( 47 ) 



Entering the port of St. Catherine's by the north, we passed 

 several islands, on one of which, westward of the entrance, stood 

 the respectable fort of Santa Cruz. After running a few miles in 

 shoal water, we sailed into a narrow passage guarded by two forts, 

 which forms the harbour. From the anchorage, and more particu- 

 larly from the landing-place, which is at the bottom of a verdant slope 

 of about five hundred yards, the town has a most beautiful appear- 

 ance, and the perspective is nobly crowned by its fine cathedral. 

 The green is interspersed with orange-trees, and forms an agreeable 

 parade. Immediately on entering the tOAvn, we discerned in its 

 general appearance, and in the manners of its inhabitants, a striking 

 superiority over those which Ave had of late visited. These houses 

 are well built, have two or three stories, with boarded floors, and 

 are provided with neat gardens, well stocked with excellent vege- 

 tables and flowers. The town consists of several streets, and may 

 contain from five thousand to six thousand inhabitants. It is a free 

 port. The produce of the island consists in rice, maize, mandioca, 

 coffee of excellent quality, oranges, perhaps the finest in the world, 

 and a variety of other fruits. Sugar and indigo are likewise pro- 

 duced, but in small quantities. A profusion of the finest flowers 

 indicates the genial nature of its climate ; the rose and the jessamin 

 are in bloom all the year round. 



The surface of the island is varied with mountains, plains, and in 

 some places swamps ; here is found a stratum of excellent red clay, 

 which is manufactured into jars, culinary vessels, large water-pots, 

 &c. which are exported in considerable quantities to the Plata and 

 to •Rio de Janeiro. The lands capable of cultivation are under con- 

 siderable improvement; a great extent of them was formerly covered 

 with large trees, but as great quantities have of late years been cut 

 down and used for ship-building, good timber may now be con- 

 sidered scarce. They grow flax here of a very fair quality, of which 

 the fishermen make their lines, nets, and cordage. The sea here- 

 abouts produces an abundant variety of excellent fish, and some 



