of Mexico and Peru were elucidated in books printed in the country, and now, in the nineteenth, nothing issues from the press in Jamaica and the other English Islands, except a few miserable newspapers; every number of which contains something disgraceful to the English character and to human nature. I have seen some of these precious publications. They abound with notices which show with what propriety these islanders cry out against the cruelty of the Spanish conquerors. Pompey, or Oroonoko, or Quashee, (for these heretics never baptise their slaves !) is advertised as a run-away; he is to be known by the brand of a hot iron upon his breast or forehead, the scars of the whip, and perhaps the mark of his fetters ;-and it is sometimes added that he is supposed to be harboured by his wife-harboured by his wife! This phrase alone is sufficient for national infamy.

It amuses me to hear these people talk

of their West Indian possessions. England has as great an idea of her own importance and power, as a one-eyed man has of the magnitude of his nose, when the candle is on his blind side.

LETTER LXVI:

Excursion to Greenwich.-Watermen.Patent Shot Tower.-Albion Mills.-Essex Marshes.

THE English say that their palaces are like hospitals, and their hospitals like palaces; and the exterior of St. James's and of Greenwich justifies the saying. I have seen this magnificent asylum for old seamen, which is so justly the boast of the nation.

As it was my wish to see the whole course of the river through the metropolis, I breakfasted at the west end of the town with W. who had promised to accompany me, and we took boat at Westminster bridge. From no part of the river are so many fine objects to be seen as from this. On one side are the groves and palace of

the Primate at Lambeth; on the other, the residence of the Speaker, which is now repairing in collegiate style; the abbey ; and Westminster Hall, the great court of justice, whose prodigious size and greater antiquity render it an object not less venerable and impressive than the minster. The boats which ply, upon the Thames are admirably constructed; long, light, and sharp, they almost fly through the water. They are numbered and registered; the watermen wear a badge, and have a particular costume-any deviation from the ordinary English dress is an improvement;-the fares, like those of the hackney coachmen, are regulated by law, and it is the cheapest as well as the pleasantest mode of conveyance. On Sundays they are forbidden to ply one of the stupid and superstitious interdictions this of Calvinism

*

* A certain number of watermen are permitted to ply on Sundays; they pay an annual acknowledgment on that account to the Watermen's Company! Reli- » gion and profit are thus combined !—TR.

-for Sunday is the very day on which they would find the most employ. They sit idly upon the bench before the alehouse door by the water-side, cursing the regula tion which keeps them idle; and the unlucky person whose way lies along the river must toil through dust and heat, a double distance perhaps, because forsooth no manner of work is to be done upon the sabbath day.

The banks of the river are not made ornamental o the city: a few streets come down to it at right angles, but none are built parellel with the water. The first; remarkable object below the bridge is a tower constructed for making shot by a new process: the history of its invention is curious. About five-and-twenty years ago a Mr. Watts was engaged in this trade : his wife dreamt that she saw him making shot in a new manner, and related her dream. to him he thought it worth some attention, made the experiment, and obtained a patent for the invention, which he af

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