July, 1836. 



ST. HELENA. 



like a huge castle from the ocean. A great wall, built of 

 successive streams of black lava, forms around the whole 

 circuit a bold coast. Near the town, as if in aid of the 

 natural defence, small forts and guns are every where built 

 up, and mingled with the rugged rocks. The town extends 

 up a flat and very narrow valley ; the houses look respectable, 

 and they are interspersed with a very few green trees. 

 When approaching the anchorage there is one striking view : 

 an irregular castle perched on the summit of a lofty hill, and 

 surrounded by a few scattered fir-trees, boldly projects 

 against the sky. 



The next day I obtained lodgings within a stone's throw of 

 Napoleon's tomb.* I confess, however, this had little 

 attraction for me : but it was a capital central situation, 

 whence I could make excursions in every direction. During 

 the four days I staid here, from morning to night I wandered 

 over the island, and examined its geological history. The 

 house was situated at an elevation of about 2000 feet; here 

 the weather was cold and very boisterous, with constant 

 showers of rain ; and every now and then the whole scene 

 was veiled in thick clouds. 



Near the coast the rough lava is entirely destitute of 

 vegetation : in the central and higher parts, a different series 

 of rocks have from extreme decomposition produced a clayey 

 soil, which, where not covered by vegetation, is stained in 

 broad bands of many bright colours. At this season the 

 land, moistened by constant showers, produces a singularly 

 bright green pasture ; this lower and lower down, gradually 

 fades away, and at last disappears. In latitude 16°, and at 

 the trifling elevation of 1500 feet, it is surprising to behold 

 a vegetation possessing a character decidedly English. The 

 hills are crowned with irregular plantations of Scotch firs ; 



* After the volumes of eloquence which have poured forth on this 

 subject, it is dangerous even to mention the tomb. A modern traveller 

 in twelve lines, burdens the poor little island with the following titles, — 

 it is a grave, tomb, pyramid, cemetery, sepulchre, catacomb, sarcophagus, 

 minaret, and mausoleum ! 



