April.] ST. HELENA. 483 



the east, leading to the country in that direction, and the other to the 

 upper part of the valley, where the barracks, the new garden, and the 

 hospital are situated. In the western street are a number of shops, 

 stored with European and India goods ; but the houses here are very 

 inferior to those in the lower street, where the principal inhabitants 

 reside. 



" The water that supplies the garrison and shipping is conveyed by 

 leaden pipes from a spring in the valley, distant more than a mile from 

 the sea. These pipes lead the water to the jetty, where there are two 

 cranes for the use of boats, in loading with goods or water-casks, or 

 for receiving stores from the shipping. 



" On the right, or western side, the valley is entered from the 

 interior, by the steep promontory called Ladder Hill ; the zigzag road 

 upon which, nine feet in breadth, has a wall on the side next the preci- 

 pice, and is very easy of ascent. On the left of the valley the car- 

 riage-road, called side-path, is the avenue to the interior of the island 

 eastward. This road, which has been made with great labour and 

 difficulty, goes with an easy ascent transversely to the level above, 

 whence the prospect is striking and delightful : from a steril, brown 

 and barren rock you view the most lively verdure ; beautiful lawns, 

 with sheep and cattle feeding in different places, and interspersed with 

 small houses, which have generally a large enclosure laid into gardens. 

 This view is terminated by a prospect of the sea ; or by high rocks, 

 apparently heaped one upon another to a stupendous height. The 

 plain, called Longwood, towards the eastern side of the island, con- 

 tains the greatest quantity of level ground. A considerable space on 

 it is planted with trees. This plain, one thousand seven hundred and 

 sixty-two feet high, forms another point of view. The scenery is here 

 enlivened by a small winding stream, which, falling from the heights into 

 the valley, makes a delightful cascade. Upon the edges of the stream 

 watercresses are often plentiful. 



" A rich mould, from six to twelve inches deep, forms, over the rock, 

 the general soil of the country, and nourishes a great variety of plants. 

 The clefts and inequalities produce trees of various species ; and 

 among these the tallow-tree is said to be indigenous. Several of the 

 latter grow on the hills, and there is a copse of them at the south-west 

 part of the island. The lands are devoted chiefly to pasturage, and 

 the gardens to culinary roots and vegetables. Utility takes precedence 

 of taste ; and although the sugar-cane, cotton-tree, indigo, &c, with 

 the most beautiful plants, have been introduced, the great purpose of 

 rearing cattle and useful herbs has always been primarily and closely 

 regarded. The country was found, in the first instance, covered with 

 wood. Its peculiar productions have since given place to more useful 

 ones. The wire-grass of India, samphire, and a wild celery abounded 

 here ; the wire-grass is now found principally in low lands ; the Eng- 

 lish vernal grass upon the heights. The English oak has also ap- 

 peared ; it grows remarkably quick, but has never attained perfection. 



** Figs, oranges, and pines are found in the valley by the shore, and 

 but few English fruits have failed. The apple-trees are very abundant. 

 In a valley near the south-east part of the island, having a run of water 



Hh2 



