely de-
fpair'd of; but as there was no Body on that
Rock that would undertake to diſpatch me in
form, Nature began to fortifie her felf a little
and I quickly recover'd as it were by a Mira-
cle. If the good Reader is touch'd to fee me
in fo fad a Place, and fo fad a Condition,
he will no doubt be glad to hear how in the
Moments which I thought the laft of my Life,
I directed divers pious Exhortations to my
Companions, which I truft have not been un-
profitable to them. Young People may think
and talk what they pleafe, but after all they
muft die; and Happy, thrice Happy are they
who are truly prepar'd for their laft Hour.
The Sieurs La Cafe and Teftard, the two Perfons
Accus'd, were likewife attack'd with the fame
Malady fome time after; but as they were
young, and of a ftronger Conftitution than I,
they refifted the Distemper better. We had
continu'd in this miferable Condition near four
Months, when on the 15th of March, 1694.
we faw a Dutch Veffel call'd the Perfeverance
come into the Harbour of the Ifland; which
according to the Law of the Country, ought
to Tranſport us to Batavia, or the Cape, whe-
ther Criminals or not; but we were acquaint-
ed by our Purveyors, that we muft not ex-
pect to go with that Veffel. This made my
two Companions and I, who were not in the
cafe of the Accus'd, take a Refolution to ha-
zard all, rather than not go a-fhoar, while the
Officers of the Ship newly arriv'd were there,
to
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
139
to the end that we might make our Complaints
in their Prefence: But the execution of this
Project was highly difficult; we wanted every
thing that Men could want; the Paffage was
two Leagues, and above all, we could not
judge whether the Current ran out to Sea or
towards the Shoar. Nevertheleſs, that there
might be nothing to Reproach us with, we
made a Float of Sea-Weeds, and faſten'd to the
two ends the two Hogfheads we kept our Wa-
ter in, when the Sieurs Be---le and La Haye,
thoſe two of my Companions that were Inno-
cent, tho' treated like Criminals, ventur'd to
Sea upon this fort of floating Bridge; and be-
ing better Swimmers than the rest of us, and
more able to bear fatigue, they arriv'd fafe
at the Iſland in twelve Hours.
They found at the Governors Houſe, who was
very much furpriz'd to fee them, the Officers
of the Veffel, before whom they made their
Complaints; demanding, that we fhould be
fent away purſuant to the general Orders, and
the Cuftom of the Company; and moreover,
according to the repeated Promiſes the Gover
nor had made us. They added, That if the
Accus'd were to be retain'd, that was yet a
Cauſe to be try'd; but as for us that were In-
nocent, and had been fo declar'd twenty times,
we ought to be treated after another man-
ner..
Diodati not being able to contradict this
Truth, anſwer'd, He had nothing to ſay againſt
us Three; only, if we had not been fo well
treated as we expected, we muſt impute the
Cauſe to our Comrades, and that we being
all French, he could not truft one more than
another; a reafon altogether impertinent
and
:
140
The Voyage and Adventures
}
and which was laugh'd at, as it well de
ferv'd.
;
The Officers hearing what was faid, and be-
lieving fo bold and fincere a Proceeding as ours
feem'd to be, could not come but from a good
Confcience, they conceiv'd a good Opinion of
us; and altho' our Enemy the Governor had
endeavour'd to perfwade them we were no-
thing but Scoundrels and Villains, yet they faw
plainly they had been impos'd upon by him
however, they could do us no Service, being
not qualify'd to determine our Caufe, only we
hop'd they would intercede in our behalf, and
report the State of our Cafe to their Ma-
fters When our two friends found that the
Governor pretended ftill to be apprehenfive,
leaft we ſhould eſcape with fome one of his
Chaloupes, they offer'd themfelves voluntarily
to be laid in Irons again, chufing rather to un-
dergo any thing a-fhoar, than be convey'd any
more to that miferable Rock, but even this
was refus'd: Being order'd to Priſon they were
put in the Stombs as before, and next Morning
early were convey'd to us, with exprefs Orders
not to ftir from thence on the fevereſt Penalty:
And to the end we might no more pretend to
come to Land, they fent us back but one Bar-
rel, and that without a Head.
The Officers were nevertheleſs fufficiently
inform'd of our Condition, as well by what
they had from the Governor and our two Com-
rades Mouths, as by a Memorial which was
flily flipp'd into their Hands; where, among
other Things, they were defir'd to make known
to our Relations in Holland how we far'd, that
they might procure us an Enlargement. Theſe
Gentlemen, mov'd at our ill Hap, were fo kind
་
4
25
}
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
141
as to come and vifit us on our Rock, that
they might more fully inform themſelves of the
Truth of what we afferted. They were then
altogether convinc'd of the Hardſhips and Bar-
barities we underwent, and found we had in-
ferted nothing in our Petition or Memorial
but what was too true; nay, this inhumane
Uſage fo incens'd' them, that they vow'd to fee
our Grievances redrefs'd; and, moreover, af-
fur'd us it was no fault of theirs if they did
not receive us on board; but that they could
not do it openly, without the Confent of the
Rafcally Governor, who, they could plainly
perceive, was highly averfe to it. However,
they told us, if we could fo contrive as to get
on board them, without any manner of Affi-
ftance of theirs, then they faid they both could
and would receive us, and we fhould be tran-
fported whither we pleas'd. Some few Days
after they fent us out of Charity three hun-
dred Weight of Rice, fome white Biſcuit, and
a few Bottles of Aqua Vite and Spanish Wine.
All this was highly uſeful to us afterwards,
efpecially the Rice, which we fometimes ftood
in great want of. Thefe Proviſions we took
a great deal of care to conceal in the Holes of
the Rock, left they fhould come to be feen
by the Seamen that brought us our Prog, or
left that malicious Devil Diodati fhould order
them to be taken from us. Now as our good
Friends the Officers had promis'd to take us on
board, in cafe we could get to their Ship
without their Help, we, like drowning Men
that catch at any thing, made two Attempts
for that purpoſe. La Cafe, who was a good
Swimmer, us'd his Endeavours to get to them
that way, which was yet not a little danger-
J
ous
142
The Voyage and Adventures
ous to do, by reafon the Paffage to the Ship
was a good half League, and that Sea exceed-
ing full of Sharks which are very dange-
rous Creatures. Notwithſtanding all this, after
we had a long while work'd at getting off his
Irons, by rubbing them with Stones, and the
like, he being at liberty, put himſelf into the
Water. When he had fwum above three quar-
ters of the way, his Strength began to fail him,
and, having both the Wind and Tide againſt
him, could not advance a jot; moreover, the
Waters covering him every Moment, hinder'd
him from making any fign of Diftrefs. All
this confider'd, the Seamen perceiving him, be-
gan to think him in danger; therefore hoifting
out their Boat, immediately row'd to his Affi-
ftance, and came juft time enough to fave him.
When they had brought him to the Ship, the
Captain kept him till fuch time as he had re-
cover'd his Spirits, yet afterwards fent him back
again, but with this Affurance, that it was with
all the Regret imaginable he did fo. I am of
Opinion he herein acted a little too
tiouſly, and that whilft thofe Gentlemen were
with us we might have concerted Meaſures of
faving our felves without expofing them to
any Danger. As they were thoroughly fatif-
fy'd we were Perfons unjustly detain'd, and in-
humanly treated by that cruel Hangman of a
Governor, who would needs be both Judge and
Witneſs in his own Caufe; they might fo have
order'd Matters,as to have caft Anchor,feeming-
ly and without any Defign nearer to our Rock,
which was free for them to do, or at leaſt fail'd
fo near us on their Departure, that they might
have pretended it but common Charity, to have
taken up poor Wretches whom they faw float-
cau-
ing
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
143
ing on the Water on Planks, without troubling
their Heads any farther. Moreover, 'twas pro-
bable for them to imagine fome Veffel had
been fhipwreck'd, and that we five were part
of the Crew that had labour'd to fave our
Lives, and ftood in need of their Relief. Let
what Difficulties then will be rais'd, a way
might have been found out to have dealt with
them; and if any Dangers were to be appre-
hended in Holland, or at Batavia, it is we muſt
have anfwer'd, who broke our Chains, and
furpriz'd our Deliverers, and not they who
would have been fuppos'd to have known no-
thing of the matter. But nothing of this came
into their Heads, and the poor La Cafe return'd
the fame Evening very much concern'd, that
he could not bring his end about. This ill Suc-
cefs of his, occafion'd others who were prepa-
ring to attempt the fame method of Eſcape, to
alter their Refolutions.
Some few days after the Ship went and An-
chor'd above a large League from us, yet we
refolv'd to make a fecond and new Attempt.
For this purpoſe we ty'd all our Chefts toge-
ther after we had fill'd them with what we had
left, and made a fort of Float, thinking to reach
the Ship while it was Night, that we might
not be diſcover'd from the Ifland. As I was
generally Sick, they were fain to carry me to
the Machine, foon after which we put our
felves off to Sea; but met with fuch rapid
Currents and Eddy's, that we thought we
were happy that we could get fafe back again.
Thus we were entirely diſappointed of all Hopes
of freeing our felves from that miferable Con-
finement by theſe means; for foon after the
Ship ſet Sail in earneſt, and we heard no more
of
144
The Voyage and Adventures
of her. One day as the Governor was going
to be marry'd to the Daughter of an ancient In-
habitant of the Ifland, he happen'd to be in fo
good a humour, that he order'd me to be
brought a-fhoar. I had then languiſh'd under
my Infirmity eight Months, which he very
well knew. Tho' I were thus fortunate, I had
no opportunity to ferve my Companions, fince
I never faw the Governor; yet I reap'd this
Advantage to my felf, that being better fed,
and having better Air to breath in, I began to
recover part of my former Strength. In the
mean time my two other innocent Compani-
ons, who ſtill remain'd with the Accus'd, ha-
ving a long time refifted the Inclemencies of
the Air by their Youth and Vigour, fell fick
of the fame Diſeaſe that I had.
They wrote as foon as they poffibly could to
the Governor, to intreat him that they like-
wife might come a-fhoar, offering to do any
work for the Company without Wages, but they
were not heard. Then they beg'd of him to
fend them fome fresh Provifions, which pre-
vail'd on him one day fo far, that he fent them
a Calf, giving them at the fame time to un-
derftand, that if any of them all did but pre-
fume to come a-fhoar on the Iſland without
his Leave, they fhould repent of it as long as
they liv'd.
.
They continu'd in this bad Condition till the
Seafon for the Rains and Winds came, which
very much augmented their Indifpofition: The
Ninth of Febuary, they underwent a furious
Hurricane. That dreadful Tempeft, over-turn'd
the greateft part of the Hutts, and more folid
Buildings of the Ifland; all the Plantations
were deftroy'd, and a great number of Trees
torn
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
145
torn up by the Roots. None knew where to
fhelter themſelves, and even thofe that were
in the ſtrongeſt Stone-Houfes, were hardly
fecure.
What then, thought I, muft become of my
poor exil❜d Brethren, whereof one, the Sieur
Teftard, had but that day let himſelf Blood
with a Pen-knife? Their vile Hut was car-
ry'd away like a Reed, and what remain'd of
their Proviſions, &c. was wet by the Rain and
fpoil'd; nay, 'twas a particular Mercy they
were not carry'd away themſelves by this
Whirl-Wind; for had not Providence direct-
ed them to a Hole in the Rock, or a Cave,
they had been in Danger. Here they peacea-
ably fung the praifes of the Almighty amidſt
the Tempeſt, tho' fore afflicted with Hunger,
Cold and Sickneſs: They continu'd there twen-
ty four Hours and above, without daring to
peep out, during which the fick Perfons fuf-
fer'd exceedingly. The hard-hearted Gover
nor nevertheleſs had no Pity upon them; on
the contrary, two days after they had under-
gone thefe Torments, he had the Inhumanity
to order, without any Reafon or Pretence, that
the two accus'd Perfons fhould be chain'd to-
gether, notwithſtanding they were already in
Irons, and fo weak, thro' Sickneſs, that they
could hardly ftir.
Over and above a Bloody-Flux, which one
had been tormented with above a year, he had
likewiſe a lingring Confumption. 'Tis true,
they were not thus bound above ten Days, buc
then they were ftill continu'd in their firſt
Irons; and the fickeſt of them was conducted
a-fhoar and put in the Stombs in Prifon. Fif
teen days after,the Tyrant who fported with us,
juft
146
The Voyage and Adventures
just as a Cat does with a Moufe, order'd him
to the Rock again, whatever the Surgeon could
fay to the contrary; and made me be carry'd
along with him, without fuffering me to fee
or fpeak with him. Altho' I was pretty well
recover'd, I was foon over-taken with my
Bloody-Flux, and whatever Inftances I could
make to come a-fhoar again were rejected. This
Bufiris would needs Murther us with a flow Fire,
not daring to do it all at once.
The Sieur Teftard, one of the Accus'd, find-
ing his Malady encreaſe to a dangerous De-
gree, did all he could to be likewife carry'd
a-fhoar, but in vain. He wrote Letter upon
Letter, offer'd to part with all he had in the
World; and in fine, confented to be laid up in
the Stombs in Priſon if he might but have this
Favour, but all to no purpoſe.
At length perceiving all his Endeavours
fruitless, he refolv'd to paſs over without leave,
in cafe he could bring his deſigns about, and
feek for that Relief in the Woods from Brutes,
which one, who call'd himſelf a Chriftian, re-
fus'd fo obftinately. But before we enter upon
that melancholy Adventure, and to interrupt
a little fo difagreeable a Relation, I thought it
not improper to infert here a few Particulars of
the Place of our Exile, and of divers Matters
that happen'd there to us.
As we did all we could to divert our Me-
lancholy, fome amongst us that were Ingenious,
amus'd themſelves with making Hats of Plan-
tane-Leaves. There were fome of thefe Trees
in one of the two Iflands that lay on each fide
of our Rock, as may be ſeen by the Map. We
could go to thefe Islands at low Water in the
full and new of the Moon, fo that it was not
very
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
147
very difficult for us to get thofe Leaves. This
Invention did not only ferve to divert us, but
likewife procur'd us Suftenance; for thoſe that
brought us our Provifions, were ſo taken with
our Ingenuity, that we gain'd their Affection
confiderably, by prefenting them with fome of
them. The Inhabitants of the Iſland alſo were
fo well pleas'd with our Work, that they fent
us freſh Proviſions, unknown to Diodati, in ex-
change for fome of it. Thefe Refreshments
were a great Comfort to us, and we got fome
ſometimes from thoſe that brought us our Salt-
Edibles. As we had always been very defirous
to take fome Fifh to relieve our Neceffities,
and were frequently refus'd even the very pie-
ces of our Netts to fifh with, we thought of
an Invention to ferve us inftead of them.
The Hurricane having left fome ruins of
our Hut, we took a long Pole, and having
found a large Nail among the Boards, we fix'd
it with the point outwards, at the end of the
Pole, and with that Inftrument darted the Fiſh
where-ever we could fee them. Now between
the Rock and the Road where the Veffels ride,
there is a large space which remains dry when
the Sea is gone out, as it always does at
the full and new Moon. There, at certain di-
ftances, you find Pitts of three or four Foot
deep, where the Sea ever leaves fome Fiſh when
it retires. It was in thefe Pitts or Pools that we
darted the Fiſh we fpeak of.
After we had once hit upon this Invention,
we made fo good ufe of it, that we never
wanted Fish: We made Provifion of them for
eight or ten days, and had a way to keep them
Sweet. We one day darted one, or rather
knock'd him o'th' Head, that was like to have
coft
L 2
148
The Voyage and Adventures
coft us our Lives: It was a frightful Sea-Ser-
pent, which weigh'd above 60 Pound, and
which we in our great Simplicity, took for a
large Lamprey or Eel. This Animal feem'd to
us very extraordinary, for it had Fins, and we
knew not that there were any fuch Creatures.
as Sca-Serpents: Moreover, we had been fo
accuftom'd to difcover Creatures that were new
to us, both at Land and Sea, that we did not
think this to be any other than an odd fort of
Eel that we never had feen before; yet which
we could not but think, more refembled a
Snake than an Eel. In a word, this Mon-
fler had a Serpent or Crocodiles Head, and a
Mouth full of hook'd, long and fharp Teeth,
not unlike thofe of the Rattle-Snake fo well
known in America, but much larger. This is
a ftrange Eel quoth we, what Teeth he has!
But have not Sharks, Pikes, and a thouſand
other Fish Teeth too? No matter, Teeth or
not, we muſt taft of him. We then began to
poult him about the Mouth and Head with
our Pole, and at length carry'd him off in
Triumph, like St. George when he kill'd the Dra-
gon. We found his filthy Flefh very tough,
and of abad Taft; fo that as good luck would
have it, we ſwallow'd none of it, it being in
truth Poyfon. We were all over-taken with a
ftrange Weakneſs, we fweated exceedingly, we
vomited even Blood, and for my part, I can
affirm with a great deal of Sincerity, that I
was terribly Sick: For a Month together I felt
fharp pains in my Belly, and every day towards
Night, I had a fit of a Fever, a Diftemper al-
together unknown in this part of the World.
My Companions were all fick likewife, and in
this bad Condition we made Signals to demand
Relief
Pag.148.
THE SEA SERPENT
"
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
149
T
Relief, but in vain. When our Purveyors came,
we related to them what had happen'd to us,
and fhew'd them the Eels Head, but they on-
ly faid they had never feen the like: Thefe
fort of People take but little notice of any
thing. At length we began to come to our
felves again, fully refolv'd to eat no more of
that fort of Eel, for it never came into our
Heads that it was a Serpent: Nevertheleſs we
were ready to leap out of our Skins, when the
Governor fent us a Salt-Hind, and certain dan-
gerous Citrons, which always do harm; he
had his Reafons for it, I fuppofe, for he did
not think fit to affaffinate or poyfon us o-
penly.
As we had no likelihood to get rid fpeedily
of our unhappy Confinement, we thought it but
Prudence to manage our Rice, which the Sea-
Officers had left us, cautiously: We eat of it
but twice a Week, and when we did, it was
a feaft to us. After we had reduc'd it to Meal,
we mix'd about two pounds of it with a cer-
tain fort of Gourd well enough tafted, which
ſome of our Correfpondents in the Iſland had
fent us privately in exchange for our Hatts:
We had a kind of Game among us, which
fometimes diverted us. The Cake we made
was divided into four Parts, and we were to
throw a Die which fhould have each Part, fo
that one muſt be excluded; and who no doubt
was not a little mortify'd to ſee the others eat,
whilft he muft faft.
In the Gallies, Dungeons, and fuch-like mi-
ferable Places that are like to flick by a Man,
it is a common thing to reconcile one's felf, in
fome meaſure, to ones Mifery, and amufe ones
felf one way or other. I have already told
L 3
you,
150
The Voyage and Adventures
}
you, our Rock lay between two fmall Iſlands,
which at low Water one might go to, but not
without Difficulty. In one of thefe Iſlands a-
mong other Trees, there were fome Plantane-
Trees, but the other was wholly unprovided of
any. The Wood-Inland was every Night the
general Rendezvous of a great number of cer-
tain Sea-Birds, which are about the bigness of
a Pigeon, and not much unlike one. They
lay their Eggs upon the Sand very near one
another, and do not lay above one at a time:
If you take away one, they match him with a
new one, and fo will do three times together.
Thefe Birds, which we call'd Ferrets becauſe
we fancy'd we heard them found that word,
have this in particular, that if you take away
any of their young, the Cocks and Hens of the
others will forfake theirs too. If you keep
thefe young Birds alive, and expofe them to
the fight of the old ones, they will fly about
them 'tis true, but never bring them any thing;
and altho' they hear them cry never fo much
for Hunger, they will give them nothing to
eat.
The first time we went to that Iſland, we
brought away three or four Dozen of theſe
young Birds, with fome old ones. As the for-
mer were very fat, and look'd well, we roa-
fted them, and found them to have fomewhat
of the taft of a Snipe, as they reſembled that
Bird in Colour; but they did us a great deal of
harm, and we were never tempted to eat of
them afterwards: The old ones have yet a
more difagreeable Taft, and no doubt are more
unwholfom. The next time we return'd to
that Ifland, after we had taken away theſe
young Birds I have been ſpeaking of, we found
all the rest of the young ones abandon'd by the
old
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
151
&
old ones, and whereof great numbers were
dead, and many dying for Hunger. If the
Flesh of this Bird is fo crude and pernicious,
their Eggs make you fufficient amends, nothing
being more wholfom and delicious. I counted
that during our ftay under this Confinement,
we eat above twelve Thouſand, and we were
never incommoded in the leaſt by them: Theſe
Eggs are ſpotted with Grey, and larger than
thoſe of Pigeons. It happens exactly, that the
three Months when thefe Birds lay their Eggs,
the Deer are in their Rutting-time; fo that tho
the Fleſh of that Beaft be unwholfom, and
flinks abominably at that Seafon, which ne-
vertheleſs was our ordinary Food, we made
our felves ample amends by theſe Eggs, efpe-
cially when our Fishing was not Profperous,
as we could not expect it fhould be always.
Altho' thefe Eggs were many times ready to
put forth their young, we tofs'd them up in a
Fricaffée,and craunch'd them between our Teeth,
as if they had been the beſt Diſh in the World,
though I know fome fqueamish and fcrupulous
People, would not have the fame Opinion of it.
This Fricaffée made me to think of the famous
Guzman d'Alfarache, who complain'd that his
Gutts came up to his Teeth when he crak'd
the Still-born Chicken-Bones; yet this Remem-
brance did not at all difguft me, fo true the
Proverb is, which I think I have made uſe of
before, that Hunger is the beſt Sauce, eſpecially
where that which one eats is not bad, but thro'
Opinion. There came alfo upon our Rock di-
vers other Birds, which we call'd Pluto's, be-
cauſe they were as black as Crows; they had
almoft the fame fize and form, only their Bills
were longer, and hook'd at the end. Their
L 4
Feet
:
152
The Voyage and Adventures
•
Feet were like thofe of a Duck: Thefe Birds
remain fix Months of the year at Sea, without
being ever feen at Land; and the other fix,
thofe of the Neighbourhood come and drive
them from our Rock where they lay their Eggs.
Their cry is almoft as loud as that of a Calf,
and they always make the greateſt noiſe at
Night: A Days they are very quiet, and fo ex-
ceeding tame, that you may take their Eggs
from under them without their Stirring. They
lay in the Holes of the Rocks, as far in as they
can. Thefe Birds are exceffive fat, very ill
tafted, extreamly nafty, and very unwholfom:
Although their Eggs were not a whit better
than their Fleſh, we did not fail to feed on
them when neceffity requir'd. They are white,
and as large as thofe of two of our Pullets.
When you have taken their Eggs from them,
they go out of their Holes and fall a fight-
ing with one another, till they fetch Blood.
Going a walking one Night, we found a
Sea-Tortoife which came very
à
porpos, be-
cauſe we at that time ftood in great need of
Refreſhment. It was very large, and afforded
us near 150 Eggs. This was the only Crea-
ture of this kind, we had feen all the while
we had been there: In the place where we
went to dart Fifh, we found Shells of an Oval
Figure, and wonderfully fpeckled and ftreak'd
like the Skin of a Tyger. Theſe Shells we
made uſe of for Cups.
K
At length the too juft Reaſons we had to
believe that tho' any Veffel fhould arrive, the
Governor would not fuffer us to go on Board
it, made us refolve anew to think on fome
means that might baffle his Malice: For this
purpoſe we form'd a Defign, to build us a fort
of
of
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
153
of Boat. Now having gain'd mightily upon
our Purveyors, and divers Inhabitants of the
Iſland, by fending them our Leaf-Hatts, we
obtain'd from them in exchange feveral Deer-
Skins, and Ox-Hides, under pretence that we
wanted them to make Shooes of. They fent
us likewiſe ſeveral Poles that we defir'd of them;
and we by other Pretences got at different
times a good quantity of Pitch from them. Ha-
ving thus provided all that was neceffary for
our Deſign, we cover'd the Carcafs of our
Boat with Skins few'd together; and upon Try-
al, found it would do our buſineſs well enough;
and to the end that our Purveyors might know
nothing of the matter, we hid our new Skiff
carefully in the hole of a Rock. Now it hap-
pen'd one Night, that one of our Company
being awake, and looking towards the Iſland,
he diſcover'd a great Fire; he call'd to us,
and we preſently judg'd it was the Fort that
was on fire. The Governors Appartment, the
Magazine and Guard-Houfe were of Stone;
but the other Buildings, and even a little Cha-
pel, were compos'd of nothing but Branches
and Leaves. We preſently concluded, that if
the Authors of this Fire, which we look'd up-
on as done out of Malice, were not foon known,
the Governor would not fail to fufpect us of
it, or at leaſt pretend fo to do, that he might
treat us after a more rigorous manner than he
had hitherto done, if that were poffible. This
made us think he would foon vifit us, and if
he fhould find the Boat we had juft made,
there would be no Mercy for us. To prevent
this, we immediately pull'd that Machine to
pieces, and fo difpos'd of the Materials, that
twas impoffible they fhould occafion the leaft
Sufpicion.
154
The Voyage and Adventures
Sufpicion. A few days after Experience con-
vinc'd us we were not in the wrong in our
Conjectures; for our Purveyors acquainted us
that we had been Sufpected. They alſo re-
lated to us fome Circumftances of this Fire,
which I fhall beg leave to inform the Read-
er of, The Governor underſtanding a Negro
Slave had committed a piece of Roguery in
his Kitchin, he told him he would have him
chaftis'd. Now the way here to punish thefe
fort of People when they were found in any
fault, was to bind them naked to a Ladder,
and ſcourge them with a Rod made of Reeds,
with knots at the end: When they had made
their Bodies all bloody, they were to be rubb'd
with Pepper and Vinegar. This unhappy Ne-
gro fearing this Punishment, fled foon after he
had been thus threatned, and plotted with one
of his Comrades and two Negro Women to fet
fire to the Fort; they executed their Purpoſe,
but they were foon after taken and puniſh'd,
as they well deferv'd: The Men were bro-
ken alive on the Wheel, and the two Women
were hang'd. We have been ſo confidently
affur'd of a fingular Action relating to one of
thefe unhappy Wretches, that I can't doubt the
truth of it. He had, it feems, ever had an ex-
tream Paffion for Dice, fo that when he came
to the place of Execution, he requir'd with
great earneſtneſs, that fome one of the ftan-
ders-by would oblige him fo far, as to play a
Game or two with him at Raffle, proteſting
that after that he fhould die with all manner
of Satisfaction. If he had any defign in this,
no body was able to dive into it; however there
was no ftander-by that would oblige him in
what he defir'd.
To
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
155
*
To ſpeak Truth, the Governor had taken too
much liberty upon this occafion; for by reaſon
of the many unjuft proceedings of his Predecef-
fors, the Company had left them only a Power of
accufing as well Blacks as Whites, as our Tyrant
himſelf once confefs'd, in relation to our ac-
cus'd Brethren; for one of them having peti-
tion'd him to be brought upon his Tryal, and
not fuffer'd to lie any longer in his Irons, he
anfwer'd, He had no power to try him, and
that if he had had any, he fhould have been
diſpatch'd long ago. Since I am engag'd in
thefe little Digreffions, I muft tell you, that
'twas all that the Governor and fome of his
Friends and Attendants could do, to fave them-
felves in their Shirts: They ow'd the faving of
their Lives to a Priſoner, who lying in Irons
in the Guard-Room, perceiv'd the fire firft:
What was beft in the Magazine was likewife
fav'd.
Much about this time there came into the
Road of the North-Weft Haven, two English
Ships,but as that place was diftant from our Rock
above twelve Leagues, we had no knowledge of
them till afterwards. Befides, the Governor for-
bid our Purveyors under fevere Penalties to ac-
quaint us with it, rightly judging, that if we
knew it, we would uſe our utmoft efforts to
get to them.
We were told afterwards, that one of the
Captains of thoſe Ships underſtanding our Con-
finement, was going to fend for us, as well be-
cauſe he pity'd our Condition, as that he want-
ed Men. His Boat was certainly hoifted out,
and arm'd with feveral fmall pieces of Canon,
in order to carry us off, but ill Weather in-
terven'd, and hinder'd his charitable Purpoſe.
I now
156
The Voyage and Adventures
#
I now come to fpeak further of the defign
the Sieur Teftard had to endeavour to get a-
fhoar, come what would of it. This poor Man
was one of the Perfons accus'd: He perceiving
that his Malady encreas'd, that the Governor
would hearken neither to Prayers nor Promi-
fes, and that confequently there was no hopes
of being ſpeedily deliver'd, tho' any new Ship
fhould arrive: This poor Man, I fay, being no
longer able to refift the violent Paffion he
had to breath a freer and better Air, and to
go feek in the midft of Woods, Nouriſhment
that was properer for his Health, than that he
now had; he communicated to us his Project,
and. we conceiv'd it both difficult and dange-
rous to put it in execution, look on it on which
fide we would. We endeavour'd to make him
comprehend the ill confequences of it; we repre-
fented to him, that the Paſs was above twelve
Leagues, that his Float could be made only of
Weeds, fince we had no more Barrels to put
at the end of it, as we had done to that of
the Gold-fmith ; that fuppofing he fhould
have the good fortune to get to Land, it would
be impoffible for him to live in thoſe Woods,
becauſe they were not fuch as here at Ifle
Maurice; there were few Tortoises to be had,
and no Birds that would fuffer themſelves to
be taken by hand, no more than other Ani-
mals. We urg'd moreover, that in a little while
he would be without Cloaths, expos'd to the
inclemencies of the Air, and that after all,
it was in a manner unavoidable but the Hun-
ters muſt meet with him, who would affuredly
reſign him into the hands of his Enemy: We
added, that when he fhould be found no lon-
ger among us, that evil Perfecutor would, it
may
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
157
**
may be, accufe us of having kill'd him in ſome
Quarrel, and that therefore he ought to leave
a Letter for him, and another for us, in fome
corner of our Hut, that we might be able to
defend our felves, when we were fo accus'd.
In a word, we forgot nothing that might dif-
fwade him from fo unfortunate a Refolution, but
all we could fay,was to little purpoſe. He work'd
alone at his Float, no body being willing to af-
fift him in making an Inftrument for his De-
ftruction: He made it of bundles of Weeds
and Poles bound together, but which was done
very ill, and it would not have been better if
we had affifted him. He nevertheleſs reſolv'd
to make uſe of it, and told us at parting, that
he would not fail to appear every Month upon
one of the Mountains over against the Rock,
where he would make a fire at the beginning
of the Night, that thould precede or follow the
Full-Moon; that if we continu'd in the fame
place, we ſhould anfwer him by a like Signal,
or otherwife he fhould take fuch neglect for a
Token that we were a-fhoar, and confequently
would meet us foon after at a place agreed
upon; but withal affur'd us, that fo foon as e-
ver he could ſpy any Veffel in what part of
the Iſle foever, he would certainly get on board
her if poffible. The fet time for his Depar-
ture being come, he faften'd his Float by
a ftake near our Hut, and came to take his
leave of us; but whilft he was longer than or-
dinary in acquainting us with his Defign, a
Sea came and wafh'd away his Float, which af-
flicted him exceedingly. For our parts we were
no lefs joyful at it, especially when we faw
it was carry'd by the Current towards the main
Sea, and far enough off from the Iſland. If
this
158
The Voyage and Adventures
!
this accident had not happen'd, we might quick-
ly have ſeen our friend perifh, without being
able in the leaſt to have help'd him. One would
have thought this happy Misfortune might have
made him more Wife, and enclin'd him to fore-
go his Refolution, but he continu'd obftinate
for all that, and would not hearken to the
Reaſons we gave, that what had happen'd cou'd
never be by chance, but that Providence muſt
needs have a hand in it, and that he ought
to acquiefs with Patience in what had been
done, and refolve with us to endure Submif-
fively, whatever God was pleas'd to impofe fur-
ther upon us. Now as nothing of all this had
the defir'd effect upon him, in that he pro-
teſted he would make another Float to exe-
cute his former Defign, I thought my felf ob-
lig'd in Confcience to tell him, I would do
all I could to hinder him; that we muft treat
him like a Mad-man, if he would throw him-
felf away after that rate, and that even tho' I
fhould be alone, I would do the best I could to
prevent his Ruin. He faid no more to me, and
feem'd to acquiefs in what I defir'd, imagi-
ning doubtless, that we were refolv'd to make
our felves Mafters of him, but fecretly he ftill
meditated the fame Deſign. Perceiving it was
impoffible for him to make another Float with-
out our Knowledge, he refolv'd to build a
fmall Boat with the Beaſt-skins, that we ſhould
know nothing of. As he was one that affifted
in making ours, and knew we laid the things
under our Matreffes, he ftole fome away pri-
vately, and carry'd them to a Grot in the Rock,
where he wrought on the Boat at fpare hours.
He finifh'd this Machine in a fhort time, and
departed on Sunday Morning the 10th of Ja-
nuary,
3
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
159
nuary, 1696. without faying a word to any Bo-
dy. Next Morning calling him to our ufual
exercife of Prayer, we were furpriz'd to find
him gone: You may guefs at our Concern.
We went immediately and fearch'd among his
Goods for Letters, not doubting but if he was
really gone, he would leave fome according
to Promife. We found two; in that directed
for us, he gave us a long account of his In-
tentions, affuring us if God was pleas'd to
let him get fafe to Land, he would break his
little Boat to pieces, fink the Skins in the Sea
under a heap of Stones, and diſpoſe ſo of o-
ther matters, that it fhould be impoffible to find
out that we affifted him in his eſcape. *The *We have
other Letter was for the Governor: It con- the Origi-
tain'd in Subftance, that it was he that forc'd nals of thefe
him to take that melancholy Refolution, by
in our Pof-
his cruel and obftinate refufal to fuffer him feffion.
to go a-fhoar for recovery of his Health; that
he was now going into the Woods with the
fame defign, and that he did not remove him-
felf from Juftice, fince he would not fail to
furrender himſelf into his hands, as foon as
any Ship ſhould arrive in the Port. He carry'd
along with him only a little Skillet, a Burning-
glafs to light fire, a Prayer-Book, and fome
few Cloaths.
Since this fatal Departure, we have never
had the leaft News of him, whatever en-
quiries we made after him. We perceiv'd none
of the Signals he promis'd to give us, and all
our fearches after him were vain.
According to all probability this poor Man
periſh'd in his Paffage, or died miferably in
the midst of the Woods, foon after his arrival
in the Island. A report indeed came to our
Ears,
two Letters
160
The Voyage and Adventures
1
Ears, that the carcass of his Boat was found
beaten to pieces after the manner he promis'd
in his Letter, but this was never confirm'd;
and about two years after, when we were at
the Cape of Good Hope, a Veffel that came from
Ifle Maurice, affur'd us, there was never any
thing heard of him. See how our unfortunate
Company was reduc'd to four Perfons, thro'
the Tyranny of this hard-hearted Governor.
After he came to underſtand the Eſcape of the
Sieur Teftard, both by our Purveyor, and the
Letter we fent him, he became never the bet-
ter, and did not alter a whit of his Severity
towards us that remain'd. On the contrary,
he caus'd Irons to be put on the Legs of the
Sieur La Haye, altho' he had never accus'd him
of any thing, and tho' he was exceeding fick
thro' the hardſhips he underwent.
Now as the Sieur La Cafe perceiv'd that his
Malady began to augment upon him, and that
he muſt ſpeedily take to his Bed, he refolv'd
whilſt he was able, to imitate the Sieur Teftard
in his Enterprize, and go into the Woods in
ſearch of Health, as he had done. He commu-
nicated his deſign to us, and beg'd of us not
to oppoſe him, fince it would be but in vain,
adding, that if we would not confent, he would
venture to ſwim over in the Night, rather than
undergo any longer that miferable Confine-
ment. We perceiving that he was fully bent
on what he ſaid, and that our refufal to com-
ply with him might carry him to fome de-
fperate Action, confented to what he defir'd,
and help'd him to make a Float of Weeds and
Boughs; and we even repented of not having
done the like for the poor Sieur Teftard. We
moreover fet up a Mat. made of Plantane-
Leaves
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
161
Leaves on his Float, to ferve him for a Sail.
He waited for a Night when both the Wind
and Sea were high, and ftipulated with us the
fame Conditions the Sieur Teftard had done.
The Wind which was very violent, over-fet the
Machine twice, but the Sieur La Cafe who was
a good Swimmer, eafily got up upon it again,
and gain'd the Land in a fhort time, the fa-
vour of the Wind having preferv'd him from
the fury of the Current. As foon as he was
got a-fhoar he made a fire, and we under-
flood the Signal: He retir'd afterwards into
the thickeft Woods, and there pafs'd the re-
mainder of the Night. Next Morning as he
has twice inform'd us, he rambled about all
day without knowing whither he went, and
that without finding ought either to eat or drink.
It was the fame thing for eight days following,
fo that if he had not taken fome Provifions
along with him, he muſt inevitably have perish'd
with Hunger and Fatigue, and moreover his
Malady ftill augmented upon him. The eighth
day he caught an Eel, which he greedily de-
vour'd raw: The ninth he found à Path which
led him to the Houfe of an Inhabitant of the
Ifland, who inftead of relieving him, deli-
ver'd him up to Soldiers, who carry'd him to
the Fort.
The Governor apprehending leaſt we fhould
all eſcape one after another, and thoſe who
brought us Provifions confirming the fame
thing, he was at length conftrain'd by thefe
Reaſons, and fome others, to let us come all
a-fhoar. But to the end that this enlargement
might not occafion us too exceffive Joy, he
had the charity to temper it by taking from us
about 200 pounds of Rice that had been left us,
M
and
162
The Voyage and Adventures
and which we had hitherto fo carefully ma-
nag'd. This was about that time when Pota-
toes are good for nothing, and then the Sol-
diers were oblig'd to buy Rice of the Gover-
nor at their own Charges. He gave them to
underſtand, that what Rice he had fav'd from
the Fire, was his own, and that belonging to
the Company had been for fome time exhauſted.
For our parts we could neither buy that, nor
any thing elſe, having no Money, the Gover-
nor having taken care to rob us of it.
As I had left fome Memoirs at Rodrigo, I
likewiſe conceal'd fome in a Hole of our Rock,
(which I for a double Reafon call the Rock of
Zochelet, 1 Kings 1. 9.) to which I added, an
Abridgment of the Hiftory of our long and
cruel Confinement in this melancholy and bar-
ren Place. I did not forget to obferve in this
fhort Relation, that a fatal piece of unknown
Gum, for a long while defpis'd, had been the
caufe of our Tyrannical Perfecution, and the
deplorable Death of one of our dear Compa-
nions. So true it is what St. Paul fays, that Co-
vetousness is the root of all Evil, and that thoſe
who have a mind to become Rich, fall into dia-
bolical Snares, and many pernicious Defires,
which at length precipitate them into the Abyſs
of Perdition.
As foon as the good News of our Delive-
rance came to our Ears, and that of our De-
parture from Ile Maurice for Batavia, I was
not a little over-joy'd, for however Indu-
ftrious I was to feek for Diverfion, and even
to appear Gay to encourage thofe poor young
Men with whom I was; I muft own, my Mind
was not lefs indifpos'd than my Body: Befides,
I can't diffemble that I was exceedingly fet
against
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
163
againſt that inveterate and implacable Perfecu-
tor, but ftill had a greater Contempt for him,
than Hatred. I could not endure that he ſhould
bear the fair name of Diodati, or be faid to be
a Child of Geneva: But others affirm, he was
born at Dort. If any Mahometan of Algiers had
us'd me yet worfe, I could have born it patient-
ly from him.
In this extream Joy that affected me, my
Soul lifted it felf up towards its Deliverer, and
I pen'd a Song of Thankſgiving and Benedicti-
on, which I compos'd of divers paffages of
Scripture fo happily link'd together, that I
may ſay, they perfectly exprefs'd our different
Conditions. I bufied my felf a whole day a-
bout this comfortable Collection, and as it was
nothing but the word of God, I thought it
muft needs be agreeable to this Relation of
my Adventures. But I obferve fome People
at a diſtance, that affume a ridiculing Air up-
on this occafion; methinks I hear them fay,
we have a great deal to do indeed with your
Canticle. Formerly they were accounted Fools,
that denied the Being of a God, but now for-
footh, they muft pafs for Wits: Well Gentle
men, you ſhall not have my Canticle, you are
unworthy of it. Holy Things are not your
Inclination I find, and thefe Pearls fhall not
be thrown away upon you: I'll keep them for
good Men, for you wife and honeſt Reader,
who are not to be carry'd away by the Torrent
of Prejudice, therefore look at the end of my
Relation, and you'll find the Canticle I ſpeak of.
•
The 6th of September, 1696. the Veffel call'd
Suraag arriv'd, and brought Orders to carry us
away. Our good and generous Friends, the
Officers of the Perfeverance, of whom I have
M &
already
J
164
The Voyage and Adventures
already spoken, were fo kind as to prefent our
Letters and Petition to the Directors-General
in Holland, fo that when the Governor found
he could detain us no longer, he thought fit
to let us know what had happen'd. He told
us of it firft himſelf, and bid us prepare to em-
bark. We expected, that according to Cuftom,
when a Ship arrives, an Affembly fhould be
held, where every one might make their Com-
plaint at liberty, but he found means to pre-
vent that, and we were fent on board with-
out any Bodies ſpeaking to us, and without ha-
ving any part of our Effects reftor'd. This
occafion'd us to prefent a Petition to the Offi-
cers of the Veffel, informing them of the ill
Treatment we had had from our Perfecutor,
who yet continu'd to exercife towards us the
fame Tyranny and Injuftice. This made him
come a-board, where having feen our Petiti-
on, he call'd one of us curfed Dog, and ask'd
him why he prefented fuch fort of Petitions
against him. We thinking our felves in a man-
ner out of his Clutches, anfwer'd boldly, That
he might be fure it was not to boast any ways
of his kindneſs to us, but to acquaint thefe
Gentiemen, who were at length come to our Af-
fiftance with his barbarous ufage of us, even
to the laft Moment, and that they might te-
ftifie this Complaint was made even at Ifle
Maurice. After fome injurious Expreffions he re-
affum'd a ridiculing Air, and told us, if we
thought our felves aggriev'd, we might ſeek
for Juftice at Batavia from the General and
his Council, and we anfwer'd, that that was
our Refolution. After Dinner he had us call'd
again, when he told us in the prefence of the
Council of the Veffel, that he had at firſt gi-
ven
{
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
165
ven Orders we fhould be receiv'd on board as
Paffengers, without being oblig'd to do any
thing; but fince we had prefented that fine Pe-
tition, we fhould work as the Soldiers did,
before we eat. As for Monfieur de la Cafe's
part, added he, he must be contented to lie in
Irons during the whole Voyage, and fo you
fhall have a new fubject of Complaint when
you come to Batavia.
Before we leave Ile Maurice, I will relate to
you fome things that I have obferv'd there,
and what I have heard concerning it. 'Tis
well known that this Ifland is fituated in the
12th Degree of Southern-Latitude: It is al-
moft round, and its Circumference is about fif-
ty Leagues. I have read fome-where, that it
was the Portuguefes that diſcover'd it: They
call'd it Cerne; but when the Hollanders made
themſelves mafters of it the 20th of September,
1598. they gave it the name of Prince Mau-
rice of Naffau, then Governor of the United
Provinces.
You may Anchor in three principal Places;
at the Fort, the Black River, and the North-
Weft Haven.
The Company maintains at the Fort, a Ga-
riſon of about fifty Men; and there are thirty
or forty Dutch Families difpers'd throughout the
Iſland.
After the fire had deftroy'd great part of the
Fort, as we have already acquainted you it did,
it was rebuilt with Stone. They then moun--
ted there, if I well remember, twenty good.pie-
ces of caft Canon.
The Soil of this Iſland is almost every where
reddiſh, and generally good, but about the Fort
it is worth little or nothing.
M 3
The
!
166
The Voyage and Adventures
The Road for Shipping, over againſt it, is dan-
gerous, and difficult to get out of, altho' there
are two Out-lets, becauſe they neceffarily re-
quire a certain Land-Wind, which comes but
feldom, and profound Calms are frequent in
thefe parts. The two other Roads are good
enough.
There are in this Iſland great numbers of
Ebony-Trees, white and black: The black is
hardeft. The Soldiers who are employ'd to
faw this Wood, will faw twenty foot of White
before they can twelve of Black, and which is
their ordinary Task for a day.
Here are Oranges both fweet and four, and
great plenty of Citrons of the fame kind. Al-
fo divers forts of Trees fit for Shipping. A
good quarter of a League from the Fort, there
is a Grove of Limon-Trees, round which, as
well as in many other places of this Iſland, they
plant Tobacco, which is exceffive ftrong:
They plant likewife great numbers of Sugar-
Canes. The Spirit they draw from them, and
which is here call'd Araque, is ftrong and un-
wholfom while it is new. I would fay nothing
of the Ananas, the Bananes, beautiful and excel-
lent Fruit, which they have here in great abun-
dance, becauſe all Relations fpeak of them,
were it not that there are divers forts of them.
The Ananas of Ifle Maurice, comes out of the
Ground like an Artichoke, and multiplies like
it: Its Seed is in the Tuft that crowns the
Fruit. This Plant bears but one of thefe Fruit,
which is commonly about the bigness of a
midling Melon, fhap'd pretty much like a Pine-
Apple, and dazling the Eye on all fides with
lively and beautiful Colours. It has a fort of
Crown a top confifting of ſmall Leaves, and
7
1
one
Pag166.
1
THE ANANAS
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
167
one can never be tir'd with looking on it, no
more than with admiring its ſweet and exqui-
fite Sapour; but as it is extreamly cold, it
muſt be eaten with great Moderation. Its
large and thick Leaf is arm'd on the fides with
prickles, and reſembles fomewhat that of Aloes.
The deſcription we have of the Ananas of Bra-
file, differs fomething from this. They have
little Leaves that come out on all fides between
the grains of the Fruit.
The Banane Plant is large and fine, it rifes
about ten or twelve foot out of the Ground,
and has very large Leaves of an Oval Figure.
It bears a Fruit as long as one's Hand, and of
the bignefs of the fift of a Child of four years
old. It is outwardly yellow when 'tis ripe,
white within, a little clammy like the inſide of
an Apricock, and of a delicate and excellent
Flavour.
There are alfo to be found in this Ifland,
Coco's, Palm-Trees, Plantane-Trees, and di-
vers forts of Fruit-Trees.
There is a fort of Shrub call'd Stront-boom or
T---Tree, which is extreamly Venomous. The
middle of its Trunk is larger than either its
bottom or top. Its Wood is flabby, and its
Leaves would nearly reſemble thofe of our
Willows, were it not that they are a little lar-
I have neither obferv'd Flowers nor Fruit
ger.
upon it: Both the Wood and the Rind are a
Speedy and deadly Poyfon, and which as I have
heard, admits of no Antidote. One day as I
was coming thro' a Wood in my return from
Hunting, I chanc'd to break off a little Branch
of it, and without making any Reflection, or
having heard of this Tree, I put a little bit of
it in my Mouth. I threw it away that inftant
M 4
without
168
The Voyage and Adventures
!
1
without ſwallowing my Spittle, and yet I
thought I fhould have died of it. For twenty
four hours together, it feem'd to me as if fome
body was throtling me, and my Throat was
fo fwell'd, I could hardly breath. In Coun-
tries where one is an abfolute Stranger, one
ought to take particular care of theſe fort of
things. I was told the only way to diſtinguiſh the
venomous Fruits in thefe Iſlands, from fuch as
were not fo, was to offer them to fome Ape of
the Iſland, who if they were naught, would
undoubtedly refuſe them.
In the middle of the Country in a great
Plain environ'd with Mountains, there is a
Wood that is very dangerous to go into.
The Branches of the Trees are fo thick at top,
and fo interlac'd with one another, that it is al-
together impoffible to fee the Sun, by which
means one wanders one knows not whither,
and oftentimes one is loft as it were in a La-
byrinth, which Misfortune is fo much the grea-
ter, in that one meets with nothing to eat.
The Governor of Ifle Maurice before this laft,
happen'd one day to enter this Wood, and
plung'd himſelf fo deep into it before he was
aware, that he knew not how to get out.
Both he and his followers had foon made an
end of their Provifions, and they were juſt rea-
dy to ftarve, when by good fortune they
chanc'd to find a way out, after they had vainly
fought one for four days.
The other Woods of this Ifland are eaſie
enough to traverſe. There are fome very plea-
fant, and where you find Apes of divers kinds.
Theſe miſchievous Beafts do a great deal of da-
mage to the Inhabitants, inafmuch as they take
delight in plucking up whatever is fown.
>
1
This
+
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
169
This Ifland in general is very Mountainous,
and full of Woods, as moft Countries are that
are flenderly Inhabited. It is water'd by di-
vers rapid Rivers, on ſome of which the In-
habitants have built Mills to faw Boards. Theſe
Rivers have fiſh enough.
On each fide of thefe Rivers you frequent-
ly meet with little Valleys, whofe Soil is admi-
rably good. There are great tracts of Ground
level enough, eſpecially that formerly mention'd
call'd Flac or Flat-Ground: 'Tis on this Spot,
the greateſt part of the Colony inhabit. I don't
know whether I have already told you, that
the Company has a Garden here furnish'd with
all our Plants of Europe, eſpecially fuch as could be
cultivated with Succefs in this foreign Climate.
Wheat will not thrive there, nor any other fort
of Corn.
The Vine grows well enough, and I have
feen good Arbours there; but the Grapes don't
ripen well, which it may be, may proceed part-
ly from the Ignorance or Lazineſs of thoſe
that cultivate them, or rather that do not cul-
tivate them at all.
It is from this Garden the Company has its
Potatoes, Fruits, and other things with which
it feeds its Garrifon, the Negroe-Slaves and all
others that depend on it. A Boat goes eve-
ry Week twice or thrice to the great River,
whence it brings all that has been brought
thither from Flac on Waggons, for the ufe of
the Fort. This is inconvenient, and of great
expence, it being above eight Leagues thither
from Flac, which way is partly by Water, and
partly by Land. The Earth about the Fort is
extreamly barren, and the Water is by no
means good, being impregnated with Salt-
Petrë.
170
The Voyage and Adventures
ދ" (
དྷ
Petre. There is a corner in the Inland call'd
the Burnt Country, becauſe the Trees that were
formerly there were burnt, but there have fe-
veral come up fince in their ftead, altho' the
Soil be Rocky.
Potatoes thrive here wonderfully every where,
and are the ordinary food of the Inhabitants.
Theſe fort of Topinambous ferve them for Bread,
in like manner as to the common People of
Ireland. When they have a mind to have any
Rice, they buy it of the Company. It is not but
that Grain will grow here, the Water and
Earth being proper for it in divers Places, but
thefe People are too Idie and Lazy to cultivate
it, this fort of Grain requiring a more than
ordinary Care: The common Meat here is
Venifon. The Deer are fo fat, that after
having ran a quarter of a League they drop
down, and fubmit themſelves to the mercy of
the Dogs: Here are likewife great numbers
of Goats, they are very fat, and their Fleſh
has no ill Taft. They are much eaten while
the Deer are in their Rutting-time, becaufe
the Venison has a ftinking and infupportable
Taft: Here are Hogs of the China kind. Al-
tho' theſe are not near fo good as our wild
Boars, yet they are much eaten for all that :
Thefe Beafts do a great deal of Damage to the
Inhabitants, by devouring all the young Ani-
mals they can catch.
The Bulls and Cows of the better kind,
have been brought hither from Madagascar, and
they have multiply'd exceedingly: They have
a bunch upon their Backs. The Cows afford
but very little Milk. One Holland one yields
fix times as much, neither is their Beef near
fo good as ours. There are wild Cows that
are
Pag.171
THE GIANTBIRD
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
171
are originally of this Ifland, or at leaft were
found there by thofe that firft difcover'd it,
but they must of neceffity have been brought
thither one time or other. Here are alſo many
wild Horſes, which are fometimes kill'd to feed
Dogs with. Theſe two forts of Animals, I
mean, Dogs and Horfes, are fubject to the Fal-
ling-Sickneſs, and feveral of them die of it,
eſpecially when they are young.
This Ifland formerly abounded with wild
Geeſe and Ducks, Moor-Hens, Water-Quails,
Sea and Land-Tortoifes, but now all theſe are
become ſcarce. The Sharks alſo, and divers
other Sea-Animals have forfook it, ſince the Na-
tives have been accuftom'd to lay Nets for them.
You fhall fee great flights of Bitterns, and ma-
ny of thofe Birds call'd Giants, becauſe they
are fix foot high. They are extreamly high
mounted, and have very long Necks: Their Bo-
dies are not bigger than that of a Goofe. They
are all white, except a little place under their
Wings, which is reddish. They have a Goo-
fes Bill, but a little fharper; their Claws are
very long, and divided. They feed in Marfhy
Places, and the Dogs frequently furprize them,
becauſe they require a confiderable time to get
upon the Wing: We faw one one day at Ro-
drigo, and we took him with our Hands he was
fo fat. That was the only one we obferv'd
there, which made me inclinable to believe, he
had been carry'd thither by ſome Wind he could
not refift. This Game is good enough.
There are alſo a kind of fmall Birds pretty
much like our Sparrows, except that their
Throats are red. Parrots of all forts are like-
wife to be found here in great abundance. Here
moreover are Pigeons and Black-birds, but few
of
172
The Voyage and Adventures
1
of them. Bats, which are much valued in this
Country, are here in great Numbers, as are
likewife Lizards. Rats and Mice fwarm here,
and do a great deal of damage to the Company
and Inhabitants, by gnawing their Sugar-Canes,
and devouring their Pulfe. If they would
make uſe of the fame means we did at Rodrigo,
they might get rid of the greateſt part of them;
yet fome few Regiments of Cats would make
the fhorteft work with them, and foon exter-
minate thoſe miſchievous Vermin.
Small and green Caterpillars reign here for
three or four Months in the year, and eat up
almoſt every thing.
Sea and Land Crabs are here alſo to be found,
but in fmall Numbers.
Here are no Serpents to be feen, and the
People fay, they have been miraculouſly dri-
ven from this Ifland, as the Irish pretend St.
Patrick has baniſh'd all venomous Animals from
their Country.
There are neither Lice nor Fleas, nor Toads,
nor Frogs to be ſeen here, no more than at
Rodrigo, and I fancy there are none in any of
the Iſlands hereabouts.
This abounds with Fifh, and affords fome-
times yellow Amber, and Amber-greece in like
manner with Rodrigo.
Hurricanes were formerly very frequent and
furious in this Iſland, but for twenty years, or
thereabouts, they have had none but that before-
mention'd which we underwent on our Rock.
'Tis true, they have in their ftead at certain
Seafons, Winds that are very violent, and ac-
company'd with great Rains.
It is a very fingular thing in this Iſland, if
what I have been told be true, that when-ever
'any
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
173
any Hurricane comes, it is always on the 9th
of February. This paffes for a current Truth.
The Inhabitants chufe for their Sowing-time
this rainy Weather, which continues without
Intermiffion, for five or fix Weeks together.
This Ifland is not unhealthy, altho' the Heats
be fometimes moft exceffive. Fair Weather
commonly lafts there from the Month of June,
to that of February.
After having waited for a favourable Wind
above fix Weeks, we at length fet fail about fix
a clock in the Morning, and fo eſcap'd the
pernicious Paws of the Sieur Rod. Diodati.
The Wind having fhifted all of a fudden,
we found our felves oblig'd to drop Anchor:
About Noon it came about to the South-Eaft,
and then we fail'd again, but we had foon af
ter fo great a Calm, that we faw the Iſland
Maurice even on the ninth day. We return'd
as far as the 39th Degree, to find the Wefterly
Winds, which conducted us to the Bar of Bata-
via, without meeting with any thing extraor-
dinary in our Paffage.
As the Governor of Ifle Maurice had put us
under Arreſt in his Iſland, we were kept the
fame till we came to Batavia. At our Landing
we were put in Priſon, and we continu'd there
till the next day, the 16th of December.
The Council of State of the Indies affembled
that day, and we were carry'd before them.
We preſented our Petition, in which we fet
forth amply all the Injuftice had been done us
at Ile Maurice; and their Lordships having at
first conceiv'd the Juftice of our Caufe, they
reftor'd us our Liberty, of which we had
been depriv'd for fo long a time, and lodg'd us
in the Saphir, which is one of the Baftions of
the
174
The Voyage and Adventures
the Fort. The Fleet was ready to depart, but
the Council were fo bufie with other Affairs,
that they could not find time to look into Ours,
fo that on the 14th of February, 1697. the Ge-
neral call'd one of us to him that ſpoke Dutch,
and told him, that the time was too fhort to
examine our Pretentions, and that we fhould
not return into Holland, before more preffing
Affairs were determin'd; that we muft fuffer
this Fleet to depart, and that if our buſineſs
could not be effected in five or fix Weeks time,
our worſt would be to remain at Batavia for a
year, or thereabouts, where by reafon we were
tript of all, we should be lifted for Soldiers,
and allow'd Pay to the day of our Arrival in
Holland. The General added, that in that time
he would diſpatch a Veffel to Ile Maurice,
and ſo our Affairs fhould be happily ended. We
infinuated thofe Conditions could not be ex-
treamly agreeable to us, by reafon we were
not of the Dregs of the People, and that tho'
we were now Poor and Miferable, that had
wholly been occafion'd by the Governor of Ifle
Maurice, the Company's Officer, who had pil-
lag'd us, and therefore 'twas against him that
we demanded Juftice, which if it were ſpeedi-
ly afforded us, we fhould foon be in a Ĉondi-
tion to fubfift without the mean Pay of a Sol-
dier. But however good our Reafons might be,
if they were not contradicted, they were not
much hearken'd to. Our Perfecutor had his
Friends there, and we poor half-ftarv'd, half-
naked Creatures, were not confiderable enough
to turn the Scale, fo that we muft fubmit to
what they would have us, and turn Soldiers.
We were pofted in different Places, and as the
Sieur B---le, who ſpoke Dutch, wrote likewiſe
2
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
175
a very good Hand, he was thought worthy to
fill the Place of Clerk to the Fort, where he
was lodg'd.
The Sieur de la Cafe was detain'd ftill in Pri-
fon, but after feveral Petitions, we preſented
jointly with him for his Enlargement, the
Council confidering the Information they had
receiv'd from Ile Maurice, and perceiving that
his Crime confifted only in projecting a thing
he never executed, nor endeavour'd to execute,
they pronounc'd him Innocent, and made him
a Soldier like the reft.
Our Amber-greece ftuck in our Stomachs,
as did likewiſe all the other things we had been
robb'd of, viz. Gold Ingots, Coin'd Silver,
Cloaths, Inftruments and Ütenfils, which with-
out reckoning the Bark, amounted to the va-
lue of 2000 Crowns. But the various Petiti-
ons we prefented on this Head, were always
put off to another time.
After we had continu'd five or fix Months in
this Condition at Batavia, the General fent for
him whom he had made the Clerk of the Fort,
and told him, there had no occafion yet offer'd
to fend for the Governor of Ifle Maurice to an-
fwer our Complaints in Perfon, and for that
reafon our Affairs could not for the preſent be
fearch'd to the bottom, but he did not doubt
they would do us Juftice in Holland, and there-
fore we might if we pleas'd purfue it there,
and get our felves ready to depart with the firſt
Fleet.
After this manner it pleas'd our Superiors
at Batavia, to determine our Suit. They need
not have kept us there fo long, to give us no
better Satisfaction. They might have let us
go at first according to our Defires, and tho'
they
176
The Voyage and Adventures
they made us do Duty in the Veffel without
Pay, as we had done in our Voyage from Ifle
Maurice. But thoſe who were fecretly in our
Robbers Intereft, thought that a lengthning
out of Time, might in fome meaſure efface
the Idea of his Infamy's, old Crimes never ap-
pearing fo crying as new.
Some time after the Sieur de la Haye, one of
our unfortunate Companions, dy'd of a Bloo-
dy-Flux at Batavia, that being the ordinary
Distemper reigning in thoſe Countries; fo that
of five we were at firft, there now remain'd
but three, the Sieurs Be---le, La Cafe, and my
Self.
Altho' there have been many Accounts of
Batavia, the Reader will not think me im-
pertinent, if I acquaint him with what I have
obferv'd there during a years Refidence, with-
out having any regard to what Defcriptions
have been made by others.
This City is fo fine, and fo confiderable in
all Reſpects, that it may well furniſh new Sub-
jects of Obfervation to every Traveller, and
eſpecially to the New-comers, who fhall not
fail to meet with continual Changes and Altera-
tions.
It lies in a flat Country, in the Iſland of
Java, in the fixteenth Degree of South-Lati-
tude, and is built altogether after the manner
of Holland, but with white Stone. Its form is
an oblong Square, and in an Angle towards
the North-Weft is the Sea, and the Fort or
Citadel. Its Length is about two Thoufand
common Paces, and its Breadth about fifteen
Hundred. The Houfes in general were for-
merly low built, but now they have got a
Cuftom of building them higher, no more
Hur-
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
177
Hurricanes being to be fear'd, fo that the Ci
ty is become much finer than it was at firſt,
The Streets are ftraight and large, and have
for the most part Cañals running thro' them,
with tall Trees on their Banks, like thoſe of
Holland, but with this Difference, that the Trees
here are always green.
The Canals are fill'd with clear Water from
a certain River, which having run thro' the
City, difcharges it felf into the Sea. The City is
furrounded with ftrong Walls, and flank'd with
many good Baftions well furnish'd with Can-
non.
The Citadel is a Fort with four Royal Ba-
ftions, fac'd with large fquare Stones, and
built level with the Ground without any Ditch,
and confequently without Water, whatever the
Abbot de Choisy may fay to the contrary, whofe
Voyage, in other refpects, is good enough. At
a certain diſtance from the Rampart, which is
not equal on every fide, there are indeed Ca-
nals of twenty, and twenty five Foot broad,
which defend, in fome meaſure, the approaches
to the Fort, altho' they are fordable almoft
every where, as I can well affirm who have
often founded them. You cross the Fort from
North to South, there being in the middle of
the two Curtains, two Gates which look up-
on one another. As they have no reaſon to
apprehend a fudden Siege, they have taken no
care to leave the place of Arms as open as it
ought to be; but on the contrary, have crou-
ded it with Houfes, for 'tis there the General,
the Director-General, the ordinary and extra-
ordinary Counsellors, and the other Officers
and People belonging to the Company, live. This
Fort commands both the Haven and the
▼
N
Town,
178
The Voyage and Adventures
Town, and is mounted with about fixty Pie-
ces of Cannon, fifteen or fixteen whereof have
the Arms of France on them, having been ta-
ken from the French. The four Baltions have
the names of the Diamond, Ruby, Pearl and Sap-
bire. Between the Town and the Fort, Soù-
therly of the latter, there is a confiderable large
Field where Sheep feed, which is travers'd by
a fine row of Trees that lead to the Fort-
Gate, within which is a Corps de Guard. You
may there ſee between four Pallifadoes, a
great number of Cannon for the Ships. Almoft
in the middle of the City there is a large
fquare Place, where the Garriſon is common-
ly drawn up, being about 1000 Men. Myn
Heer Grevenbroek, a very good Man, and an
Officer of this Garrifon, was fo kind and gene
rous to me on all Occafions, that I am glad
of having here an opportunity to make my
Acknowledgments to him. On one fide Weft-
ward of this Place, ftands the great Church,
Southerly the Guild-Hall or Town-Houfe,
Northerly there is a long range of fine Houſes,
and Eafterly there runs one of the great Ca-
nals. Over and above this great Church,
where Divine Worship is exercis'd in Dutch,
there is another in the Citadel.
The reform'd Portugueses have two Churches,
one in the City, and another in the Suburbs ;
and theſe Congregations are very Numerous,
becauſe they confift of divers Foreigners that
ſpeak the Portuguese Language. The, both Pro-
felite and Reform'd Malays, have alfo a Church
in the City, where the Service is in their Lan-
guage: This is a Tranflation of the Holland
Liturgy. This Church is large, and has a ve-
ry numerous Congregation. The Roman Ca-
tholicks
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
179
tholicks have alfo Liberty of Confcience, and
do what they pleaſe in their own Houſes
without the Magiftrates intermedling, but they
are to have the exercife of no Publick Wor
ſhip.
The City is furrounded with an univerfal
Suburb, which extends above half a League in-
to the Country, and which forming a fecond
City much larger than the firft, contains like-
wife a greater number of Inhabitants. It is
here the Chineſes live, on account of their Burial-
Places and Pagodes. They have alfo a Refi-
dence in the City, and even an Hofpital. The
Suburbs have likewife Canals of divers fizes,
with double rows of Trees. Befides the great
Canal in the middle, there are two ſmaller
on each fide, about fifteen or twenty foot
broad, which wash the Foundations of the
Houſes, infomuch that you can't enter them
but over a Draw-Bridge: Behind are large
Gardens and Orchards, which furniſh Batavia
with Pulſe and Fruits. The Gardens of the
City are ſmall, and few in number. The Houſes
of Gardiners, and other fuch like mean Peo-
ple in the Suburbs, are for the moft part built
with Bamboos, which are a fort of hollow, light,
and very hard Canes as large as one's Thigh,
and commonly forty or fifty foot long. Thefe
Bamboos are very beneficially made ufe of di-
vers other ways, becauſe they for a long time
refift the injuries of the Air. They have here
likewife divers other forts of Canes: 'Tis very
common to find a-top of thefe Canes large
Ant-Nefts, made of a fat Earth, which theſe
Animals carry up in the infide of the Canes,
In theſe Nefts every Ant has its little Cell a-
part, not unlike thofe the Bees make. Tis
N 2
here
1
180
The Voyage and Adventures
here they have their Refidence, during the
violent and frequent Rains which over-flow
the Country for four or five Months in the
year, and which would certainly drown them,
if they had not this Secret to preferve them-
felves from Danger.
The Bay of Batavia, is the fineſt and moſt
fecure of any in the World: Ships ride there
without any danger all the year round; for
that Sea is hardly ever agitated, as well be-
cauſe there are a great number of little Iſlands
that break the Waves,as becauſe the Winds there
are never Violent. Every day, without ever fail-
ing, there rifes about ten a Clock in the Morn-
ing a Sea-gale, which ferves to carry the Cha-
loupes into the City, and at ten at Night there
comes one from the Land, that carries the fame
Chaloupes out again to Sea. One belongs to
the North, and the other to the South.
Thefe Chaloupes and fome Fisher-boats, go
and come by a ftreight Canal that comes out
of the River, and which is form'd by two Pa-
ralel-Lines fupported by Piles, and fill'd with
Earth, in like manner as the Dikes in Holland,
or rather thofe of Dunkirk are.
This Canal is twelve hundred common Pa-
ces long, and each Dike is about five and twen-
ty foot broad. They would be wonderful fine
Walks, if they were fhaded with a double row
of Trees. As there are no bad Winds there,
thoſe Trees would undoubtedly grow well,
and I fancy their Roots would bind the Earth
of the Dikes together, rather than loofen it.
Batavia being not only the general Maga-
zine of the Company, and the Place from whence
fhe fends moft of her Fleets to all Parts of the
World; and being likewiſe the place of Refort,
and
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
181
and oftentimes the Afylum for the Ships of o-
ther Nations; it is eafie to imagine, that the
view of this Bay fill'd with fo many large Vef-
fels, must be wonderfully pleafant, efpecially
if you confider that you fee at the fame time,
fifteen or twenty little Iflands always cover'd
with green Trees.
The Company builds its Ships at a finall Iſland
call'd Onrut, about two Leagues from Batavia.
It is well furniſh'd, and provided with a good
Artillery.
Altho' Batavia be far in the Torrid Zone,
the Heats there are very Supportable, be-
cauſe the Sea-Winds, of which I have already
ſpoken, refreſh the Air extreamly, and render
it temperate even at Noon-day.
The Rains alfo are very frequent from the
Month of November, to that of April, which is
the time the Heats ought to be moft Violent,
becauſe they are the fix Summer Months of
this Country. In truth the Days being almoft
equal to the Nights all the year round, and the
Cold being in a manner unknown, we may
fay, the Summer here is Perpetual.
One
judges of the Harveft by the Rain that falls
more or less during theſe fix Months; for when
it does but Rain little, or not at all, the Earth
abounds fo with Infects, that the Fruits, Herbs,
Pulfe, and particularly the Rice are fo eaten by
them, that they are altogether ſpoil'd.
Rice is fo common throughout all this Iſland,
which has about two hundred Leagues in
Length, to fifty in Breadth, that a Man can
hardly eat a Farthings-worth in a Day, altho'
great quantities are eaten there, Rice being
the ordinary Bread of this Country. No other
fort of Corn will grow here. That which they
have
N 3
182
The Voyage and Adventures
have is brought from Bengala, where it cofts
but a Farthing a Pound. There is a great deal
brought to Batavia, from that Province of the
Great Mogul; and Wheat-Bread is not fold dea-
rer here than in Holland. The Natives do not
at all care for it.
There are no Vine-yards in any part of Ja-
vas but at Batavia, and thereabouts, there
are a great many Vine-Arbours, whofe Grapes
are good enough to eat, but 'tis obferv'd they
come to no great Maturity. Thefe Vines pro-
duce Fruit feven times in two years. As foon
as the Grapes are gather'd you cut the Vine,
and in about three Months and a half, you will
have new ones, that will be as ripe as can be
here. Theſe Vines bear Grapes the first year
they are planted, and fhoot more in one year,
as do likewife all other Trees, than they would
do in eight in Europe. For all this no Wine is
made here, and that which is drunk, comes ei-
ther from Perfia or Spain, and cofts near a
Crown a Pint. Beer from Brunswick, call'd al-
fo Mum, is very dear here, but there is a fort
made in the Country, which is tolerably good,
that does not coft above a Penny a Pint. The
Soldiers drink for the fame Price, a fort of Li-
quor call'd Knip, made of Brandy diftill'd from
Fruit, and a certain Sea-froth. This is a more
pernicious Potable than Araque at Ile Maurice,
efpecially when it is new.
The ordinary Drink at Batavia, and the moft
cheap, is Tea, which the Chineſes fell for the
moft part in Rooms for that purpoſe. For two
Dutch Pence, they give you four different Cups
of Sweet-Meats, containing each half a Pound,
and another like Cup of White-fugar-candy;
befides which they bring you as much Tea
25
!
183
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
as four People can drink. They uſe ordinarily
the best common Tea, which is fold at ten
Pence a Pound. Imperial Tea is worth twice
that Money. In theſe fame Places you may
likewife have Coffee, but it is fold a Penny a Difh,
as in England and Holland.
They have at Batavia, divers forts of excel-
lent Fruits, of which Grapes only, and Water-
Melons, are known in Europe.
The Ananas, Coco's and Bananes, are to be
met with in great abundance.
}
Every one knows what the Betel-Leaves, and
Arequa Nuts are, which all the Natives of this
Iſland, both Men, Women and Children chaw
inceffantly to fortifie their Gums and Stomach,
for fometimes they fwallow the Juice. This
Juice is as red as Blood, and gives a like Tin-
cture to the Spittle, which it provokes abun-
dantly, fo that all that uſe this Drink, have
their Lips continually bloody as it were, which
is no pleaſant fight to look upon. When you
are not accuftom'd to this Drug, you find its
Taft infupportably fharp, but otherwiſe it be-
comes like Tobacco, and you find it difficult
to leave it. If this Betel ftrengthens the Gums,
as all fay it does, with all my Heart, but I'm
fure at the fame time it blackens the Teeth in
that frightful manner, that theſe People muft
needs be ignorant of the fweetnefs and charms
of a fair Mouth. Betel is a Shrub, fhap'd fome-
what like a Pepper-Tree, but It has triangular
Leaves, and is green all the year round. The
Tree that bears the Nut call'd Arequa, is very tall
and ſtraight. They commonly wrap up a quar-
ter of an Arequa-Nut in fome Betel-Leaves,and fo
chaw them together: Some add a little Slack'd-
Lime, but that is not in ufe at Batavia.
N 4
Mango
184
The Voyage and Adventures
Mango is a Fruit of the Country, which paf-
fes for very good, and very wholfom. It is
commonly about the bignefs of an Egg, but
longer, and a little crooked like a Gerkin Cu-
cumber. Its Rind is green and thick, and I
have heard fome fay, they have feen red of
them. The infide is white, and tafts fomewhat
like a Muſcat-Grape : It is very faft ty'd by its
Fibres to the Stone, which is large. This Fruit
grows upon a great Tree, very proper for the
Carpenter. There is a fort of Mango without
a Stone, which is pickled in Vinegar like this,
with Garlick, Annifeed, and fome other In-
gredients
The Gardens of Batavia furnifh the Inhabi-
tants with Herbs and Pulfe of the European
kind, from whence the Seed has been brought.
This Ifland moreover, as you may very well
imagine, has its own particular Plants. Here
follow two of them, which one of my Friends
who has apply'd himſelf to that Study, has cu-
riouſly defign'd for me: I think they are little
known; they fay they only grow naturally in
fome of thofe little Inlands, which lie between
Borneo and Java.
Beef and Buffalo coft two pence a Pound,
and are not much better one than the other.
This Country abounds with a fort of wild Boars
or Hogs, which you may have at very cheap
rates. Mutton is extreamly dear here, and to
be feen only at the beft Tables. The Reafon
is, that Sheep are not rear'd here without great
difficulty, the Pafture being not proper for
them, and the Dew befides rotting them: They
Iwell and die in a fhort time. China-Pork, fo
call'd becaufe the Hogs come from that Coun-
try, is fold at fix-pence a Pound: They have
Pullets,
!!
Pag.184
An Extraordinary Plant
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Pag. 184.
Extraordinary
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33333
Plants.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
185
Pullets, Ducks and Pigeons, which are fold
very near as dear as they are in Europe. Hun-
ted Game is fcarce, except Pintado's, of which
I have already ſpoken, and whereof there are
two or three kinds: You have abundance of
Fiſh here, and that almoſt for nothing. There
is but one reigning or common Diftemper in
the Iſland of Fava, but which is very dange-
rous, and extreamly painful. The French at Ba-
tavia, call this Diſeaſe Le Perfe: It is a continu-
al Bloody-Flux. As there is no known Reme-
dy for it, the Patient muft wait, live fparing-
ly, and let Nature act, the fureft and ſafeſt
Method in moſt forts of Maladies. One may
truly fay, according to the Etymology of the
Word, that the Drugs which Pharmacy is com-
pos'd of, generally fpeaking, are rather a par-
cel of Poyfons, than Remedies, and they be-
lieve in fava among the Iflanders, that al-
moft all thoſe that prefcribe them in Europe,
(much more blamable than thofe that fell them)
are the Pefts of Mankind. The common Opi-
nion is, that Buffalo-Flesh and Fruit, contri-
bute much towards caufing this Diftemper, and
nevertheless, that is the Flesh which is moft
fold at the Butchers.
To ſpeak Truth, Batavia is not a Place of
very good Cheer. They want a great many
Things, and what they have in common with
us, are fcarce, high priz'd and bad, in compa
rifon of Qurs. China-Pork, which I spoke of
not long fince, is lufcious and infipid: The
Poultry is not much better, and confequently
the Eggs. The Pafture quite different from
ours of Europe, occafions bad Fleſh, bad Milk,
and bad Butter, but all thefe are to be had in
Imall quantities.
1
What
186
The Voyage and Adventures
What I have juft now faid of the Poultry,
brings into my Remembrance the Sport of
Cock-fighting, which is one of the greatest and
moſt common Diverfions of this Ifland. They
breed up great numbers of theſe Animals on
purpoſe, and arm them with fharp Iron Spurs,
which they make uſe of with greater Dexteri-
ty than Force. The Javans are the Managers
of thefe Sports, and whoever will, may come
to them Gratis: Almoft every Body is con-
cern'd in Wagering more or lefs, and fome-
times confiderable Sums are lay'd. Whereas in
England, where this Diverfion is likewife com-
'mon, they disfigure their Cocks by cutting off
their Tails, and plucking out Feathers out of
other parts of their Body, they here leave
them in their natural State. 'Tis true, they
are not fo nimble as the English Cocks, but that
Inconvenience being equal on both fides, it is
no advantage to either, and the Combatants
appear Nobler, and more fierce. Some of theſe
Cocks have greatly enrich'd their Maſters.
There are very fierce Beafts in this Ifland,
fuch as the Rhinoceros and Tyger: Theſe laft are
of a prodigious bignefs. For Wolves, they are
altogether unknown in this Country, as well
as Foxes.
There are abundance of Deer and Apes of
all kinds. Crocodiles are extreamly dreaded here,
infomuch that the Company give thirty Florens
for every one that is kill'd; fome have been
ſeen of twenty or thirty foot long: The com-
mon Opinion in this Country, as it has al-
ways been among the Naturalifts, is, that this
Animal grows as long as he lives, which never-
theleſs feems a Fable. I omit other Stories that
are told of this Creature; even a Musket-ball
can't
Pag. 187.
Hood
ed Serpent
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
187
can't enter its Back, you muſt ſhoot at its Bel-
ly. He is very fwift in running, and when
you are purfu'd by him, you must fly dodging,
becaufe his Body being very long, and not at
all flexible, muft have time to turn, when you
may gain Ground, and get eafily from him:
He is a great lover of Dogs-flefh, and as 'tis
faid, no lefs greedy of Man's, but care is ta-
ken he feldom meets with the laft. Thefe
Creatures are fometimes taken with a large
Hook, faften'd to the end of a Chain, and bai-
ted with a piece of Dogs or Sheeps Flesh. I
have ſeen one taken in a Net at Sea, about
half a Mile from Batavia: He was thirty foor
long. His Fleſh was white, and ſmelt a little
Muftifh: It is wholfom enough to eat. Some
Perfons who liv'd a long time at Batavia, af
fur'd me, there is a fort of Crocodile which is a
particular Enemy to the Poultry. Thefe Ani-
mals live for the most part in the Sea, or in
the difemboguing of Rivers: There are like-
wife Serpents in this Ifland. One day as the
Sieur de la Cafe was hunting in a Wood near
Batavia, he perceiv'd one coming down from
a Tree hiffing: It was as large as his Arm,
and ſeven or eight foot long. As this Serpent
approach'd, and began to come furiously at
him, he kill'd him with a Fufee. He had a
fort of Hood upon his Head, much like that
mention'd by Monfieur Tavernier. M. de la
Cafe was fo terribly frighted at this Serpent,
and dreaded fo much to meet with another of
them, that he did not mind looking after the
Stone they ſay they have under their Hoods,
which is an admirable Antidote. There are ano-
ther fort of Serpents, which are at leaſt fifty
foot long. They preferve at Batavia, the Skin
of
188
The Voyage and Adventures
1
of one that devour'd a young Girl, and which
was not above twenty foot long.
氨
​Whilft I am upon this Article of Animals in
Farva, I fhall fpeak fomething concerning an
extraordinary Ape, which I my felf have often
feen on the Point of the Baſtion call'd Saphire,
where fhe had a little Houfe. It was a Female
very tall, and who walk'd upright on its Hind-
Legs. It conceal'd the Parts that diftinguiſhes
the Sexes, by one of its Hands, which was nei-
ther hairy without nor within. Its Face had
no other Hair upon it, than the Eye-brows,
and in general, it much refembled one of thofe
Grotefque Faces, which the Female Hottentots
have at the Cape. It made its Bed neatly eve-
ry day, went into it, laid its Head upon a
Pillow, and cover'd its felf with a Coverlet,
after the manner practis'd among us. When it
had the Head-Ach, it bound its Head with a
Clout, and 'twas pleaſant to fee it fo coif'd
a-bed. I could tell you feveral other odd Sto-
ries of this Animal, which feem'd extreamly
fingular, but as I could not admire them fo
much as others did, becauſe I knew she was to
be fent to Europe, and for that reafon might
have been taught all thefe Tricks, I did not
deduce the fame Confequences from them:
In a word, this Ape died at laft off the Cape
of Good Hope, in one of the Ships belonging to
the Fleet I was in. This Creature had much
of a Human Figure, and as 'tis faid, was of a
particular Species of Apes, to be found only
In the Iſland of Java, but all were not of this
Opinion; and fome believ'd, this Beaft was be-
got between an Ape and a Woman. When any
Female-Slave has committed a great Fault, and
has reafon to apprehend being feverely cha
1
ftiz'd
•
Pag.188.
5
An Extraordinary Ape of Island of Java
:
Pag. 189.
ALizard of Gilolo.
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
189
13
ftiz'd for it, after the Cuftom of the Country,
The commonly flies to the Woods as a frighted
Beaft, and lives there much like one. And Na-
ture who does not oppofe the Copulation of
Hoffes with Affes, may well admit that of an
Ape with a Female-Animal that refembles him,
eſpecially where the latter is not reftrain'd by
any Principle. An Ape and a Negro-Slave born
and brought up out of the knowledge of God,
have not lefs Similitude between them, than
an Afs and a Mare.
I fhall add to the figure of this Ape, that of
a fmall Lizard in the Iſle of Gilolo, which one
of my Friends drew according to the natural
Bignefs, and prefented to me. This pretty lit-
tle Animal, has the Bill and Feet of a Bird:
Its Head is of a lightifh green, its Back of a
brownish red, and its Belly Limon-colour'd,
fpotted with Violet-blue. Its Tail has marks
like Rings round it: It is a lively Creature,
and very ſwift: It catches, and greedily de-
vours Flies. This is the Account has been gi-
yen me of this Animal.
Batavia including the City and Suburbs, is
inhabited by divers Nations, viz. Dutch, French,
Germans, Portuguefes, Favans, Chineſes and Moors.
The Languages moft in ufe are, Dutch, Malay,
Portugueſe and Chineſe.
The Company is as it were Abfolute in this
Iſland, a great number of petty Sovereigns
reigning there under their Protection: Nay,
the Emperor of Japar, who is by far the moft
Potent of any of them, cannot be faid to be
entire Sovereign of his Country, fince the Hol-
landers have divers Forts and Garrifons in it.
As for the Natives of thofe Provinces that re-
tain their antient Dominion, they are so great
Slaves,
¡
190
The Voyage and Adventures
!
Slaves, that they choofe rather to obey the
Hollanders, who treat them more courteously and
politickly, than their own Princes.
The General of this Company is in effect
King, tho' he has not that Title. He Go-
verns with more or lefs Authority, according
as the People have conferr'd on him more or
lefs Power. The General of Batavia, King or
Viceroy, or what you pleaſe to call him, is
chofen by the Company by plurality of Voices,
and tho' his Power be fubject to be revok'd by
his Electors, in like manner as the Emperor of
Germany's is, yet he generally enjoys his Office
for Life: He has a Kings Table and Train.
His Coach, which is always drawn by fix Hor-
fes, is preceded by a Company of Horfe-Guards
with Trumpets, and follow'd by one of Foot,
which are often oblig'd to run. Before and on
each fide the Halberdiers, attend and follow
very cloſe, and thefe Guards are no lefs fpruce
and finely fet out, than the Royal Swiffes,
When I am ſpeaking of Coaches, I must tell
you by the by, that altho' they have Horfes
here in plenty enough, yet their Coach-Hor-
fes generally come from Perfia: They are fmal-
ler than ours, and very ftrait before, yet of in-
credible Swiftnefs and Spirit. The Generals
Lady's Train is not altogether fo Magnificent
as that of her Husband, yet fhe has likewiſe her
Halberdiers, and makes a very fine Figure.
*
Here it would be proper to ſpeak fomething
of the other great Officers, and the different
Courts of Juffice, but I underftand it has been
already done, and therefore fhall omit it.
Of all Nations that are fetled at Batavia, the
Europeans are the Richeft: Coaches are very
common, and exceeding fine. The Houfes as
well
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
191
well of the City, as the Suburbs, and even
thofe in the Country, are at prefent large, and
well built, and moft of them exceeding finely
furnish'd. The Gardens are adorn'd with Ca-
nals, Arbours, Parterres, &c. and fill'd with all
forts of Flowers, and the beft Fruits of that
Country.
"
In general I may fay, the Women are ex-
treamly lazy here, for as they enjoy great
Plenty, and by a fort of Cuftom are become
more Miftreffes than any where elſe, they
mind nothing but their Pleaſures, and are more-
over fo haughty and revengeful, that it is dan-
gerous to offend them.
M
When the Company firſt eſtabliſh'd themſelves
here, the Women were fo fcarce, that even
the Principal Officers were oblig'd to marry
Indians, which no doubt has been the occafion
of the pride of that Sex in this Country. At
prefent there is great plenty of them; they
have multiply'd exceedingly, and confidering
that many arrive frequently from foreign Parts,
there are more than fufficient for fuch as re-
quire but a moderate uſe of them. As they
not only fuffer no Beggars here, but confide-
rably relieve fuch as fall under any Neceffity,
the poorest of all the Women has when the
goes abroad, at leaft one Slave that carries an
Umbrello over her Head. 'Tis the fame with
the Men, except thofe that belong to the
Troops, and are above the quality of an En-
fign. The Soldiers being for the moſt part In-
folent, and the Company defirous that all
their Colonies fhould enjoy an entire Liberty,
thought fit to bridle thofe that carry'd Arms,
and reduce them to ftate of Humility; fo that
upon this occaſion, a Cobler, for example, may
have
192
The Voyage and Adventures
1
have a Slave to carry an Umbrello over his Head,
whereas an Ensign of the Garrifon is not al-
low'd the fame Privilege.
The Europeans do not make the hundredth
part of the Inhabitants. Next to them the Chi-
nefes are the Richeft, and make the greateſt
Figure: Altho' the Pictures we have from Chi-
пад
and the Relations are given us of that
Country, always repreſent the Inhabitants Taw-
ny, and large Vifag'd, with flat Nofes, and
little Eyes, yet I can affure you I have ob-
ferv'd no fuch thing of that People at Batavia,
where there are above ten thousand of them
fetled, and many more that come from time to
time occafionally from China to Trade.
Generally fpeaking, thofe People are all as
white as the Europeans, and have Faces of the
fame form. This is what I have feen and ob-
ferv'd a hundred times, in fpite of my former
Prejudice: 'Tis computed there are forty
Thouſand Chineſes in the whole Ifland. They
pay a Crown a Head per Month as Tribute to
the Company, and thoſe who have a mind to wear
one or more Gold Bodkins in their Hair, pay
moreover a Crown for each Bodkin. Policy
obliges the Company to afford them divers Hoe
nours, and to grant them great Privileges,
They have a Head who has a place in the
Council, and a right to Vote, where any Per-
fon of their Nation is to be try'd for his Life:
And 'tis not without great reaſon they are
thus diftinguifh'd, fince without them, the City
of Batavia would not be worth half what it is.
They are not lefs Laborious, Induftrious, and
adroit in Commerce, than ingenious, and of
a prudent and peaceable Temper. They ob-.
ferve much upright Dealing among them.
Lelves,
of FRANCIS LEGUAT
193
felves, but play tricks with: Strangers, and
cheat them without fcruple, whenever it lies
in their way. They Game exceedingly, and
do it with fo equal a Countenance, that you
can't tell when they win, and when they loſe,
The good underſtanding they have with one
another, can never be enough commended
nor admir'd: They look upon each other aş
Brothers, and never fuffer any Quarrels or
Differences that may arife between them, to laft
long. Mediators foon interpofe, and all Mat-
ters are quickly Reconcil'd. Where any one
happens to loſe what he has by Shipwreck, or
other Accident, an Affeffment is immediately
laid according to each Mans Ability, in order
to reftore the unfortunate Perfon to his for-
mer Condition.
The charitable and fpeedy manner with
which theſe People relieve each other when in
Want, infomuch that there is neither a Beg-
gar, nor a diffatisfy'd Perfon among them, has
fomewhat fo furprizing and aſtoniſhing in it,
that we must own it is a Reproach to the
greateſt part of us Chriftians. And as the Prin-
ciples of the Chineſes concerning this fort of
Charity, are very near thoſe of Mofes, accor-
ding to whofe Laws there was to be no needy
Perfon in Ifrael, and the fame like wife that
are eſtabliſh'd, and fo often repeated in the
Gospel, I thought I could not any ways difob- Deut. $.
lige the Reader, if I gave him an Extract of
fome Sentences out of the Book entituled The
Golden Book, or the Golden Sentences of Hoangti-
Xao, one of the LXXII. moft excellent Difci-
ples.
It is their celebrated Confucius, whom they
Commonly ftile the Sage King of Letters, and
they
{
1
}
194
The Voyage and Adventures
{
they fay, he had LXXII. principal Diſciples,
of which number was Hoangti-Xao.
The Golden Book contains Political and Mo-
ral Maxims, which having for the most part
coherence with one another, not unlike that
Book of Solomon, which it has pleas'd our Tran-
flators to give the name of Proverbs to, inſtead
of that of Sentences.
"
As the Emperors of China, as well as the
other Eaflern Monarchs, have made themſelves
abſolute over their People, from whom they
have extorted a kind of Adoration, the Sages
have fometimes artfully oppos'd fo pernicious
a Doctrine and fo contrary to Juftice and
Reaſon. The Author of thefe Golden Sentences
not only fulminates against Tyrants, who ima-
gining themſelves form'd of other Matter than
the reft of Mankind, look upon them as Rep-
tiles, whom they may either fpare or deftroy,
but alfo againft all Governors in general, what-
ever Titles they bear, providing they do not
at the hazard of their Lives, if occafion be,
maintain, defend, and make their Subjects hap-
py. He fays, that the first thing a Prince ought
to do upon his afcending the Throne, fhould be
to inform himſelf diligently of the Condition
of his People, to the end he may be ready to
relieve them upon Neceffity. He ranks Gene-
rofity, with Prudence and Courage, among the
chiefeft Virtues, that ought to adorn a gene-
rous Breaſt, inafmuch as the immenfe Sums
which are brought from the Provinces into his
Coffers, are only depofited there, that he may
diftribute them according to the occafions both
of publick and private Perfons.
Remember, fays he in one Place, O Xantung!
That the chief and fundamental Law of all is, that
every
of FRANCIS LEGUAT,
197
every one should live, and if poffible, live happy.
*** Remember that the Privilege of every Creature
which has receiv'd the Gift of Life from the high
and adorable Creator, is, That they should enjoy all
that good and wife Nature has produc'd, that is be-
neficial for them both above and below the Moon.
*** Remember that the fole great and adorable Power
has made every good thing for us all, to fuftain and
divert every living Soul ***.
***_*** Why then, O Xantung! Haft thou re-
ferv'd Peacocks and Sturgeon for thy Self, whilst poor
Keu-Han, a very good Man, tho' born of Parents
as poor as himself, is fometimes reduc'd to browze on
the Mountains with wild Goats? Is it that you be
lieve that good Venifon, good Fruit, and good Fish,
were made only for you, and by no means for him?
Why, I beseech you, do not you likewife appropriate
to your felf all the Salubrious Air that bleflès the
Coafts of Honan, to the end the unhappy may not
be
permitted to breath it, till fuch time as it has
refresh'd the Lobes of your Lungs, by which you feem
to defire that these poor People (hould fubfift only up-
on your Excrements? And why, again, have not
you shut up the fair and vivifying Sun within the
Walls of your Park or Palace for your fole ufe; not
Suffering the vile Populace, whofe Blood is not of the
Jame colour with yours, to have any other Light than
the faint glimmerings of a leffer Planet? I know it, Q
Xantung! Why haft not thou made all these things?
It was, because it was altogether out of thy Power,
Thy long Hands have prov'd too short for that Work.
Thou feizest bravely all that is within thy reach,
And generously leav't that which is too high for thee
****** Keu-Han is both hungry
and cold; he has neither Money, Employment, nor
Health: All reject him, all abandon him. Tell
me, thou that art at the Helm of the Government,
to arrive at.
་
They
196
The Voyage and Adventures,
ri
!
Thou whofe Duty it is to take care of the People, and
that art paid for it to boot, why doft not thou, I fay,
make haft to relieve him? *** Prifons abound with
Such wretches as he; both they and their Fathers
have been render'd poor and miferable, either by pub-
lick or private Tyranny. They fuffer, they languish,
they faint; their Wives and their Children are in
Despair; why delay'ft thou then, Governor of thy
People, to deliver thefe afflicted Creatures? ***_***
Keu-Han thus reduc'd to Extremity, yielded to a na-
tural Temptation, rather than die with Hunger; To free
himself from it, he took a Loaf of a Baker, and you
have thus rigorously punish'd him for it. But you
have committed a double Sin, you who bear the fine
Title of Father of your Country. You have not re-
lieved the wretched ready to drop into the Ground,
but have us'd him without all manner of Mercy.
*** Make fogood Laws, that no body may be in dan-
ger of perishing with Hunger, and then freely execute
feverely the other Laws against all Ufurpers. *** But
what is this Hunger and Want? You know nothing of
it, you that roul in Delight and Abundance, and you
believe, doubtless, that he alone is miferable, who ap-
pears to you to be famifh'd and staro'd with Cold.
You may nevertheless believe likewife, that a poor
Nourishment not extraordinary good, and the want of
Relief in great Neceffity, weaken the poor Man, fad-
den bis Soul, make him cruelly languiſh, and lead
him flowly to his Grave. *** Wicked Governors!
You are oftentimes guilty of the fins of the Poor, as
you are the occafion of their Misfortunes.
*** There is a neceffary Coherence and Dependance
between certain Laws. As one is, so you muſt ſup-
poſe the other to be, and that one cannot fubfift, unless
the other be maintain'd. Now the Law which forbids
any one to appropriate to himself what belongs to ano-
ther Man, is founded upon another Law, according to
which
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
197
1
which no Man is to perish by unhappy Pover-
ty.
***
*
High and Mighty Lords! fays elfewhere this
Chineſe Philofopher, inexorable and Fleshly-minded
Robbers! Obftinate and infatiable Blood-fuckers!
High and mighty Thieves, that you are, who haughtily
Seize upon what does not belong to you, but to others!
Or who do not restore that which your Ancestors have
ufurp'd without Pity or Justice! By what Law of
Nature or Equity, think you, all belongs to you, and
nothing to any body elſe? *** You are at prefent ap-
plauded, most illuftrious Wretches, and the good Men,
whom you, or the Villains whofe Heirs you are, have
robb'd, fall now proftrate to the Ground when you
pass by with your gilded Palanquin. But foon your
worthless Souls fhall be of no other uſe, than to fwell
the backs of * Toads, and the poor Man who is of Theſe
much greater worth, tho' at preſent opprefs'd, ſhall People
crush you to pieces. *** Whether it be that thy Ra- believe
pins, or thofe of thy Fathers have enrich'd thee, O the Me.
tempfy-
Ti-Fa! (for of a thousand rich Men, there is hard- chofis.
ly one that is not either wicked himſelf, or an Heir
to one that was fo;) whether it may be thy good
Fortune, or thy Industry, have heap'd on thee Gold
and Pearls, know that thy Abundance does not belong
to thee alone, and that the rich Man, be I mean that
is lawfully fo, becomes a Thief when he suffers the
poor Man to 'want. *** Oh how great is my Concern,
when I contemplate that lofty and rich Mountain of
Keuangfi, which fronts the Cell whither I am re-
tir'd! That excellent part of the Terrestrial Globe, is
all cover'd with fine Pastures, Golden Wheat-Ears,
Flax, Ginger, Cedars, and Aromatick Plants, in the
middle of which, the finest and best tafted Birds make
their Nefts. The perfum'd Civet-Cats run about in
great numbers, together with the ſwift wild Goats,
and the bounding Roe-Bucks: Nay, the Entrails of
O 3
this
+
198
The Voyage and Adventures
this wonderful Mountain enrich the Weft with Ruby's,
Amethyfts and Saphires. But who is it that is in pof
Seffion of this fine little World? Alafs! Three bun-
dred Families that were formerly difpers'd throughout
it, divided it between them, till the Noble High-
way-Man Xao-ti-cao, under pretexts that eafily
correfponded with his Rapacioufeefs, found means, to
his Glory be it Spoken, to reunite to his ancient De-
mefns, eighteen or twenty of thefe poor Inheritances.
Ye-vam his Son fiz'd upon thirty more, and in the
Space of fixty years, the fad Remains of these three
bundred ruin'd, outed, vagabond and unfortunate Fa
milies, faw this Mountain entirely in the poſſeſſion of
Ti-Hohai, who for Reasons of State and Avarice,
bas Swallow'd
up all.
What ufe does the Illuftrious Ti-Hohai make of
all thefe Riches? He entertains Magnificently his
Dogs, his Concubines, and his Friends. He lavishes
exceedingly, he is prodigal without Confideration, to-
wards certain Rafcals that are continually about him,
and all this without hearkening to either the cries of the
Poor, the just demands of his Creditors, or the wants
of good Men Ti-Hohai has a great Soul; he hates
all forts of Baſenefs, and pillages only like a great
Lord ***
O fertil and delicious Mountain! My Eyes cannot
took towards thee without shedding Tears. But whi-
ther shall I then carry them, thefe Eyes where you may
fee Wonder painted with Grief? See on the other fide the
jaft and gay Plain of Ocorifiao, of which an agree-
able winding of the River Hoang makes a Peninfu-
la, which is likewife the Prey to a moft Noble Lord,
the Lord Kiumfa, who altogether oppofite to the ge
nerous Squanderer Ti-Hohai, digs Gold out of the
Mines of Sighem, for no other Reafon, but to raiſe
new ones in his Coffers of Iron: See the frightful
Carcaffes that drag along his old dislocated Chariots
See
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
1.99
See him himſelf with his mean Afpect and frighted
Air, as if the pitiless Tartar was ready to feize on
bis Treafure. The Noble Kiumfa has in a word,
totally poffefs'd himſelf within theſe five years, of the
excellent Country of Ocomfiao, and the fatal Exe-
cutioner has already expos'd divers unhappy Wretches
to the Crows, who having been defpoil'd of all they
had by the Conqueror, dar'd, in their extream Ne-
ceffity, to refume but a fmall Portion of what had
been taken from them. ***
Shall 1 mount to the top of Vigean, or tranſport
my Self to the forked Brow of Canghehu? And
fhall I from thence contemplate the rich Provinces that
extend themſelves even to the Sea? But I shall every
where meet with the like Conquests. *** Thou art
too Small, O univerfal Earth! To fatisfie the bound-
lefs Defires of one proud Mad-Man. **
✔
*** The Philofopher Yemam-Xilin, remov'd from
cruel and preſſing Neceffity, would pass a retir'd Life
in Tranquility, would willingly cultivate fome a
greeable Garden to breath the fresh Air, under the
Shade of a Fig-Tree that he himself had planted, and
to hear at certain times, the fweet and innocent Notes
of the harmonious Nightingale. He would willingly
adorn this little Paradife with fome borders of Flow-
ers, raife a Hive of Bees there, and turn in fome
clear Spring that might ferve him to bath in, and in
Recompence, be would never deftroy the Fish that Na-
ture bad plac'd there. *** Tir'd with the vanities of
the World, which he had fufficiently experienc'd,
and pleas'd with this folitary Grot, he might go
and divert his fatigu'd Imagination in the different
Paths of this little Encloſure, and there repair the
lofs of his Spirits wafted by Study, and fo make him-
Self amends for the Misfortunes of this Life. Full
of Contempt for the mad multitude which runs
ly after Chimera's, he might happily enjoy there fome
0 4
blind-
new
200
The Voyage and Adventures
1
•
new and profitable Delights. But the Earth is all
invaded; all is feiz'd. The Great are already in
poffeffion of it, and there remains no corner for him.
He must buy that dear, which is shortly to ferve him
for a Grave ***
Thus, the Author of the Golden Sentences a-
bandoning himself to the fury of his Thoughts,
which are, he fays, Oracles of Confucius, who de-
livers himſelf oftentimes like an Orator of that
Country, rather than either a Lawyer or a Poli-
tician. Nay, thefe Maxims have feem'd to his
Country-men fo juft and well-grounded, that
on one hand Terror and Cuftom, two terrible
Tyrants, has made them Slaves and Idolizers of
their Kings; on the other, the Leffons of their
wife, Men, which they have well conceiv'd
and digefted, has inclin'd them to relieve the
diftrefs'd, infomuch that there is not a poor
Man, as I have already obſerv'd, to be found
amongst them.
>
To return to what I was faying of the poor
Chineſes, I muft likewife Remark, that there are
no Beggars neither at Batavia among the Eu-
ropeans. It may be Emulation in Conjunction
with natural Juftice and Policy, has contribu-
ted to the eſtabliſhing of this good Order a-
mong the Portugueſes; for as for the Hollanders,
every one knows that even in Holland it ſelf, and
all the Provinces belonging to that wife and
powerful Republick, all fuch as are able to
Work, are furniſh'd with fuch proper Means,
that no one can fay with Juftice, that he has
been forc'd to beg his Bread.
The Chineſes live very well, and eat neatly,
altho' without either Napkin or Table-Cloath:
They do not take the Meat between their Fine
gers, but as it is ferv'd up all cut to pieces; they
carry
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
201
carry it to their Mouths with two gilded Sticks
about five or fix Inches long.
They wear long Gowns very light, and for
the moſt part white, with large Breeches that
reach even to their Ancles. They make great
account of their Hair, which is exceeding long,
and which they always fuffer to grow. They
wreath it in Treffes, and twift it round behind
their Heads, faſtening it with Bodkins as I have
before mention'd. I can't remember I've ever
feen any fair Hair here, but it must not be
concluded from thence that the People are
Tawny, for if I muft repeat it once more, they
are generally as fair as we are.
They have little Beards, and efteem them fo,
that they never fhave them. Nay, they have
no lefs value for thofe of others, for if any
Perfon has a mind to run the rifque either of
his Beard or his Hair, he may wager it againſt
a confiderable Sum, and being won, it is kept
as a precious Treaſure by him that won it;
and on the contrary, he that loft it becomes fo
infamous, that no body cares to deal with him
any more. They carry a great Fan in their
Hands which they cover their Heads with from
time to time, in ftead of an Umbrella, which
the Europeans only make ufe of.
When they Salute one another, they pre-
fent themſelves with their Fifts clinch'd, and
afterwards embracing each other, tofs up one
of their Hands as the People do in En-
gland.
They Trade in their Country, and particu-
larly bring from thence Tea and Porcelain.
Thofe among them whom I fhall call Stran-
gers, that is, who are not as it were Natura-
lig'd at Batavia, cannot continue there above
1
fix
202
The Voyage and Adventures
fix Months. Theſe have their Heads all fhav'd
after the new mode of their Country, except
a Lock which they reſerve in the middle, and
which hangs down behind. The Tartar who
at preſent reigns over this Nation, impos'd this
Law upon them, being what is practis'd in his
Country by his natural Subjects, but which
ferves the Chineſes for a badge of Slavery.
>
Theſe People in general have fomewhat
Noble and Magnificent in them, what-ever
they do. When any Chinefe betroths himſelf at
Batavia after the Contract is fign'd, he at
Night goes to visit his Miftrifs in a Magnifi-
cent Chair carry'd by four Men, and preceded
by three or four hundred others, either Ja-
vans hir'd for that purpoſe, or Negro Slaves, each
of them bearing Light at the end of a Stick.
'Tis true, this Light or Lanthorn anfwers lit-
tle to the Splendor of the reft, being only a
Hogs Bladder upon a Pole, with a piece of
Wax-Candle in it. The Chair is immediately
follow'd by a great number of that Country
Muficians, who make between them a very odd
fort of Harmony.
The Priests come after on Horſe-back with
long Violet-colour'd Robes, and fquare Bon-
nets, about which march on all fides before
and behind, a great number of the Bride-
grooms Friends, who inceffantly throw up in-
to the Air Fire-works, which reprefent divers
forts of Animals. The Gallant goes to vifit
his Miftrifs with this Equipage, and returns af-
ter the ſame manner. When they walk toge-
ther, the fame Pomp is obſerv'd, and even when
they go to be marry'd, with this difference
only, that the Woman is carry'd in fuch a Chair,
that ſhe can ſee whatever is done without be-
ing
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
203
ing feen her felf. When the Marriage Cere-
mony is ended, the Men dine together in Pub-
lick, but the Women are in another Chamber
by themſelves, whither the Men never come,
The Tables of both Chambers are ſo order'd,
that the two marry'd People may fit that day
back to back, a Wall being only between them
At Night the Husband does the honour to his
Wife, to receive her to his Table, a favour
ſhe never afterwards has granted, the Men of
this Nation having that contempt for their
Wives, that they look upon them to be no bet-
ter than Slaves, they being like other Eaftern
Nations extreamly jealous.
There were but three Women born in China,
at Batavia when I was there, fo that the Chi-
nefes were at firft oblig'd to marry Javans, but
their Families have fo encreas'd fince, that now
they have enough Daughters for the Sons:
Thefe People are exceedingly addicted to that
abominable Sin which deftroy'd Sodom.
At
firſt they never endeavour'd to conceal it, and
when they were indicted for it, they anſwer'd,
it was an innocent Action, and what was al-
low'd them; many of them were nevertheleſs
put to Death for it.
:
Their Wives and Daughters are Invisible, at
leaft they are never feen, and they never go
abroad I never faw but one during the whole
year that I was at Batavia, and that was in a
Houſe. The Men keep Javan and Negro Wo-
men for Concubines, or make uſe of them
when they meet them, without much Cere-
mony.
As the fmallneſs of the Women's Feet is one
of their greateſt Perfections, and which moſt
charms the Men, fo foon as born they put
them
204
The Voyage and Adventures
them into Iron Moulds, which hinder their
Growth, ſo that when they go to walk, they
can hardly keep themſelves upon their Legs.
For fix Months from the firft day of the year
they feaſt and make merry, keeping a fort of
Carnaval, which lafts Day and Night. They
then run up Theatres, on which their young
People act a kind of Comedies, for which they
have odd Cloaths made on purpoſe: Their
common Subjects, are the Lives or Hiftories of
Great Men. At Night during this Reprefen-
tation, they pitch Bamboo's of forty or fifty
foot high, before the Houſes of the moſt con-
fiderable of their Nation, to which they affix
Fire-works that coft a great deal, and laſt moſt
part of the Night. This is one of the princi-
pal of their Diverfions. Theſe People are very
Induſtrious, and have a particular Talent for
making theſe Fire-works. Among other things,
they very naturally reprefent by them divers
forts of Animals: Difguis'd as I have told you,
they run along the Streets, and make thefe
Animals, compos'd of Paper and Wild-fire, fly.
They have a Feaft which they celebrate on
the Water, in Memory of a certain Woman of
their Nation, who drown'd her felf, and of
whom they tell a fine and long Tale. The
chiefeft Diverfion of this Feaft confifts in the
fwift Rowing of feveral light Boats, like the
Gondola's at Venice. Divers of thefe Boats equal-
ly furnish'd with Rowers, ftart at the fame
time on a certain Signal, and they that arrive
firſt at the Goal obtain the Prize.
The Burials of the Chineſes are perform'd with
great Ceremony. When a fick Perfon is at
the point of Death, all his Friends and Relations
gather about him, and ask him frankly whir
ther
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
205
ther he is going, and why he will leave them?
Queſtions very edifying, and much to the pur-
poſe! They tell him he need only acquaint
them what he wants, and affure him very obli-
gingly, he fhall immediately have all he can
ask.
When he has render'd up his poor Soul to
the mercy of his Creator, they lay his Corps
in a Bed of State, the Richeft and moft Sum-
ptuous they can get. Some time after he is car-
ry'd on the fame Bed to be bury'd, upon the
fhoulders of twelve Men, in fuch manner that
every body may fee him: A great number of
People march confufedly before and after the
Corps. Immediately next to it go the Prieſts
on Horſe-back, Habited as I have told you,
in long Violet-colour'd Robes, and after them
come the hir'd female Mourners cloath'd in
White, and walking together under a fort of
Linen Tent open a-top. Thefe Mourners or
Weepers torment themfelves inceffantly, and at
every ſtep almoft paffionately demand of the
deceas'd Perfon, Why he would fo abandon the
World? What he wanted, and why he would
not let it be known, fince undoubtedly he
would have receiv'd fatisfaction in all he could
ask?
Theſe Fooliſh queſtions furpriz'd me leſs from
the Mouths of theſe People, than they did from
the Irish Catholicks, who inhabit a part of Ire-
land, and make much the fame Complaints
on theſe Occafions. "Tis thus the Body is car-
ry'd to the deftin'd place of Sepulchre, which
is very near half a League from Batavia. They
bury fome pieces of Silver with the Corps, and
every day for a year together carry fome Viands,
and preſent them at the Tomb of the Deceas'd,
with
208
The Voyage and Adventures
Doctrine and Practices of his Religion. Thefe
Idolaters, whom I cannot forbear to call by
that Name, notwithstanding they pretend to
make the beſt ufe of their natural Light, con-
feft they pay alſo fome Adoration to the wick-
ed Spirits, not thro' Love, or any other Refpect
they have for them, but for the fame reaſon
that you ftroke a furly Dog, that he may not
bite you, or that a Man of mean Condition
cringes to a great Lord, and that Lord plays
the fame part over again at Court.
'Tis certainly true, that both in China and
elſewhere among the Idolaters, thofe Perfons
who have been capable of any Reflection, have
always believ'd that there was only one Al-
mighty_Sovereign Power, the truly fupream
and abfolute Authority not being liable to Di-
vifion. But the People in general have not
theſe Ideas.
When theſe Subaltern Deities have obftinate-
ly perfifted to refuſe thoſe things that were
reaſonably demanded of them, they have been
chaftis'd after an exemplary manner. Some-
times their Temples have been ras'd, and their
Prieſts driven away from their Idols. Father
Le Comte difplays this fo well, that I cannot
help making ufe of his very Words.
C
C
¿
C
C
C
When the People are tir'd, they Defpife,
Revile, and even Beat their Gods. Dog of a
Spirit, fay they, as if they were ſpeaking to
a bad King, we lodge thee in a Magnificent
Temple; thou art well gilt, well fed and
incens'd, and yet thou art fo ungrateful, as to
refuſe us the things we ask of thee, and
which are even neceffary. After this, adds
the Father, they bind the treacherous God with
Cords, and drag him about the Streets loaded
with
1
L
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
209
C
C
with Dirt and all forts of Filth, to puniſh him
' for his unkind ufage of them. If by chance
they afterwards obtain what they fought af-
6 ter, then they carry the Idol with great Ce-
remony back again to his Niche, after ha-
ving well wafh'd and cleans'd him. They
proftrate themſelves alfo before him, and
'make him various Excufes. To ſpeak Truth,
fay they to him, we were a little too hafty,
' but were not you likewiſe in the wrong, to
'be fo unkind to us? Why would you fuffer
your felf to be thus us'd, would it not have
been better for you to have granted chearful-
ly what we ask'd?
C
C
C
The Chineſes have a great fhare of exterior
Devotion, fome Inftances of which I have ob-
ferv'd. The Butchers blefs their Meat before
they expoſe it to Sale, and every one bleffes his
Victuals, before he puts it into his Mouth. The
Mafter of the Houfe repeats divers Prayers,
and reiterates many Genuflections, after which
he offers what he has to thofe that are prefent.
I know this by Experience, and I know like-
wife, they would take it for an unpardonable
Affront, fhould any one refuſe to eat what they
fo offer'd him.
The third fort of Inhabitants of Batavia, (and
who might take it ill for not being nam'd the
firſt, were it not that 'tis cuftomary to prefer
the Rich to the Poor ) are the Javans or Na-
tives of the Iſland. They are Tawny, of mo-
derate Stature, and well fhap'd.
They go half-naked, and keep part of their
Hair under their Turbants, but let fall the reft. I
once faw a Javan Prince at Batavia, who went
Habited after the Holland Fafhion, only he kept his
Turbant. Their Huts are made with Bamboos, and
P
cover'd
210
The Voyage and Adventures
cover'd with Leaves,and are for the most part fmall
and ill built. The whole Family lies, if I may
fo fpeak, in one Chamber. Theſe People are
extreamly fober, and have no Appetite to eat
much. They oftentimes content themſelves
with a little Rice, Fruit, and dry'd Fiſh. Be-
ing Mahometans they ufe no inebriating Li-
quors. Tea or pure Water, is their ordinary
Drink: They have the Reputation of having a
great deal of Wit, and being quick of Appre-
henfion. 'Tis faid they are exceeding faithful
to one another, but Strangers fometimes find
they are not the fame to them, being poffefs'd
with that wicked and pernicious Maxim, not
to keep Faith with fuch as they think Here-
ticks, neither in Religious Matters, nor any
thing elſe. They are Laborious, and above all,
good Fishermen.
They all wear by their Sides, and in Scab-
bards, Daggers poyfon'd half-way with a moft
fubtil fort of Poyfon, which fome of them
know how to temper fo, that it ſhall never
operate but when, and as often as they pleafe.
The most dangerous of theſe Poyfons is the
fap of a Tree, which grows in the Island of
Borneo. The Inhabitants of that Iſland make
uſe of it to poyfon their little Darts, which
they fhoot out of Trunks. The Javans fome-
times ufe a certain Drink to make them furi-
ous, and when they are fo, they cry inceffant-
ly, Amerci, Amerci, which in their Language
fignifies, Kill, kill. They then run about like
Mad-Men, and kill whatever comes in their
way with wonderful Addrefs and Agility. To
fave your Life at that Juncture, there is no
better way than to run from them as foon as
you fee them coming at a diftance, but this
is
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
211
is in cafe you are not in a Condition to de-
fend your felf.
Theſe Cuftoms they have in common with
the People of Macaffar their Neighbours, and
thofe of the Ifle of Celebes to the Eaft of Java.
Theſe laſt make ufe likewife of the Crit or
Cric, a poyfon'd Ponyard: They make them-
felves mad in like manner with the Favans,
with their Liquid Opium, of which they take a
certain Dofe to render them dauntless and fu-
rious. They baul out Moka, Mcka, as the Ja-
vans do Amerci. When they are in this Condi-
tion, they think only of killing, or being kiil'd
themſelves. A fingle Macaffar in this furious
Humour, would attack a whole Regiment.
They have Iron Corfelets, and with their Cric,
wear likewife a Sabre and a Zagay: They alfo
fhoot poyfon'd Darts out of a Trunk. Certain
pieces of Paper with Magick Characters which
they carry about them, are, they believe, a
more powerful Prefervative, than either their
Arms or their Armour.
When I was at Batavia, the Cric was forbid-
den to the common Javans, and only Officers
and other Perfons of Diftinction, had the Pri-
vilege to wear it. They were diftinguiſhable
by this Weapon, the Hilt whereof was maffy
Gold, as likewife by Guards, which the People
of Quality were attended by. Theſe were
arm'd with Wooden Half-pikes, which they car-
ry'd upright: Princes and Ambaffadors have a
number of thefe Guards to wait on them. The
Princes, &c. are carry'd on Peopie's Shoul
ders in a fort of Litter cover'd, in the mid-
dle of which they fit cross-legg'd like our Tay
lors,
P &
The
!
212
The Voyage and Adventures
The Javan Women, according to com-
mon Report, are extraordinary amorous, and
what is uncommon, their Paffion is no lefs
conftant than strong. They frequently make
ufe of Philtres, which I have been affur'd they
adminiſter to their Lovers with Succefs: And
when they fufpect that any of them have been
faithlefs to them, they do not fail to regale
them with fuch a Drug, as quickly fends them
to the Kingdom of Moles, fo that it requires
a Mans Confideration twice, before he enga-
ges with thoſe forts of Females once. There
are a great many who not being fo much ex-
pos'd to fatigues as the Men, are not near fo
Tawny, and who might pafs even in Europe
for Genteel. They have likewife good Faces,
efpecially the younger fort, according to the
notion we have of Beauty. Their pretty fwel-
ling Breafts have no conformity with the dang-
ling Duggs of the homely Africans near the
Cape. Their Complexions are fine and good,
tho' a little brownish, their Hands fair, their
Air foft, their Eyes fprightly, and their
Laughing agreeable: To put all together, there
are many of them that are perfectly handſom.
I have feen fome Dance the most charmingly
that could be. They go about Streets with a
fort of Drummer after their mode, who beats
time to their Motions; and after the young
Wench has ended her Dance, one gives her
fomething for Encouragement. Another Charm
they have, is, that they are extreamly neat and
cleanly, their Religion obliging them to wash
themſelves all over feveral times a Day, and
their Cuftom being, as I have already obferv'd,
to clear their Skins of all that hinders them
from being extreamly foft and ſmooth. After
all
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
213
all this, I know not whether Java may not pafs
for a gallant Country.
But after I have commended thefe jolly Wo-
men fo much, I can't help adding to their
Diſadvantage, that if all I have heard be true,
they are not extraordinary faithful to their
Husbands; nevertheless, they ſeem extreamly
Submiffive. They lie groveling along upon the
Ground while their Husbands fit, eſpecially if
there be any Strangers there, (for it may be
inferr'd from all I have faid, they do not con-
ceal themſelves like the Chineſes, or other Ma-
hometans of Turkey, Perfia, and elſewhere: ) But
generally ſpeaking, thefe couchant Poftures
fignifie little to their Honefty, and are of no
more Signification, than your most humble Ser-
vant at the end of a Letter.
Thefe Women go in their Hair, and have for
Habit a fhort Waftcoat with little Sleeves lac'd
before, which fits clofe without joining, and
being cut floping a-top, difcovers great part of
their Breafts. Under this Corfelet which hard-
ly reaches to their Hipps, they wrap their Bo-
dies in a fort of Scarf of divers Colours, which
ferves them for a Petticoat, and which being
light and thin, requires two or three folds to
keep them warm. This covers them to their
Ancles, but as they wear no Smocks, there is al-
ways a Lift of brownish Fleſh (which it may be,
would not be better if it were altogether white)
feen between the bottom of the Waftcoat, and
the upper part of the Scarf. This covering fit-
ting cloſe to their Bodies, diſplays the bad
fhapes of fome of them, as it does the good of
others, which laft has, I know not what be-
witching effect. The richeft of Women wear
Slippers, which perhaps may be a mark of
P3
Di-
£14
The Voyage and Adventures
Diftinction, becaufe few wear them, tho' they
coft but little.
When theſe Women marry any Hollanders, or
other Chriftians, they are likewife oblig'd to
eſpouſe the Chriftian Religion. God only
knows what fort of Chriftianity that is, for
from the third and fourth Generation, the
Children that are born of thefe Marriages, al-
ways go after the Javan Mode. It is thefe
forts of Converts that generally fill the Malay
Church before mention'd: The number of Con-
verts is much lefs, in that the Men have not
the fame Motives for Converfion. The Chri-
ftian Women being but very few for the Chri-
itians themſelves, the Favans, can get none
of them, let them be as much Converts as they
pleaſe, whereas the fcarcity of that Sex often-
times occafions the Chriftian Men to match
with the Javan Women.
The Marriages between the Javan Men and
Women, are concluded with few or no Cere-
monies, in like manner as their Burials are.
They call themſelves of the Sect of Tommi, and
deſpiſe the other Mahometans, altho' they are
all of the fame Sentiments concerning the prin-
cipal Articles of their Belief.
•
Before we leave the Island of Java, I will
obferve fome Particulars concerning it, flightly
touch'd by the famous Lodovico Vertomanni, of
whom I have formerly ſpoken. In my Opinion,
exact and faithful Travellers ought not only to
relate new things, but to undeceive the Readers
in the Errors relating to old. Vertomanni fays
of Java, 'tis an Iſland in the Eaſt where very
fine Emeralds are found, yet I that liv'd a whole
year there, could never hear of any fuch thing,
tho' I made never fo much Enquiry. But I'll
oppoſe
}
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
215
с
C
✓
oppoſe Tavernier to Vertomanni: 'Tis an anci-
ent Error, fays Monfieur Tavernier, that a
great many People have believ'd that Eme-
'ralds were found originally in the Eaft. The
greateft part of Jewellers, as foon as they view
a high-colour'd Emerald, are accuftom'd to
cry, fee an Oriental Emerald! But they are
deceiv'd, for I am as certain as can be, that
neither the Terra-firma, nor any of the Islands
' of the Eaft ever produc'd any. I have made
a ftrict Enquiry, faid he, after this, in all my
• Voyages.
C
.
،
There can be nothing more poſitive, and
Monfieur Tavernier, an Author mean enough
in other Reſpects, ought certainly to be hear-
ken'd to when he talks about precious Stones
which he dealt in; He that had made fix Voy-
ages by Land to the Grand Indies, and had vi-
fited the whole Eaft for fo many years, even to
decrepit old Age.
Vertomanni adds with fome Affurance, that
the Inland Java has Mines of Gold, and when
he fpeaks of the pretended Anthropophagi that
înhabit it, he tells you exactly what Diodorus Si-
culus, Mela, Solinus and I know not how ma-
ny other Authors have related of divers other
Countries, viz. that they carry their old and
fick People to the Market to fell, and deliver
them from their Infirmities by eating them. A
very odd fort of Food!
As I have never feen elſewhere fo fine Ne-
gro Men and Women as at Batavia, I am apt
to imagine, for I forgot to inform my felf of it,
that they do not bring all thofe Slaves from
the Coafts of Guinea, where they have all large
flat Nofes, and thick Lips; but however it be,
I met at Batavia divers very pretty Negro-Wo-
P 4
men,
216
The Voyage and Adventures
1
men, with Faces much like ours of Europe,
large brillant Eyes, wonderful white Teeth, fine
Shapes, beautiful and foft Breaſts, as were like-
wife all the other parts of their Bodies, tho'
black as Jett. If one would but confider that
this Complexion is, in a manner, unalterable,
not being fubject to any of thofe Paleneffes,
Redneffes, Freckles, and the like diſadvantages
which the White Women continually undergo;
and if we moreover remember that the Black
Colour has its Luftre and Value, as well as any
other, we muſt ceafe to wonder at their Taft,
who love a fine Negro-Woman as much, or ra-
ther more than a White one.
There are ſo few Moors in this Iſland, altho'
they have a Quarter affign'd them at Batavia,
that it is hardly worth fpeaking any more of
them, than of private Perfons of other Nations
who come to Traffick there, or to accompany
Ambaffadors.
·
I have been very forry for forgetting to in-
form my felf particularly of the People call'd
Chacrelats at Batavia, of whom I have feen fe-
veral, both Men and Women. They are white
and fair, but what is moft Remarkable in them,
is, that their Eyes cannot endure the Light,
and they always fee beft a-nights, fo that they
turn Night into Day, and Day into Night. I
have often met of them trudging along with
their Eyes almoft fhut, becauſe they were not
able to look on the Light.
After having continu'd near a year at Bata-
via, we departed from thence with the Holland
Fleet, confifting of feventeen Ships, November
28. 1697. We came before Bantam the 30th,
and tarry'd there to the 6th of the following
Month: We were eleven days in paffing the
Streights
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
217
"
Streights of Sundt, which Seamen call the Chan-
nel. Sometimes one is above a Month in this
Paffage, by reafon of the great inconftancy of
the Winds, altho' this Streight be not more than
36 Leagues thro'.
Nothing Remarkable happen'd to us till we
came to the Cape of Good Hope, unleſs that in
our way we learnt from a Dutch Ship that was
going to Batavia, that the Peace of Refwick
was concluded and fign'd. As foon as the Fleet
had understood this News, the Cannons began
to roar out our Joy, Doles were diftributed to
all the Ships Crews, and all the Seamen em-
brac'd, as if they had not feen one another for
many years. Healths went briskly round, and
in a word, nothing was wanting that could
contribute to our Rejoycing: But withal, we
could not help thinking that this Peace would
not laft long. The next day we arriv'd in fight
of the Cape, and about Noon approach'd the
little Ifle Robben, which lies at the entrance in-
to the Gulph.
We then faw appear upon one of the Neigh
bouring Mountains call'd the Devils Mount, a
certain Mift which was an infallible fore-
runner of furious Winds, that very much in-
commode Veffels even in the Bay, and our
Captain fore-feeing what was like to enfue,
immediately gave out his Orders concerning
it. But hardly were matters got ready, before
we were oblig'd to drop Anchor to prevent our
being forc'd out to Sea.
The Winds blew after that furious manner,
that our Cables were not able to refift them,
but broke like fo many Threads. There was
hardly one Veffel but loft one of its Anchors,
and feveral loft three. Four of the hin-
dermoft
1
218
The Voyage and Adventures
dermoft Ships were driven out again to Seas
and the Vice-Admiral among them. This laft,
who had fome private Reafons for not being
extraordinary well fatisfy'd, made uſe of this
Pretence of the Wind, to fail directly for St.
Helena: The other Ships rejoyn'd us fome few
days after before Ille Robben. At length the
Wind being appeas'd, and becoming favoura-
ble, we Anchor'd in the Bay the 12th of Fe-
bruary, 1698. Next day we went a-fhoar, and
every one provided himſelf with fuch Refresh-
ment as the time would permit him to get.
Since we are happily arriv'd once more at the
Cape of Good Hope, I'll keep the promife I for-
merly made, and add fome Particulars to what
I have before faid.
The Point of the Cape, which is, as every one
knows, in the 35th Degree of Southern Lati-
tude, advances a great way into the Sea. The
violent Storms that reign there are ſo terrible,
that the moft skillful Mariners are at a lofs how
to manage them, fo that the Bay which feems
to be fine, is render'd difagreeable by thefe
Tempefts. The Sea-Winds drive in fuch pro-
digious Surges, that no Cables hardly are able to
oppoſe them.
The laft Fleet had a fad experience of this,
lofing many of its Ships, and if the Tempeſt
had lafted but half an hour longer, 'tis pro-
bable not one would have efcap'd, fince thofe
few that did ride it out, did it by the good hold
of their laft Anchor.
This Bay ſeems to penetrate far into the Land,
and is about three Leagues long, and two
broad. Ifle Robben lies on the Larboard, or left
fide of the Ship. It is very flat, and about two
Leagues about.
I fay
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
219
I fay Robben, and not Robin, as it is written
by the greatest part of our French Travellers
and Geographers, who not underſtanding the
Word, have chang'd the Sence and Orthogra-
phy of it, as I could prove by a great many
Examples. When the French write Robin, they
imagin. I fuppofe, this Iſland had its Name
from fome Robert, whereof Robin is the Nick-
name, but this is grofly erroneous. The Ifle
was in truth fo call'd from certain Fiſh nam'd
in Flemish, Robben. They are a fort of Sea-
Dogs, found in great abundance about this
Iſland.
The Fort is on the other fide of the Bay to
the Right, and almoft South-Eaſtward of this
little Ifland: It lies behind fome Hills, fo that
you cannot fee it till you are got a good way
into the Bay. It does not command all of it,
as many have unadviſedly Written. It is a re-
gular Pentagon fac'd with Stone, and without
any Ditches or Outworks. 'Tis well pointed
with Artillery, and has soo Men in Garri-
fon. In it the Governor and all the Officers
of the Company live.
About ſeven or eight hundred Paces from
the Fort, and near the Sea, there is a little
Town with about 300 Houfes in it. The Streets
are ftrait, and drawn by Line; the Houſes are
built with white Stones, and at a diftance it
promiſes much more than you find when you
come near, nevertheleſs it has wherewithal to
content any body, and you obferve the Holland
neatneſs enough in it. There are a great many
Inns which furnish what Provifions you have
occafion for.
Hard by is the Company's principal Garden:
It is about 1500 Pacès long, and 250 broad,
but
!
>
220
The Voyage and Adventures
but to deal ingenuously, I did not find it fo
Magnificent, as I have feen it defcrib'd. "Tis
true, you ſee there moſt charming Walks of
Orange and Citron-Trees of all kinds, which
reach to the end. It is alſo furnish'd with
Pear-Trees, Apple-Trees, Pomgranate-Trees,
Fig-Trees, Peach-Trees, Quince-Trees, and
all other Fruit-Trees, as well European as Indi-
an; but all theſe grow low without being
Dwarfs, yet they thrive as well as one could
expect. A certain part of this Garden has been
affign'd for Mufcat-Vines, which bear good
and fair Grapes.
,
It has likewiſe in great abundance almoſt all
our forts of Herbs, Pulfe, Flowers and other
Plants. It is water'd by divers Rivulets which
fall from certain Places in the Mountains
and are diftributed into feveral artificial Ca-
nals. All about this Garden there are a
great many thick Trees, which tho' they de-
fend it tolerably from the Wind, yet they can-
not abfolutely do it, which is the reaſon that
things don't thrive there wonderfully well. The
Trees themfelves do not alfo grow fo kindly as
in other Places.
A little farther on the Declivity of the Moun-
tain, you fee here and there many Houfes fur-
rounded with Vines, Gardens and Groves,
which together have a very agreeable effect on
the Eye.
The Company has another Garden about a
League off, which lies in a better Soil, and is
more ſhelter'd from bad Winds, You have there
long Walks of Oaks, as far as your Eye can
well reach, and a large Wood of young Trees
of the fame kind rais'd from Acorns. One day
they may likewife make ufe of thefe Trees
for
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
221
for Houſes and Ships. At prefent there are
Trees fit for the Carpenter only, in a Foreſt a-
bout two Leagues from the Fort.
The Governor has a pleaſant Houfe call'd
Conftantia, about two Leagues from the Cape.
Here he lives the greatest part of the year, not
only on account of the Air, which is Excel-
lent, the fine Profpect, and the admirable Soil,
but alſo by reafon of the great quantity of
Game which are thereabouts, Hunting being
the greateſt and moſt profitable Diverſion of
this Country.
Ten Leagues from the Cape up in the Coun-
try, there is a Colony call'd Dragueftain. It
confiſts of about 300 Souls, as well Hollanders
as French Proteftants, which laft fled from France
upon revoking the Edict of Nantz.
This Colony extends eight or ten Leagues
about, becauſe the Soil not being equally good
every where, they were fain to cultivate thoſe
fpots they found to be good, and which oc-
cafion'd them to fcatter themſelves abroad.
The Earth produces here without much La-
bour, Wheat and other Corn, which yields
from thirty to fixty for one. As every Grain
fhoots up a great many Stalks, they fow here
very thin: the Harveſt is in the Month of Ja-
nuary.
The Vine bears Grapes two years after it
has been Planted, and that in great abundance
without Cultivating, infomuch that in fome
Places a thouſand foot of Vineyard will yield
fix Hogs-heads of Wine. To fpeak Truth the
Wine is none of the beft, being apt to be
Green, which proceeds partly from the Peo-
ples not giving themſelves the trouble to chufe
fuch Plants as are moft agreeable to the Soil
and
222
The Voyage and Adventures
and Climate, and partly in that they are not
accuftom'd to ſupport the Branches with a Vine-
Prop. They are likewife wanting in not leaf-
ing the Vines well, for as the Soil is Rich,
they fhoot forth Wood and Leaves in fuch
great abundance, that the Sun is not able to
penetrate to the Grapes, and this Conjecture.
is the better grounded, in that I my felf have
frequently feen and eaten Grapes here, that
have been incomparably better when expos'd
to the Sun, than thofe that lay hid under the
Leaves.
They have their Vintage about the end of
February: To this Article I muft add, fince the
occafion prefents for it, that the Company buys
all the Wine at the rate of twenty Crowns the
Legre, which contains about a thouſand Min-
gles, only furniſhing the Cask; fo that there
is none fold out but what comes from them,
as is the Practice at Genoa. The First Offence
againſt this Law is punifh'd with a Fine of a
hundred Crowns, the Second with Whipping,
and the Third with Banifhment: This makes
the Wine very dear. It is worth twenty Sous
the Mingle, which is near the Paris Pint, and
English Quart. You have likewife in this Coun-
try Ananas, Water and Land-Melons, Pulfe
and all forts of Roots, fo that the Inhabitants
would have nothing to complain of, were they
not incommoded with thoſe bad Winds before-
mention'd.
They have in this Country a prodigious
number of Deer, many Oxen, Sheep, Roe-
Bucks and Apes. There are alfo Elephants,
Rhinoceros's, Elks, Lions, Tigres, Leopards,
Wild-Boars, Antilopes, Porcupines, Horfes,
Affes, Dogs and Wild-Cats. But the moſt fierce
of
1;
Divers kinds of
RHINOCEROSS
Pag.223
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
223
of theſe Animals retire into the Country, fo
foon as the Country-men begin to till the
Ground. The Lions and Tigres are boldeft
in coming to fearch for Prey near the Habi-
tations.
As for the Unicorn there is no fuch fort of
Beaft. The old and moft curious Inhabitants
of the Cape, are well fatisfy'd with it, and he
that made Cæfar's Commentaries was a Lyar, as
well as the reft. The Rhinoceros is the true
four-footed Unicorn, for there are Fish,
Birds, and fome Infects, that have likewife
but one Horn. I could heartily wish to have
ſeen one of theſe Rhinoceros's, by reafon of
the many Fables that are told of that Beaft,
as well as of the Crocodiles, and a hundred
other Animals. My Friends that had feen of
them, laugh'd at all the Figures the Painters
gave of them, and which are here fubjoin'd
for Curiofities fake. Certainly nothing can be
more Comical, than fo many pretended Em-
boffings; all which however is fabulous. The
true Rhinoceros has a Hide like to that of an
Elephant, and the older he is, the more
wrinkled he will be: It is the fame with us in
that Refpect. We may very well affirm that
the Rhinoceros has but one Horn, in fpite of
all the fabulous Relations of thofe we call Na-
turalifts: This Horn is at the extremity of the
Nofe. He has a fort of Hair in his Tail that
is black, as large as a great Knitting-Needle,
and harder than Whale-bone. I'll fay nothing
of Camelions which are common in this Coun-
try, unleſs that it is not true that they live
without eating, which we vulgarly call li-
ving upon the Air. They live upon Flies, and
fuch like little Creatures.
The
1
1
1
1
224
The Voyage and Adventures
The ordinary Game here are Partridges, both
Red, Grey and White, and very large and fat
Pheaſants, Woodcocks and Turtle-Doves. On
thefe for the moft part the Inhabitants Subfiſt.
The New-Comers to the Colony are forbid to
kill any of their Cattle, till they have paid a cer-
tain Duty to the Company.
The Ŏxen are of three kinds, all pretty
large, and very fwift. One fort have a bunch
upon their Backs, another have their Horns
hanging down, and a third fort have theirs ex-
treamly elevated, and as fine as I have ſeen in
South-Britain about London.
Some years before I came to the Cape, a
Lion of monftrous fize had leap'd over into a
wall'd Encloſure near the Fort, and having
frangled an Ox, carry'd him almoft whole
over the fame Wall to the Table Mountain; I
fay almoft whole, becauſe I dare not affirm it
was entirely fo, tho' I have every body's word
for it. Next day they went to hunt this fa-
mous Beaſt, and having laid a Snare for him,
he was taken and kill'd. I have feen his Skin
which was nail'd against a Board as one enters
the Fort. There is kept the Skin of another
Lion who was found dead, having four Por-
cupine's quills fticking on it; and of a wild
Horſe that was kill'd in the Woods. He had
no Tail, and was fpotted like a Leopard.
The Tigres of this Country are very fmall,
whereas they are exceeding large in the Ifland
of Java. The Dogs who tho' never fo ftrong
and numerous, dare not purſue a Lion, hunt
boldly thefe little Tigres. When theſe Beaſts
can get into any Park, they ftrangle abundance
of Deer, but only fuck their Blood, unless they
are exceeding hungry.
The
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
225
The Company gives twenty Crowns to any
one that kills a Lion, and ten to him that kills
a Tigre, which has occafion'd many Strata-
gems to be invented for taking thofe Beafls.
For Example one is, That they tie a piece of
Fleſh to the muzzle of a Gun with a brafs Wire,
and the other end being faften'd to the Trigg,
as foon as the Beaft feizes the Bait the Gun
goes off, and either kills or wounds him.
Bread here is not worth above a Penny a
pound, altho' the Bakers are oblig'd to buy all
the Corn of the Company, in like manner as they
are their Wine, their Beef, their Mutton, and
their Tobacco. The Company for three Crowns
gives the Inhabitants a meaſure of Corn, that
weighs a hundred and four-fcore Pounds. The
Price of Beef and Mutton is fetled at two
pence a Pound, and Tobacco at forty Pence.
Soap is fold at eighteen pence a Pound, and
Aqua-vite at a hundred Pence the Mingle. Beer
is exceeding cheap.
>
}
The Slaves, all Negro's, are worth between
three-ſcore and four-Icore Crowns a Head, ac-
cording to the Age and Condition of the Beaft.
The Crown is worth eight Skilling as in Holland,
and the Skilling fix Sous. The Pound is of fixteen
Ounces. The leaft piece of Money at the Cape
is a Sous, as at Batavia.
The Colony I have been ſpeaking of, which
is about ten Leagues from the Cape, has been
frequently augmented, and is almoft every day
by a confiderable number of French Proteftants.
The Company maintains a Minifter and Reader
for them, and affords them every day fome fresh
Tokens of their Refpect.
I was told, if I remember well, while I was
with thofe good People, that the Paftor of this
Church,
1
226
The Voyage and Adventures
f
Church, a very honeft and fenfible Man, was
making a new Tranflation of the Pfalms in
Verfe, or at leaft correcting, to the best of his
Power, that of Marot and Beza, to render
thofe facred Pages more intelligible, than they
were in this Jargon which is now become Ri-
diculous, Barbarous and Scandalous.
*
When our poor Brethren of the Cape had
form'd a defign in Holland to go and fettle in
that Country, they had a confiderable Sum gi-
ven them for their Encouragement, were ran-
fported thither without any Charge, and up-
on their Arrival had as much Land affign'd
them as they could Manure. They were like-
wife furnish'd with Husbandry Tools, Victuals
and Cloaths, without being oblig'd to pay any
yearly Tribute or Intereft, till fuch time as
they ſhould be in a condition to reimburſe their
Benefactors. There was alfo a confiderable
Collection made for them at Batavia, which
Sum was remitted to them proportionably to
their Occafions. They took up their Provifi-
ons on the prices before-mention'd, which are
highly reaſonable confidering the Place: Be-
fides it was a very advantageous thing for them
that Slaves were not dear. Moreover they
have confiderable fervices done them by the
Natives of that Province, whom the Hollanders
call Hottentots, becauſe they often hear them
pronounce that word. For the fame reaſon the
Spaniards gave the name of Peru to that part of
the World which they had invaded.
Our Refugees make the Hottentots work in their
Harvefts, Vintages, and whatever else they
pleaſe, for a little Bread or Tobacco. As they
have leave to Hunt, their Victuals coft them
little or nothing. Hardly any thing is fcarce
among
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
227
among them but Wood, and that is of no great
Conféquence, becauſe the Climate being Hot,
they have only occafion for it for the Kitchin.
For the fame reafon they are put to no great
expence for Cloaths, the flighteſt and meaneft
Stuffs being good enough. They buy moreo
ver a great many things at very cheap rates
of the Sailors, who touch at the Cape from all
quarters of the World. 'Tis true, to fell their
Commodities they muft carry them to the Cape,
which as I have already told you, is about ten
Leagues from the Colony; but this Inconveni-
ence is not over-great, becauſe the way is
good, and their Oxen will eafily travel it in a
day.
Every one muſt eaſily conceive there are no
beginnings without Difficulties, and our honeft
Country-men did not meet with a few at firft,
but then they were charitably reliev'd, as I
have already obferv'd, and at length God was
pleas'd fo to blefs their Labours, that they are
at prefent perfectly at eafe, nay, fome of them
are become very Rich.
In fome parts of the Cape the Landskips are
wonderful fine, eſpecially where our new In-
habitants were fetled, and the Air is admirably
good. Fine and large Rivulets contribute to
the fertility of the Soil, which furniſhes Wine
in abundance, with all forts of Corn. The
little Hills are cover'd with Vines, expos'd tó
the beſt Sun, and fhelter'd from the bad Winds,
Spring-water flows at the foot of thefe Hills,
and waters in its courfe the Gardens and
Orchards which are fill'd with all forts of
Fruits, Herbs and Pulſe, as well European aş In-
dian,
Qns
1
228
The Voyage and Adventures
•
One of the Refugees, nam'd Taillefer, a very
honeft and ingenious Man, and curious above
all things in thefe Particulars, has a Garden
which may very well pafs for fine. Nothing
there is wanting, and all is in fo good order,
and fo neat, that it may very well pafs for
Charming. He has likewife a great Yard very
well fill'd, and a large quantity of Oxen, Sheep
and Horfes, which according to the Cuſtom
of the Country feed all the year without-doors,
and find fo great plenty of Nouriſhment, that
they have no occafion for Winter-fodder. This
generous Man receives and regales all thofe
that are ſo happy as to come to fee him. He
has the beſt Wine in the Country, and which
is not unlike our fmall Wines of Champagne.
All this confider'd, 'tis certain the Cape is an
extraordinary Refuge for the poor French Pro-
teftants. They there peaceably enjoy their
Happineſs and live in good Correſpondence
with the Hollanders, who, as every one knows, are
of a frank and down-right Humour.
The Cafre Hottentots are extreamly ugly and
loathfom, if one may give the name of Men
to fuch Animals. They go in Companies, live
in Holes or vile Cottages, and have no other
care than to rear and feed their Cattle, of which
tho' they have great Numbers, yet as I have
been credibly affur'd, they will kill none for
their Ufe, but eat fuch as generally die of Dif
eaſes. They are extreamly Lazy, and had
rather undergo almoft Famine, than apply them-
felves to any Labour, contenting themſelves
with what Nature has produc'd of her felf.
They fet great ftore by à Root that reſembles
our Skirrets. They roaft it, and oftentimes.
make it into Paft, which is their Bread, and fome-
1 what
Pag. 22
AHottentot-Man in his Summer Dress.
TOMET
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
229
what like our Chefnut. They eat raw Flesh and,
Fish, finding them, it feems, better, and more
favoury fo, than when they are boil'd or fry'd :
Nay, they trouble the Kitchin fo little, that
when they find a dead Beaft they immediately
embowel him, fweet or ftinking, and having
prefs'd the Guts a little between their Fingers,
they eat the remaining Tripe with the greateft
Appetite that can be,
Thefe People are almoft all of that Stature
which we call midling. Their Nofes are flat,
their Eyes round, their Mouths wide, their
Ears the fame, and their Foreheads low. They
have very little Beard, and that which they
haveis black and woolly. Their Hair is extream-
ly frizled. They are not born very Tawny,
but they quickly befmear themfelves fo with
Soot and Greafe, or fome fort of Oil, that
they become black as Jet, upon which they
lay themſelves on their Backs expos'd to the
Sun, that the Colour may better penetrate and
dry in. This Embellishment renders them fo
noifom, efpecially when it is hot, that one
cannot come near them without being ready
to Vomit.
In Summer they go all naked except that
part which the Men put into a Cafe made on
purpofe for it, and which hangs to a thong of
Leather that is ty'd about their Reins. In Win-
ter they generally cover their Shoulders with
a Sheep Skin: They never wear any thing upon
their Heads. Their Hair is all frizled, greafie,
and powder'd with Duft, and moreover mat-
ted together in Tufts, to each of which hangs
a piece of Glafs, or fome fmall bit of Copper
or other Metal. They pafs thro' the lower
part of their Ears which are broad and large,
Q 3
3
f
1
*
+
230
The Voyage and Adventures
a round Stick of the length of an Inch, and
much thicker than one's Thumb. About this
Larding-pin they hang Shells and fuch like
Toys as they wear in their Hair, which as
you may imagine occafions a pretty Jingling,
fuch as their Horfes likewife make with the
fame Materials. Strange that theſe fordid
Creatures that live like Hogs, fhould have any
notion of Ornaments! In truth they have no
Religion, yet I have been told they have cer
tain myflerious Ceremonies which feem to de-
note their having fome Idea of a fovereign Be-
ing. I have many times feen them dance and
clap their Hands, looking toward the Moon,
which I know they falute at certain Seafons,
from her New to her. Wane. It feem'd to be a
kind of Worſhip they pay'd that Planet, howe-
ver it might be only a fimple demonftra ion
of Joy, on account of the Light that it brought
them.
Some take for a fort of Circumcifion, what
the Mothers do to their New-born Males, whoſe
right Teſticle they always tear away with
their Teeth, and eat it; but I rather think they
do fo to render thofe Children more nimble,
and proper for Hunting. However it be, this
is the general practice of the Hottentots at the
Cape. After thefe barbarous Mothers have thus
maim'd their poor Children, they give them
Sea-water to drink, and put Tobacco in their
Mouths, believing theſe two things in con-
junction with what was before done, would
render them fo robuft and fupple, that they
might overtake a Roe-buck in his full Courfe.
For all this naftinefs they are made ufe of
by the Chriftians of th fe Parts, and for a bit
of Bread or Tobacco, may be made to work
}
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
231
a whole Day. But then care must be taken of
two things, Firſt rather to promiſe than threa-
ten them, and by no means to abridge their
Liberty; and Secondly, not to give them any
thing to eat till after their Work is done, this
fame Liberty which they are fo fond of, al-
ways enclining them to live at eafe, and Ne-
ceffity being the only Spur that pushes them on
to work.
Theſe vile Huts which I have before ſpoken
of, are low and almoft round. They are com-
pos'd of Earth, Branches, Leaves, and fo ill
built, that the Rain never fails to pour in on all
fides. Their Fire is in the middle, and they
lie all about higledy pigledy in the Afhes. I
will not affirm that the two Sexes are al-
ways chaft there, but 'tis certain thefe Barba-
rians, as barbarous as they are, profefs not on-
ly to confine themfelves within the Bonds of
Marriage, but alſo to punish Adultery fevere-
ly. They cudgel all thofe to Death, that have
been taken in that Fact, as they likewife do
Thieves and Affaffins. I have read fomewhere,
that they cut off one Joint of the little Fingers
of their Women, when they offer'd to remar-
ry, and fo continu'd to do Joint by Joint
where they marry'd feveral Husbands; but
Perfons worthy of Credit, that had liv'd among
them divers years, affur'd me the thing was
fomewhat otherwife, for that they cut off on-
ly one Joint of the Womens little Fingers when
they first marry'd, and which was done in to-
ken of their Subjection. The Men may take
feveral Women, but for the moſt part they have
but one, eſpecially about the Cape. The Wives
have fomewhat yet more ugly and more forbid-
ding Phyz's than their Husbands, for over and
above
.
Q4
F
!
232
The Voyage and Adventures
:
above, that they are to the full as black and
nafty as they, they have moreover the leathfom
Cuftom to wear feveral rounds of raw Guts
about their Necks and Legs in lieu of Neckla-
ces and Garters, which being green and cor
rupted, flink abominably.
}
They wear likewife Cockle fhells, and bits of
Coral and Glafs faften'd to their Hair and Fin-1
gers, and large Ivory Rings about their El-
bows.
But what is yet more frightful, is their Necks y
they feem to have two long, half-dry'd, and
half-fill'd Hoggs Bladders hanging at them.
Theſe nafty Dugs, whofe Flefh is black, wrin-
kled and rough as Shagreen, come down as low
as their Navels, and have Fillemot Teats as
large as thofe of a Cow. In truth thefe fwing-
ing Udders have this commodious in them,
that you may lead a Woman by them to the
Right or Left, forwards or backwards as you
pleafe. For the moft part they throw them
behind their Shoulders to fuckle their Child,
who is flung upon their Backs. Notwithftand-
ing all this, the vanity of thefe ugly Witches
is incredible. They fancy themſelves the fineſt
Women in the World, and look on us from top
to bottom with their Hands to their Sides, dif-
dainfully. Tis faid, they are of a strange
Temper, and that at certain times have a
Madneſs comes upon them, during which they
emit as ftrong a Vapour from their Bodies, as
thofe of a Hind in Seafon. They wear a fort
of Petticoat which covers them from their
Wafts to their Knees, which however is not
neceffary, fince certain Skins hanging from
their upper parts like Furbelo's, are fufficient
to do that Office. Some have told me they had
> :
the
་
Pag 232.
A Hottentot-Woman without her Petticoat
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
233
,
1
1
•
the Curiofity to look under thefe Veils, and
an end of Tobacco procur'd them that Li-
berty.
Men do not intermix with Women abroad;
each Sex has its Affairs apart, and go in diffe-
rent Companies. They neither knew what Gold
or Silver was, or had any notion of Money till
the arrival of the Hollanders at the Cape. Their
Humanity towards one another, yields in no-
thing to that of the Chineſes. They mutually
affift each other in their Neceffities, to that
degree that they may properly be faid to have
nothing of their own: Their Addreſs in dart-
ing their Zagaye is fingular. This is a fort of
Half-pike, arm'd at the end with ſomewhat
that is hard and pointed. They are fo exact
when they throw this Pike, that they will do it
within the compafs of a Crown. 'Tis with
this they dart Fiſh, ſo that they never want any
Edible of that kind.
>
The Company has fo confiderable a Trade with
them, that they have almoſt all their Cattle
from them. They bring great numbers of
Oxen and Sheep to the Cape, and the Company
gives for each, as much roll'd Tobacco of the
bignefs of one's Thumb, as will reach from the
Beafts Forehead, to the root of his Tail; or
elſe they have for each Beaft a certain meaſure
of Aqua-vita, fuch as they agree upon. This
Commerce is rigorously forbid to the new In-
habitants, who are not allow'd to purchaſe
any Cattel of the Hottentots in any manner
whatfoever, under the penalty of 50 Sous for
the first Offence, 200 for the Second, and be-
ing whipp'd and baniſh'd for the third. The
Company fells every. Ox again for 25 Florins, and
eyery Sheep for feven, in a manner that with-
Out
#
L
234
The Voyage and Adventures
out much burdening the Buyer, or running any
Rifque, they make great Profit.
However ignorant, or rather how beſtial fo-
ever the Hottentots are, they know fomething
of Simples, and make use of them with Succefs.
Let one be bit with any venomous Creature,
be one Wounded or Ulcerated, or let there
be any Swelling or Inflammation, they know
how to go exactly to the Plant that will cure
them, and adminifter the Remedy with greater
Succefs, than we oftentimes do ours.
Sick that have been brought a-fhoar at the Cape
have often experienc'd this, and thofe Wounds
that very skillful Surgeons have given over,
have in a fhort time been cur'd by thefe Peo-
ple. The moſt ordinary way is to pound the
Herbs, and apply them fo to the Wound, but
the Patient fwallows likewife divers Juices
prefs'd out of the fame Herbs.
The
Neither this Nation, nor any of the others
of the Southern Point of Africa, are abfolutely
without Government. They have even heredi-
tary Chiefs, who may reaſonably be call'd Kings,
becauſe they wear a fort of Crowns as I have
been often inform'd by a curious Traveller,
who penetrated two hundred Leagues up in-
to the Country. But altho' theſe Chiefs may
have a general Right to infpect the conduct
of the People, they feldom make uſe of it but
in time of War, and then too not always. The
Inhabitants ſcatter'd here and there, form to
themſelves certain forts of little Republicks,
where they obferve Cuftoms that have in time
become Laws. I have already told you, they
punish feverely willful Murther, Adultery and
Theft. They have divers other ufages foun-
ded upon natural Equity, which they make ufe
of
1
}
}
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
235
of for conſervation of their Kind, and the Re-
publick.
The Company for the moft part has a good
underſtanding with thefe different Nations;
but as there are fome of them that have Wars
with the Hottentots, Neighbours to the Cape, fo
the Hollanders, whofe Intereft it is to protect
them, think themſelves oftentimes oblig'd to de-
clare on their fide.
As we touch'd at the Cape the firſt time we
ſaw a Detachment of thirty or forty Dutch
Soldiers, who had been fent by the Governor
againſt five or fix Thouſand Hottentots, return
from that Expedition. They had been a hun-
dred Leagues up in the Country, and had de-
feared an Army of 8 or 10000 Enemies. As
foon as the Muskets had laid fome few upon
the Ground, the reft began to parly, and pro-
mis'd to live peaceably. The Dutch took above
10000 Oxen from them, but reftor'd them a-
gain, and gave the Hottentots withal fome To-
bacco and Brandy, to convince them that this
was a Peace without fraud.
I will here add two or three things more
concerning this People: They have no uſe of
Reading, and confequently of Writing. Some
Relation which I remember to have read, fpeaks
of them as if they were Aftrologers, but then
their Aftrology must be no great matter, at
leaft I'm affur'd, that they make no Diviſion of
Time,nor diftinguish either by Weeks, Months or
Years. The greateft part of thoſe that are Neigh-
bours to the Cape, have learnt to ſpeak Dutch.
When they make Merry, their Cries or How-
lings ferve them for Songs. They Laugh fome-
times like to ſplit their Sides,and their Dances are
groteſque and indecent,altho' the Women do not
mix
236
The Voyage and Adventares
mix with the Men, but Dance by themſelves.
I have often obferv'd young People among
them, making Love after an extraordinary gal-
lant manner. The Lover approaches his Pa-
ramour, who expects him either fitting or
ftanding, and without faying a word to her,
prefents Smiling the ſecond finger of his Right
Hand juft over againft her Eyes, as if he would
tear them out. After he has mov'd his Finger,
about for a quarter of an Hour, Laughing all
the while, from one Eye to another, he fud-
denly turns his Back, and goes away as he came.
Their Marriages are without Ceremony.
Sometimes they affemble by Dozens or Twen-
ties, and fquat down upon their Heels with-
out touching the Ground any otherwife. The
Circle being thus form'd, a Pipe of Tobacco
goes round, and every one takes a whiff till the
Pipe is out. I never obferv'd that this good
Fellowſhip was ever interrupted by any Quar-
rel, and to fay true, they are by no means
Mutinous. They feed, lie, and live together
like a Herd of Oxen and Cows, doing like
them the ordinary functions of Nature with all
manner of Simplicity. As Avarice is no reign-
ing Paffion among them, and all that come to
Want are immediately reliev'd by the reft, it
feldom happens that any of them mind Stealing,
fo that the Chriftian Inhabitants let them come
and go without fearing to loſe any thing by them.
There are at the Cape a great number of
Negro's that are brought from Madagascar, Ceilon,
and other Illands. Thofe among them that are
Slaves, go almoft Naked, and are treated as
you have heard; but others that are free,
have Horſes and Coaches. They fay they
worſhip one only God, Creator of all Things,
and
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
237
"
and that they likewife have a great Venerati-
on for the Sun and Moon, as his two chief Mi-
nifters, whofe principal Commiffion is to vivi-
fy the Earth, and all the Inhabitants that in-
habit it; but this Adoration is Secret and In-
terior. They have neither Images, Ceremo-
nies, nor any other manner of fenfible Wor-
fhip; and admit no other Law than that of
Nature. If they Feaft and Dance at the re-
newing of the Moon, it is not to fhew any
reſpect for her, but like the Hottentots, to re-
joice at the return of the Light. In a word
they are perfect Deifts, whereupon I can't for-
bear taking notice by the by, tho' against the
common Opinion, that there is no real diffe-
rence to be made between theſe People, and
thoſe we call Atheifts, fince the indolent God
of the Deift is no God, and that herein they
are lefs Orthodox than the wicked Spirits, who
have a jufter Idea of the Divine Being.
Moreover to ſay that we worſhip God with-
out loving him, without fearing him, without
asking any thing of him, or expecting any
thing from him; without caring for him in
any manner whatſoever, is properly ſpeaking
to have no God at all, and to have no God,
is to be an Atheiſt.
When theſe Negro-Slaves obtain their Liber-
ty, it is a fatal Happineſs for them, for whilft
they are Slaves thofe that have Authority over
them, take care to inftruct them in Religion,
and teach them to Read and Write, which the
French Refugees above all, employ themſelves
about with a great deal of Earneftnefs; but
when they become free while they are
young, they become at the fame time Liber-
tins, It feems to me likewife defirable, that
1
the
238
The Voyage and Adventures
1
the fame care were taken of thofe Hottentot
Children, who are moft converfant with the
Inhabitants of the Cape.
Shall I remember the Reader, before I leave
the Cape, that the Continent was difcover'd by
Barthelemi Diaz, a Portugueſe, in the year, 1493?
He had undergon a prodigious Tempeft before
he got a-fhoar, whereupon he told his Mafter,
(John II.) at his Return, that he had nam'd
this Territory the Cape of Torments, to which
the King reply'd, After a Storm comes a Calm,
therefore you ought to have call'd it the Cape of
good Hope.
After we had refresh'd our felves here for
near a Month, we departed the 8th of March,
1698. and fail'd directly for St. Helena an Ifland,
as it is well known, belonging at preſent to the
English. We got fight of it on Eafter Day. It
feem'd to us extreamly high, and almoft inac
ceffible on that fide that prefented it felf to our
View.
In a word, it is on that fide environ'd with
extraordinary fteep Rocks even to the Sea
hoar. About a quarter of a League to the
Southward, you diſcover at a diftance a Moun-
tain of white Stone, on which nothing grows;
you ſee there an infinite number of Birds that
I have formerly ſpoken of: We Landed at the
Fort built not long fince on the fhoar, at the
foot of a Rock. It formerly ftood on a steep
Eminence, to which you were oblig'd to mount
by Stairs, like a Ladder, for a confiderable
while, which could not likewife be done with
out fome Danger. There are two places on
this fide where one may caft Anchor, the beft
was that where we were, as well on account
of the Bottom, which was very found, as by
reafon
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
239
reafon of excellent freſh Water which falls from
a Mountain hard by. On this fide as I've al-
ready obferv'd, there is no plain Ground, for
the Mountain whence the Water Springs, be-
gins at the brink of the Shoar. This Mountain
appear'd to us at a diftance altogether barren,
but when we came near it we perceiv'd it had
fome Trees a-top.
The other Road is not near fo good, but to
make you amends when you get a-fhoar, you
come into a fair Plain, where every thing that
is fow'd thrives admirably well,
This lfland lies almoft in the 16th Degree of
Southern Latitude, and is about fix Leagues in
Compafs The Air there is very good, and the
Heats of the Sun are temper'd by refreshing
Winds, in like manner as the Drought of the
Soil is render'd fertile by the great Dews,
and fmall Showers that fall frequently there.
Fruit-Trees, Pulfe, Herbs, and all the Plants
which the Portuguefes brought thither foon after
their diſcovery of this Iſland, thrive there won-
derfully well, and are to be found every where
in great Abundance. Orange-Trees, Citron-
Trees, Pomegranate-Trees, Ananas, Banane-
Trees, Vines, Melons, Rice, Peas, Beans, Ra-
diſhes, Turnips, &c. with all forts of Corn,
Thefe fame Portuguefes took likewife care to
tranſport thither all kinds of Cattle, which
have fince exceedingly multiply'd, ſuch as Bulls
and Cows, Goats, Sheep, &c. The Horfes are
become very Wild. You find there moreover
Partridges, Turtles, and divers other forts of
Game. The Sea furniſhes a great deal of good
Fiſh, and we may fay, the few Inhabitants of
this Iſland might live much better, and more at
eafe,
1
240
The Voyage and Adventures
}
eaſe, were it not for a prodigious number of
Rats that ſpoil their Fruit and Corn.
After having taken on Board the Refreſh-
ments that were neceffary, we fet fail with a
favourable Wind the 26th of April about Noon,
but did not lofe fight of the Ifland till we were
got eight or ten Leagues off. We contempla-
ted with a great deal of Pleaſure, the affem-
bled Maſs of theſe ſteep Rocks in the midſt of
a vaſt extent of Ocean, whofe impetuous and
terrible Waves, feem'd to have a mind to ab
forb it every Moment.
Some few days after we found our felves off
of the Iſland of Afcenfion, which is in ſeven De-
grees and a half of the fame Latitude, but we
did not defign to Land there, and fo fteer'd
on.
This Inland has neither Water, Plants, nor
any other Quality that can invite any body to
inhabit it. It is all cover'd over in a manner
with divers forts of Birds, whofe Flefh is ex-
ceeding ill tafted, and very unwholfom. Their
Eggs are good enough. One fometimes goes
a-fhoar there to catch Tortoifes, which are
very plentiful, and a great Refreshment to the
Ships.
We repafs'd the Line with a good Wind, as
we did at firſt, without being oblig'd to pull off
our Cloaths on account of the Heat. We
have experienc'd much hotter Weather in other
parts. This depends on the condition of the
Air.
I obferv'd alſo, that our Water, no more than
our other Provifions, receiv'd no manner of
Alteration in traverting all that Torrid Zone,
which by no means agrees with what divers
Travellers have writ on that Subject, Altho
cach
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
24!
each Ship of our Fleet had two Men that were
hir'd to make every day the Sea-Water fresh,
yet we found that Water fo maukifh, that the
beft ufe we made of it, was to give it to our
Animals, and to boil our Meat with it.
After fome few more days Sailing we came
to a flat Shoar, where the Sea was all cover'd
with floating Weeds, whofe Leaves much re-
fembled thofe of an Olive-Tree. You always
find great ftore of thefe Weeds in this Place for
twenty Leagues together: Our Pilots had in-
form'd us of it before. They call this Place
the Weed-Sea. As we left Batavia in a good
Seaſon, we met with Summer every where, and
our Navigation for feven Months together till
our arrival in Holland, was perfectly Pleafant
and Succeſsful. We had all along favourable
Winds, no Calms, nor no Tempefts. But in
this the fairest Weather in the World, there
happen'd an Accident to us that was like to de-
ftroy our Ship and another. The whole Fleet
being to tack about upon a Signal the Admiral
was to give us, every Ship was preparing to exc-
cute that Order, and all did it punctually upon
the Signal given, except our Ship. While we
were bringing about our Tackle, another
Ship of the Fleet, that had already tack'd, was
coming towards us with full Sails, and we
thought it was impoffible for us to avoid her.
The Officers cry'd out on one fide, and the
Crew on the other, but for all that our Veffel
did not obey, although the Confternation be-
came general, and the Danger was fo great,
and near, that the chief Pilot himſelf judg'd
we could not escape it. The Captain however
did not loſe his preſence of Mind, which was
fo neceffary on fuch Occafions. He caus'd the
R
Ship
242
The Voyage and Adventures
1
1
Ship ſpeedily to be put before the Wind, and
the Ship that came againft us running confe-
quently the fame Danger, becauſe it was of the
fame Bignefs, we manag'd our Tackle fo fuc-
cessfully, that we luckily avoided each other,
which was the greatest chance in the World:
We then began to fearch into the Cauſe that
had hinder'd the Ship from obeying the Signal,
and we found it had been occafion'd by the
negligence of a Sailor that was at the Helm,
who had not put the Whip-ftaff on that fide it
fhould have been. This happen'd either by
reafon he had not heard the word of Com-
mand, or had flighted it, or that he had drunk
too much Araque. The Sub-Pilot whoſe bu-
finefs it was to give the word of Command,
was very much blam'd, for that he fhould
have gone himſelf to fee whether the Sailor
had obey'd Orders. See how it oftentimes hap-
pens, that you are at the very brink of Dan-
ger when you leaft think of it.
Some days before we arriv'd upon the Coaſt
of Ireland, we obferv'd the Sea feem'd at a di-
flance extreamly fwell'd, which gave us rea-
fon to believe, there had been bad Weather
in thofe Parts, and which was indeed true, for
our Vice-Admiral, who had fet fail two days be-
fore us, had undergone fo great a Tempeft, that
he had loft his Main-Maft.
We were afterwards 15 days before we could
fee Land, by reafon of the great Foggs which
environ'd us on all fides during all that time.
They were fo thick that we could not only
perceive no Veffel of the Fleet, but were like-
wife at a lofs to fee one another upon Deck.
To prevent our ftragling from one another,
we had the Precaution to fire now and then a
great
1
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
243
great Gun Day and Night from each Ship, but
by reaſon we did not know what Latitude we
were in, we ftray'd towards the North much
farther than Dungesby-Head, the moſt Norther-
ly Point of Scotland, in fight of which we ought
to have Sail'd. At length Divine Providence
caus'd us to arrive at Flushing 28th of June,
1698. Our Voyage had lafted juft feven
Months from Batavia, and the whole courfe
of my Travels were eight Years wanting twelve
Days.
R 2
A
}
t
-44
The Voyage and Adventures
A
}
A
Thankſgiving Hymn
Mention'd. Page 163, and Compos'd
in the Ifland of St. Maurice, upon Oc-
cafion of the happy News of my De-
liverance.
LE
F. L.
ET us fing to th' Eternal a new Song!
Come! Let us Rejoyce,
In the Prefence of th'Eternal!
Let us blefs our God,
And make the Sound of his Praife Eccho;
For he comes to give Life to our Souls.
He delivers our Souls from Thraldom,
To the end that we may blefs his Name.
Our Dwelling has been in an uncouth Place ;
Our Habitation
Has been in the Holes of Rocks :
The bloody Perfecutor has purfu'd our Souls ;
He has trodden our Liberty under foot!
He has buried us alive,
In dark and gloomy Places.
But
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
245
}
But th' Eternal has deliver'd Us
From the hands of our Enemy!
He has made him a-fham'd
That would have fwallow'd us up!
Th' Eternal,
The Rock of Ages,
The Rock of our Salvation,
Has been to Us a Safe Retreat
In the Defart of our Captivity!
He has bid us in his Palace
During the bad Weather !
He has been both a Fortress to Us,
And a Deliverer !
Come!
Te that are his Well-beloved!
Let our Mouths relate his Wonders,
And let them blefs him for evermore!
Come!
Ye Inhabitants of Rocks,
Let us Rejoyce with Songs of Triumph !
Our Days had almost fail'd Us:
Our Bones were in a manner dry'd up:
We were become like Cormorants
Of the Defart;
Like Owls,
That retire unto wild Places.
We were lying in the shadow of Death:
We were loaded
Both with Affliction, and Irons.
1
But th' Eternal has broken our Bonds!
He has ftrengthen'd our weak Hands,
And our trembling Knees!
He has bid those that had afflicted Hearts,
R 3
1
Take
246
The Voyage and Adventures
Take Courage, and fear no more!
Come then, let us praiſe th' Eternal!
For be is Good.
Let us Magnifie! Let us exalt his Name altogether!
For he has done great Things ;
And his Goodness lafts to all Eternity !
The red Dragon, the furious Dragon,
That makes War upon the Saints,
Is come down against Us
To devour Us.
We fled unto the Defarts,
To a Place prepar'd by the Hand of God;
His Compaffion here defcended among Us,
And his Bounty has comforted Us.
The profound Gulfs
Have threatned to swallow us up :
The Impetuous Storms
Have caus'd Us to mount up to the Clouds,
And then defcend again to the lowest Abyss.
But
Th' Almighty who inhabits in the Heavens,
Has been more powerful than the unruly Waters,
Or the strongest Surges in the Ocean.
Th'Eternal has commanded the Winds;
He has broken the Seas ;
He has turned the Tempeft into a Calm ;
And the roaring Floods are appeas'd.
Th' Eternal
Has made us to traverse fecurely
The Defarts, and Seas.
He has deliver'd us from the current of Waters
That bore Us away.
Let
of FRANCIS LEGUAT.
247
Let Us bleſs without ceafing his Holy Name!
Let Us fet forth his Glory !
'Tis a good thing to praiſe th’Eternal!
He abounds in Compaffion;
And bis Goodneẞ lafts for ever!
Rocks!
Bless th’Eternal !
Ifles!
Bleſs th' Eternal!
Ocean, Whirl-winds, Waves, Calms, Tempefts!
Bless th' Eternal!
Mountains, Deeps!
Bleß th' Eternal!
Rivers!
Clap your Hands! Praiſe th’Eternal !
Fish, Birds, Infects!
Whales, Elephants!
Praife th'Eternal !
Heavens, Stars, Moon, Sun!
Men, Angels!
Praife th' Eternal !
My Soul!
Blefs th' Eternal!
Let all that is within Me,
Blefs the Name of his Holineß!
I will bleẞtb'Eternal at all times :
His Praiſe
Shall be continually in my Mouth.
As long as I breath
I fhall praiſe th'Eternal.
Let us Praife, Bleß and celebrate th’Eternal.
Lord!
Thou art worthy to receive
Glory, Honour and Power.
*
R 4
Holy!
248
The Voyage and Adventures, &c.
*
}
Holy! Holy! Holy !
Is the Almighty Lord God!
To Him
That fits upon the Throne,
And to the Lamb
Be Praife, Honour and Glory,
And Strength,
For ever and ever !
Amen!
}
FINIS.
}
1
}
THE
TABLE.
A
A.
29
Ccident (An) like to have prov'd fatal
Adultery punish'd feverely by the Hottentots 231
Air healthy of the Iſle of Eden 39. Of Iſle
Rodrigo 55. Of the Cape of Good Hope
Alfarache (Guzman d)
1
Almanacks, unknown to the Hottentots
Ambaffadors (Begging) make a forry Figure
Ambergreece 40. A fatal Piece
Amber yellow and grey
Amerci, the Favan's Cry when they are mad
Ananas 166. Common at Batavia
Ancienifm, Pedantry
227
151
235
117
130
79
210
183
118
Affés, a great Number of them in the Ile of Salt 11. At
the Cape of Good Hope
Animals of the fame kind vary
222
7
Animals, in the Isle of Salt 13. &c.
of the Iſle of
Eden 41.
of Ille Maurice 170. -
of Java 184, &c.
of the Cape of Good Hope
222
Anfelm (Robert)
5. 49. 51
Araque, a ftrong Liquor made of Sugar
166
Arequa, a Nut much efteem'd at Batavia 183. The Tree
that bears it is very tall
Afcenfion, Particulars of that Iſland
Aftrology of the Hottentots
f
1
ibid.
240
235
Adven
1
}
4
The TABLE.
Adventurers, their Names 4. &c. Arrive in the Iſland
Rodrigo 46. A Plan of their Habitations 47. Their
Occupations 95. Their Religion 90. &c. Propoſe to
quit that Ifland 96. Build a Bark 97. Go on board
100. Are fhipwreck'd 101. Return to the Ifland 102.
Turn Phyficians 103. Have a mind to embark a fe-
cond time 105. The Author's Reaſons for diffwading
it 106. Loſe their Title of Free-men 112. Leave a
Monument in the Inland Rodrigo 113. Are Kings of
that Iſland 115. Have great Refpect for the Jefuits
120. Why they quitted their Country ibid. Depart
again from their Inland 121. Care not for Women
122. Are in great Diftreſs ibid. Arrive at Ifle
Maurice 126. Prefer a Rock to a Woman ibid. Are
rob'd by the Governor of that Inland 131. &c. Put in
Irons there, and wherefore, 136. Pillag'd by the Go-
vernour 135. Are fent to a Defart Illand 136. Un-
dergo a thouſand Miſeries for three Years 137. Two
of them venture to Ile Maurice on a Float 139. Are
carry'd back 140. Write into Holland ibid. Carry'd
back to Ile Maurice 161. Their Departure for Batavia
164. 173. Preſent a Petition in vain to the Council of
State of the Indies to demand Justice againſt the Go-
vernor of Ile Maurice 173. Their Continuance at Ba-
♦avia 175. Their Departure from thence 216. Their
Arrival at the Cape of Good Hope 218. Their Depar-
ture 238. Their Arrival at Flushing
243
Avarice, Root of all Evil 162. A Vice unknown to the
Hottentots
206
236
Altars, Wax-tapers, Images, Holy-water, &c. in the
Pagodes of the Chineſes at Batavia
Author (The) of this Relation abandons his Country, and
wherefore. 1. His Character, Pref. Rich without
Riches ibid. Makes good cheer without Bread ibid.
Oppoſes a fecond Embarking 106. His Country 114.
His Age 5. 137. Is very fick ibid. Recovers himſelf
becauſe there was no Phyſician in his Iſland 138. His
Thankſgiving-Hymn
Authors, whether they ought to name themſelves fo?
A fine Arbour
Ants that have their Nefts a-top of the Bamboos
Antelopes, at the Cape
244
94
179
223
Apes,
The TABLE.
>
Apes, of divers kinds 187. An extraordinary one 188
Many believe he was born of a Woman
B.
Bamboos, very large in the Iſland of Java
Bananes
ibid.
179
167
19
Baptifm, a Ceremony us'd by the Seamen upon cutting
the Line or Tropicks
Beards, valued by the Chineſes
Bark, a fingular fort
201
98, &c.
Batavia, Situation and Deſcription of that City 176. Of
the Citadel 177. The Place of Arms fill'd with fine
Houfes ibid. Churches of Batavia 178. Extent of
its Suburbs 179.. Its Garden ibid. Its Harbour very
fine 180. This City the general Magazine of the
Company ibid. The Afylum of Ships of all other Na-
tions 181. Temperatenefs of the Climate ibid. Or-
dinary Drink of the Inhabitants 182. The Fruits 183.
The Animals eaten there 184. Little Game there 185.
A great deal of Fish ibid. Batavia is no City of good
cheer ibid. Inhabited by divers Nations 189. Lan-
guages spoken there ibid. Manners and Cuftoms of
the Inhabitants
Beauty frail
191.
108
Be--le (Paul) one of the Adventurers. His Country 4-
His Elogium 50. 139.
fterdam.]
He at preſent lives at Ám-
Betel, the Leaf of a Shrub much in ufe at Batavia 183
Bigottry and Superftition diſhonour Religion
Billets and magick Characters
Bochart quoted
Bonito's, Fish
Borneo a poiſonous Tree of that Iſland
117, &c.
211
24
9. 16. &c.
210
Bofcobel, Remains of the Royal Oak where K, Charles II.
hid himſelf, refpected 48. (Tobacco Boxes, &c. made
of them.)
Bullet (of a Cannon) fing'd a Sergeant's Beard at the
Cape without hurting him 29. Another like Acci-
dent
ibid.
Boyer
The TABLE.
L
1
Boyer (Ifaac) His Country 5. His Death 104. His Epi-
+
- taph
Brande (St.) an Iſland
Brifans, what they are
Buffalo's at Java 184.
ibid.
62
70
ibid.
Commonly fold by the Butchers
Batts as large as Hens in the Ifle of Eden, and withall
good to eat 41. They are likewife in the Inland Ro-
drigo 77. They are not over-good to eat 78. Deli-
cate Food in Ile Maurice
173
Bodkins, Ornaments to the Chinefe's Heads at Bata-
via
Burials of the Chinefes
192
204
Beds of State in China
205
Book (The Golden) the Work of one of the Diſciples
of Confucius
194
Beggars, none at Batavia
191
Black, that Colour has its Beauty
216
Birds of the Ile of Eden 41. Of Ile Maurice 171. Of
the Rock 150. Of St. Helena 238.
Tame Birds 90
Bread (Roots) among the Hottentots
Breafts of the Hottentot Women
228
232
C
Corn thrives well in the Ifle of Eden 40. There is no
fort that grows in Java 181. Brought from Ben-
gala
秦
​Cadamufto (Aloyfio) afraid of the Whales
Coffee as dear at the Cape as in Holland
Cafres, lee Hottentots.
Camelions common at the Cape
Canaries, llands of that Name
Canals at Batavia
182
22
183
223
8
177
6I
48
204
190
Capoc, a fort of Cotton
Careless (Captain) in an Oak with Charles II.
Carnaval of the Chineſes
Coaches, common at Batavia
50
Cafe (Jaques de la) one of the Adventurers 4. 50. 133.
138. 141. Is at prefent in America
Catbolicks (Roman) have Liberty of Confcience at Ba-
tavia, but they are to have no publick Exercife of
their
L
The TABLE.
1
1
their Religion
Celebes, an Inland
179
21I
Cenfure on Tyrants, unjuſt Judges, falfe Nobles, Wan
derers in Religion, impertinent heterodox Perfons,
Blockheads that pretend to preach, facrilegious Vil-
lains, falſe Zealots, Pedants of all forts, Verfe-makers,
Admirers of the Ancients, honeft Murderers, &c. Ma-
kers of Vifits, &c. 116. &c. and on impious Perfons 163
Ceremonies (Funeral) of the Chinefes
205
Chacrelats, à People that can't bear the Light 216. They
are white and fair
ibid.
Chiefs. The Chiefs of the People are paid for endea
vouring to make them happy 195. They are often-
times Occafions of the Sins and Misfortunes of the
People
Caterpillars
196
86.17%
Chineſes have Burying-places and Pagodes at Batavia 176
They make a great Figure there 192. There are a-
bove ten thouſand of them ibid. They pay a Crown
a Month to the Company ibid. Have a Chief who fits
in the Council, and has a Vote in cafe of the condem-
ning of any of that Nation ibid. Their Character
ibid. Are very politick ibid. Their Manners and
Cuſtoms 193. Their Principles about Charity are
conformable to thoſe of our Saviour ibid. An Extract
of one of their Books intitled The Golden Book ibid.
Their Tables 200. Their Manner of Dreffing 201.
Their Trade ibid. Their Marriages 202. Their Di-
vertiſements 204. Make no Scruple of Sodomy 203.
Their Burials 204. Abfurd Queſtions they ask thoſe
that are about to die 205. Carry Preſents to their
Tombs ibid. Their Pagodes much like Roman Catho-
lick Churches, as well as the Ornaments of their
Pricfts 206. Their Worship 207. Their Bead Rolls
206. They worſhip but one God 207. Chaftife their
fubaltern Deities when they don't do their Duty 200.
Chineſes that are not fettled at Batavia can't remain
there but fix Months 201. Why they wear a Tuft
of Hair 202. The Opinion of a Chineſe Philofopher
concerning the Duty of great Men, and of thofe that
govern'd the People
Choifie (The Abbot of) Pref.
Cabbage of a Palm Tree
194
58. 60. 61
Christianity
The TAB L E.
Christianity, in what it confifts 192. 193. Is unhappily
divided, although all agree in fundamental Points 214
Citrons, hurtful in Ifle Maurice
Clas, a Surgeon
Coco's
149
128
167
Colony, propos'd for the Ifle of Eden or Mafcaregna 2.
Projection for that Colony 3. Of the French Refu
gees at the Cape
Column and Infcription left at Ifle Rodrigo
Cafe (A) for the Hottentots Tools
221
113
229
Corn carry'd from Holland to Ille Rodrigo does not thrive
there
Column, found in Numidia
52
119
204
Comedies or Farces, and Shows of the Chineſes
Commentaries of Cafar commended by Cicero for the
Simplicity of their Stile Pref. Criticiz'd upon 223
COMPANY (The Dutch) of the East Indies abfolute in
the Iſland of Java 189. The General of that Company
and his Lady make a great Figure at Batavia 190. The
Company keeps the Soldiers under for Preſervation of
the Liberty of their Colonies 191. Keeps up Com-
merce with the Hottentots
Comte (Pere le) quoted
Confucius ftil'd the wife King of Letters
233
208
193
Conftantia, a Pleaſure-houſe of the Governour at the
Cape
Controverfies
221
92
Cocks. Cock-fighting the Peoples Diverfion at Java 186
Coral
Cotton of the Latanier
Custom. Cuſtom is a Tyrant
40
61
200
Crabs (Land) 182. Sea-Crabs 85. Carry away a
Purfe 84. Land and Sea-Crabs at Ifle Maurice 172
Cric, a poifon'd Poniard us'd by the Javans, thoſe of
Macaffar, and the Iſland of Celebes
Crocodiles common in the Ille of Java 186.
211
What is
faid of them ibid. A Reward given by the Company
to thoſe that kill them ibid. The Flesh is good to
eat 187.
Fables related of them
Curiofity pernicious in Matters of Religion
Com (A Sea)
223
92
27
!
D.
The TABLE.
D.
Dearness of Provifions at Batavia
Dogs that have the Falling-fickneſs
185
171
Dances of the Hottentots 135. Superftitious Dances of
237
1
the Negroes at the Cape
Darts (poifon'd)
211.
Delon quoted
36
Demons ador'd by the Chinefes
208
Defires infatiable of ambitious and covetous Men
199
Device of Pope Adrian IV. 4.
Of the Adventurers Fri-
gat ibid. Moral Devices
104
ibid.
Duty of Kings 194. Are high Officers and OEconomifts
of the publick Treaſure
Devotions popular
207
Diaz (Bartholemi) diſcovers the Cape of Good Hope 28
Diego-Ruys Inland. Its Situation, Extent, &c. See
Rodrigo.
Diodati (Rodolfo) Governour of Ifle Maurice 127. Loves
Ambergreece 131. A Perfon civil and rude according
to his Intereſt 127. 132. 133. A great Robber 132.
133. Acts treacheroufly 135. Pillages the Adventu-
rers, &c. 136. Argues impertinently 139. Devilish-
ly malicious 144. Has a Heart of Pharaoh 145. Is a
Bufyris 146. A Tyrant 160. A Negro would have
burnt him 154. Is an endleſs Perfecutor 164. Stole
the Value of 2000 Crowns
Diodorus Siculus, a fabulous Hiftorian
Disputes of Words common and dangerous
Diſputers and falle Divines
Dorado's, Fish,
175
215
117
91
9.16
Dragueftain, a Colony of the Dutch and French Prote-
ftants, about 10 Leagues from the Cape
Drugs (Apothecaries) Poiſon
Death, a Meffenger of good News to the Faithful
Neceffity of Death
22 I
185
138
Diviſion (unjuft) of the Goods of this World 165, &c.
Drams of Fave
212
E.
The TABL E.
}
E.
ENgland, a fine and good Country, Pref.
English: They love Cock-fighting
Eels, of prodigious fize
Ebony-Trees in Ile Maurice
}
186
56
166
Eden (Ile of) 2. 30. 35. Defcription of that Iſland
37, &c. It is a pleaſant Country
ibid.
Emeralds, none to be found in all the Eaft-Indies 215
Equipage of Great People in the Iſland of Java 21I
Error (a vulgar) corrected
24
Eve the Cauſe of many Evils 107. Was not created to
remain a Virgin
ΠΙΟ
Eggs of divers forts of Birds a great Relief to the Adven-
turers on their Rock of Exile 151. A Fricaffée of
hatch'd Eggs excellent
Ear-Rings of the Hottentots
{
15!
239
F.
}
Ire at Ile Maurice
Fire
Fancy, without Example
Ferrets, Birds
Fire-works artificial
Flat, what it is
153
154
150
204
169
Flacour (Monfieur de) planted the French Standard in the
Ifle of Mafcaregna, and gave it the Name of the Ifle
of Bourbon
38
Flamans or Flambeaus ( blazing ) Birds, why fe call'd 14
Flower, odoriferous at Rodrigo
79
Flux of Blood a common Malady at Batavia 176. 185
Fort (The) tyrannize over the weak
Fountains, fine in the Ifle of Eden
10
39
Foreft (A) confifting of one Tree 62, &c. A very thick
and dangerous one
168
Fournier (P. George) a learned Hydrographer quoted 24
Fools, Birds
France, glorious, formidable, deſolate
I I
ΙΟ
Frederic Henry, a Colony of fome Dutch Families in Ifle
Maurice
127
Frigat (A) call'd the Swallow, fent to the East-Indies by
the
The TABLE.
the Marquis du Quefne 4. Orders given it 3.
Flag 4. Its Departure from Amfterdam
Fregats, Birds
Fricaffée (A) of hatch'd Eggs excellent
Fruits of the Cape of Good Hope
Fury extravagant and cruel of the Favans
Its
S
10.66.75.76
ISI
222
210
1724
Frogs and Toads, now in Ifle Maurice or Rodrigo
Flies which turn to living Worms
89.
Fathers of their Country; the Duty of ſuch as pretend
to be fo
194
Feet, how thofe of the Chineſe Women are render'd
fmall
Fish (Flying) of divers kinds.
Foxes, whether it be true they eat Men
G.
203
8. 9
I I
-
Good Hope (Cape of) 27. 28. Why fo call'd ibid.
When diſcover'd and by whom ibid. Its Bay great-
ly expos'd to Winds 218. Its Fort 219. The Com-
pany's Gardens ibid. The Governour's Pleaſure-houſe
221. Fertility of the Soil ibid. Animals at the Cape
222, &c. The French Minifter of the Cape at work
upon Tranflating the Pfalms a-new into Verſe
225
Goodness of Women worfe than Man's Malice 108, A
falſe thing
109
Guts ferve for Necklaces and Bracelets to the Hottentot
Ladies
232
God, will be worſhip'd with Humility and Simplicity of
Heart
92
Gofpel of St. Mark, or the antient MS. that bears that
Name at Venice, was not written in Latin but Greek.
(It will be made out to Father Montfaucon that the Rea-
fons he brings for proving that MS. to be Latin, are not
worth a Farthing.) Pref.
Gallantry among the Hottentots
235.236
GENERAL of the. Company makes a great Figure at Ba
tavia 190. His Lady's Equipage
Germon, fort of Fish
ibid.
17
Gum (Á) unknown caufes great Misfortunes 130. 162
Governors of Nations are not Heirs to the People 117
Qught not to fuck their Blood nor gnaw their Bones
$$
ibid,
The TABLE.
ibid. Are only to procure Peace and Profperity to
the People whereof they are Members
Great-Throats, fort of Birds.
194, &c.
Grevenbroek, an Officer of the Garrifon in the Citadel of
Batavia commended for his Generofity to the Au-
thor
Guiguer (Faques)
178
5. 52
Garden of the Company in Ile Maurice 169. At the Cape
219. Fine Gardens at Batavia
Hrm
H.
191
Ymn (Thankſgiving) compos'd in Ile Maurice 244
Houſes or Hutts of Ifle Rodrigo 48. Houſes of the
Favans
209
Hats made of Leaves, a new fort of Manufacture 146
Horfe (A) very fine in the Ifland of Salt 11. A wild
Horſe 224. Horfes that have the Falling-fickneſs
Holy-water of the Chineſes
171
206
35
ibid. &c.
Haye (Jean de la) 5. 48. 98. 130. &c. His Death 176
Helena and Clytemnestra
Helena (the Inland of St.) belongs to the English 238
Its Deſcription and Situation
Hoangli-Xao of the LXXII. Difciples of Confucius
HOLLAND a free and happy Country 1. A Republick
bless'd by Heaven
194
114
126
Hollanders a frank and obliging People 228. Dutch Fa-
milies fettled at Ile Maurice
Hottentots, Natives of the Cape of Good Hope: Etymolo-
gy of that Name 226. They are made to work for
finall matters ibid. They are very ugly and lazy 228.
Their Manners and Cuftoms 229. Their Figures
ibid. Their manner of Dreffing ibid. Their Religi
on 230. Circumcifion ibid. What must be done to
make them work to purpoſe 231. Their Habitations
ibid. They puniſh Adultery, Theft, and Murder,
feverely ibid. Have a great deal of Humanity for one
another 233. Their Address at darting their Zagaye
ibid. The Trade which the Company maintains with
them ibid. They are skill'd in Simples, and make uſe
of
1
The TABLE.
ibid.
of them fucceſsfully in curing of Wounds 234. They
have hereditary Chiefs ibid. Thefe Chiefs only ex-
erciſe their Offices in time of War, and that too not
always ibid. They have divers Cuftoms for the Con-
ſervation of their Kind and the Republick ibid. They
have no Knowledge either of Reading or Writing,
nor make any Divifion of Time 235. Their Merry-
makings and Dances ibid. The manner of the young
People's making Love 236. Their Union
Hottentot Women. Why they pull out their Male Chil-
drens right Tefticle as foon as they are born 230. Why
they give them Sea-water to drink, and put Tobacco
in their Mouths ibid. They are generally more home-
ly than their Husbands 231. Wear raw Guts about
their Necks and Legs 232. Their Head-Dreffes ibid.
Their Character and Figure ibid. Believe themſelves
the fineſt Women in the Univerſe ibid. Their Con-
ftitution and Manner of Dreffing
ibid.
Hurricanes An Indian Wind 33.
Maurice 172. Some pretend that they
the 9th of February
Rare in Iſle
come only on
173
I.
JGnis Fatuus
31.34.
James (St.) Park belonging to the Palace of that
Name at London
93
ibid.
Fapar, the most potent Prince in the Iſland of Java 189
Java (the Ine of) fee Batavia. Animals of that Iſland
186, &c. The Company is abfolute there 189. The
greatest part of the Kings there are under their Prote-
ction
Javans chufe rather to depend on the Company than their
Kings 190. Their Cuftoms 209, Are Mahometans
ibid. Go half naked ibid. Are fober 210. Men of
Wit ibid. Cheats ibid. Wear poifon'd Poniards ibid.
Render themſelves furious by drinking a certain Drink
ibid. Their Great Mens Equipages 211. Their Mar-
riages 214. Are of the Sect of Tomas ibid. Do not
eat their old People
215
And re
fufpect
Favan Women are naturally very Amorous 21.
yenge themſelves cruelly on those whofe Fidelity they
$ 2
The TABLE.
}
fufpect ibid. They are very jolly and neat ibid. What
is reproachable in them 213. Their manner of Dref-
fing ibid. They cannot marry Chriftians without
embracing the Chriftian Religion
214
Idols with a hundred Arms, wherefore 207. Chineſe
Idols reprimanded, chaftiz'd, and dragg'd in the Dirt
when they have not done their Duty
John II. King of Portugal
208
238
Feman-Xilin, a Philofopher, cenfures Ambition and In-
juftice in wicked rich Men 199.
Laments Diſorders
in the World
ibid.
Feſuits
120
Iniquity and Pride of Great Men
194
Infcription left in the Ifland Rodrigo
114. 120
81
206
23
119
Infects bred out of Corruption
Intereft and Superftition two powerful Motives
Jonas fwallow'd by the Whale
Foſhua
Journal or Diary of Father Montfaucon, a Book ftuff'd
with Errors, Trifles, fulfome Repetitions, and inju-
rious Expreffions, which he ought above all to have
forborn Pref.
Jewels of the Hottentots
229, &c.
Irish. Some ridiculous Queftions which the Irish Ca-
tholicks put to their Dead
Iſle (A floating)
205
22
Iſle or Rock of Baniſhment 136. A fad Place 146. Two
little Islands on each fide of it
Jews marry young
ibid.
74
Fuftice (common) is nothing but Diſcord, Rapine, and
Iniquity
117
K.
KAfta, a fingular fort of Tree
63
ibid.
182
Kevangli, a rich Mountain inhabited by 300 Fani-
lies, united under the Noble Robber Xoa-ti-cao 198
Kiumfa, a wicked and covetous Prince
Knip, a ſtrong Liquor at Batavia
Kings are fometimes afraid like other Men 48. This
word has fometimes the fame Signification with thoſe
of Duke, Doge, or Prince 199. They are not Sove-
raigns
7
The TABLE.
raigns of the People, to govern them at pleaſure 194
Are made of the fame Clay as other Men
Kings of China Tyrants
ibid.
194
L.
I Amentin's, a fort of Fiſh
Lamps fed by the Fat of Tortoifes
69
95
Languages (common) at Batavia 189. French Language
famous and univerfal 115. Latin Tongue ferves to
cover a great many things of fmall worth in fome
Treatifes of the Moderns Pref.
Larding Pins (gallant)
Lataniers, fort of Trees
Leda
Leopards at the Cape
Lizard (A curious) of Gilolo
230
60.78. 167
'35
222
189
172
Lizards of Inle Rodrigo 78. Of Ile Maurice
Libertas fine Licentia, a Device of the Colony and of Pope
Adrian IV.
4
Line (The) Baptiſm, or a Ceremony obſerv'd in cutting
it
Liquon, a River of Forez
19
45
Lions at the Cape 222. A Reward given by the Compa-
ny to those that kill them
225
Law (The Radical) among Men 194. The Law of
Nature is the only one the Negroes at the Cape ob-
ſerve
227
Laws Divine and Humane, Precautions againſt Diſor-
ders 74. Laws are not efficacioufly favourable to the
Poor 196. Laws of the Hottentots
Lul, a fingular fort of Tree
234
63
Light infupportable to the Chacrelates: They turn Night
into Day
Lice and Fleas
216
172
M.
M
AN fent back to the School of Beafts 74, Man
was made for Woman and Woman for Man 107
Man alone and Woman alone are but part of them-
felves and imperfect
เ
S 3
༤ལ་
III
Men
1
احمر
}
}
The TABLE.
Men are commonly the Corrupters of Women 10g. In
human Men worſe than Brute Beafts 146. All Men
have an equal Right to the Goods of Nature 195. Ali
are equal
Moon (The) worship'd by the Negroes at the Cape
Macaffar
Mahometans of the Sect of Tommi
194
237
211
214
Malayfes, Proteftant Profelites that have a Church at
Batavia
Manati, lee Lamentin
178
Manuſcripts, thoſe whereof Catalogues are to be ſeen in
the Diarium Italicum of P. de Montfaucon, are but of
fmall Confideration Pref.
Mango's, a Fruit of the Ifle of Java of divers kinds 184
Mackerel, a Fish to be met with only in certain places 17
Marriage at Java
Martin-vas's Ifles
Mafcaregna. Defcription of that Inland
Moors at Batavia
214
14
See Eden.
216
Maurice. The Ifland of that Name is above 160 Leagues
from Ille Rodrigo 96. Defcription of Ile Maurice 125
Melons excellent 53. Of two kinds
Murder punish'd feverely by the Hottentots
Mine and Thine two unhappy words
165. &c.
ibid.
231
74
Mines of Gold: None to be found in the Iſle of Java,
whatever L. Vertomanni fays
215
Moka, Moka, a Cry of the People of Macaffar
Money of the Cape
that have but one Horn
211
225
Monoceros, a Name common to divers forts of Animals
Mountain of the Devil
223
217
Monument (A) left by the Hollanders in Ifle Rodrigo 99.
By the Adventurers 114. 120. By the fame upon
their Rock of Baniſhment
162
Mould of Iron into which the Female Children of the
Chinefes have their Feet put as foon as they are born
to hinder their growing large
Multitude (The) a wild Beaft Pref.
Mufick of the Chinefes perfect Difcord
Mourners (Chinese) at Funeral Ceremonies
204
201
205
N.
1
The TABLE.
N.
N
Amur (John) a Soldier of the Garriſon of Iſle Mau-
rice
Nations which inhabit Batavia
Neceffity does all
134
189
97.
Negroes at Batavia are fine Men 216. Of Madagascar,
Ceylon, and the Cape 236. Their Cuftoms ibid. They
fay they worship but one God, yet they pay Adorati
on to the Sun and Moon
237
Negro Women have good Features at Batavia according
to the notion we have of Beauty 216. Their Com-
plexion is fubject to none of the Inconveniencies the
Whites are
ibid.
Negro-Slave (A) being about to be executed, defires to
have one Caft at Dice before he dies
Nobility
Nobles: Falfe Nobles
154
117
ibid.
O.
Xen of three forrs at the Cape of Good Hope 224. Price
of those bought of the Hottentots
Owls make War upon Rats
Ocomfiao, a rich Plain, the Prey of a noble Lord
233
82
198
Onnet, a fmall Ifland two Leagues from Batavia, where
the Company builds Ships
18.
Opium taken by the Javans and other Iflanders to render
them fearless
211. &c.
P.
Purfe: Story of a Purfe ftoln by the Crabs or Rats 84
Paint of the Hottentots
Pulfe at the Cape
229
222
Porpoifes have hot Blood; carry their Young like Whales,
Lamentins, &c.
7
Phyfick (common) a pure Cheat, and more deſtructive
than ferviceable to Mankind
S 4
103
Phyſicians
1
J
Į
The TABLE.
Phyficians are in perpctual Contradiction among them-
felves, from whence we may conclude they rather act
by Chance than Knowledge 103. Their Tragicomi-
cal Confultations ibid Quarrel and fight. Can-
not decide their Differences without drawing Curs
104. Phyficians that are not skilful 119. Thoſe of
Europe look'd upon as pernicious to the Country by
the Iſlanders of Java.
Pagni (John) His Death
120
43
Peace of Refwick
Palm-Trees
Paretuvier a particular Tree
Potato's, abundance at Batavia
217
58
63
170
Patrick (St.) has banish'd venomous Creatures from
Ireland
Pavillion, an extraordinary Tree. Sec Tent Tree
Partridges, red, grey, and white, at the Cape
Peru, why fo called
Parrots, great Numbers of them at Ifle Rodrigo 77.
Flesh of the Young-ones is good to.cat
Perfe, a Flux of Blood
People that love Images 206. Have no Idea's
172
224
226
The
ibid.
137
208
Philofophers, according to the common Signification of
the word, are prov'd foolith Fellows, and Talkers to
no purpofe
33
Philtres, Love Potions given by the Women of Java 212
Phyfiognomy of the Hottentots
Pierrot, one of the Adventurers
229
5.52
Pidgeons of Ine Rodrigo are finaller and tamer than
ours
75
Pintado's, of divers forts at Batavia
185
Pipe (an Ambulator)
236
Plants and Trees of the Ifle of Eden 40. Two curious
Plants 185. Medicinal Plants at the Cape
234
Pliny, the Naturalift, a fabulous Author
23
Pluto's Birds whofe Flefh ftinks
151
Polygamy of the Cafres
Porcupines at the Cape
Portrait (A) of the noble Binonfa 199. Of the noble
Ti-Hokai
198
Portugueses (Proteftant) have two Churches at Bata-
231
222
via
•
178
Purflane
The TABLE.
Purslane the only European Herb found by the Adventu-
rers at Rodrigo
64
Power (Arbitrary:) Good Leffons againſt all ſuch Pow-
er
194. 195
Preachers (modern) of the Gospel will needs explain
Myfteries 92. They ought not to do fo
Prefaces: Their Benefit. See Pref.
Prefents, often beneficial how ſmall foever
Priests (Chinese)
Prayers Machinal
Proceffions (Chinese)
Procopius quoted
118
147
202
206
ibid.
119
Proteftants (French) have a Church at the Cape 225
Proverbs, a word ill apply'd to the Sentences of Solo-
mon
194
Pfalms of David an admirable Book 33. Newly tranfla-
ted into French Verfe at the Cape
Q.
226
Vefne (Henry Marquis of) his Defign to form a Co-
lony of French Refugees Pref.
Questions put to the Chinese Dead
R.
205
RAins frequent at Batavia between the Months of No-
vember and April
Rabbi Benjamin, a bad Author, Pref.
Rafales, High Winds
Ragouts of the Hottentots
Rats, a great number of them at Rodrigo
181
28
228, 229
8r
Relations of Voyages; of what Materials they ought to be
compos'd, Pref. They that write them ought to know
themielves
ibid
Religion (vulgar) full of fruitless and rafh things.
Remarks Hiftorical and Critical made in a Voyage from
Italy to Holland in 1704. A Book full of Falfities, Pref.
Republick of Letters; Its Inhabitants imitate the Bro
kers, Pref.
Requins,
The TABLE.
1
Requins, Fish, 87. The vulgar Opinion of this Fift
criticiz'd upon
ibid.
Rhinoceros in the Ifle of Java 189. At the Cape 223
Is the only Unicorn ibid. Fables told of it ibid. Its
Shape like an Elephant's ibid. Has but one Horn ibid.
The Hair of its Tail is black, harſh, and large ibid.
Rice common, and the Bread of Java
181
39
Rivers fo fill'd with Fifh that one can't fwim over them
without touching them
Robben (Ifle) 27. Its Situation 228. Improperly nam'd
by the French. Origin of its Name
Rochefort criticiz'd upon
229
16
Rodrigo (Ile) its Situation and Extent 46. A Plan of
the Adventurers Habitations 47, &c. Temperateneſs
of the Air 55. Deſcription of that Iſland, ibid. &c.
Tho' there was neither Bread nor Wine, yet we made
good cheer there
S.
95
SHells very fine at the Isle of Salt 13. Others very
152
fine
Swallow, the Name of the Adventurers Frigat. See Frigat.
Slippers of the Ladies of Java, a Mark of Diſtinction 213
Salutation of the Chinefes
Sabercanes, one fort of the Javans Arms
201
210
Schetland, one of the Iflands believ'd to be the ancient
Thulé
Scorpions not dangerous in Ifle Rodrigo
Salt of Ille Rodrigo
6
87
78
Salt: Deſcription of the Iſland that bears that Name io
Serpent: Defcription of a Sea-Serpent whofe Fleſh was
venomous 148. No Serpents in Ile Maurice 172.
Hood-Serpents in the Ifle of Java 187. A Serpent 50
foot long
Solinus, a fabulous Author
ibid.
215
Solitary (The) a particular fort of Bird 71. Has a Stone
in its Throat 72. Never lays but one Egg 73.
Ce-
remony of its Marriage
74
Sundt (The) a Streight
217
Stombs, what they are
135
Strout-boom, a ftinking Tree
167
Sugar-
The TABLĚ.
Sugar-Canes in Ile Maurice
172
Suraag, a Dutch Veffel that came to deliver the Adven-
turers
Soil of Ile Maurice almoſt every where reddiſh
Strawtail
Succet or Remora, pretended Pilot to the Shark
163
165
77
88
T.
HE Tent or Pavillion Tree
THE
94
Of the Ba-
Of Ifle
Tres and Plants of the Ifle of Eden 40.
nians 63. Of an admirable Structure 64.
Maurice 166, 167. Venomous of the Iſland of Borneo
210. Fruit Trees at the Cape
Town (A) of 300 Houſes at the Cape
Theft punish'd feverely by the Hottentots
220
221
231
Tobacco not to be bought at the Cape but of the Com-
pany
225
228
Taillefer, a French Proteftant living at the Cape
Tavernier (The Sieur) a good Jeweller, but a poor Au-
thor, made fix Voyages to the Eaft-Indies
215
Temples ought not to be turn'd into Dens of Thieves 117
Time: No Diviſion made of it by the Hottentots 235
Teftard (John) 5. 50. 133. 138. Ventures to Sea upon
a Float, and was never heard of after 158. His Let-
ters
189
Teſticles of Male Children torn off and eaten by the Hot-
tentot Mothers
230
Thée, the beft not worth above 20 Pence a pound at Ba-
tavia
Thomas (Peter)
Thulé (Ile)
182
48. 51. 52
6
Tigers, very large at Java 189. Some at the Cape of
Good Hope 222. But they are fmall 224. Reward gi-
ven by the Company to thofe that kill any of them 225
Ti-Hokai a great extravagant Lord
Tombs of the Chinefes
198
205
5$
Thunder never heard in Ifle Rodrigo
Tortoifes (Land) 40. There are three kinds of them
64. Their Fat is white, it never thickens, and it is
better than our beft Butter in Europe 65. Their Liver
is excellently well tafted ibid, Their Bones have no
Marrow
The TABLE.
1
ī
1
Marrow ibid.
to eat
Their Eggs are round, and very good
ibid.
Tortoifes (Sea) 40. Their Fat is green, good to eat,
purging, and will never coagulate 66. Some of them
have weigh'd 500 pounds ibid. How to catch them
ibid. When they lay their Eggs ibid. Theſe Eggs
are not ſo good as thoſe of Land Tortoiſes 67. Their
Livers are very unwholſom and ill tafted ibid. Their
Feeding ibid. Their Blood is cold 67. But very
few of them at Ile Maurice
Tourlouroun
Tristan, an Inland
152
85
25
Turba Eruditorum not well inform'd by P. Montfau-
con, Pref.
Tyranny. Character and Cenſure of Tyranny. 194. Sc.
U
u.
1
Nicorn (A) a Chimera
223
Viands (Funeral) among the Chinefes at Batavia
205. Viands not good at Batavia
Vacca a poor Author, Pref.
185
Veffel. Account of a Veffel caft away near Ifle Rodrigo 129
Valleau, Mafter of a Frigat; a glozing Rafcal 129. De-
ceives the Adventurers
Vanity of the World, Pref.
143
Verfe. Writing in Verſe ſometimes pats People upon
Satyr, Pref.
Vertovanni (Lod.) a Traveller quoted 23.
fured
Vertue. Virtue alone makes true Nobility
and cen
214
117
Vertues (Royal)
194. 196
Vines bear 7 times in 2 Years at Batavia 182.
What at
the Cape
221
Vifits trifling 119. The Vifit of a marry'd Chineſe to his
Miſtreſs
Vows for Ifle Rodrigo
202
116
Voyages (Anonymous) to be fufpected, Pref. Falfe
Voyages ibid. Character of a good Voyage, Pref.
Character of this, ibid. Living Teftimonies of what
is advanc'd, Pref.
Vrfé (Honoré d') Author of Aftrea quoted
ibid.
45
W.
The TABLE.
1
W.
W Hales 7. 22. A Whale's Jaw-bone hung upon the
Wall of the Palace at St. James's London, ibid.
Another Jaw-bone kept at the Efcurial 23. Significa
tion of the word Whale
Wood, fcarce at the Cape of Good Hope
ibid.
227
Woman: Woman is made for Man, and Man for Wo
man'
"
III
107.110
Women neceffary 107. 109. Are the moſt amiable Half
of the World ibid. The beft Part 109. Wiſer than
Men 110. Their Elogium ibid. Ordain'd to per-
petuate the Work of the Creation
Women proud, voluptuous, and lazy, at Batavia 191.
Formerly scarce there ibid. Slaves in China 203.
Chinese Women have very little Feet
ibid.
Women (African) are very ugly at the Cape 212. Not
true that the Joint of their Little-finger is cut off when
they re-marry 231. Are more noiſome than their
Husbands ibid. Their Figure 232. Their Chara-
Яer
Women (Mahometan) keep themfelves cloſely con-'
ceal'd
1
Woodcocks and Hens of Ifle Rodrigo
ibid.
213
75
WILLIAM and MARY King and Queen of England:
Their Elogium
Worship (Divine) of the Chineſes
Wolves and Foxes unknown at Java
116
205, &c.
186
Wicked Rich People. The Chineſes believe that wicked
Rich People turn to Toads, and that the Poor tread
them under foot
Wild Boars at the Cape
197
222
180
Winds (Trade) 8. 19.
39. At Batavia
Wine (Palm) 59. Wine not good at Ifle Maurice 169
Wine of the Cape 220. Bought there of the Com-
pany
Whittington (Richard) how he made his Fortune with
Regular Winds at Mafcaregna
a Cat
Willoughby quoted
{
225
82
14
X.
f
1
The TABLE
X,
XAntung, a Tyrant of China
Y.
195
1
Your moſt Humble: That Expreffion for the moſt part
fignifies nothing
213
Z.
ZAgaye, an Indian Poniard
Zochelot, the Rock of Exile
211
162
1
(
A
A
CATALOGUE
1
O F
BOOKS.
T
HE whole Critical Works of Monfieur Rapin.
Containing a Compariſon between Demofthenes
and Cicero for Eloquence, Homer and Virgil for
Poetry, Thucydides and Livy for Hiftory, Plato
and Ariftotle for Philofophy; with the Opinions of the
Wife-men of all Ages upon their Doctrine, and the dif-
ferent Adventures of their Sects: together with his Re-
flections on Eloquence in general, and particularly that
on the Bar and Pulpit, on Ariftotle's Treatife of Poefie,
with a large Preface by Mr. Rymer: his Reflections upon
Hiftory, upon Philofophy in general, upon Logick, Mo-
rality, Phyficks, Metaphyficks, and the ufe of Philofo-
phy in Religion. Newly done into English by ſeveral
hands in two Volumes in octavo.
The Life of Guzman D'Alfarache: To which is added,
The celebrated Tragi-Comedy Cæleftina, written in Spa-
nish by Mateo Aleman, done into English from the new
French Verfion, and compar'd with the Original by feve-
ral hands. Adorn'd with Sculptures by Gafpar Bouttats
in two Volumes in octavo.
The Life and Adventures of Lazarillo de Tormes, writ-
ten by himſelf; Tranflated from the Original Spanish,
and illuftrated with 20 curious Copper Cuts, in 2 Parts
in twelves.
The Nature of Uncleannefs confider'd; wherein is dif-
cours'd of the Caufes and Confequences of this Sin, and
the Duties of fuch as are under the Guilt of it: To which
is added, A Difcourfe concerning the Nature of Chaftity
and the Means of obtaining it. By F. F. Oftervald Minifter
of the Church of Neufchattel, Author of a Treatiſe of the
Caufes
}
A Catalogue of BOOKS.
Σ
Cauſes of the preſent Corruption of Chriftians. A Ca-
techifm, &c. In large octavo.
The Gentleman's Dictionary in three Parts; viz. The
Art of Riding the Great Horfe: Containing the Terms
and Phraſes uſed in the Manage, and the Difeafes and Ac-
cidents of Horf. 2. The Military Art, explaining the
Terms and Phrafes us'd in Field or Garrifon, the Terms
relating to Artillery, the Works and Motions of Attack
and Defence, and the Poft and Duty of all the Officers
in the Army: Illuftrated with Hiſtorical Inftances taken
from the Actions of our Armies. 3. The Art of Navi-
gation: Explaining the Terms of Naval Affairs; as,
Building, Rigging, Working, and Fighting of Ships, the
Poft and Duty of Sea-Officers; with Hiftorical Exam-
ples taken from the Actions of our Fleet. Each Part
done Alphabetically from the 16th Edition of the Origi
nal French publiſh'd by the Sieur Guillet, and dedicated
to the Dauphin. With large Additions, Alterations, and
Improvements, adapted to the Cuftoms and Actions of
the English; and above 40 curious Cuts that were not
in the Original. In oftavo.
1
Of Wiſdom, in three Books; written originally in
French by the Sieur de Charron: With an Account of the
Author. Made English by George Stanhope, D.-D. Dean
of Canterbury, and Chaplain in Ordinary to Her Maje-
fty. The Second Edition. In oktavo.
1
The Compleat Horfeman, or Perfect Farrier; in two
Parts: Part 1. diſcovering the ſureſt Marks of the Beau-
ty, Goodness, Faults, and Imperfections of Horfes; the
beft Method of Breeding and Backing of Colts, making
their Mouths, Buying, Dieting, and otherwife ordering
of Horfes. The Art of Shooing, with the feveral forts
of Shooes adapted to the various Defects of bad Feet, and
the Prefervation of good. The Art of Riding and Ma-
naging the Great Horfe, &c. Part 2. contains the Signs
and Cauſes of their Difeafes, with the true Method of
curing them. Written in French by the Sieur de Soleyfell,
Querry to the prefent King of France, and one of the
Royal Academy of Paris. Abridg'd from the Folio done
into English by Sir William Hope, with the Addition of
feveral excellent Receipts by our beft Farriers; and Di-
rections to the Buyers and Sellers of Horfes. Illuftrated
with feveral Copper Plates. In cctavo,
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