474 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 



Longwood is bleak and exposed ; the damp trade-winds sweep past 

 it continually, and but few days in the year are without either mist 

 or rain. The valley of Jamestown is known to be dry and healthy ; 

 there are some other spots also on the island that enjoy a climate as 

 fine as any on the globe. One of these might have been chosen 

 as a residence which would have proved much more congenial to the 

 taste, and better suited to the constitution of the Emperor. Planta- 

 tion House, for instance, the country-seat of the governor, enjoys, by 

 all accounts, a delightful climate. 



The grounds of Longwood cannot be called pretty, but from the 

 constant moisture the herbage is greener than in other parts of the 

 island. There are no trees, but the shrubbery is dense around the 

 gardens. The new house at Longwood is built of yellow sandstone, 

 one story in height, and is situated some hundred yards on the 

 western declivity, and is in some measure sheltered from the easterly 

 winds. It contains a handsome suite of rooms, and, when compared 

 with the old house, seems quite a palace. At the time of our visit it 

 was occupied by Lieutenant Smith, of the artillery, and his assistants, 

 who have charge of the magnetic observatory. The house has never 

 been finished : the death of the Emperor of course rendering its com- 

 pletion unnecessary. It is said that during his life he never visited 

 it, nor would he allow any one to consult him about its plan, declaring 

 that he would not remove to it. 



Napoleon seems to have engrafted himself on the memory of the 

 islanders ; and all the events and little incidents occurring to him 

 during his residence, are remembered and cherished by them with 

 pleasure. His chief complaint regarded the system of espionage under 

 which he was placed, from the hour in which he gave himself up to 

 the English to that of his death. It has been asserted, and up to 

 this time without contradiction, that Sir George Cockburn, who com- 

 manded the Bellerophon, in which vessel Bonaparte was trans- 

 ported to St. Helena, was ordered to make minutes of every conver- 

 sation that took place during the voyage. These memoranda have 

 been already published in Boston, and their authenticity, although 

 denied, seems to be unquestionable ; for the publication emanated 

 from the private secretary of Sir George ; who, while making out one 

 fair copy of the minutes, made another for himself. Although the 

 ministry may have thought themselves justified in taking this course 

 at the time, yet it seems, at this time, scarcely reconcilable with a 



