53<S 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Isle of France, $6. 



tha appearance of an abrupt and rugged mountain, divested of tree, shrub, 

 or herbage. The principal ridge in the centre of the island is called Diana's 

 Teak, and is about 2200 feet above the level of the sea ; near the S. W. 

 part there is a hill of a conical form, called High Peak, rather less elevated 

 than the other. There is very little level ground on the island ; the whole 

 of it appears in abrupt ridges and chasms, but the vallies are fruitful, and 

 clothed with continual verdure, unless in very dry seasons. 



At the N. E. extremity of the island there is a pyramidical hill close 

 to the sea, called the Sugar-loaf, with a signal post upon it ; at the base of 

 tin's hill there are three batteries, at a small distance from each other, called 

 Buttermilk, and Banks's Upper and Lower Batteries. A little to the S. W. 

 of these, Rupert's Battery appears, at the bottom of a valley of the same 

 name, which is a strong stone wall and battery mounted with heavy cannon ; 

 and M undents Point divides this valley from James's, or Chapel Valley, 

 where James s Town, the only one on the island, is situated. On M linden's 

 Point there is a fort of the same name, and several guns placed on the 

 heights over it, which command that side of James's Valley. This valley 

 has on the S. W. side a hill, elevated nearly 600 feet peqiendicular from 

 the sea, called Ladder Hill, with a heavy battery of guns upon it, that 

 commands the S. W. entrance to the valley and anchorage. On the 19th 

 June, 1824, a huge mass of overhanging rock, just below the barrier gate 

 of the upper side of the road from Ladder Hill, gave way, and fell in large 

 fragments into the valley. James's Valley is also protected by a wall and 

 strong line of cannon at its entrance, close to the sea. There is also a 

 battery at Sandy Bay, on the south side of the island, where boats may 

 land when the surf is not great ; but this, and every other part where there 

 is a possibility of landing, are well secured by batteries or guns placed on 

 the heights over them ; and on the summits of the hills there are convenient 

 signal posts all over the island, communicating by telegraphs with each 

 other and with the castle, which add greatly to the natural strength of the 

 island. 



When a ship is descried, a gun is fired at the signal post where she is 

 first seen, and this is repeated by the other posts to the castle, which is 

 called an alarm ; if more ships appear, a gun is fired for each till five in 

 number, when the signal is made for a fleet ; but if more than two sail 

 appear to be steering together for the island, a general alarm is beat, and 

 every person takes possession of the post assigned him, and remains under 

 arms till the Governor is made acquainted by the boats with what ships 

 they are. 



All ships coming in from the eastward, heave-to to windward of the 



