were unable to fulfil the duties of the altar at the usual hour of prayer.

The natives of St. Jago, with those of the neighbouring islands, are mostly
black, or of a mixed colour, very encroaching in their manners, and much
addicted to knavery. The island is extremely rocky and uneven, but the
vallies are fertile. The inhabitants raise cotton, and they have several
sugar works; the quantity they raise of both, does not, however, much
exceed their own consumption, but there is no doubt that it might be
considerably augmented by industry, even for exportation; but the natives
are indolent, and extremely listless in their habits. The only inducement
in touching at this island is, to procure water and provisions: the former
is good, and the latter consists in hogs, turkeys, ducks, poultry, &c. but
frequently, after they have been visited by a fleet, a great scarcity
prevails.

The commodities the natives require as payment may be purchased at Rag
Fair, being extremely partial to cast off wearing apparel of every
description.

The men are extremely slovenly in their dress; but the women are rather
more correct and uniform, those of the better condition being habited in
muslin, and their hair ornamented, and neatly plaited.

They manufacture a narrow cloth of silk and cotton, which is in high
estimation among them, and its exportation is prohibited, except to
Portugal. Considerable ingenuity is displayed in this manufacture, which is
performed in a loom, differing very little from that used by the ruder
inhabitants of the coast of Africa, and similar to the garter loom in
England. They have horses and mules well adapted to their roads and rugged
paths, which they ride most furiously, particularly the military, who