fresh enough, he wished to make another trial. The inhabitants,
however, did not like to encourage it, as the small pox very seldom,
appears in this country, except it is introduced by foreign véssels,
and for preventing this they-take the greatest precaution.
Another fortunate circumstance for the colony is, that they have
no earthquakes; and though they sometimes feel a shock when there
happens to be one in the neighbouring countries, yet these have
never done any damage here. Paramaribo, lying in 5* 43' north
latitude, has, therefore, superior advantages of situation to many
other towns in the tropics; and still moré improvements might
be made lór the greater salubrity of the air. For instance, the
burial grounds, which were formerly at a distance from the town,
since the great enlargement of the place, are now closely connected,
with i t ; and those who pass them in the hottest part of the season,
soon experience how noxious these depositaries of the dead must
be to the living inhabitants of the town. There has been lately
formed a new burial ground, but many of the inhabitants do not
like to have their relations interred there; but rather choose to pay
a. high price tor a burial place in the orange square, which lies In
the middle of the town. This, perhaps, is not always the effect of
vanity, but from a wish to honour the remains of their friends, and
to shew their affection, by interring them where others of equal
fortune have deposited their relations. An order for the abolishing
of this burial ground, by government, would be *of the most effectual
benefit to the inhabitants.
The yard of the Dutch church, which is situated in the most p6-
pulous pari of the town, is also used foT interment; and on making
some observations rto the officiating clergyman on this subject, he
declared, that there had already been some objection made by the
eourt of Surinam, to the burying any more there; but he had per*
listed in continuing the practice,as it was his duty, he said, to take
scare of the emoluments of Ms successor as well as of his own. But
a resolution of government would very likely relieve him from this
burthen on his conscience, while, at the same time, some compensation
might be made for the^loss of this part of his income.
In other respects,„it must be said, that the streets are kept very
clean; and here is a species of the smaller sized vulture, Which is
not allowed to be killed as it frequents the-town, where it devours
the carcasses of reptiles or any .offal that may be lying unobserved!
Twice in the year the police officers inspect the town to see if the
gravel ground, orange trees, and lime hedges, are all kept in good
order, which makes the streets appear as a fine walk, and many of
the new-comers compare Paramaribo to a complete garden.