of sizes, from the value of one pound to six or eight pounds sterling. The women hang them upon their breasts, and those of the young girls who attend them. These men travel into the very heart of the continent, of which they give such imperfect descriptions, that we cannot know where it is found. I have observed, at the Bananas, where I chiefly reside, and at other places, amongst the granite and red rocks, many round nodules of stone, from the size of a man's head to ten times the size. These seem composed of coats, formed over one another; but they are not so hard as other rocks. Some sandy bays at the Plantanes abound with sand, each grain as big as a pea. The sandy bays at the Bananas yield much to our steps, and the breaking of the surface causes a harsh noise, much resembling that we make when walking in the snow, but much more creaking and disagreeable. It sets my teeth on edge so much, that I am obliged to avoid walking over them, though it would otherwise be at times a pleasant exercise. The afore-mentioned sands are very white, but the sand upon one of the Turtle Islands, I think, is as white as the whitest marble. My friends sent me out lately an assistant, who was an able botanist. He understood something of every branch of natural history, being brought up under the great Linnæus. Every naturalist has, with me, sustained a great loss by his premature death. He was attacked with a fever, which he neglected and trifled with. It remitted twice, after two seemingly slight attacks; but the third onset was so violent, as to carry him off very suddenly, to the surprise of all here. I had conceived great hopes from his abilities, and I expected much happiness in the company of an intelligent friend and companion, enthusiastic in his pursuit. He was accurate in his observations; and his assiduity was not to be tired out; but he had very little time to look about him, before he was snatched from the scientific world. The strata, even at the broken cliffs, are difficult to be discerned; for so fertile is the climate, that you may very frequently see trees growing upon bare rocks, where you might as easily get a pint of gold dust as a pint of mould; and as fast as the cliff's break away, as fast the verdure increases. Such an expedition as mine is attended with great expence, and greater difficulties. I am now well acquainted with the principal, and wish to make the utmost advantage of the opportunity, while in my grasp. Pertinent inquiries and instructions from the curious will enable me to satisfy them in many points, which may else remain unknown or doubtful to the present generation. I am there, fore solicitous to increase my correspondence. I am, Sir, Your most obedient and obliged servant, * LETTER CLXXIV. From the same. Paris, March 30, 1784. Dr. Franklin is hourly expecting his recall, which he tells me he has written for a long time. He says he built a house upwards of twenty years since, which he has enjoyed but one year; he wishes now to enjoy it for the little time he has to live (being in his 79th year) among his friends; he says he should like to see his friends in England; but, on account of the stone, he dreads the thought of travelling so much by land. He spoke of you, the last time I saw him, in the warmest terms of respect, and desired to be most kindly remembered to you. I was taken very ill going there, and was brought to town in his coach. The distance, the season, the dirty roads, and, above all, my various avocations, prevent me going as often as I could wish; for if public business permits me, we have generally a long conversation, and he introduces a great many pleasant stories, with a great deal of philosophical information. H. S. LETTER CLXXV. From the same. Paris, April 17, 1784. I am half mad every time I read, that such a ship is arrived at such a port, with a fine cargo of slaves. Is it impossible to raise three or four thousand pounds for the Lord's sake? What objection, for instance, could a body of Friends make, to collect a sum for the redemption of two hundreds of those poor creatures? If a body of men would send me with money, for that purpose, I can only say that I would, with that, get as many out of the hands of the Philistines as possible, and set them at liberty upon the plan I have proposed. If I were to take arms in my ship, it would be only to defend me from the abandoned whites and blacks, who might be inclined to cut me off. If I succeeded, it would be infinitely more advantageous for me to be honest and repay those benefactors, than to turn rogue, and sell the poor creatures I had rescued from the jaws of slavery, worse than death. What, will you not assist a man to go upon the work of redemption, because he carries arms in his ship, with which almost all ships are furnished? Or, will you not trust a poor rogue, upon such a plan, with a cargo, when the greatest scoundrels are trusted every day with much greater sums, for the most diabolical of all purposes? Well, if I have success with my balloon affair, I will certainly go on my own account. If I could but get as much as would procure me a little rice-mill and other tools, I would attempt it; in the attempt I must feel happiness; death may shorten that here, which is imperfect; and I have no doubt the change would be for the better. I must and will go to Africa before long at any rate. H. S. Dear Sir, LETTER CLXXVI. From the same. Paris, July 16, 1784. I shall set aside other subjects for the present to answer you relative to the subject next my heart --the African expedition. I cannot think of it without a sort of fever, which, like other fevers, sometimes affects me with a kind of delirium, as imagining some hopes of carrying it into execution. This fit is too often followed by a great depression of spirits; you may call one the hot, and the other the cold fit. The ancient Bishop of Challon has translated my letters on the subject, after. I had previously revised them; and as I imagined there might perhaps be found mulattoes and |