40 
ST. HELENA. 
old willow trees which still hang over the tomb itself. These 
trees, though descended from, are not the original willows ; and it 
is commonly rumoured that more than one or two generations have 
been carried away piecemeal by visitors as relics. 
There are fifty miles of road throughout the Island, and well laid 
out, considering the very steep nature of the country. They have, 
moreover, been kept, until recently, in good repair ; and tbe ride or 
drive along the mountain -tops, from Longvvood across Sandy Bay- 
ridge, and by Government House to Ladder Hill and Jamestown, 
is, for beauty of scenery, scarcely to be surpassed. The shady 
lanes, lined on each side with bright yellow blossoms of gorse, 
brilliant scarlet geraniums, and the deeper tints of the fuchsia 
mixing with the blue-green foliage and orange-coloured blossoms of 
the buddlea, and the pale-green leaves of the young oak trees, are 
very charming, and not less so when these suddenly give place to a 
rich meadow or sunny hayfield. The intricate nature of the roads, 
winding in and out of numerous valleys and ravines, sometimes 
making it necessai'y to travel more than a mile to reach a spot but a 
few hundred yards distant, conveys an impression of greater size 
than that which the place really possesses, and several days, at 
least, are necessary to obtain even a general idea of the Island. The 
most picturesque and English-like lane is that leading from the 
Cathedral to the westward of the Island, and is well worthy of a 
visit from the passing stranger. 
The Island was until lately divided into three parishes, respec- 
tively called Jamestown, St. Paul, and Longwood. Each had its 
church, and the former the district church of St. John in addition. 
The Baptists have erected three chapels. There are at least fifteen 
schools in the Island, and about one-seventh of the whole population 
attend them. 
There are eight or nine institutions, some of them very excellent, 
but all are suffering severely from the poverty which now prevails 
throughout the community. Amongst the principal may be men- 
tioned the Library, established in 1813, and supported by subscrip- 
tions ; it contains many interesting old books, but few modern 
publications, the Benevolent Society, founded in 1S14, for educa- 
tional purposes and acts of benevolence, is one of the most valuable 
institutions oi the place ; it supports three schools entirely, and 
gives such aid to others as the funds, which are dependent upon 
