SETTLEMENT OF STANLEY. 99 



passing- b}'^ a narrow channel from the outer to the 

 inner harbour, or Port Stanley, anchored off the 

 settlement. We found a solitary vessel tying- here — 

 an Eng'lish brig- bound to California. 



The settlement of Stanley was formed in July, 

 1844, b}^ the removal thither of the former estab- 

 lishment at Port Louis, — ^Port William being- con- 

 sidered preferable as a harbour, besides being- easier 

 of access and more conveniently situated for vessels 

 calling' there for supplies. The inner harbour, 

 which communicates with the outer one b}' a pas- 

 sag-e not more than 300 j^ards wide, is four and a 

 half miles in leng'th by half a mile in width, with 

 anchorag-e everywhere. The township extends along- 

 the centre of the south shore, as a small strag-g-ling- 

 villag-e of wooden houses, the uncompleted residence 

 of the Lieut.-Governor being- the only one built of 

 stone. The population, I was told, is about 300 : 

 of these thirty are pensioned soldiers, many of whom 

 with their families are temporarily lodg-ed in a larg-e 

 barrack, which curiosity one day led me to visit. 

 Its inmates are all Irish, and appeared to be in any 

 thing- but comfortable circumstances, althoug-h such 

 as work as labourers receive three shilling's per diem, 

 and mechanics are paid in proportion. One of them, 

 who had served in Yan-Diemen's Land, said he 

 often envies the lot of a convict there, for " sure 

 we are fretting' to death to think that we have come 

 to this in our old ag-e after serving- our king* and 

 country so long-." They all bitterly complained of 



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