194 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



side, with a good path on the top running from one 

 end to the other, over which I have ridden, not that I 

 recommend it as a ride unless you have, as I had, a 

 sure-footed horse. Near the south of the range of 

 hills are situated two interesting objects. The first 

 is the picturesque church of c 1 Notre Dame de Laven- 

 tille," an object of interest from a great distance, 

 which can, on a clear day, be seen in San Fernando — 

 a distance, as the crow flies, of at least 30 miles. A 

 little to the south and lower down is the ugly mar- 

 tello tower called " Picton's Fort," which like the 

 name of the eminent man after whom it is called has, 

 notwithstanding rude shocks and length of time, re- 

 mained to perpetuate his fame and glory. Describe 

 the whole range of hills to east, north and west 

 with the sea to the south enclosing Port-of-Spain in a 

 magnificent amphitheatre. 



Cast your eyes over the valley of St. Ann's ; have 

 a peep at Coblentz, once the residence of Captain, the 

 Honourable John Bell-Smyth and later of the Hon- 

 ourable Leon Agostini, his brother-in-law, during 

 whose occupancy, royalty, in the person of the late 

 Duke of Clarence and the present King, were enter- 

 tained, in the days ' 6 when sugar was king. ' ' In 

 front flows — if I may be permitted the expression 

 — the dry river, not always so dry as it is at present, 

 it often carries furious torrents, and is then a fine 

 sight to look at. Some old books allege that quick- 

 silver was found in the bed of this river, but, in my 

 opinion, it was a myth, anyway, my advice is, don't 

 waste your time looking for it, your labour will be in 



