CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 449 



called Colonel Pearce's Revenge, where the road is completely over- 

 hung by large masses of rock, which seem ready to fall. The rapid 

 pace of the horses, the frequent sharp tui-ns, and the overhanging cliff, 

 excite some alarm in those not accustomed to them ; and I must con- 

 fess that I was quite satisfied when we passed the last turn, and were 

 safely landed at the consulate. 



On our return to Jamestown, the consul and myself called to pay 

 our respects to Colonel Trelawny, whom we found at his office ; he is 

 a tall well-formed man, with a pleasant expression of countenance, 

 and a frank soldierlike air. He is much respected by the inhabitants, 

 has made himself acquainted with their wants, and is doing his best to 

 satisfy them. They call him the "good man," in contradistinction to 

 his predecessor. He received us with great kindness, and asked me 

 to visit and spend some days at Plantation House. 



Several hundreds of recaptured slaves are at present inhabiting the 

 gullies to the eastward and westward of Jamestown. The most con- 

 venient way of visiting them is by sea ; some of our officers expressed 

 a desire to do so, but the inhabitants seemed much shocked at the 

 mere mention of such a wish. The males and 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. 



vol. v. 2 N 2 57 



