e isles, so as
equally to respect both. To which may be added, that it lies in the way
of vessels passing from America to Great Britain; all which makes it
plain, that the youth, to be educated in a seminary placed in the
Summer Islands, would have frequent opportunities of going thither and
corresponding with their friends. It must indeed be owned, that some
will be obliged to go a long way to any one place, which we suppose
resorted to, from all parts of our plantations; but if we were to look
out a spot the nearest approaching to an equal distance from all the
rest, I believe it Would be found to be Bermuda. It remains, that we
see whether it enjoys the other qualities or conditions laid down as
well as this.

The Summer Islands are situated near the latitude of thirty-three
degrees; no part of the world enjoys a purer air, or a more temperate
climate, the great ocean which environs them, at once moderating the
heat of the south winds, and the severity of the north-west. Such a
latitude on the continent might be thought too hot; but the air in
Bermuda is perpetually fanned and kept cool by sea breezes, which
render the weather the most healthy and delightful that could be
wished, being, (as is affirmed by persons who have long lived there) of
one equal tenour almost throughout the whole year, like the latter-end
of a fine May; insomuch that it is resorted to as the Montpelier of
America.

Nor are these isles (if we may believe the accounts given of them) less
remarkable for plenty than for health; there being, besides beef,
mutton, and fowl, great abundance of fruits, and garden-stuff of all
kinds in perfection: To this, if we add the great plenty and variety of
fish, which is every day taken on their coasts, it would seem, that a
seminary could no where be supplied with better provisions, or cheaper
than here.

About forty years ago, upon cutting down many tall cedars, that
sheltered their orange-trees from the north west-wind (which sometimes
blows, even there, so as to affect that delicate plant) great part of
their orange plantations suffered; but other cedars are since grown up,
and no doubt a little industry would again produce as great plenty of
oranges, as ever was there heretofore. I mention this, because some
have inferred from the present scarcity of that fruit, for which
Bermuda was once so famous, that there hath been a change in the soil
and climate for the worse. But this, as hath been observed, pr