July.] 



ST. LUCIA — ST. NICHOLAS. 



259 



not more than eight miles in length from north-west to south-east, and 

 about three in width. On the east side is a harbour, defended by two 

 small islands, which affords good shelter and anchorage, and on the 

 south-west side are the ruins of a village and a well of fresh water. 

 The land is considerably elevated, and quite barren. There are some 

 rocky islets lying off its north-west end, but no dangers that extend 

 more than one mile from the shore. 



Seventeen miles east-by-south from St. Lucia is the island of St. 

 Nicholas, which is the most pleasant of the whole group. It is of 

 irregular shape, with several concave sides and promontories projecting 

 to almost every point of the compass. Its extreme length from east to 

 west is about twenty-seven miles, and its mean breadth for two-thirds 

 of that distance, counting from its eastern point, does not exceed five 

 miles ; but here its southern side suddenly projects to the south, making 

 the distance from its extreme north to its extreme south point not less 

 than fifteen miles. 



This island, with its three neighbours just described, together with 

 two islets called Branco and Raza, constitute a cluster by them- 

 selves in the north-west, while the others in the east, south-east, and 

 south, form the segment of a circle, of which St. Nicholas is the centre. 

 Branco and Raza are small barren islets, destitute of water and 

 inhabitants. They are situated between St. Lucia and St. Nicholas, 

 and there is no danger in sailing around or between them, half a mile 

 from the shore. 



The island of St. Nicholas, from its peculiar shape, affords good 

 and safe anchorage in several places. On the south-west concave side 

 of its western projection is Tarrafal Bay, and on the south-east con- 

 cave side of the same is St. George's Bay. On the southern side of 

 its eastern extension is Fresh-water Bay. There is also another bay 

 on its north-western extremity called North-west Bay. The best and 

 safest anchorage, however, is on the south-west and south-east sides 

 of the island, in from ten to five fathoms of water, sand and coral bot- 

 tom. Here refreshments may be had in abundance, and generally at a 

 moderate price, but not on as favourable terms as they can be obtained 

 at St. Antonio. It is difficult to procure water near the shore, but if a 

 ship is in distress, it can be brought to the beach by the inhabitants on 

 jackasses. 



We touched at the south-east side of this island, where I landed, and 

 after communicating with the proper authorities, I visited the interioi 

 and made some cursory observations on the physical and moral con- 

 dition of the country ; the result of which was, that this island, were it 

 in the possession of more industrious people, better governed, and prop- 

 erly cultivated by cheerful, active, and healthy freemen, instead of 

 wretched, desponding, oppressed slaves, would become highly pro- 

 ductive of such staple articles as are adapted to its soil and climate, 

 and a lucrative commerce would soon be the consequence. But as it 

 is at present, and as it is long likely to be, the objects of industry are 

 limited by the absolute wants of the islanders, producing just sufficient 

 for their own consumption, and no more. 



The poor slaves are pining for freedom, and seize every opportunity 



12 



