482 



ST. HELENA. 



[1831. 



nize the island of St. Helena. " For some time after the departure of 

 Lopez," says Purdy, " the island does not appear to have been regu- 

 larly inhabited ; but in 1640 the Dutch attempted to establish a settle- 

 ment here, which they relinquished in 1651 to the English East India 

 Company ; and to this company the entire possession and sovereignty 

 of the island were granted by charter of Charles II., 3d of April, 1661. 

 At the close of 1672 the Dutch, by the treachery of one of the inhabit- 

 ants, again obtained possession ; but it was soon recaptured by three 

 of the king's ships, under the command of Captain Richard Munden. 

 The island thus relapsed, by consent, to the crown, but was regranted 

 by the king to the East India Company, in whom the property and 

 sovereignty have since been vested. The second charter, dated the 

 16th of December, 1673, constitutes the governor and company the 

 true and absolute lords and proprietors of the island, with full legisla- 

 tive power, but, as near as may be, agreeably to the laws of England, 

 and reserving also the faith and allegiance of subjects to the crown, 

 and the rights of the natives, to all intents and purposes, as if they had 

 been abiding and born within the realm." Such is the brief, but I 

 believe authentic, history which Mr. Purdy gives of this celebrated 

 island. 



As respects description, all writers agree that when lirst descried, 

 from almost any point of the compass, St. Helena appears like one 

 vast rock or castle, surrounded by the ocean ; the coasts being gene- 

 rally high, rugged, and precipitous. " On advancing," says Purdy, 

 " the prospect gradually improves ; the mountains appear in varied 

 hues, and then assume the verdant tint which distinguishes theirsummits. 

 The rocky coasts will now present a striking contrast to the green 

 hills and valleys of the interior. The town will next be seen, seated 

 in a narrow valley between the mountains, with the batteries, the church, 

 and the white houses, interspersed with trees ; constituting, altogether, 

 a picturesque and animating scene." 



In speaking of the mountainous parts of this adamantine island, he 

 says, " An elevated chain or ridge, extending nearly east and west, 

 divides the island into two unequal parts ; numerous ridges and valleys 

 branch from it in various directions. Diana's Peak, the summit of the 

 chain towards the east, is the highest point of St. Helena. This peak 

 commands a magnificent prospect of all the island, with its ridges and 

 hollows to the sea, its mountains, houses, and plantations ; and within 

 the area of its horizon, the approaching and departing shipping, to the 

 distance of nearly sixty miles, if the weather be clear." 



There are only two secure landing-places at this island ; one of 

 which is at Rupert's, and the other at James's or Chapel Valley. In 

 the former valley, near the sea, is a strong fort or battery, well mounted 

 with heavy cannon ; but there are no inhabitants near it, on account 

 of the valley being destitute of fresh water. " In the entrance of James's 

 Valley stands Jamestown, which is defended by a very fine line of 

 thirty-two pounders, and flanked by a high inaccessible battery upon 

 the rocks, called Munden's, close under which all ships must pass to 

 come to an anchor before the town. The principal street consists of 

 neat and well constructed houses, and divides into two others ; one on 



