CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 477 



females are separated, and both sexes are supplied with rations by 

 government. 



The population of the island is about four thousand. It consists of 

 whites, who, if the garrison be deducted from their numbers, form the 

 smallest portion of the inhabitants ; of negroes and their descendants 

 of the mixed blood, and some few Chinese. The negroes were 

 brought by the East India Company from Madagascar, and, with 

 their descendants, now form the largest portion of the population. 

 The first class include all engaged in trade, auctioneers, tavern- 

 keepers, and mechanics. 



The number of Yankee " notions" displayed in all the shops, indi- 

 cated that the island derives its chief supply of useful articles from 

 the United States. 



St. Helena is a free port : the imports consist of supplies for the 

 inhabitants, and necessary articles for the shipping that visit it ; the 

 latter can only be obtained at an advanced price. 



The number of vessels that touch annually at the island is now 

 about eight hundred, having much increased since the opening of the 

 East India trade. 



The usual rates of exchange, with the value of coins current, fixed 

 by proclamation, will be found in Appendix XVI. 



We embarked in the afternoon, regretting that our time was so 

 limited, and that no opportunity was afforded us to return the kind 

 attentions bestowed upon us by the consul and his family. 



As we were getting under way, it became evident that many of the 

 seamen had obtained supplies of grog from the shore in spite of all 

 the precautionary measures that liad been taken. One, in conse- 

 quence, fell from the main-top, but, fortunately for him, while falling, 

 struck a portion of the rigging, and was thus canted into the sea, 

 from which he was picked up uninjured. When the anchor was up 

 we bore away to the northward, under all sail, with a favourable 

 breeze. 



As we passed through the tropics, many opportunities were afforded 

 us for viewing the zodiacal light, both in the morning and the even- 

 ing. Its general appearance was that of a well-defined cone, whose 

 height, as marked by the stars, remained nearly constant at 40° ele- 

 vation, and at the base 15°. Its first appearance after sunset was like 

 a broad semicircular band of light, the brightness of which increased 

 as the evening closed in, when its shape became that of a well-defined 



VOL. v. 120 



