354 ST. HELENA. 



The island remained in the hands of the East India Com- 

 pany until 1836, when it was transferred to the British 

 Government. 



The climate is salubrious. One old voyager who describes 

 it, informs us that the sick men who had been carried on 

 shore in hammocks, and utterly unable to walk, were cured 

 and made perfect in a week's time, and were soon able to 

 " leap and dance " as well as their companions. All of which 

 wonderful effects were attributed the wholesomeness of the air, 

 and the fresh trade- winds constantly sweeping over the island, 

 and driving away all distempers. 



The population is estimated at five thousand, and consists 

 of whites, negroes, mulattoes, and Chinese. The negroes were 

 brought to the island by the East India Company from Mada- 

 gascar, and were treated as slaves until the year 1823 ; they 

 and their descendants now form the largest portion of the 

 population. 



Vessels going to and from the East Indies usually touch 

 at the island to replenish their stock of water and procure 

 fresh provisions. 



Jamestown, the capital, is the largest town that the island 

 can boast of, and is a free port. It is situated in a valley, 

 or rather a gorge between two lofty hills, both of which ter- 

 minate abruptly, and form the eastern and western boundaries 

 of the town, as also a small bay in which the vessels anchor 

 that visit the place. The harbor is defended by fortifica- 

 tions, which cover the shore from the water-line to the highest 

 peaks. A ladder, of nearly a perpendicular height, is built 

 up the side of the western mountain, called Ladder Hill. It 

 is said to have five hundred steps in it, and is a conspicuous 

 object from the anchorage. 



The landing is convenient for visitors and trade ; it is fur- 



