ST. HELENA 31 



After this a large board was placed at Buttermilk Point, 

 (I am told it is still there, but illegible) ; it directed that 

 all ships coming round should send first a boat to Bankses 

 — the board is very huge, and on it were painted the words 

 " Send a boat." 



The East India Company spent much money on the 

 island, and did aU they could to keep it in a state of pros- 

 perity ; it was fortified in almost every spot that cannon 

 could be put. During Poirier's time, as well as during 

 that of his successor, Goodwin, the island was in a state 

 of unrest through their injudicious management. 



In 1707 the old and new East India Companies were 

 incorporated, under the title of the United Company of 

 Merchants of England, trading to the East Indies ; and 

 St. Helena was transferred to them as Lords Proprietors. 



An extract from Record Book, October 1707, shows us 

 that an article of sustenance or luxury was derived from the 

 numerous eggs laid by sea-birds on the detached rocks 

 round the coast. The shores and neighbourhood abound 

 in these sea-fowl, which deposit their eggs in the cliffs. l^ 

 Their haunts, covered with white dung, present a fantastic 

 appearance, especially upon an isolated rock called Shore 

 Island, which has often been mistaken for a ship under 

 sail. The eggs, collected in the months of October and 

 November, are in flavour somewhat like those of a plover. 

 One species of this fowl however prefers making its home 

 in the woody central eminences of the island, and at times 

 the birds may be seen flying across country with fish in 

 their beaks. The property in the eggs was considered as 

 one of the Company's royalties ; and certain days in the 

 week were specified, when the inhabitants were permitted 

 to collect them. This permission being abused, notice was 

 issued by proclamation that any person taking eggs, except 

 on the appointed days, should forfeit their privileges for 

 the remainder of the season. 



The Record states : — 



Whereas there was usually granted by the Governor from time 

 to time, as he thought fit, liberty to gather eggs upon the Right 

 Honourable Company's Lords Proprietors' egg islands, which for 

 some years past have been appointed by the late Governor to be 

 Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, which days are still allowed 



