a small town, situated at the bottom of a bay, towards the leeward extremity of the island of St Lucia. There is nothing in the town itself which could Soufriere, could have entitled it to notice in this work; but the ground about it is very remarkable. It has been described by different authors; and our readers will probably not be ill pleased with the following description of this wonderful spot by Dr Rollo.
"Soufriere (says he) is surrounded by hills covered with trees, the declivities of which, and every part capable of produce, are cultivated, and afford good sugar-cane. This place has its marshes, but not so extensive, or so much to windward as those about Carriacou.
"The extremity of the south side of Soufriere Bay runs into two steep hills of a conical figure, which are nearly perpendicular: they are reckoned the highest on the island, and are known by the name of the Sugar Loaf Hills. From their height and situation it is impossible to ascend them: we were told it was once attempted by two negroes, but they never returned. They are covered with trees and shrubs, and are the shelter of goats, several of which sometimes descend, and are shot by the natives.
"After you pass the hills to windward of Soufriere, a fine clear and level country presents itself. From the back of the Sugar Loaf Hills, and all along the seacoast, to the distance, we suppose, of from fifteen to twenty miles, this flat or level extends: it is all cultivated and divided into rich estates, affording sugar-cane equal to any in our islands. This beautiful spot is intersected by many rivers of very clear water, and these are conducted by art to the purpose of sugar making. The rains in this part are less frequent than on any other part of the island; however, they have often a proportion more than sufficient. The wind here blows from the sea, or nearly so.
"We cannot finish this description without taking notice of a volcano in the neighbourhood of Soufriere. You pass over one or two small hills to the southward of the town, and before any mark of the place is perceived you are sensible of the smell of sulphur. The first thing you discern is a rivulet of black running water, sending forth steam as if nearly boiling. From the prospect of this you soon open on the volcano, which appears in a hollow, surrounded close on every side by hills. There are only two openings; the one we entered, and another almost opposite to it on the north side. In the hollow there are many pits of a black and thick boiling matter, which seems to work with great force. Lava is slowly thrown out; and in the centre of the hollow there is a large mass of it, forming a kind of hill. This we ascended; but were soon obliged to return from the excessive heat. The lava is a sulphur mixed with a calcareous earth and some saline body. We found small quantities of alum in a perfect state. In the opening, at the north side of the hollow, there is a rivulet of very good water. On stirring the bottom, over which this water runs, we were surprised with feeling it very hot; and on placing a tumbler filled with some of the water close to the bottom of the rivulet, it soon became so hot as not to be touched. The liquid which runs from the pits is strongly impregnated with sulphur, and resembles a good deal the preparation sold in the shops, known by the name of aqua sulphurata, or gas sulphuris."