ORIENTAL COMMERCE. [Mc of France, #c. 



Pkoyisions and Refeeshicents. — The beef here is excellent ; but in 

 consequence of the small number of cattle on the island, and the great 

 demand for the King's and Company's shipping, who arc generally allowed 

 two fresh meals in a week during their stay, they seldom attain the age of 

 four years. Salt meat is therefore the principal food of the inhabitants 

 and garrison : it is issued from the Company's stores at prime cost, and other 

 articles, as flour, peas, tea, sugar, rice, &c. at a small advance, covering 

 freight and expences. The other articles of provision procurable here, are 

 mutton, pork, grown fowls, turkies, geese, ducks, mackarel, bull's eyes, 

 potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, eggs, milk, apples, turtle, and Conger eels. 



Of fish there is a great variety round the island, most of them excellent, 

 and they are to be purchased cheap. The fruits met with are grapes, figs, 

 plantains, guavas, oranges, lemons, apples, &c. and of vegetables, cab- 

 bages, yams, and potatoes; of the latter great quantities are produced on the 

 island, and are in general of the best kind. Fresh water is conveyed from a 

 spring in the valley by leaden pipes to the wharf*, and from (hence into the 

 boats, but generally the casks are landed, filled, and hoisted into the boats ; 

 the water is excellent, and any quantity may be procured without delay. 

 There is another watering place in Lemon Valley, which is esteemed the 

 best water, and you will fill the casks in the boat w ith a hose ; only it 

 is a little farther to fetch it. Firewood is very scarce, and procured with 

 great difficulty. 



The officers of ships and passengers during their stay on the island are 

 accommodated with board and lodging in the houses of the principal inhabit- 

 ants, for which they pay in proportion to the existing price of fresh provi- 

 sions, and half price for each child or servant. 



In the year 1819, the price of eggs at St. Helena reached the 

 extravagant price of 6s. per dozen: whereupon the Governor directed by 

 proclamation, that any person asking more than 3s. per dozen, should be 

 subject to the penalty of 40s. He also prohibited the exportation of poultry 

 sold at higher rates than the following: — 



£ a. d. 



Turkies, if full grown «1 5 0 



half grown 0 18 0 



Geese ™™™™«™0 15 0 



Ducks, full grown„** fcw 0 6 0 



£ 8. d. 



Ducks, half gl ow n 4 0 



Fowls, full grown v*«v*»*0 5 0 



Pullets, fit for table 0 3 6 



Coins. — Accounts are kept in pounds, shillings, and pence ; but coins 

 of every denomination pass current hero, both Indian and European. 



