MILITARY PRECAUTIONS. 131 



sions ; while the novel and strict enforcement 

 of a custom-house duty, of five per cent, upon 

 British, (or " home,") and ten per cent, on 

 foreign importations, adds greatly to the poverty 

 of a people who depend almost solely on exotic 

 produce for the most common necessaries of 

 life. 



The garrison was at this time composed of 

 the 91st Regiment of Foot, and a detachment 

 of one hundred of the Royal Artillery corps. 

 A transport at anchor in the harbour, how- 

 ever, was about to convey a large proportion of 

 the infantry to the Cape of Good Hope ; and 

 it was anticipated, that St. Helena would be 

 shortly held upon the same lax tenure as the 

 Island of Ascension. 



Amongst the former defensive precautions, 

 yet preserved, a large proportion of the Eu- 

 ropean male population are trained as sol- 

 diers, and serve in a volunteer corps ; no 

 shore-boat is permitted to go off to a ship after 

 sunset, unless by express permission from the 

 island authorities ; and the draw-bridge, com- 

 municating between the landing-quay and the 

 town, is raised at 9^ p. m., and neither ingress 

 nor egress permitted, except upon emergencies, 

 which must be duly represented to the officer 

 of the guard. 



K 2 



