A true & exact history of the island of BarbadosLigon, Richard
History
A true & exact history of the island of Barbados
Ligon, Richard
Barbados -- Description and travel; Plants -- Barbados; Sugar -- Manufacture and refining -- Barbados
In this great discomposure, he was taken off by two _Negroes_, and
set on his owne legs: but in such a trance, as for some minutes, he
was not in a Condition to speake to us: So sensible an impression had
the feare of falling made in him. But being at last come to himselfe,
he made his addresse to us, and in his language bid us welcome,
begining to excuse his too long stay: to redeeme which fault, he had
put himselfe in such a hazard, as in his whole life he had not knowne
the like. We answered, that it argued a great respect and civilitie
to us, that he would expose his gravitie, which was accustomed to a
moderate pace, to such a swiftnes of motion, as might in any kinde
indanger his health, or hazard his person. But he being a man much
reserv’d, and slow of language, said no more; but brought us into his
house; which was upon a Levell at the entrance, but the other side of
the Rooms a steep precipice, and some of the roomes like galleries
such as are in the meanest _Innes_ upon _London_-way. There were not
in the house above 4 roomes, besides two galleries and a Kitchin; and
those all on a flower; and the flowers of earth, not so much as made
Levell, nor soeeven as to deserve sweeping; and the most of them were
justly dealt withall: for they had no more then they deserv’d, both
above and below; for the Cobwebs serv’d for hangings, and frying pans
and gred-irons for pictures.
By this equipage, you may guesse what the trading is of this _Iland_,
when the Governour is thus accoutred; but by and by, a Cloath was
layde, of Calico, with 4 or 5 Napkins of the same, to serve a dozen
men. The first Course was set on the table, usherd in by the Padre
himselfe, (_Bernardo_, the _Mollotto_, and _Negroes_ following
after,) with every one a dish of fruite, 6 in all; the first was
Milons, Plantines the second, the third Bonanos, the 4 of Guavers,
the 5 of Prickled Peares, the 6 the Custard Apple: but to fill up
the table, and make the feast yet more sumptuous, the Padre sent his
_Mollotto_, into his own Chamber, for a dish which he reserv’d for
the Close of all the rest; Three _Pines_ in a dish, which were the
first that ever I had seene, and as farre beyond the best fruite that
growes in England, as the best _Abricot_ is beyond the worst Slow or
Crab.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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