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am Hot the only one that frequents the placé. I found a piece of
string, with red beads, laying near *the seat, and the other day a
broken walking stick, of a wild rattoon cane. The European inhabitants
do not like to take siSSh'distant Walks; and there is-ftp road;
for carriages that leads to this place, and the approach is not passable
even on horseback, as the branchés of many trees grow very
low ; perhaps some aged negroe rested here, with his heavy load ; or
a negfess suckling her new born child,'and enjoying, in this solemn
retreat undisturbed the tender feelings of a mothèr. When a person
frequents this sequestered place, irimust afford him some pléa-r
sure to find that so delightful a spot is not entirely neglected by
his fellow creatures.
A grearnumber of different birds frequent this place, and seem tô’
be attracted here by the neighbouring rivulet. The variety ©fHheir
lively coloured plumage forms a beautiful contrast' to. the dârk
verdure of the surrounding foliage ; the notes of ihanÿ species of
spects compared to the Russian musical horns, each of which has'ks
peculiar note, yet when there is a sufficient number of thehi to complete
the whole octave, play all the varieties of-'a tunc: -so it 'is
with many of the songsters, when they are heard chanting together
in the lofty trees of ihe forest.
It is time to quit this place of solitude, from whieffmanydiffer-
ent and pleasant walks lead towards my home; one in particular is
marked by a number of Nibbees, that had been first growing round:
a large tree, which has since died away, and its remains almost
entirely vanished, whilst the surrounding plants are still in their
perfect vigour; they now form a fine transparent column ; many of
these plants are winding round other healthy trees, sometimes pend*
ant from one branch 10 another, festooned in every variety add with
unaffected elegance, shewing that nothing but nature was the author
of the ornament; where this walk leads, the groundbecomes lower:
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plenty: of underwood is growing,1 and mixed with large trees, gives
to this place a very dark shade, rendering it the favourite retreat
of shy birds, and those of prey, which by their shrieks make the
forest resound as if it were haunted by-evil spirits. The trotting of
large quadrupeds is heard, but the thick foliage hides them from-the
sight; yet there is no reason to fear ajiy ravenous beast, for even the
tiger o f Surinam does not attack the human species,; the crocodile
is only dangero.us near the riyers; and with respect to th,e venomous
serpents, my faithful,.terrier who accompanies me insure to give
me timqlywarningwhenwe are"near them. The,sun is sinking fast
in the west, and therefore I dodble my pace, he^riBg..^è\h|urWaii^
ous and o-yer.varying, song of the true mocking bird, which being
fond ofjthe neighbourhood of habitations, assuredly guides me out
of the forest, by its sweet notes.
• My way back passes by the burial ground of the Moravians,
which is planted'in the manner of a garden, and when they bear
fficiast reffiêinVóf a brother to this place, they call it conducting1
liim tOnSbome. 5
• The sun sets about six -o'clpck, before I can arrive at my house;
But in the cloudy evenings of the' rainy season, a number of tropi-
' cal fire fliés, illuminate the hedges of lime-fruit trees, which are
planted in the front of the street; and in the dry fceasoii the stars of
# the zodiac shine with uncommon lustre,;
Butll am fearful of having-trespassed too much already upon
your indulgence, by the long description I have entered into of these
tropical walks, in an attempt to give a true picture of the environs
Of Paramaribo, and therefore will add no niprp to this letter, subscribing
myself with the greatest respect, &c.
• worthy lady, to whom, this letter was addressed died much regretted,-
from the consequences .of a contagious disease, the measles, v^hiph she caught ip an
advanced age.
H