442 
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 
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 James¬ 
town, 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 numerous 
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 detained 
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, 
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 
