that frequently a long conversation is carried on by English and
Dutch inhabitants in this commeto dialebt, without the assistance
of which they would toot understand one another. The Moravians
have made a grammar of this mixed language, but they were
obliged to coin many new words, for the purpose of conveying to
their hearers an idea of the Christian religion. L E T T E R X II.
The Climate o f Surinam.— General Opinion respecting it.—Dexterity
o f the Indians in hunting.—ThewetSeason.—Climate of Paramaribo
respecting itcalik.—Ijotp to improve it.
. M l D e a r Sir , ■ ■■. Paramaribo, i)ec. 2Qth. •
I a m not surprised that yon still efatertain' so unfavourable an opinion!
of the climate of Surinam, since- so many authors Who have'
treated on that subject, give the most melancholy description of
itj and they were so far in the right, when they dohsrdbred; hbw
much ■ the. first sfcttlerS suffered here; but- it- is a1 general opinion ifi’
this, colony, that the climate has changed considerably'for the better.
during: these last twenty years, and the old planters metotion:
diseases as very common among the inhabitants formerly, which
are now no longer known.
The great population of the* Colony, and the Better clearing' of
the groundyhas been the principal cauS#i#'fhis happy dhah^fe.®
Formerly extensive swamps exhaled thick cloudW of vapoursi and
being; shaded-by immense forests, the breezes ha'd-little Or* ho>j>oWer
qf( dispersing; them 1 so th a t in| theTtime= o f th e | heavy- " they*
became I stationary the greatest!. part:of the year.' Blit now a more
serene atmosphere prevails; The year, is- divided into' two dry and*
two-wet seasons ri When < the tun is a d v&nei fig I frbitf the trbpic of
Cancer, within twelve or: tbo degrees, light showers refresh the land:
this begins^ about; themiddie-ofApril,and increases till the middle
Of June, when the rains fall in torrents, and grea tly surprise those