18 
ST. HELENA. 
attacked almost everybody in the Island, on each occasion causing 
considerable mortality. The price of labour was now increasing 
rapidly, in consequence of a good deal of attention being diverted 
from agricultural pursuits to trade, and, as at that time slavery 
existed, the price of a good slave increased during a period of 
twenty years from 40/. to 150/. 
Lieut. -Colonel Lane succeeded Governor Patton, who left in 
bad health for Europe in July, 1807, and acted through twelve 
months, when, on the 4th July, 1808, he was succeeded by Major- 
General Eeatson, a man of high intelligence and energetic habits, 
who, during the five years he remained at St. Helena, certainly did 
more than any Governor before him, and perhaps as much as any 
since, to improve and develop the resources of the place. His first 
act was to introduce men from England who were accustomed to 
farming, and also about 650 Chinese from Canton ; these latter 
proved themselves so useful as mechanics and gardeners that much 
of their handiwork and patience may even to the present day be 
traced in the cut and carved lava stone which adorns some of the 
best buildings. It is much to be regretted that such industrious 
men have quite disappeared. A year or two ago the last remaining 
Chinaman died at a good old age, and besides what is mentioned 
above, the only records of their time exist in the Chinese cemetery, 
at a spot called New Ground, and an extremely picturesque little 
Jos house at Black Square; but both of these are fast falling into decay. 
The chief object with Governor Beatson for introducing addi- 
tional labour being to lower the price of Island-grown produce, he 
very soon had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts successful, and 
many articles of food, [including potatoes, were in consequence reduced 
in price. With a view further to encourage the cultivation of 
land, he was the means of putting a stop to the practice, which 
had long existed, of provisions being sold from the Company’s 
stores at less than cost price. In many ways he encouraged cultiva- 
tion ; he introduced many new plants, and tried numerous experi- 
ments in growing corn, roots, and vegetables — indeed, so identified 
himself with this subject that the results of his many trials are to 
this day quoted in evidence of the capabilities of the soil of the 
Island.* Of course when experiments are tried under entirely 
* Most of Governor Beatson’s experiments have been recorded in a volume called “ Beat- 
son's Tracts,” but it is now out of print. 
