Agredior primufque novis Helicona movere Hofpita facra ferens, nulli memorata priorum. MANIL. By JAMES GRAIN G. E R, M. D. &c. LONDON: Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY, in Pall-mall. V PRE F A C E. OON after my arrival in the Weft-Indies, I conceived the de SOON fign of writing a poem on the cultivation of the Sugar-Cane. My inducements to this arduous undertaking were, not only the importance and novelty of the fubject, but more efpecially this confideration; that, as the face of this country was wholly different from that of Europe, fo whatever hand copied its appearances, however rude, could not fail to enrich poetry with many new and picturefque images. I CANNOT, indeed, fay I have fatisfied my own ideas in this particular: yet I must be permitted to recommend the precepts contained in this Poem. They are the children of Truth, not of Genius; the refult of Experience, not the productions of Fancy. Thus, though I may not be able to please, I shall stand some chance of instructing the Reader; which, as it is the nobler end of all poetry, fo fhould it be the principal aim of every writer who wishes to be thought a good man. ir Ir muft, however, be obferved, that, though the general précepts are fuited to every climate, where the Cane will grow; yet, the more minute rules are chiefly drawn from the practice of St. Chriftopher. Some felection was neceffary; and I could adopt no modes of planting, with fuch propriety, as those I had seen practifed in that island, where it has been my good fortune chiefly to refide fince I came to the Weft-Indies. I HAVE often been aftonished, that fo little has been published on the cultivation of the Sugar-Cane, while the prefs has groaned under folios on every other branch of rural oeconomy. It were unjust to suppose planters were not folicitous for the improvement of their art, and injurious to affert they were incapable of obliging mankind with their improvements.. AND yet, except fome scattered hints in Pere Labat, and other French travellers in America; an Effay, by Colonel Martyn of Antigua, is the only piece on plantership I have seen deferving a perufal. That gentleman's pamphlet is, indeed, an excellent perform ance; and to it I own myself indebted.. IT must be confeffed, that terms of art look awkward in poetry; yet didactic compofitions cannot wholly difpenfe with them. Atcordingly we find that Hefiod and Virgil, among the ancients, with. Philips and Dyer, (not to mention fome other poets now living in. our own country); have been obliged to infert them in their poems. Their example is a fufficient apology for me, for in their fteps. I. fhall always be proud to tread. Vos |