MONTSERRAT, one of the West Indian islands, belonging to Great Britain, is situated in 16. 47. north latitude, and 92. 13. 25. west longitude. It is about twelve miles in length by seven and a half in breadth, and contains a superficies of 30,000 acres. Like the islands in its vicinity, it runs from south-east to north-west, and presents an equally broken and mountainous surface; an arrangement and physical structure which has led to the conclusion that these islands owe their origin to volcanic eruption. The extremity of the mountain chain terminates on the north in a bold headland coast, where there is no landing-place and little anchorage. The land slopes to the sea in a succession of conglomerate eminences, which extend to the base of the mountain. On the south there is no approach for vessels of any size until they get to the westward, the sea for a mile or two being studded with huge rocks and shelving banks of coral. The island then suddenly shoots up to the height of 1500 feet, and continues to rise pile above pile, throwing out lateral branches, until they attain the altitude of 2500 feet above the level of the Atlantic. This chain stretches across to the northern extremity of Montserrat, where it terminates, as we have mentioned. Many of the mountains are inaccessible, and are separated from each other by immense perpendicular chasms several hundred feet in depth. These gullies, however, as well as the mountains, are covered to the very
summits with lofty woods, and all the beautiful variety of Montserrat vegetation which a mountainous region within the tropics presents. On the south-west side of the chain is a small souffriere, situated 1000 feet above the sea, in a dell formed by the approximation of three conical hills, the scenery around which has been described by Mr Coleridge as grand and beautiful in the highest degree. The road from Plymouth, the capital of Montserrat, to this place, after stretching along the margin of the sea, winds inwards by a gentle declivity towards the mountains. The path becomes strewed with the snowy amaryllis (pancratia Caribaea), and the scarlet hibiscus; and on either side lime and orange trees form a verdant hedge. The whole of the valley in which the souffriere lies is broken into vast and irregular masses of clay and limestone, which are scattered about in the utmost confusion. The surface of the ground is everywhere hot, indeed so much so near the streams of water which run between the fragments, that it is difficult for the foot to support it more than half a minute. The water at its source boils up violently, and a cloud of vapour constantly settles over it. The sides of the mounds of clay are encrusted with pure alum; but, notwithstanding this, the vegetation of bushes and creepers all round is green and luxuriant, whilst the rampart of mountains in which the solitary valley is embosomed is clothed with woods whose feathery grass-like plumage bends devotedly to the setting sun under the unceasing breath of the trade-wind. There are no marshes, but there is a small lake on the top of a hill about two miles west from Plymouth, which remains constantly full. Plymouth, the capital, is small, but substantially built, of a fine gray stone, and has a comfortable appearance. The geological features of this island are similar to those of the islands in the neighbourhood. Many of the rocks have been termed only vast masses of clay of divers hues; but in the conical hills carbonate of lime, iron pyrites, and aluminous earth abound. The soil is in general dry, light, thin, gravelly, and thickly covered with blocks of clay and sandstone, excepting in the valleys where the loamy earth is deposited by rains. The climate of Montserrat is remarkable for its salubrity, a characteristic which has obtained for it the name of the Montpellier of the West Indies. The temperature of course varies according to the locality and the elevation above the sea. It is subject to hurricanes, but these are neither frequent nor severe. To enumerate the staple products of Montserrat, would be merely to recapitulate what is said of them under the heads of JAMAICA, ST LUCIA, and other West India islands. Indigo was formerly raised in great quantities, but this branch of agriculture is now abandoned. The sugar and rum produced are highly esteemed. Of the former there were exported in 1832, 2,322,208 pounds, valued at L.16,549; and of the latter, 74,064 gallons, valued at L.3307. The total amount of exports for the same year was L.21,517, and of imports L.11,067. In 1830 the shipping inwards was 5824 tons, and outwards 6576 tons. By the latest return it appears that, between the 5th of January 1836 and the 5th of January 1837, there were imported into the united kingdom from this island 12,152 cwts. of sugar, 16,256 gallons of rum, and 2694 cwts. of molasses.
The executive of this island is embodied in the government of Antigua, but the inhabitants enjoy their separate council and house of assembly, the former consisting of six members and the latter of eight, two being sent from each of the four districts into which Montserrat is divided. The gross annual revenue is about L.2500. There are five places of public worship, capable of containing 1000 persons, and also a Wesleyan missionary station; and there are six public or free schools, with 298 male and 390 female scholars. Montserrat was at one time more densely peopled with Europeans than it is at present. The popu-
lation, including all classes, is now estimated at about 7400. This island was discovered by the companions of Columbus, and called by them Montserrat, a name expressive, in the Spanish language, of its broken and mountainous appearance. It was first settled in 1632, by Sir Thomas Warner, under the protection of the British government. It was taken by the French about the year 1664, but restored to Britain at the peace of Breda, and it has ever since formed a part of our empire.