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 Manners and Customs of the Mosquito Indians. By Captain Henderson, 8vo.

TH

HE opportunities for useful investigation, afforded by a military life, are many and singularly favourable; but from what ever 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 ad-, vantages 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 Honduras is situated in the province of Yucatan, a peninsula extending from the province of Honduras to the sea, northwardly, 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 84 to 91 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 settlements were in 1763, solemnly guaranteed to Britain by the treaties of Paris and Madrid; but the Spaniards have on several occasions violated this stipulation, and have treated the settlers with singular cruelty.

"The climate of this part of the American continent is greatly su perior 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 WestIndia islands generally; for persons, whose health and constitutions have become impaired front the effects of the latter, very frequently 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 sea-breezes, accompanied by an average of heat that may be taken at the temperature of 80 degrees. The seasons have also their marked difference, though nature may not have de

termined the shades of variation with the same strong lines which she has affixed to most other situations under her dominion. Within the tropics, a change of wind, or a shower of rain, often produces a sudden and 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 beginning of October, what are call ed the norths, north winds, commence, and generally continue, with little variation, till the return of February or March. Whilst these winds last, the mornings 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, agree able, and invigorating. The state of the weather during the norths is

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

The remainder of captain Henderson's first chapter is occupied by a concise description of the town of Balize, together with an outline of the coast. Chapter II. exhibits a brief view of the commercial advantages of Honduras; which (the author thinks) might be found the most convenient dépôt 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.

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

The chief property of the planters consists in slaves, imported mostly from Africa by the intercourse with Jamaica; "but many of them are creoles of the different West-India islands, and several have been brought into the settle

ment, by their owners, from the United States. And in no part of the world whare 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 obsequious dependance on the passions.

"The whole ofthe 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 3,000.

Captain Henderson has introduced some observations onthe diseases peculiar to this climate, and offers to Europeans several very valuable hints for preserving their health, which are alike honourable 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 violent 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 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, however, 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 appetite 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. To 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.

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