ST. HELENA 141 



marred by the mud which it gathers during its course. It is 

 somewhat remarkable that while many of the streams, 

 springs and rills abate considerably, or are entirely dried 

 up during a dry season, some few remain undiminished, 

 and it is said that two, one in Fisher's Valley and another 

 at the Briars, are enlarged during the continuance of dry 

 weather, and at such times seem to glide with increased 

 velocity at the same time remaining transparent and pure. 



The drinking-water in Jamestown is remarkably pure and 

 good and is conveyed in pipes from a spring at Chubb's 

 Spring. Fresh pipes have been lately laid during the pres- 

 ence on the island of the prisoners of war ; and although 

 the first workers have now left the island, this water system 

 is being greatly extended at the present time (1902) by the 

 prisoners still remaining. 



St. Helena contrasts strongly with Ascension as regards 

 water, for there are over 200 springs discharging fresh water. 

 The climate is one of the finest in the world, even being 

 drier in parts than Madeira ; and its effect on weak-chested 

 and consumptive patients has been most beneficial. Viru- 

 lent diseases, such as smallpox, yellow fever, do not live 

 even if brought by the shipping, of which there is little fear 

 owing to the strict quarantine regulations. Its situation 

 accounts for this in the sweep of the always fresh and 

 healthy south-east trade- wind ; it is far removed from any 

 malarial influence, and is kept so much cooler than the 

 position and latitude would lead one to suppose. Many 

 Europeans wear the usual English soft caps, yet sunstroke 

 is unknown. 



The temperature, too, is greatly lessened by the cool 

 current of water which flows from the Antarctic regions 

 toward the island; but about twice in the year, which is 

 generally at the time known as the " roller season," the 

 current sets strongly from the Equatorial regions, when 

 there is a closeness and oppression causing amongst Europ- 

 eans a depression of spirits. Often at this time a stagnant 

 calm prevails, or it may be a slight wind from the north, 

 which is almost unbearable in the town ; then natives may 

 be seen with their heads bound, and on asking why, you 

 would invariably receive the answer : " The wind is blowing 

 the wrong way " and wrong indeed it seems to be, for it 



