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second visit, and since I have enjoyed the beauties of Switzerland 

 and other alpine scenery on the continent and in Great Britain. 



A short walk from these picturesque views leads to immense cliffs 

 and craggy precipices, opening on the unbounded ocean, bringing 

 to a stranger's mind the unenviable situation of the islanders, 

 secluded from the rest of the world, and entirely dependant on 

 foreign supplies for the necessaries of life; for though the valleys 

 and acclivities of the mountains are covered with a thin surface 

 of mould, which by cultivation would produce a variety of grain, 

 in consequence of the rats and mice, that have escaped from the 

 ships, and infest the island, not an ear of it could attain maturity. 



The monotony of the town and its local anecdotes present few 

 attractions to the inquisitive traveller. In so confined a spot the 

 refinements and elegancies of society are not to be expected; but 

 nature is always new, always delightful, and as I anticipated ano- 

 ther long confinement on the realms of Neptune, I spent as much 

 time as possible in the country, and have sometimes been so enve- 

 loped in clouds, on the summit of the hills, that I could hardly 

 see my horse's head. These vapours penetrate through the thickest 

 coat, but are not often of long continuance. Leaving the tops of 

 the mountains clear, they roll in immense volumes over the valleys, 

 and sometimes present a picture half lighted by the sun, and half 

 concealed in an impenetrable mist. 



" Nature there 

 " Wantons, as in her prime, and plays at will 

 " Her virgin fancies, wild above rule or art." Milton. 



When no ships are at St. Helena the town is forsaken ; most 

 of the inhabitants reside at their farms during great part of the 



