CAPE OP GOOD HOPE. 469 



cliff, towards the gate of the fortress and town, at the mouth of the 

 valley, which is here crossed by a strong and lofty wall, pierced with 

 embrasures, on which guns are mounted. The only entrance into the 

 garrison of Jamestown, from the water's side, is over a drawbridge, 

 which crosses a wide moat, and through a large gateway. 



We gladly accepted our consul's invitation to visit his family, and, 

 after passing the gateway just mentioned, entered the town, which 

 has every appearance of a well-kept garrison. It is of small extent, 

 the mouth of the valley or rather gully in which it is built, not being 

 more than five or six hundred yards wide, and narrowing quickly as 

 it ascends. The houses are seldom more than two stories in height : 

 that of the consul is situated near the forks of two narrow streets, 

 from both of which are extended zigzag roads up the almost per- 

 pendicular sides of the gully. An inclined railway of several hun- 

 dred feet in perpendicular height is built up the side of the western 

 cliff, called Ladder Hill, on which provisions and water were hoisted, 

 by soldiers who were under punishment, for the supply of a nume- 

 rous garrison that formerly occupied the forts on its summit. This 

 railway or ladder is a conspicuous object from the anchorage, and 

 from it the cliff derives its name. 



The interior of the island of St. Helena is uninteresting, and when 

 compared with those we had recently visited, may be said to be 

 devoid of beauty. It possesses nothing to recommend it to the notice 

 of a stranger, except its connexion with Napoleon's exile. It is said 

 this island was first suggested as a place of confinement for the 

 great prisoner by the Duke of Wellington, who had himself been de- 

 tained there for some months, while on his way from India, and was 

 forcibly impressed with its natural strength and adaptation for his 

 confinement. 



To the circumstance of the residence of Napoleon this island owes 

 not only its chief celebrity, but, as a consequence, its temporary 

 growth and prosperity : and with the removal of his remains, St. 

 Helena will revert to what it was formerly. 



On his first landing, the ex-emperor occupied the very apartments 

 formerly used by the Duke of Wellington; but was, the next day, at 

 his own request, removed to the " Briars," a retired country cottage, 

 situated in the small " bosom" at the head of the gully of Jamestown. 



The only collection of houses is Jamestown ; and, although situated 

 in a narrow gorge, it is the best locality on the island for a town. 

 The space occupied by it has been as much improved as was possible, 



VOL. V. 118 



