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
Now let us consider how many things there are to be thought on,
that go to the actuating this great work, and how many cares to
prevent the mischances, that are incident to the retarding, if not
the frustrating of the whole work; and you will finde them wise and
provident men, that go on and prosper in a work, that depends upon so
many contingents.
This I say, to stop those mens mouths, that lie here at home, and
expect great profit in their adventures, and never consider, through
what difficulty, industry, and paines it is acquired. And thus much I
thought good to say, of the abilities of the Planters.
The next thing is, of their natures and dispositions, which I
found compliable in a high degree to all vertues, that those of
the best sort of Gentlemen call Excellent; as, Civilly in treating
of Strangers, with communicating to them any thing within the
compasse of their knowledge, that might be beneficiall to them, in
any undertaking amongst them, and a assisting them in it, giving
them harbour for themselves and servants. And if their intentions
were to buy Plantations, to make diligent inquiries for such as
they desired, and to drive the bargain as neer the winde for their
advantages, as possibly they could, and to put themselves in some
travells, in setling the businesse: Or, if that could not do them
service, to recommend them to any friend they had, that lay more fit
and convenient for their purpose. Loving, friendly, and hospitable
one to another; and though they are of severall Perswasions, yet,
their discretions ordered every thing so well, as there never were
any fallings out between them: which to prevent, some of them of the
better sort, made a Law amongst themselves, that whosoever nam’d
the word _Roundhead_ or _Cavalier_, should give to all those that
heard him, a Shot and a Turky, to be eaten at his house that made
the forfeiture; which sometimes was done purposely, that they might
enjoy the company of one another; and sometimes this Shot and this
Turky would draw on a dozen dishes more, if company were accordingly:
So frank, so loving, and so good natur’d were these Gentlemen one
to another; and to expresse their affections yet higher, they had
particular names one to another, as, Neighbour, Friend, Brother,
Sister: So that I perceived nothing wanting, that might make up a
firme and lasting friendship amongst them; though after I came away,
it was otherwise.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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