ST. GEORGE’S. 
68 
feet above the sea-level. We hove-to for tbe night, 
and for a portion of the next day were engaged 
sounding and dredging round the reefs in a depth 
of 400 fathoms on a coral clay bottom ; the results 
were, as is usually the case in tbe proximity of 
coral reefs, extremely poor, the coral sand debins 
being apparently unfavourable to the development 
of animal life. 
On its conclusion, we closed on the land ; and as we 
stopped off St. George’s for the pilot to navigate the 
vessel through the intricate and dangerous narrows 
between the reefs, it was indeed a pretty sight. 
Seemingly nothing could have been more romantic 
than the little harbour stretched out before us : 
the variety and beauty ot the islets scattered 
about ; the clearness of the water ; tbe number 
of boats and small vessels cruising between the 
islands, sailing from one cedar-grove to another, 
made up as charming a picture as could well be 
imagined. 
Proceeding on, as we near the shore, the white 
houses of Hamilton are seen peeping out from 
amongst the dark-green foliage ; then Clarence Hill, 
the official residence of the naval Commander-in- 
ChieT, is in sight, overlooking a pretty little bay and 
landing-place, with the dark cedars and other trees 
coming close down to the water’s edge ; Mount 
Langton, a charming spot, the residence of the 
Governor, has been passed, and in a short time we 
