It is a common Saying, that One Half of the World does not know how the other Half lives. To add somewhat to your Knowledge in that Particular, I gave you in a former Almanack, an Account of the Manner of living at Hudson’s-Bay, and the Effects produced by the excessive Cold of that Climate, which seem’d so strange to some of you, that it was taken for a Romance, tho’ really authentick. In this, I shall give you some Idea of a Country under the Torrid Zone, which for the Variety of its Weather (where one would naturally expect the greatest Uniformity) is extreamly remarkable. The Account is extracted from the Journal of Monsieur Bouguer, one of the French Academicians, sent by their King to measure a Degree of Latitude under the Equinoctial, in order to settle a Dispute between the English and French Philosophers concerning the Shape of the Earth, others being at the same Time sent for the same Purpose to Lapland, under the Polar Circle. The Mountains in that Country are so lofty, that the highest we have, being compared to them, are mere Mole-hills. This Extract relates chiefly to the Country among those Mountains.

The Method of this Almanack is the same I have observed for some Years past; only in the third Column the Names of some of the principal fixed Stars are put down against those Days on which they come to the Meridian at nine a Clock in the Evening, whereby those unacquainted, may learn to know them. I am, Your obliged Friend and Servant,

Sure Peace is his: A solid Life, estrang’d To Disappointment and fallacious Hope, Rich in Content.        Thomson.

Still like his Master, known by breaking Bread, The Good he entertain’d, the Needy fed; Of Humour easy, and of Life unblam’d, The Friend delighted, while the Priest reclaim’d. The Friend, the Father, and the Husband gone, The Priest still lives in this recording Stone; Where pious Eyes may read his Praises o’er, And learn each Grace his Pulpit taught before.

Here lies, who need not here be nam’d, For Theologic Knowledge fam’d; Who all the Bible had by rote, With all the Comments Calvin wrote; Parsons and Jesuits could confute, Talk Infidels and Quakers mute, To every Heretick a Foe; Was he an honest Man?——So so. January. I Month.

O happy he! happiest of mortal Men! Who far remov’d from Slavery, as from Pride, Fears no Man’s Frown, nor cringing waits to catch The gracious Nothing of a great Man’s Nod; Where the lac’d Beggar bustles for a Bribe, The Purchase of his Honour; where Deceit, And Fraud, and Circumvention, drest in Smiles, A Man without a Wife, is but half a Man. Speak little, do much. He that would travel much, should eat little. February. II Month.

When the Wine enters, out goes the Truth. If you would be loved, love and be loveable. March. III Month. Nor Pageants of Ambition, nor the Mines Of grasping Av’rice, nor the poison’d Sweets Of pamper’d Luxury, he plants his Foot With Firmness on his old paternal Fields, And stands unshaken. There sweet Prospects rise Of Meadows smiling in their flow’ry Pride, Green Hills and Dales, and Cottages embower’d, The Scenes of Innocence, and calm Delight. Ask and have, is sometimes dear buying. The hasty Bitch brings forth blind Puppies. April. IV Month. There the wild Melody of warbling Birds, And cool refreshing Groves, and murmuring Springs, Invite to sacred Thought, and lift the Mind From low Pursuits, to meditate the God!

The honest Man takes Pains, and then enjoys Pleasures; the Knave takes Pleasure, and then suffers Pains. Think of three Things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account. June. VI Month.

July. VII Month.

Who is wise? He that learns from every One. Who is powerful? He that governs his Passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.

August. VIII Month.

Much Virtue in Herbs, little in Men. The Master’s Eye will do more Work than both his Hands.

October. X Month.

Diligence overcomes Difficulties, Sloth makes them. Neglect mending a small Fault, and ’twill soon be a great One. Bad Gains are truly Losses. December. XII Month.