SETTLEMENT OF STANLEY. 99 



passing" by a narrow channel fi*om 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 Cahfornia. 



The settlement of Stanley was formed in July, 

 1844y by 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 yards 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 strao-o'lino- 

 villag*e of wooden houses, the uncompleted residence 

 of the Lieut.-Governor being* the onl}^ one built of 

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

 of these thirty are pensioned soldiers, many of whom 

 with their families are temporarily lodged 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 Van-Diemen's Land, said he 

 often envies the lot of a convict there, for ^'^sui'e 

 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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