ST. J AGO. 65 
could no longer be keld together, a chair was constructed 
from some of the soundest parts and presented to the Univer- 
sity of Oxford, as a relic that v^^as still worthy of further pre- 
seiTation. 
There is nothing inviting in the aspect of the island of St. 
Jago, when seen from Praya bay, as will readily be perceived 
from the annexed view ; and it requires only to set foot on 
shore to be convinced that poverty, and sickness, and pining 
Avant, are the constant companions of the greater part of its 
wretched inhabitants. On an elevated plain at the head of 
the bay, which is accessible only by a winding path made 
among the rocks near the left angle, is situated the town, as 
it is unworthily called, of Praya. It consists of two rows of 
mean straggling cottages, one on each side of the plain, in- 
terspersed with still meaner hovels. On that end of the plain 
which overlooks the bay is placed the church, without a spire, 
or tower, or any kind of steeple or mark to indicate the use 
for which it is designed, or to distinguish it from the other 
buildings in the town, except a large wooden cross erected 
upon the roof. Here also is a kind of fort in ruins, with a. 
few old guns so corroded as scarcely to be trusted for firing a 
salute with safety, some mounted on old crazy carriages, and 
others lying on the ground. The jail is behind the churcJi. 
and by much the better building. The governnient house is 
a wooden hut, situated on the edge of the plain to tlie right, 
and overlooking a valley planted chiefly with cocoa nut trees. 
There was a sort of tavern kept by a military officer of colour. 
The only Europeans we saw were the Governor, his sg^cretary, 
