322 TRINIDAD. 



The quarter of Oropuche is very unhealthy, not only on account 

 of its proximity to the lagoon, but also in consequence of the pre- 

 valence of mangrove swamps all along the line of coast. 



The village of St. Mary stands on a small natural savannah, very 

 much resembling that of Piarco, at Arauca, between the Belle-vue 

 and the Otaheiti estates, about a mile from Godineau's river, and 

 a mile and a half from the bay. It is well laid out, but miserably 

 built. Two small churches have been erected there since eman- 

 cipation, viz., the Anglican church of St. Matthew, and the Catholic 

 church of Oropuohe. Besides this village there are numerous 

 isolated settlements, viz., at Freeman's bay, the public landing- 

 place, the Yarraba village, the Krooman village, the Avoca, and 

 the Bois-macaque settlements. In all these nooks and corners are 

 herded together large bands of immigrants, imported into the col- 

 ony, particularly Congoes and Kroomen. In fact, the population 

 of Oropuche may be characterised as a heterogeneous collection of 

 the inhabitants of different countries, in an unsettled and migratory 

 state : Congoes, Yarrabas, and Kroomen, from Africa; Coolies and 

 Chinese, from Asia ; Americans, from the United States ; Span- 

 iards, from the neighbouring continent ; emigrants from the British 

 and French colonies, with a limited number of natives of Trinidad; 

 these compose the mass of this motley assemblage. Scattered far 

 and wide, throughout the vast extent of this district, removed from 

 the influence of civilising institutions, and left to the unfettered 

 indulgence of a disorganised and half-savage life, moral depravity 

 and ignorance of all social responsibility form their chief charac- 

 teristics. Bound together by the ties of nationality or tribeship, 

 they have generally banded in distinct settlements, where nought 

 is to be found beyond the primary elements of social aggregation. 

 Many of them are squatters, regarding with suspicion, and as in- 

 truders, those who enter their settlements. They have already, on 

 more than one occasion, behaved riotously, and resisted the agents 

 of the government ; and unless stringent, but at the same time 

 prudent, regulations be adopted and enforced, it is to be appre- 

 hended that, instead of improving, matters will become still worse. 

 The mission of Siparia is situated on a table-land, about seven 

 miles and a half from St. Mary's village, with a descending slope 

 of about 150 feet on almost all sides. The base of this plateau is 

 washed, on the westward, by the river Perro. The fertility of the 

 soil in that locality, its abundant natural resources, and the beauty 



