season is subject to very hot and dry winds, the tamarind trees are
extremely well adapted for that part of the world; and even herb
this handsome tree will do very well when it is planted singly, but
when crowded in large clusters together, the shade, though inviting,
is insalubrious through the greatest part of the year.
Id sonie of the great capitals of the northern countries o f
Europe, large halls are built for laying out in them a winter garden,
as well to shelter the persons who walk there, as the plants
from the intense cold; perhaps it would be no less desirable to
see in this country a hall erected, for the purpose of screening
the inhabitants, and the tender plants from the intense rays' óf
the sun ; to effect which the Tropics want neither stone nor
timber, the palm in particular would perfectly answer this beneficial
use; this singular tree has been at all times an object
of admiration, I shall therefore not venture to add any thing
more in its praise; but I should wish to propose that a number of
palm trees be planted so near together that their lofty tops might
förrii an arched roof, through which the rays of the sun could not
penetrate, whilst their large pendant leaves, like fans, would occasion
a most delightful breeze; their trunk, rising a$ the finest column*
might be set round with those winding plants which have a natural
inclination to grow about them, and to decorate them ivith their
beautiful blossoms, forming Occasionally festoons, from one tree to
another. All these palm-trees together, should form a kind of hall
or temple, so that, under the protecting shade of their lofty canopy;
no damp would ever be experienced. The real garden to be planted
should consist of the finest sorts of shrubs, distributed by the contrasted
effect of their coloured blossoms, flowers, or shaded leaves in
variegated groups, here and there a different species Of treb planted,
with testing places, shady alcoves, and a running stream, winding
through different parts of the walk. I requestyour pardon for
having dwelt so long on this idea of an imaginary improvement;
yet a proper public walk, is certainly of some importance, to a large
cityv more particularly in the Tropics, where gentle exercise, is
essentially requisite to health, but which is here not often attended,
to by many, who do not . like to go in quest of a. pleasant walk,
at a distance from the town.
As you delight so much in the scenes of nature, I am persuaded
yoU would be much pleased with a view of thu GOUntry, where Ii
take an afternoon walk. The heat Jaegins to abate abqutthree:
o’clock; and at four it becomes very pleasant. In taking the course:
o f the’large canal, which is before my house, I get into an exten?;
sive savannah that leads into a wilderness, which is the. beginningpf
that immense forest, which spreads aH over the uninhabited part of
Guiana. There are only a few roads for carriages» hut.tbe.negrqes
who are sent here to fetch wood, have!
and the whole wilderness resembles a fine park. It ix in this pleasant
place that I find myself in reality transferred, into a new* Wi01s||ir
which differs i so< much from animated and r yegetab!?, nature in
Europe, decorated with an eternal verdure, and beautified vWith. a
number of blossoms, of which, the wild cocoa is fhp most elegant.;
j Of the many alleys that are formed here, one which; I frequent
the most winds along a serpentine river, where a number of beautiful
butterflies are often hovering over the flowing: mirror; and
seem to delight in the reflected splendour of their glittering wings ;
but a still more brilliant spark darts from the blossom, of a.tree;
this is a humming, bird, which flies with surprising velocity through
the air, and vanishes amongst the thick and broad. foliageg qf th e,
palm-tree; the rivulet forces its way through the rich vegetation
into a small but very pleasant savannah^whichissurrqunded by .different
kinds of lofty .trees, amongst which, the silk cotton treeJsthej
most distinguished, exceeding by far in height.and the peturesque-
ness of its branches, th e : venerable oak of Europe; ,.close _.tq ,its
trunk, I have made a kind of turf seat, and have since perceived I