April.] 



PORT PRAYA. 



273 



From the town we descended by a zigzag path, to a valley on the 

 left, which my fair cicerones called the Val de Trinidad, over which 

 are scattered some clusters of date-trees, some mimosas, and other 

 spontaneous vegetation. But the most successful attempts at cultiva- 

 tion are in the vicinity of the wells which supply the town and ship- 

 ping with water. In the upper part of this valley is a negro hut, 

 which is surrounded by a miserable plantation of cotton shrubs. 

 Water alone is wanting to render the soil of this valley fruitful ; and 

 a sufficient quantity for the purpose of irrigation might be obtained by 

 digging to a moderate depth. But even this trifling exertion is too 

 great an undertaking to be attempted by the present generation of in- 

 habitants, who must give place to a very different race of people 

 before this or any other species of improvement can be effected. 

 Though the mimosa grows to a large size, even in the most arid spots 

 of the island, the inhabitants have never thought of planting them in 

 the towns, where they would not only be ornamental, but extremely 

 useful in moderating the excessive heat caused by the action of the 

 sun on the ferruginous sands. 



Our pedestrian excursion extended about two miles from town, to 

 the upper part of the valley, where the governor's country-house is 

 situated. The youngest of my fair companions informed me that this 

 was her father's property, and that it was to be her marriage dower. 

 I looked at the blushing maiden, and then at the premises. At the 

 foot of the precipice, near the house, is a very beautiful garden, con- 

 taining oranges, lemons, plantains, bananas, pine-apples, cocoanut- 

 trees, and many other kinds of excellent fruit, and a variety of vege- 

 tables. 



The interior of the island, I was informed, is much more fertile 

 than those parts which are near the seashore ; the valleys being well 

 watered by little springs, some of which form small brooks and rills. 

 Near the centre of the island, some of the valleys are covered with 

 plantations of fruits and vegetables, and the hills are well clothed 

 with grass, affording pasture for numerous herds of cattle and flocks 

 of sheep. 



We returned to the governor's house about four o'clock, when we 

 found that dinner was waiting for us, and in a few minutes we were 

 all seated at the table. The party was large, comprising seven ladies, 

 which imparted a polish and refinement to the conversation which 

 seldom exist in a company where they are not present. After dinner 

 the ladies entertained us with several songs, accompanied by the 

 piano-forte and guitar ; and about seven o'clock I took my leave, 

 highly delighted with the recreations of the day, and the hospitality 

 of my kind entertainers. On reaching the beach, I found that the 

 refreshments I had ordered were all in readiness, and we lost no time 

 in having them conveyed on board. 



The beautiful bay of Port Praya is formed by two points which 

 bear from each other about east and west, distant one mile and three- 

 quarters, with water of a very equal depth. A small black island, 

 with a flat top, is situated on the west side of the bay, and is called 

 the Isle of Quails. From the south end of this island runs a rocky 



S 4 



