AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

IN the following pages the Author has described facts and occurrences as they came under his own observation. He has consequently omitted hundreds of stories and anecdotes, which he has heard reported, because on strict inquiry he found most of them had their origin in falsehood, and not a few in private pique. He has indeed

mentioned facts which may displease many South Americans: but what country exists without its faults? And where can we find a people without many bad as well as good them? among

The liberality of the people of any country, can scarcely be exhibited in a stronger

light than in hearing with patience their na

tional failings and faults pointed out. In the

6

plays of Love a la Mode' and 'The Man of the World', by Macklin, that author exposes all the objectionable and even blameable parts of the Scottish character, yet, to the honour of that country, these Plays are often acted in their capital, to overflowing houses, and amid bursts of the most unbounded applause.

The author has avoided all systematic arrangement, having merely stated circumstances, and the reflections to which they gave rise, in the order in which they occurred.

Angostura, April 1, 1820.

CON

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

-Departure FROM ENGLAND.

The Author enters into the Venezuelan service;-Takes

his passage on board the Dowson;-Ship sails, but is

delayed in the Downs ;-Anecdote of a bumboatman ;-

Arrival and detention at Portsmouth;-Scene there on

being ordered to sail ;-Ship sails from Portsmouth, and,

after experiencing tempestuous weather at sea, in which

the Indian is lost, makes the harbour of Fowey;-Some

particulars as to the loss of that Ship;-Several officers,

discouraged, leave the Ship, and several soldiers desert;

-Social anecdote at Fowey;-Mutiny on board the

Ship;-Festivities at Fowey ;-Scene on leaving Fowey

and putting to sea.
1-16.

CHAP. II. -PASSAGE TO THE WEST INDIES.

Tempestuous weather at sea;--Change of weather and

amusements on board;-Occurrences at sea;-Arrival

at the Island of Porto Santo ;-Some account of the

Island; Hospitable reception there;--Sails from Porto

Santo and passes Madeira;-Crossing the Line, and

description of the usual ceremony;-Arrival at St.

Bartholomew's. 17-36.

CHAP. III. -STAY IN THE WEST INDIES.

Patriot vessels which had touched at St. Bartholomew's,

and desertion which had taken place from them ;-

Some account of the Island;-Unfavourable accounts

of the Patriots there;-Sails from St. Bartholomew's

and arrives at Grenada;-Still worse accounts of the

Patriots at this Island;-The Supercargoes refuse to

proceed, and many men leave the Ships;-Indolence of

the people there;-Sails from Grenada and arrives at

Trinidad;-Some account of Port of Spain;-Under-

goes a medical examination with a view to settle there;

-Further account of Port of Spain ;-Description of

the Negro-dance;-Takes a passage for Angostura

against the advice of friends. 37-50.

CHAP. IV.-PASSAGE UP THE ORINOCO TO ANGOSTURA.

Sails from Trinidad and encounters a hurricane ;-Enters

the Orinoco by a mouth which is little frequented ;—

Tedious passage, and warping of the vessel;-Sur-

rounded by the Guaraunos Indians;-Description of

these people;-Conduct of the Master of the vessel with

regard to provisions ;-Attacked by various kinds of

Insects-Fracas with an Old Spaniard;-Put on short

allowance, and bad conduct of the Captain ;-Attacked

by musquitoes;-Further display of the Captain's vil-

lainy;-A monkey killed and eaten ;-Tarantulas, cen-

tipedes, and scorpions;-Privations on the passage and

consequent distress;-Entrance of the Grand River ;—

State of exhaustion from want of food;-Arrives at

Barancas on the Orinoco ;-Compels the Captain to take

in some provisions;-Leaves Barancas and arrives at

Old Guyana ;-Some account of Guyana ;-Leaves

Guyana and arrives at Angostura. 51-78.

CHAP. V.ANGOSTURA AND OCCURRENCES THERE.

Description of Angostura ;--Climate of Angostura and

country around;-The Orinoco and its fish ;-Anec-

dotes of these and the alligators;-Contest with the

Captain, and settlement in the Author's favour ;-In-

terview with General Bolivar, and application for ac-

commodation, subsistence, &c.;-Various houses ob-

tained and taken away again;-Curious adventure in

one of these ;-Golgotha behind it ;-Reflexions on this

war of extermination;-Curious occurrence at Angos-

tura;-Strange treatment as to his appointment;-Exe-

cution of General Piar. 79-100.

CHAP. VI.

MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE.

Extreme laziness of the people;-State of marriage among

them;-Women and children smoking;-Rations at

Angostura;-Anecdote of Lord P— and Mr. H-

Manner of killing bullocks and cutting them up;-Scar-

city of vegetables owing to the laziness of the people ;-

Notice of the village of Soledad ;-Manner of living

there and at Angostura ;-Mode of grinding corn, &c.;

-Conduct at table;-Coarse feeding and consequent

diseases;-The women lose their front teeth by smok-

ing, &c.;-Various insects infest the dishes, &c.;-

Money used at Angostura;-Habit of gaming ;-

Mode of dressing the hair;--Mule-equipage and stir-

rups; -Mode of driving Mules; -Trade at Angos-