JPBE.FACE. 



platform points that surround the Bay, were also 

 mounted some guns, each of these posts being 

 guarded by a negro family. From the imposing 

 appearance of these Batteries^ it is, doubtless, that 

 the Governor General expects that all vessels will 

 notify their intention of sailing ; nor could I refrain 

 from a smile, when, after informing me that this 

 was a necessary ceremony even for ships of war, 

 he assured me that on hoisting a flag, he would im- 

 mediately make a signal to the Batteries to let us 

 pass," &c. 



Thus much for the fortifications ; now for the 

 troops. "There are," says Capt. Tuckey, "no 

 regular European troops here, (Port Praya) a few 

 officers excepted, and the militia ; one of whom 

 may he seen standing sentinel every ten yards, in 

 the town, perfectly in character with the fortifica- 

 tions, this corps being composed o/" //le most ragged, 

 hare-legged, sans culotte, vagabond-looking wretches 

 of all shades of colour, from the swarthy European 

 Portuguese, to the negro of Guinea; and as if it 

 was determined that there should be no incongruity 

 in any part of the mihtary department, not one of 

 their muskets in ten has a lock, and many of their 

 barrels are lashed to the stocks with rope yarn." 

 See Tuckey's Voyage, p. 93, 94. 



The author has introduced these extracts with- 

 out any view of blaming Capt. Tuckey. So far 

 from it, he thinks that it is one special duty of a 

 navigator to describe what he sees, and there are 

 some objects to which only the strongest language 

 can do justice. But having so far justified himself 

 by the example of others, for speaking disrespect- 

 iiilly of the troops and fortifications of Port Praya, 

 the author cannot but confess that he honours the 

 nice feelings of the Reviewer. His solicitude on this 



