FREE TOWN, July 1, 1792.

My Dear Friend,

We accompanied Mr Gilbert to the Island Banana's, where he succeeded in getting some fresh stock, and after staying there two days departed for your quarter of the globe, and I hope is safe arrived in London long ere now.

The Banana's derives its name from the fruit so called, which grows there spontaneously, and in great abundance, as do most tropical fruits.

It is a small Island, but a wonderfully productive, healthful spot, throngly inhabited by clean, tidy, sociable, and obliging people.

They have a town much larger and more regularly built than any other native town I have yet seen; the inhabitants are mostly vassals to one Mr Cleavland, a Black man, who claims the sovereignty of the Island from hereditary right.

The houses are chiefly constructed in a circular form, but of the same kind of stuff with those I formerly noticed.

In the centre of the town is a Palaver, or Court House; here we observed a bed neatly made up, a wash hand bason, clean napkin, and every apparatus of a bed chamber.

This had a very curious appearance; but we were told, the late Mr Cleavland used to indulge himself with the luxury of sleeping in this airy place, and the inhabitants superstitiously thinking (though he has been dead more than a year) he yet invisibly continues the practice, they would not, on any account, forgo the daily ceremony of making up his bed, placing fresh water, &c. as was the custom in his life time.

The idolatry shown the memory of this man, I make no doubt is greatly encouraged by his son, as it secures consequence and popularity to him.

He was from home, I therefore did not see him, but understand he is clever, and (being educated in England) rather polished in his manners.

We sailed from the Banana's in company with Mr. Gilbert, consequently my time was so short, that I am not able to give you but a superficial account of that island; but shall refer you to Lieutenant Matthews's Voyage to Sierra Leone, where you will find it amply described.