one of the Antilles or Caribbee islands, situated 20 leagues east of St Christopher's, in W. Long. 62° 5', and N. Lat. 17° 30'. It is about 50 miles in circumference, and is reckoned the largest of all the British leeward islands.

This island having no rivers, and but few springs, or such as are brackish, the inhabitants are obliged to preserve the rain-water in cisterns. The air here is not so wholesome as in the neighbouring islands, and it is more subject to hurricanes; but it has excellent harbours, particularly English Harbour, which is capable of receiving the largest man of war in the navy. Here is also a dock-yard, supplied with all stores and conveniences for repairing and careening ships. The principal trade, however, is carried on in the harbour of St John's, the capital, situated in the north-west part of the island, and which has water sufficiently deep for merchant vessels. The town of St John's was once in a very flourishing condition, as may be judged by the loss sustained at the late fire, which was computed at the amazing sum of £400,000.

This island was first attempted to be settled by Sir Thomas Warner, about the same time with St Christopher's and Nevis; but no establishment then took place. It was afterwards granted by Charles II. to Lord Willoughby then governor of Barbadoes, who settled a colony upon it in the space of a few years. In a short time, but by what means is not evident, it became again the public property. It raises at present about 16,000 hogsheads of sugar, which was at first of a very bad quality, unfit for the English market; but the planters have greatly improved their staple since, and it is now as good as in any of the other islands. It has continued unmolested in all the late wars with France. The number of white inhabitants is reckoned about 10,000. It is divided into five parishes; that of St John's-town, which is reckoned the capital of the north-west part, and consists of above 200 houses; those of Falmouth, Porham, and Bridgetown, on the south side; and St Peter's, which is no town, but lies almost in the middle of the island.