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ACCOUNT OF BOOKS.

An Account of the British Settlement of Honduras; being a View of its Commercial and Agricultural Resources, Soil, Climate, Natural History, &c. To which are added Sketches of the Man. ners and Customs of the Mosqui's Indians. By Captain Henderson.

8vo.

TH

THE opportunities for useful investigation, afforded by a military life, are many and singularly favourable; but from whatever cause it may arise, it still is a subject of regret that so few military men, comparatively, are to be found in whom the ability and inclination to profit by such advantages are united. This interesting volume of Captain Henderson presents a favourable specimen of what may be effected, when talents for inquiry and habits of observation meet together in the military character.

The British settlement of Hondaras is situated in the province of Yucatan, a peninsula extending from the province of Honduras to the sea, northward'y, forming the bay of Campeachy on the west, and the bay of Honduras on the east, It extends from about 16 to 21 degrees north latitude, and from about 34 to 94 degrees west longitude.

In the former part of the last century, small parties of English settlers had established themselves, with the approbation of the natives, on the east coast of Yucatan, These sett ements were in 1763, solemnly guaranteed to Britain by the treaties of Paris and Madrid; but the Spaniards have on several occasions vio ated this stipulation, and have treated the settlers with singular cruelty.

The climate of this part of the American continent is greatly superior to that of most other parts of the same vast portion of the globe, either in higher or lower degrees of latitude. It is equally superior to the climate of the West India islands generally; for persons, whose health and constitutions have become impaired from the effects of the latter, very frequemly acquire a sudden restoration of both after an arrival at Honduras.

With the exception of a few months in the year, this country is constantly refreshed by regular, sca-breezes, accompani ed by an average of heat that may be taken at the temperature of 80 degrees. The seasons have also their their marked difference, though nature may not have de

termined

termined the shades of variation with the same strong lines which she has affixed to most other situ ations under her dominion. Within the tropics, a change of wind, or a shower of rain, often produces a sudden nd singular revolution in atmospherical regularity, and occasions a no less instantaneous effect on the human system. The periodical rains which fall in this country, and that are neither considered unreasonable nor extraordinary, might almost presage a returning deluge, did they happen in some other parts of the world. But the wet season, as it is emphatically denominated, is not considered here the season of disease. It is fatally otherwise with the whole of the West Indies. The most frequent and violent instances of sicknesses which occur at Honduras, happen during the dry season, which is usually comprehended within the months of April, May, and June. The sun, during this space, is always most powerful, and its scorching rays are not mitigated by the same uniformity of breeze that prevails during the other months of the year. At the be. ginning of October, what are called the norths, north winds, commence, and generally continue, with little variation, till the return of February or March. these winds last, the mornings Whilst and evenings are cold, frequently unpleasantly so; and what in this country is understood by a wet north, might perhaps furnish no very imperfect idea of a November day in England; a dry north, on the contrary, is healthful, agreeable, and invigorating. The state of the weather during the norths is

extremely variable; for a depres sion of more than 15 degrees in the thermometer has been remarked in the space of a few hours. Thunder storms are frequent durand in the hottest months are ing the greater part of the year, often tremendously violent."

derson's first chapter is occupied by The remainder of Captain Hena concise description of the town of Balize, together with an outline of the coast.

a brief view of the commercial adChapter II. exhibits vantages of Honduras; which (the author thinks) might be found the most convenient depôt of trade in this part of the world. Its immediate contiguity to so many important stations on the continent, seems to strengthen this opinion, and to render it in most respects, for all purposes required, more eligible than any of the Bahama or West India Islands. We have been accustomed to regard the mahogany and logwood, which this settlement produces, as the principal objects of commerce: but Captain H. shews that they are to be considered in a secondary point of view, only; and describes the soil and climate as being adapted to the culture of most of the productions of the West India islands.

Honduras and Campeachy are un-
The fisheries of the bays of
most profitable is that of the
commonly productive; but the
turtle.

planters consists in slaves, import-
The chief property of the
ed mostly from Africa by the inter-
course with Jamaica; "but many
of them are creoles of the different
WestIndian islands,and several have
been brought into the settlement,

by

by their owners, from the United States. And in no part of the world where slavery prevails, can the condition of being so circumstanced be found of milder or more indulgent form. The labour they undergo bears no proportion to that which they sus tain throughout the islands: nor is it more to be compared with what they experience in the States of America, a country which at least professes to confer a higher portion of freedom than most others, whether it really happen or

not.

"Whenever power is exercised with moderation, the task of recording it can never be thought superfluous. And where the charge of inhumanity is general, any opportunity that may be afforded for discrimination, it would be a violation of justice to withhold. Thus much, therefore, seemed due to the slave-holder in the present instance, and with the acknowledgment of it the subject is closed; for it is as distant from being intended, as it would be remote from the purpose in view, to proceed farther on one in all its forms so uninviting; on which ability so much superior has been exhausted without producing conviction; and which, like many others of popular description, has, perhaps, on some occasions, fixed the reason in an bsequious dependance on the pas

sions.

The value of the negro, if recently from Africa, is computed from 1201. to 1601. Jamaica currency. Those who have passed a few years in the country, and have become accustomed to the labour of it, frequently produce from 200 to 3001,"

"The whole of the slaves of Honduras are permitted to use arms, and possibly a more expert body of marksmen could not be found. To many this would appear an impolitic and questionable kind of indulgence; but let it be borne in view, that the expectation of fidelity and attachment may be best founded on the consistent exercise of humanity and forbearance, and much of every inconvenient result will be at once diminished."

The population of this settlement is computed at 300 whites, and 500 people of colour and free blacks; the number of negro slaves is supposed to be nearly 3000.

Captain Henderson has introduced some observations on the diseases peculiar to this climate, and offers to Europeans several very valuab e hints for preserving their health, which are alike honourabe to his philanthropy and his understanding. It becomes, he observes, a matter of the highest importance to those who may be conducted to the shores of Honduras,

to follow as far as they conveniently can, such rules as may seem most rationally founded for the preservation of health; and that such may be followed without any material diminution of social enjoyment, or vio ent exercise of self-denial, will hardly require to be insisted on.

"It is well understood that there are certain seasons, of which it has usually been recommended to Europeans to take advantage, on making a voyage to countries situated within the tropics. These seasons as applied to the whole, though subject from local causes to frequent variation, must gene

rally

rally be considered to be comprehended within the time of the year when the violence of the heat is somewhat mitigated, and during the absence of the periodical rains. A sudden exposure to either extreme often proves fatal to the stranger, and should, if possible, be cautiously avoided. The night dews which at most seasons are very prolific, are not less baneful; and until the sun has gained some ascendancy to disperse the unwholesome vapours these create, the morning in many situations has little healthful or agreeable to recommend it. Under the head of precaution, therefore, a proper adaptation of clothing to meet the vicissitudes alluded to, should, it is presumed, engage a due share of regard. This is a matter, bowever, that observation may have discovered to be less considered by the people of our own country than by those of any other. An Englishman in this respect is most pertinacious, and would perhaps rather surrender some portion of his health and convenience than any part of his accustomed habit. Not so the Frenchman, the Spaniard, or even the inflexible Dutchman, who, within the tropics, finds occasion for fewer pairs of breeches than he had in the Texel.

"The doctrine oftemperance has seldom obtained admission in the warmer regions; nor have the advocates for it in such situations often been regarded with extraordinary deference. Yet it is quite probable, that few could be found, even in the indulgence of an opposite system, who would not afford assent to a theory although at some variance with their prac

tice. With regard to living, therefore little can be said; indeed it would be useless to say much on a subject in which inclination has been discovered so much too powerful for suggestion. And as it becomes in some shape unavoidable, to use a familiar phrase, to live well, the meaning of which might possibly be found in its opposite, even in this respect some direction may be salutary.To avoid all repasts but such as are denominated regular, for the ap petite participating in the share of languor brought on the system by the effect of climate, may be too much disposed, if not early restrained, to seek its gratification at unequal intervals, a matter in which health is more concerned than at first may be conceived, and that at once leads to the consideration of another thing which is closely attendant on it. prefer at all times the use of wine to that of spirits, and if the latter must be taken, on no account to omit a scrupulous adherence to three things-namely, time, quantity, and quality. Of the first it may certainly be pronounced, that any inattention towards it commonly involves an indifference with regard to the rest; and the indiscriminate or early drinking has, without question, contributed quite as powerfully as the climate, or any other cause, to render the greater part of our colonies uncongenial to the existence of Europeans.

To

"Before quitting this subject, it may not be wholly irrelevant to offer few further remarks, from which it is conjectured some ad. vantage may likewise be derived. First, to fortify the mind as strongly as possible against impressions

of

of the interruption health may sustain in the change that has been undertaken. And, although regarding the recital of many of the feats of Death as tales for the nursery, not to indulge a belief by a too emboldened conduct, that no such personage stalks the earth. Secondly, no circumstance being more evident, than that the body is greatly dependant on the mind for the share of health it enjoys

Mens sana in corpore sano

to consider, if this maxim holds generally, that it will be found to apply with increased force in remote and unhealthy countries; where much is new, and to many, where all is unpromising; where habits and association become entirely dissimilar, and which are seldom found, with all the novelty they possess, sufficiently powerful to obliterate the anxiety and regret that is felt for that which has been resigned. This is the Promethean vulture that must not fasten on its victim if the force of philosophy can prevent it.

It is, possibly, from the indulgence of feelings like the above -from a sensibility which broods gloomily on the past-that much arises to embitter the present; and that, in its despondent effects, will seldom allow any thing to be placed on the future. This is the last and most dangerous state of this mental affection, which not unfrequently fixes the sufferer in a confirmed state of hypochondria, a tedium vitæ, that no relief but sudden change of situation and restoration to former scenes, can ever reach."

"Christmas, however, is the season that in this country usually brings all ranks together; the bond and the free; and the hilarity which prevails amongst the former order cannot possibly be more largely partaken of by any beings in the world. The young, the old, even the maimed, and the decrepit, all unite in contributing to render this period joyous and happy; it may be added, and noisy!

The morning of Christmas-day is invariably ushered in by the discharging of small-arms in every direction, every thing now from established custom being free and unrestrained; and the master's house (where the festivity commences, and whatever it contains, is now open to all. The members of the several African tribes, again met together after a long separation, now form themselves into different groups, and nothing can more forcibly denote their respective casts of national character than their mu sic, songs, and dances. convulsive rapid movements of some, and the affectedly reluctant steps of others, appear inconceiv ably ludicrous; whilst the cccasional bursts of loud chorus, with which all are animated, contribute greatly to heighten the singularity of the entertainment.

The

"The endurance of the negroes during the period of their holidays, which usually last a week, is incredible. Few of them are known to take any portion of rest, for the whole time; and for the same space they seldom know an interval of sobriety. It is the single season of relaxation grant

The amusements of this settfeed to their condition; that it ment are few. should be partaken of immode

rately

VOL. LII.

3 B

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