1 64 ST. HELENA 



declaration and shortly before the departure of many from 

 the island. Eloff is seated in the centre. From the road 

 now can be seen " Prince's Lodge," owned and occupied by 

 Mr. Solomon, and above it " Red Hill," the residence of Bishop 

 Holmes. Near here is a Sanatorium for convalescent sol- 

 diers. At this point a view of the interior of the island 

 bursts suddenly upon the traveller. Until now the journey 

 has been up, up, over rocks covered with cactus and prickly 

 pear, until High Knoll was reached, at whose base shrubs and 

 trees of small size, mingled with aloes, relieve the mono- 

 tony ; the scene however from the hill top is one of great 

 beauty. The central ridge outlined against the sky is some 

 miles off, and at its foot pasture lands, sloping green and 

 verdant, may be seen. On the extreme left is " Prospect," 

 the property and residence of H. B. Morrice, Esq., also 

 " Brook Hill," the farm of Mr. Louis Knipe. In the fore- 

 ground still to the left lie " Woodcot " and " Woodlands," 

 both owned by Mr. W. A. Thorpe. Nestling in the immedi- 

 ate valley is Willow Bank, Mr. Liddy's residence, above which 

 stands the cottage of Francis Plain, lately used by Dinizulu, 

 and Mr. Thomas Scott's house, where refreshments may always 

 be obtained, the Baptist Chapel of Knollcombe, and " Knoll- 

 combe House," owned by Mr. C. Grey lie in the valley, while 

 higher and on the left is Rose Bower, the property of R. G. 

 Short, Esq., the present (1902) sheriff. To the right of this 

 stands out clearly the beautiful house and grounds of Oak- 

 bank. This property formerly belonged to the See of Saint 

 Helena, but was a few years since bought by J. Homagee, 

 Esq., supervisor of customs and police magistrate. Since 

 the arrival of prisoners of war skilled workmen have been 

 employed in renovating the house with the result that it is, 

 with its spacious verandah and balcony room, all that could 

 be desired. The grounds are extensive and very beautiful, 

 containing valuable trees, Chilian and Norfolk pines, Scotch 

 firs, oaks and eucalyptus. In the valley cedars mingle with 

 bamboos of immense size, the feathery tops of which present 

 a beautiful appearance from the higher ground on which the 

 house stands. A large stream of water flows through the 

 valley, the banks of which are white with arum lilies. When 

 these fail, up springs the delicate Easter lily in their place. 

 This ground is noted too for the variety of ferns which grow 



