312 “THE ATLANTIC. [cwaP. rv. 
Long Island, or Bermudas, extends as a narrow strip from 
Somerset Island round the great Sound. At the head of the 
bay, where Hamilton, the principal town, is situated, it widens 
out, being about two miles in width; it then forms the singu- 
lar quadrangular frame round Harrington Sound, and ends on 
the shore of Castle Harbor. The road from Somerset to Ham- 
ilton passes Gibbs’s Hill, 245 feet high, with a light-house— 
120 feet, showing a revolving light, brightening up every min- 
ute into a strong glare which continues for six seconds. As 
the height of the lantern is 3860 feet above the level of the sea, 
the light can be seen for a distance of about thirty miles. Cot- 
tages and patches of cultivation are scattered along the side of 
the road for the whole distance. 
Hamilton is a quaint, rather pretty little town of about 2000 
inhabitants. A half street of irregular houses and stores with 
green verandas faces the harbor, with a commodious line of 
wharves and sheds along the shore. The better houses are 
scattered, and a little inland; and some very pretty villas, the 
residences of the leading merchants and some of the Govern- 
ment officials, occupy pleasant situations round the head of the 
bay. The suburbs of Hamilton show well the peculiarity of 
the contrast between the white-roofed houses and the dark ju- 
nipers. Nearly the best examples of these so-called “ cedars” 
form a fine avenue just behind the town (Fig. 85). 
St. George’s Island, running along the northern shore of Cas- 
tle Harbor, terminates the series to the north-east. The town 
of St. George’s is the second on the islands, even more pret- 
tily situated than Hamilton, and having likewise a good harbor 
for vessels of moderate size, and a good line of wharves. The 
streets of the town are, however, close and narrow, and the 
drainage is bad; so that St. George’s, one of the principal 
military stations, is by no means healthy. St. David Island, 
Cooper Island, Castle Island, and many smaller islets, form a 
broken barrier, closing in Castle Harbor to the southward. 
