ANTONIO (St), one of the Cape de Verd islands, lying in E. Long. o. 26. N. Lat. 18. 10. It is separated from St Vincent's by a clear navigable channel two leagues in breadth. On the north side, it has a good road for shipping, with a collection of fresh water rising from springs, which, however, scarcely merits the name of a pond. The island stretches from north-east to south-west, and is filled with mountains; one of which is of so extraordinary a height, as to be compared with the Peak of Teneriffe: Its top is constantly covered with snow, and, notwithstanding the clearness of the sky, is generally hid in clouds. Here are pro-
duced a variety of fruits; oranges, lemons, palms, melons, &c. and some sugar-canes. The potatoes and melons are particularly excellent, and are much sought after by mariners. But, notwithstanding all this plenty, the inhabitants live in the most wretched poverty. They are in number about 500, chiefly negroes, under the protection of the Portuguese, whose language they speak, and imitate their manners. To the north-west stands a village, containing about 20 huts, and at least 50 families, under the direction of a governor, or, as they call him, a captain; a priest, and a schoolmaster. The latter trains up the children in the Christian religion, and the first principles of knowledge; which, however, seldom exceeds the being able to read the bible in a bungling manner.