142 ST. HELENA 



brings weariness and headache in its train. Still, it does not 

 last long enough to produce serious consequences ; in a few 

 hours the wind will once more shift to its usual quarter, 

 and again the pure breeze sweeps over the land bringing 

 coolness, relief and comfort. When this breeze is stiff and 

 accompanied by rain, it sweeps all impurities from the 

 island and is aptly termed the " Parish Doctor." Across 

 Longwood and Deadwood it occasionally travels with great 

 velocity, sweeping through the ravines and valleys with such 

 force as to uproot trees and unroof shaky cottages. The 

 tents of the camp at Deadwood are at such times con- 

 tinually overthrown, but this unpleasantness is entirely 

 forgotten in the effects of its purifying and invigorating 

 influence. 



Clouds sometimes hang over the island for a few days, 

 very high up ; these veil the sun, causing what the islanders 

 term " covered days," which are the most enjoyable times 

 for out-door excursions. It is difficult to define the seasons, 

 which glide from spring to summer, again to autumn and 

 winter with very little to mark the change. The chief sign 

 of spring is the bright cheerful sunny weather which pre- 

 vails, varied occasionally by gentle refreshing showers ; 

 with a minimum temperature of 55 and a maximum of 68. 



The oaks burst into full leaf, and with gorse, narcissus, 

 mimosa, acacia and other plants, give the season much of 

 the charm and character of an English spring. Summer 

 of course brings hotter weather, the temperature rises to 

 over 72 on the highlands, while in the town of Jamestown 

 it registers 82 to 84. The radiated heat from the rocks here 

 makes the summer more trying, and during the months of 

 January, February and March the mosquitoes add much 

 to the discomfort. The temperature being quite 10 lower 

 in the country, makes that part no hotter than the English 

 summer. 



Autumn, which is characterized as in England by the 

 fall of the oak-leaf, brings the slight rain or mist which 

 gives the ridges so close a resemblance to the Scotch High- 

 lands. The country throughout, but especially Planta- 

 tion, Oaklands, and Oakbank, is very beautiful in its 

 russet-tinted dress. 



Winter finds the temperature as low as 50 on the heights, 



