or St HELENA. In addition to the account of this island in the Encyclopaedia, the following particulars from Sir George Staunton deserve a place in this Supplement, because some of them are important in themselves, while others correct one or two mistakes into which we had fallen, by adopting, implicitly, the narrative of Forster.
The circumference of St Helena measures somewhat less than twenty-eight miles. Along the whole coast to leeward, or to the northward, ships may anchor in perfect security in all seasons of the year, but the bank shelves so abruptly afterwards, that the anchorage, being in deep water, is insecure. The tide seldom rises above three feet and a half; but the surge of the sea is sometimes tremendous; and several accidents happened in approaching or quitting the shore, until a wharf was erected, lately, which renders the arrival there, and departure from it, perfectly safe. In the immediate neighbourhood of the island, storms are little known, thunder is rarely heard, and lightning is seldom perceived.
The steep eminences which intervene between the valleys, that are the chief seats of population, render the communication from one part of this little spot to another slow and difficult. Planters on the windward side of the island consider a journey to the leeward, or seat of government, as a serious undertaking. Several of them take that opportunity of paying their respects to the governor, which is called there sometimes "going to court." There are St Helena planters who have not travelled so far. At present, by order of the governor, there are signals so placed all over the island, as to give instant notice of the approach of vessels to any part of it.
In the Encyclopaedia, it is said that peaches are the only European fruits which thrive in St Helena; but this appears to be a mistake. Several sorts of fruit trees imported into the island had been destroyed by a particular insect; but encouragement has been given for the cultivation of those which that mischievous animal is known to spare, such as the apple, for example, with all the varieties of which it is susceptible. The plantain and banana, or the two species of the musa, thrive also remarkably well. The ground is fertile, and in favourable seasons produces, in some instances, double crops within the year. Plantations, however, of cotton, indigo, or canes, were not found to answer; though some good coffee has been produced in it. A botanic garden has been established near the governor's country house. An intelligent gardener has been sent to take care of it by the company; and a vast variety of trees, plants, and flowers of different, and sometimes opposite climates, are already collected in it. The surrounding sea abounds in excellent fish; and seventy different species, including turtle, have been caught upon the coasts. Whales are seen in great numbers playing round the island, where it is supposed the southern whale fishery might be carried on to great national advantage.
The country is chiefly cultivated by blacks. Persons of that colour were brought in a state of slavery to it by its first European settlers; and it seldom happens that white men will submit to common work where there are black slaves to whom it may be transferred. These were for a long time under the unlimited dominion of their owners, until a representation of the abuses made of that power induced the India Company to place them under the immediate protection of the magistracy, and to enact various regulations in their favour; which have contributed to render them, in a great degree, comfortable and secure. These regulations may have hurt, at first, the feelings of the owners of slaves, but not their real interest; for it appears, that before their introduction there was a loss, upon an average, of about ten in a hundred slaves every year, to be supplied at a very heavy expense; whereas, under the present system, they naturally increase. All future importation of slaves into the island is prohibited.
Besides the blacks in a state of slavery, there are some who are free. The labour of these tending to diminish the value of that of slaves, the free blacks became once obnoxious to some slave owners; who had sufficient influence, in a grand jury, to present them as without visible means of gaining a livelihood, and liable to become burdensome to the community; but upon examination, it appeared that all free blacks of age to work were actually employed; that not one of them had been tried for a crime for several years, nor had any of them been upon the parish. They are now by the humane interposition of the company placed under the immediate protection of the government, and put nearly upon a footing with the other free inhabitants, who, when accused of crimes, have the privilege of a jury, as well as in civil causes. The principal settlement of St Helena has the peculiar advantage of uniting the shelter of a leeward situation with the coolness of windward gales. The south-east wind blows constantly down the valley, rendering a residence in it pleasant as well as healthy. The country is so fertile, and the climate so congenial to the human feelings, that perhaps it would be difficult to find out a spot where persons, not having acquired a relish for the enjoyments of the world, or already advanced in life, and forfeited with them, could have a better chance of protracting their days in ease, health, and comfort.