CHAP TEE XXIY. 



Jamaica — The Harbor at Kingston — Water Imps — Fruits — A Ride 

 to Spanish Town — How we got a Dinner and paid for it — The 

 Public Square — Desolation. 



On the morning of the fourth day after leaving 

 Chagres, we made the island of Jamaica, and as we 

 sailed along the coast, the mountains seemed to rear 

 their heads higher and higher, and to appear more 

 and more barren, while, on the lowlands, the vegeta- 

 tion became more and more distinct and luxuriant in 

 appearance, until we entered the harbor of Kingston. 

 This harbor is one of Nature's very singular and be- 

 neficent provisions for the necessities of our race. 

 Across the mouth of a shallow bay, a narrow break- 

 water extends from one point nearly to the other, a 

 distance of about four miles, leaving barely room 

 for the convenient passage of vessels in and out. 

 Upon the end of this natural embankment is situated 

 a fortification, having full command of the entrance. 

 So low is this point, the surface being scarcely above 

 the level of the sea, and few of the edifices more than 

 one story, with the low ranges of batteries radiating 

 in every direction seaward, that its appearance is 

 altogether comical compared with the more formi- 



