LUCIA

LUCIA, Sr., one of the British West India Islands, Windward group, lying about 30 miles S. of Martinique, in N. Lat. 13. 50., W. Long. 60. 58. It is 32 miles in length from N. to S., by 12 in extreme breadth, and has an area of about 235 square miles, or 150,000 acres. It is longitudinally divided by a chain of mountains generally from 1200 to 1800, and in some cases to 2000 feet high, densely clothed with the finest timber. These are of volcanic formation, and assume the most fantastic forms, abounding in deep chasms and pointed eminences. From either side of this chain branches of lesser altitude go off towards the coast, forming plains and valleys of various sizes. At its southern extremity are two mountains of volcanic origin, called the Sugar Loaves, which rise nearly perpendicularly from the sea in the form of parallel cones to the height of about 2700 feet. They are covered with evergreen foliage, and mark the entrance into the deep and beautiful bay of Soufrière. The valleys throughout the island, as well as the plains upon the coast, are fertile, being well watered by numerous streams, and are under good cultivation. The island is divided into two territories,—Basseterré, the low or leeward portion, which is well cultivated and the most populous, though the prevalence of stagnant waters and morasses renders the climate very unhealthy; and Capisterré, the high or windward territory, which is also very unhealthy, but is becoming less so as the wood on the high lands is being cleared away. The climate is very moist, as the trees on the mountains attract the clouds, and hence render the island subject to frequent and heavy rains for nine or ten months in the year. The quantity of rain that

St Lucian. fell in 1851 amounted to 94 inches, and in that year the thermometer ranged from 71° to 83° Fahr.

The extent of land under each description of crop in 1854 and the three preceding years was,—

The quantities of various articles produced in each of the above years were,—

The quantities and value of articles exported in 1854 were,—

The total value of imports in 1854 (principally articles of British manufacture, flour, dried fish, butter, live stock, lumber, salted meat, olive-oil, wine, rice, and tobacco), was L.96,309; being L.41,996 from United Kingdom, L.27,880 from British colonies, and L.26,433 from foreign states. The net amount of the general revenue in 1854 was L.14,098; being custom duties on imports, L.6482, on tonnage, L.744, assessed and other taxes, L.6872. The net expenditure for that year was L.13,565. The total population in 1854 was 24,123, of whom 430 were male and 517 female whites, 11,081 male and 12,095 female persons of colour. The births, deaths, and marriages were respectively 1069, 2494, and 906. The great number of deaths in that year was principally caused by the cholera; the average of the four previous years being only about 430. This plague had also great influence on the number of marriages, which in that year was more than quadruple the usual annual average. The chief town of the island is Castries, which contains about 3000 persons.

St Lucia was first colonized by English settlers in 1639, but these were soon after driven off by the Caribs. About 1650 the French effected a settlement, and from that time to 1803, when it was finally captured by the English, it belonged alternately to France and England. The government is administered by the commanding officer of the troops, a lieutenant-governor, and an executive council, consisting of the colonial secretary, the attorney-general, and the second military officer. There is also a legislative council, composed of five official and five non-official members, in which the colonial secretary and attorney-general have seats and votes, and of which the commanding officer is president. The laws of St Lucia, except in so far as they have been altered by orders of council, are the laws of France, antecedent to the Code Napoleon.