LADDER-HILL. JAMES* TOWN. 117 



nance, slung in chains, or carriaged on their rocky 

 summits. Telegraphs, communicating from hill 

 to hill, convey intelligence over the island with 

 extreme rapidity. One strong fort, peculiarly 

 commanding the offing, is erected on the crest 

 of " Ladder-hill," an eminence bounding one side 

 of the mouth of James' Valley, and terminating 

 as a bluff at the sea-side. A steep and circuit- 

 ous path conducts from the town to the summit 

 of this hill ; but the more direct communication 

 is by a broad ladder, erected against the face of 

 a precipice, with a railway on either side of it, 

 on which smaU carriages, for the conveyance of 

 stores, are lowered and drawn up by machinery. 

 The ladder is built of wood, strongly secured by 

 iron bolts, and has three hundred and sixty-five 

 steps. It is safe to ascend ; but, notwithstand- 

 ing the conveniences of balustrades and many 

 seats for repose, its top cannot be gained with- 

 out considerable fatigue. 



James' Town, (the only settlement and port 

 this island can boast,) occupies a long narrow 

 valley, or ravine, opening upon the roadstead, 

 and bounded on three sides by rocky and arid 

 hills. It consists of one principal, and several 

 smaller streets, built in the English style, and 

 containing many respectable shops, as well as 

 large and elegant private dwellings. The chief 



