632 Description of the Bermuda Islands, 



"Was the only one of all the passengers who was ordered on 

 board the Lcander, where I remained for 43 days, during 

 which time the cruize lasted. This disagreeable event re- 

 uioved me more than 600 leagues from Charlestown ; but it 

 gave me ait opportunity of visiting the Bermuda Islands, 

 where the Leander anchored on the 7th of April, to take in 

 water. We remained there eight days, and I obtained per- 

 niission from captain Whitby (who always treated me with 

 the utmost politeness) to go on shore frequently : upon 

 these visits I made the observations I am about to com- 

 municate*. 



The number of islands composing the Archipelago of the 

 Bermudas is so considerable, that the inhabitants say they 

 are equal to the days of the year. The largest are only from 

 12 to 13 miles long, The smallest look l,ike lime rocks just 

 rising above the surface of the sea. The whole occupies an 

 extent of about 35 miles in lent^th by 20 or 25 broad. To- 

 wards the north himiense strata of rocks extend from 30 to 

 40 miles, rendering the approach of vessels dangerous. 



These islands, although much lower than tht^ Azores, 

 present nearly th^ same appearance at a distance,, and re- 

 semble long and high ridges of hillocks covered with a 

 darkish verdure. They are not surrounded by ^ t^at and 

 sandy beach like the Floridas, but skirted by high rocks, 

 against which the waves are continually breaking. 



The island near which the English ships of war generally 

 anchor is called St. George's, which is also the name of the 

 chief town. The town of riamilton is in another island, 

 ilfteen miles off; these two arc tht^ only towns in the Ber- 

 ynudas. There are no bouses so close together in any other 

 place as to entitle them even to the name of villai^es. 



St. George's island is situated at the north end of the 

 Archipelago, and it was the only one on which I landed. 

 It is of the second class in point of size, being nine miles 

 long by three broad in sonie places, and only a quarter of a 

 mile in others. The straights, which separate its southern 

 shores from the islands of St. David, forni the harbour, and 



* M. Michaux was liumantly released at Halifax, by captair^ Whitby, 

 ^nd prDccedcd to New York.— i'V*/jr/t Editor, 



its 



