the appearance of an abrupt and rugged mountain, divested of tree, shrub, or herbage. The principal ridge in the centre of the island is called Diana's Peak, and is about 2200 feet above the level of the sea; near the S. W. part there is a hill of a conical form, called High Peak, rather less elevated than the other. There is very little level ground on the island; the whole of it appears in abrupt ridges and chasms, but the vallies are fruitful, and clothed with continual verdure, unless in very dry seasons.

At the N. E. extremity of the island there is a pyramidical hill close to the sea, called the Sugar-loaf, with a signal post upon it; at the base of this hill there are three batteries, at a small distance from each other, called Buttermilk, and Banks's Upper and Lower Batteries. A little to the S. W. of these, Rupert's Battery appears, at the bottom of a valley of the same name, which is a strong stone wall and battery mounted with heavy cannon; and Munden's Point divides this valley from James's, or Chapel Valley, where James's Town, the only one on the island, is situated. On Munden's Point there is a fort of the same name, and several guns placed on the heights over it, which command that side of James's Valley. This valley has on the S. W. side a hill, elevated nearly 800 feet perpendicular from the sea, called Ladder Hill, with a heavy battery of guns upon it, that commands the S. W. entrance to the valley and anchorage. On the 19th June, 1824, a huge mass of overhanging rock, just below the barrier gate of the upper side of the road from Ladder Hill, gave way, and fell in large fragments into the valley. James's Valley is also protected by a wall and strong line of cannon at its entrance, close to the sea. There is also a

battery at Sandy Bay, on the south side of the island, where boats may land when the surf is not great; but this, and every other part where there is a possibility of landing, are well secured by batteries or guns placed on the heights over them; and on the summits of the hills there are convenient signal posts all over the island, communicating by telegraphs with each other and with the castle, which add greatly to the natural strength of the island.

When a ship is descried, a gun is fired at the signal post where she is first seen, and this is repeated by the other posts to the castle, which is called an alarm; if more ships appear, a gun is fired for each till five in number, when the signal is made for a fleet; but if more than two sail appear to be steering together for the island, a general alarm is beat, and every person takes possession of the post assigned him, and remains under arms till the Governor is made acquainted by the boats with what ships they are.

All ships coming in from the eastward, heave-to to windward of the

island, and send a boat on shore with an officer, to report their nation and business, and obtain the Governor's permission for anchoring. The boat is generally hailed from the battery at Sugar-loaf Point; but she must proceed to James's Town to give the Governor information, before the ship is permitted to pass the first battery at the Sugar-loaf. Ships of war as well as merchantmen must observe this precaution, or the batteries will open upon them. When the boat is perceived returning, the ship makes sail for the anchorage.

On rounding Munden's Point, the eye is relieved from the dreary aspect of the island by a view of the town, situated in a narrow valley between two lofty mountains; this valley is called James's Valley, opposite to which you may anchor in from 8 to 15 fathoms, with the flagstaff at the fort bearing S. S. E., distance from the shore about half a mile; this is a good and convenient birth for watering. Upon landing, which is at a kind of jetty, and passing the drawbridge, the way leads between a fine line of 32 pounders and a double row of trees. The town is entered by an arched gateway under a rampart or terrace, forming one side of a parade, about 100 feet square. This parade, were it not disfigured by some mean buildings on the right, would have a handsome appearance. On the left side are the Government-house and main guard-room; the former is enclosed with a wall, having the semblance of embrasures, and is called the castle: it contains the habitation of the Governor and the public officers. The church is fronting the gateway, and is a handsome building; on the right of which is a neat littie theatre, far superior to many of the provincial in England. The principal street commences between the church and a small palisadoed enclosure, called the Company's garden. It consists of about 30 houses, most of them neat and well-constructed. At the top it divides into two other streets, one to the east, leading to that side of the country; the other proceeding to the upper part of the valley, across a wooden bridge thrown over a small rivulet; in this street are the barracks, the new garden, the hospital, and a number of shops well stored with all sorts of European, Indian, and Chinese commodities; but the houses are in general far inferior to those in the lower part of the town, where the principal inhabitants reside.

The following are extracts from the Company's instructions relative to St. Helena :

When dispatched from India or China, you are to use your utmost endeavours to round the Cape of Good Hope, and proceed to the Island of St. Helena, if not otherwise directed; observing to fall in to the eastward of the island, and carefully run down upon it, to prevent surprise. On your

approach, make the private signal, and forward your boat with a letter to the Governor, laying to at a proper distance till the signal is answered, and your boat is returning; nor are you to pass Banks's Battery till you have the Governor's leave.

You are not to depend on a supply of salt provisions from St. Helena, or appropriate to your ship's use any of the stores intended for the island. You are particularly cautioned not to let your officers or crew be the occasion of any tumult or disturbance there, as you will answer to us for any mischief your authority or exertion could have prevented.

Anchors, cables, topmasts, and other stores being sent to St. Helena, in order to prevent any plea or motive for putting into Ireland, or any western port, you are directed, if in want of those articles, to apply to our Governor in Council, who, being satisfied of your wants, will supply you accordingly, at 50 per cent. advance.

On your arrival at St. Helena in war time, in order to prevent surprise, or the consequences of any attack, you are required to attend to the direc tions of your senior officer for the birthing of your ship, in order to resist an enemy in the most effectual manner, by veering away, and thus bringing the of the whole fleet to bear, or by any other disposition which may guns be concerted for your defence.

PORT REGULATIONS.-Ships touching at the island, are to have the preference of assistance in the following order :

I. British men of war, which are to have the use of both cranes, if they require it, until they are watered.

II. Ships with Company's stores are to have one crane to themselves, and their turn at the other.

III. English Indiamen.
IV. English whalers.

V. Foreign men of war.

VI. Foreign merchant ships.

Any commander of a British ship, who wishes to water at Lemon Valley, must first apply to the Town Major for permission.

No boat is to make fast to the hawsers, or buoys, at either crane, but the boat that is under the crane; those waiting for their turn, must ride by their respective grapnels, or lie upon their oars, until the boat, then under the crane, haul out, and leave a vacancy.

No boat is to lie close to either stairs longer than necessity absolutely requires; but to keep at a sufficient distance to allow other boats to approach.

None but King's boats, or the boats of Government, are permitted to pass to windward beyond the battery, at the point under Sugar-loaf,

nor to board, or to have intercourse with any ship coming in, before such ship shall have anchored.

No foreigner can, on any pretence whatever, be permitted to go into the country, nor land on any other part of the island, but James's Valley.

None but boats belonging to British men of war are allowed to land at any other part of the island but James's Valley, without permission from the Governor.

Any ship or vessel approaching the roads with a yellow flag, is to be considered under quarantine so long as it shall remain hoisted.

The commanders of ships, not in the Company's regular employ, and foreigners on their arrival in the port, before application for water, or any other refreshment, are first to give bond or security, in the Secretary's office, against taking any person from the island, or leaving any person on it, without permission from Government. The certificate of their having signed such bond is to be delivered to the Master Attendant, to whom the charges for anchorage, boat-hire, &c. are to be paid.

The commanders of all ships to give forty-eight hours' notice to the Governor before they intend to sail, and are not to sail after sunset in the evening, nor before sunrise in the morning; for the due observance of which they shall give bond, if required, as before mentioned.

No gunpowder is to be landed without previous notice being given to the Commissary of Stores and Master Attendant, in order that proper precautions may be adopted to prevent accidents.

TRADE.-In the privilege of the commanders and officers of the storeships, of which one or two are annually consigned to the island by the East India Company, are imported the following articles for the consumption of the settlement, and the supply of the homeward-bound ships, viz.-Ale in casks, books and pamphlets, boots and shoes, cabinet ware, canvas, cloths and casimeres, chintz and muslins, cutlery, glass ware, garden seeds, hats, hams, haberdashery, hardware, hosiery, jewellery, ironmongery, musical instruments, millinery, oilman's stores, perfumery, plated ware, porter, port wine, provisions, salt, rum shrub, saddlery, ship-chandlery, stationery, tin-ware, tobacco, and watches.

The homeward-bound ships bring the following East India and China produce:-China-ware, Canton cloth, furniture, long-cloths, lackered ware, muslins, nankeens, rice, sugar-candy, sugar, silk piece-goods, sweetmeats, teas, toys, thread, and wax candles.

For the outward-bound investments dollars are generally paid, and those homeward-bound are in general of so small an amount, that if the ships remain any time, it is absorbed in the expences of the ship, and that of the commanders and officers.

PROVISIONS AND REFRESHMENTS.-The beef here is excellent; but in consequence of the small number of cattle on the island, and the great demand for the King's and Company's shipping, who are generally allowed two fresh meals in a week during their stay, they seldom attain the age of four years. Salt meat is therefore the principal food of the inhabitants and garrison: it is issued from the Company's stores at prime cost, and other articles, as flour, peas, tea, sugar, rice, &c. at a small advance, covering freight and expences. The other articles of provision procurable here, are mutton, pork, grown fowls, turkies, geese, ducks, mackarel, bull's eyes, potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, eggs, milk, apples, turtle, and Conger eels.

Of fish there is a great variety round the island, most of them excellent, and they are to be purchased cheap. The fruits met with are grapes, figs, plantains, guavas, oranges, lemons, apples, &c. and of vegetables, cabbages, yams, and potatoes; of the latter great quantities are produced on the island, and are in general of the best kind. Fresh water is conveyed from a spring in the valley by leaden pipes to the wharf, and from thence into the boats, but generally the casks are landed, filled, and hoisted into the boats; the water is excellent, and any quantity may be procured without delay. There is another watering place in Lemon Valley, which is esteemed the best water, and you will fill the casks in the boat with a hose; only it is a little farther to fetch it. Firewood is very scarce, and procured with great difficulty.

The officers of ships and passengers during their stay on the island are accommodated with board and lodging in the houses of the principal inhabitants, for which they pay in proportion to the existing price of fresh provisions, and half price for each child or servant.

In the year 1819, the price of eggs at St. Helena reached the extravagant price of 6s. per dozen: whereupon the Governor directed by proclamation, that any person asking more than 3s. per dozen, should be subject to the penalty of 40s. He also prohibited the exportation of poultry sold at higher rates than the following:

COINS.-Accounts are kept in pounds, shillings, and pence; but coins of every denomination pass current here, both Indian and European.

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