NARRATIVE. 191 



did not possess the chaste simpHcity of those from Ashantee : 

 nothing could exceed the durabihty of his manufacture. 



The water of Bona Vista is drawn from springs, and always 

 deposits a white sediment. It is reckoned remarkably wholesome, 

 but Mr. Bowdich could not analyze it, as liis chemical apparatus 

 had been forwarded to Sierra Leone. The jars which stand in the 

 houses to hold this water, are made at St. Jago, from a porous red 

 clay. I do not think the people at Bona Vista even know how to 

 form a basket, and the island is altogether so barren and uninte- 

 resting, that if it did not possess great purity of atmosphere, no 

 one could desire to visit it twice, and no place could be quitted 

 with so Httle regret^. The salt is of a coarse kind, but cheaper 

 than the finer sort, and is better adapted to some of the African 

 and American markets. It is collected in square, shallow pits, 

 and brought to the shore for lading, by asses. There is no orchil 

 at Bona Vista, although the trade in it is considerable, and almost 

 monopohzed by Senhor Martins. It is chiefly procured from 

 St. Antonio*, which is far the most picturesque island in the 

 group, Fogo being formed of one lofty mountain, (said to be as 

 high as Teneriife) without other scenery. 



St. Antonio, I understand, is extremely well wooded, and offers 

 much interest to the botanist. As Mr. Bowdich thought his stay 

 there would probably be very short, he requested the Com- 

 mandant, who is a great amateur of the science, to make him an 

 herbarium for examination, intending to call for it on his way to 

 Fogo ; but this, Uke every other plan, was frustrated by Senhor 



• This completely exemplifies a remark of Baron de Humboldt's, I believe, that 

 " there is more true solitude in sand than in forest." I have lived months at Cape 

 Coast, entirely alone, surrounded by magnificent and solemn woods, without ex-' 

 periencing the cheerless feeling, the sensation of loneliness and desertion, which 

 assailed me whenever I looked out of the window at Bona Vista. 



^The collectors are paid threepence per pound. 



