THE HARBOUR. 



place that has never witnessed busier scenes. 

 Its site is the summit of the S. E. point of a high 

 hill, which rises almost immediately from the 

 water's edge. The square, in which are situated 

 the parish-church, — my new residence, — the 

 vicarage, a low, long, white-washed building, — 

 and about fifteen cottages, is very spacious ; but 

 large pieces of ground now remain unoccupied ; 

 the houses which stood upon them have been re- 

 moved, or have been allowed to decay and fall, 

 giving room to banana and tobacco gardens.. 

 The centre of the square was covered with brush- 

 wood, and a narrow path went along the four 

 sides of it immediately in front of the houses, 

 which afforded to the inhabitants the means of 

 communicating with each other. There is one 

 street branching from it, and leading down to- 

 wards the creek, over which I passed on my ar- 

 rival ; it is formed of small low huts, and is 

 closed at the end farthest from the square, by a 

 church, which is dedicated to our Lady of the 

 Rosary, the patroness of negroes. 



The harbour is good, and the entrance to it 

 is commanded by an old fort, which is much out 

 of repair ; the garrison is scanty, and without 

 discipline. On one occasion I took a canoe, and 

 went down to the bar. I wished to sound, but 

 my canoe -man begged that I would not, as it 

 might bring him into trouble ; and indeed we 

 were in sight of the fort, and the commandant is 



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