470 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



and the place has rather a cheerful appearance ; more, however, from 

 the diversified character of its inhabitants, than from the neatness and 

 architecture of its buildings. The variety of costume is greater than 

 one would expect, ranging from the well-dressed English soldier to the 

 Oriental costumes of India and China. There are many quadroons, 

 who are said to be descendants of the natives of Madagascar, brought 

 here originally by the Dutch. They were pointed out to me as 

 remarkable for their beauty, and many of them have certainly, it 

 must be acknowledged, well-developed and even handsome forms ; 

 which, from appearances, they are fond of exhibiting, and to which 

 their style of dress is well adapted. 



Extortion is here carried to its height, and although the stay of the 

 stranger is only for a few hours, the time is sufficient to make him 

 aware that he has submitted to some exorbitant demands, if his 

 curiosity have led him to visit Longwood and the tomb of Napoleon. 



Mr. Carrol was kind enough to make arrangements for our visiting 

 Longwood and the tomb, and it was decided that we should set out at 

 an early hour the next morning. 



Captain Hudson, Mr. Waldron, and myself, accordingly landed at 

 the jetty early the next day, and found waiting for us a small wagon 

 with two stout horses, in which we seated ourselves, and were driven 

 to the American consulate. We were there joined by Mr. Carrol, 

 and taking the eastern road, commenced ascending the narrow track 

 leading up the side of the cliff. The road seemed to have been 

 carried over some places with great difficulty; heavy walls were 

 built in some places to form the road, while in others the path was 

 blasted out of the rock. As we ascended, we had a bird's-eye view 

 of the town and the gorge in which it lies. The houses and their 

 inhabitants were alike reduced in size, and we experienced the accu- 

 racy of the poetical assertion " that distance lends enchantment to the 

 view," for from our elevated position all appeared neat and clean. 

 The hospitals for the troops are situated in the upper end of the 

 valley, in a space too contracted for comfort. Their appearance is 

 strongly in contrast with that of those usually attached to British 

 garrisons, and led to some inquiries on my part as to the necessity 

 for their confined position. The island being usually healthy, and 

 infectious diseases but seldom prevailing, quarantine is performed at 

 Lemon Valley, or rather it was used for that purpose during our visit; 

 a number of recaptured slaves, among whom the small-pox had made 

 its appearance, being detained there. 



