as it is called by its inhabitants, but more generally known to Europeans under the name of CAMPELO, is a small island, which was visited by some of Lord Macartney's suite on their voyage to China. In consequence of that visit, we have the following description of it in Sir George Staunton's Account of the Embassy.

"It lies opposite to, and about eight miles to the eastward of, the mouth of a considerable river on the coast of Cochin-china, on the banks of which is situated the town of Fai foo, a place of some note, not far from the harbour of Turon. The bearing of the highest peak of Callao from this harbour is about south-east, distance thirty miles. The extreme points of the island lie in latitude $15^\circ 53'$ and $15^\circ 57'$ north; the greatest length is from north-west to south-east, and is somewhat about five miles, and the mean breadth two miles. The only inhabited part is on the south-west coast, on a slip of ground rising gently to the east, and contained between the bottom of a semicircular bay and the mountains on each side of it. Those mountains, at a distance, appear as if they formed two distinct islands. The southern mountain is the highest, and is about 1500 feet. The lower grounds contain about 200 acres. This small but enchanting spot is beautifully diversified with neat houses, temples, clumps of trees, small hillocks swelling from the plain, and richly decorated with shrubbery and trees of various kinds; among which the elegant area, rising like a Corinthian column, is eminently conspicuous. A rill of clear water, oozing from the mountains, is contrived to be carried along the upper ridges of the vale, from whence it is occasionally conveyed through sluices, for the purpose of watering the rice-grounds, and appeared, though then in the dry season, fully sufficient for every purpose for which it could be wanted.

"The houses, in general, were clean and decent; a few were built with stone, and covered with tiles. One, probably the mansion of the chief person of the island, was inclosed by a stone wall, and the approach to it was through a gateway between two stone pillars. The house was divided into a number of apartments, of which the arrangement did not seem to want either taste or convenience. This building stood at the head of the principal village, which consisted of about thirty habitations built of wood, chiefly the bamboo. Behind the village, and on the side of the hill, was a cave, accessible only by one way, through an irregular range of rocks. Within the cave, but near its mouth, was a small temple, commanding a view of the whole vale. Several other temples were dispersed over the plain, all of which were open in front, with a colonnade before them of round wooden pillars, painted red and varnished. The number of houses on the island scarcely exceeded sixty. Behind every house, not immediately in the principal village, were inclosures of sugar-canes, tobacco, and other vegetables, growing in great luxuriance. The mountains were covered with verdure, and seemed well calculated for rearing goats, of which the island produced a few.

"Beside the principal bay, there were several sandy inlets, with small patches of level ground behind them. Boats might easily land in any of these inlets; but a communication between them by land appeared to be exceedingly difficult, if not entirely prevented, by the steep and rugged ridges which separated them from each other. On this account very slight works, and an establishment of a few men only, would be requisite for the defence of the island, a great part of its coast being impregnably fortified by nature. The depth of water in the bay and road was sufficient for ships of any burden, and there was perfect shelter from every wind except the south-west, to which quarter it was directly open. The short distance, however, from the continent in that direction would always prevent the sea from rising high, though it might not be sufficiently near to break the force of the wind."

The inhabitants of this island are so exceedingly shy and afraid of strangers, that upon the approach of the English vessel, they all, except a very few, retired on board their galleys. When the British landed, therefore, they they found the doors of all the houses open, with several domestic animals feeding before them, but neither man, woman, nor child within. After some time, however, a person was perceived lurking among the neighboring trees, who, finding he was observed, came forward with reluctance and evident marks of fear. While he was yet at some distance, he fell upon his knees, and touched the ground with his forehead several times. On approaching to him, it was noticed that the first joint of every one of his fingers and toes was wanting, and as if twisted off by violence; it was possible that he might have thus been treated by way of punishment for some crime, and that he was considered as the fittest person to be exposed to the supposed danger of watching the movements of the strangers coming ashore. In a little time some others, hidden in the thickets, finding that no mischief was suffered by the first, ventured out. None of them could understand the Chinese interpreter; and not being able to read or write, there was no converting with them by the medium of the Chinese characters. Recourse was had to hieroglyphics, and rude figures were drawn of the articles which were proposed to be purchased; and this method succeeded tolerably well; poultry and fruits were brought for sale, for which high prices were given, purposely to conciliate the good will of those islanders. The few that were found grew soon familiar; and one old man willingly invited the strangers to his house, situated upon an eminence, at a little distance. On arriving there, he introduced them to his wife, an old woman, who, after recovering from her astonishment at the sight of figures so different from those she had ever been accustomed to behold, laid, in a neat manner, before them some fruits, sugar, cakes, and water. On departing from the house, this decent and hospitable couple made signs to testify their desire of seeing them again.

The possession of this island would be of such importance to any European nation who wished to trade securely with Tungquin and Cochin-China, that it is said the French had formerly some thoughts of purchasing it. Sir George Staunton, however, is of opinion, that the want of shelter in the south-west monsoon would render it of little value, without a further settlement near it upon the main land of Cochin-China; and he thinks, that if a solid establishment there could be productive of advantage to any European nation, it would necessarily be so to Great Britain; because, beside the opening which it would make for the sale of British manufactures among the people of the country, the British possessions in Hindostan would be sure of a very considerable demand for their productions.