TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

This book was first published in 1657. In this etext the character ſ (long-form s) has been replaced by the modern s, and the character vv has been replaced by w.

Several pages have examples of long division showing some numbers with strikethrough (Unicode combining Short Stroke Overlay). On this device the number 123 for example, with strikethrough, will display as: 1̸2̸3̸

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.

Except for those changes in the Note at the [end of the book], all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.

All the changes in the [Errata] at the back of the book have been applied to the etext. Several other occurrences of Gnaver and Milion have also been changed to Guaver and Milon.

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Novissima et Acuratissima
BARBADOS.
Descriptio
per
Johannem Ogiluium.
Cosmographum Regium

A TRVE & EXACT
HISTORY
Of the Island of
BARBADOS.

Illustrated with a Mapp of the Island, as

also the Principall Trees and Plants there, set forth

in their due Proportions and Shapes, drawne out by
their severall and respective Scales.

Together with the Ingenio that makes the Sugar, with

the Plots of the severall Houses, Roomes, and other places, that

are used in the whole processe of Sugar-making; viz. the Grinding-
room, the Boyling-room, the Filling-room, the Curing-
house, Still-house, and Furnaces;
All cut in Copper.

By Richard Ligon Gent.

LONDON,
Printed for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince’s Armes
in St. Paul’s Church-yard: 1657.

To my most Honoured, and highly esteemed Friend,

Dr BRIAN DUPPA,
Ld Bp of SALISBURIE.

Honour’d Sir,

THE first and last time you gave me the favour to kisse your hands, since my return from the Southern and Western parts of the World, you were pleased to make some enquiries of me, concerning the Iland of Barbados, a place you much desired to be satisfied in: But, by reason my stay was but short, I could give You but a sleight and scant relation, of the many particulars you were desirous to be informed in; so that for the present, I rather poynted at, then gave a home-satisfaction, to what was most fit to be known, of the Beauties and Riches of that place. Whereupon you were pleased to impose on me a task, (very unfit for me to undertake, being one altogether unlettered) to deliver in writing, the sum of all I knew, concerning that Iland. Though I were sufficiently conscious of mine own inabilities; yet, my obedience to your commands, led me on, to give you a private satisfaction, in a thing you so earnestly desired, which was all I aimed at: But, upon perusall of it, you were pleased to give me a far greater encouragement, then I expected, with your allowance for the publishing of it, for the common benefit of those, who intend to spend their times, and venture their fortunes upon such undertakings; so that I wanted but means or friends, for the putting it forth; but, those two being absent, it has layne in the dark this two years. You were then likewise pleased, to cast your eyes upon some pieces of Limning, which I had done since my return, (by my memory only) of the Trees, Plants, and Fruits, which I had seen growing upon that place; things in themselves of infinite beauty, but losing much of their life and lustre, by my ill handling; yet, you were pleased to afford them an approbation, beyond their value, which gave me an ambition, to do somewhat in that kinde, more like a Master; and to that purpose, was designing a piece of Landscape, and one of Story, wherein I meant to expresse the postures of the Negres, in their severall kinds of Sports and Labours; and with it, the beauties of the Vegetables, that do adorn that place, in the highest perfection I could: But presently after, being cast into Prison, I was deprived both of light and lonelinesse, two main helpers in that Art; and so being disabled to discern or judge of Colours, I was compelled to expresse my designes in Black and White: So that now you will finde exposed to your view, a piece of wild Grotesco, or loose extravagant Drolorie, rather than a Regular piece of Story or Landscape.

Rough drawn, and unproportionably stell’d, though it be, I here present it; which, though it be but as a Drop to the Ocean, or a Mite to the treasury of your Knowledge; yet, in obedience to your commands, which have a powerfull operation on me, I could do no lesse then give you an account of what I had done, how weak and unperfect soever. And so begging pardon for the faults committed, both in the Language, and ill contrivance of my Discourse, I humbly take my leave, and rest.

Honoured Sir,
Your most humble Servant:
R. Ligon.

Upper Bench Prison,
July 12th 1653.

The Letter of the Bishop of Sar. to me then
in Prison, after he had perused my Book.

SIR,

YOU can best tell, with what pleasure you past over your Voyage to the Barbadoes: But, whatsoever it was, your dangers at Sea, and your long sicknesse on Land, had been enough to sour it, had not the condition of the times made any place more acceptable, than your Native Country. But, the pleasure which you have given me, in reading this Narrative, is without all these mixtures: For, without any hardship at all, I have in a few daies gone the same voyage, view’d the Iland, weigh’d all the Commodities and Incommodities of it; and all this with so much pleasure, that I cannot, without great injustice, forbear telling you, that though I have read formerly many Relations of other parts of the World, I never yet met with so exact a piece, as this of yours. Your diligence hath been great in so short a time, to make these Observations; but, your expressions of them are such, as shew, that no ingenious Art hath scap’t you. You say, that in your younger time, you acquainted your selfe with Musick and Painting; and had you not said so, the reading of this Book would have made me say it for you; for, it is so Musically made up, and all the descriptions so Drawn to the life, that I know no Painting beyond it. And for the question you put to me, whether you should publish it or no, I desire you would make no doubt of it; for first, I know none that hath written of this Argument before; and next, I am perswaded, that having read this Description of yours, none that come after will venture upon it. Only, I have one request to you, that your kindnesse to me, (who without any designe, gave you the occasion of doing it) may not lead you into such an insufferable errour, as to choose me out as a fit person to inscribe it to, who am so much in the shade, that I must not own my selfe. I am willing to believe, that though Honour be at this time at a very low Ebb, and, by the iniquity of the times, is much falne within the Banks; yet, the Channell is not so drie, but you may meet therewith some Noble person, that may with more advantage, take you and your Book into the same Cock-boat with him, and keep you this Winter both from cold and hunger. And therefore, in great earnestnesse I desire you, to look over your Catalogue of Friends; and, though you cannot finde one that loves you better, yet, to make choice of him, that can protect you better. And so with my prayers for you, that your afflictions here may be so managed by you, as to lead you to Joyes hereafter, I rest.

Your most affectionate Friend,
Br. Sar.

Richmond, Septemb.
5th. 1653.