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a winged harbinger, called the St. Helena pigeon, announces the 

 mariner's approach long before it is discovered by the telescope. 

 The bay near the town affords safe anchorage, and receives a 

 fine stream of fresh water, with conveniences to fill the empty 

 casks of the vessels. The interior prospects are truly romantic, 

 and want only richer woods and more copious streams, to rival 

 the sublime and beautiful landscape of Switzerland. Bleak and 

 rocky mountains form, a stupendous frame to verdant uplands, 

 dotted with neat farms, groves and gardens; intersected by pasto- 

 ral vallies, animated with flocks and herds; while through some 

 majestic opening appears the azure main, to finish the interesting 

 view. 



A fellow-passenger, with whom I had been intimate many 

 years in India, being then an invalid and unable to bear the busy 

 scenes in St. James's Valley, retired as soon as possible to one of 

 those charming solitudes; from whence he wrote me a pressing 

 invitation, with an attractive description of his retirement in 

 Swan's Valley. 



" I wish very much to see you here, if you could spare 

 me two or three days, before we return on board the General 

 Elliot; an event which I confess I do not anticipate with pleasure ; 

 though I never can forget the friendly attentions you have shewn 

 me ever since we embarked. Never have I recovered the effect 

 of those dreadful storms we encountered in doubling the Cape, 

 when for so many weeks confined to my cabin. On arriving here 

 yesterday I found my feelings more resemble those of health than 

 any I have been blessed with during the voyage. " My lot, even 

 to myself, does not yet appear to be absolutely decided; I may do 



