HELENA, or ST HELENA, an island in the Atlantic ocean, belonging to the English East India Company, and situated in W. Long. 6° 30' S. Lat. 16°. The greatest length of the island is about eight miles, and its circumference is above 22. Some of the mountains are pretty high, covered with wood to the top, and exhibit marks of volcanic eruptions. The coun- try, according to Mr Forster, has a fine appearance; the soil is in many places a rich mould, from six to ten inches deep, and a variety of plants thrive in it luxuriantly. He found many plants here which he had not observed in any other parts of the world. Among these were some called by the natives cabbage-trees, gum-trees, and red wood. The former thrive in moist places; but the latter are always found on the ridges of hills, where the soil is dry. The cabbage-tree has rather large leaves; but after many inquiries Mr Forster could not find that it was used for any other purpose than that of fuel, and no reason could be assigned why it had obtained that name. It must not be confounded with the cabbage-tree of America, India, and the South seas, which is a species of palm.

This island is laid out entirely in gardens and pasturage. Besides peaches, we are assured that the plantain and banana thrive here remarkably well. Cabbages, and other greens, which thrive extremely well, are devoured by caterpillars; and every species of corn is destroyed by rats. All the pastures were overrun with furze; which, though in our country a very useless and even pernicious plant, was of singular advantage to the inhabitants of St Helena. Before the introduction of that plant, the ground was parched with the intense heat, and all kinds of grass and herbage were shrivelled up. But the furze-bushes, which throw as it were in despite of the sun, preserved a degree of moisture in the ground; by which means the grass sprang up vigorously, and the country became covered with a rich and beautiful sod. The furze is now no longer wanted, and the people assiduously root it out for fuel. The number of people on St Helena does not exceed 2000 persons, including 500 soldiers, and 600 slaves; and it is said that the number of females born on the island considerably exceeds that of the males. By the arrival of the India ships, which they supply with refreshments, they are in return provided with all sorts of manufactures and other necessaries; and the company annually order one or two of their ships to touch there in their way to India, in order to send them a sufficient quantity of European goods and provisions. Many of their slaves are employed in catching fish, which are very plentiful; and by the help of these, together with their poultry, cattle, roots, and salt provisions, they subsist through the year. Their life (says Mr Forster) seems to pass along very happily; free from the multitude of cares which distress their countrymen in England, and blessed with quiet and content.

A botanic garden has been established near the country house of the governor, and a well-informed gardener sent by the company to take care of it. The sea around the island abounds with esculent fishes, 70 different species of which have been taken upon the coasts. There are great numbers of whales around the island, where the southern whale fishery, it is believed, might be carried on with great advantage to the nation.

The country, in general, is cultivated by slaves; but as these are now placed under the protection of the magistracy, and various regulations enacted in their favour, they may comparatively be said to be comfortable and secure. Before these regulations took place, ten out of a hundred were known to die annually, whereas they are now on the increase, and the expenses occasioned by the replacing of those who died formerly are thus avoided.

There are some blacks who are in a state of freedom, independent of the slaves. These, at first, were obnoxious to the slave owners; but, upon examination, it was found that not one of them had been tried for a crime for several years, nor had any of them been upon the parish. By the humane interference of the company they share the protection of the government, and are almost on a footing with the other free inhabitants, having the benefit of a jury when accused of crimes, as well as in civil cases.

This country is so fertile, and the climate so exactly suited to the feelings of human nature, that persons indifferent to the enjoyments of the world, or far advanced in years, could scarcely find another spot better calculated to prolong their existence in ease, health, and comfort.

St Helena was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, on St Helen's day; whence its name. They stocked it with different kinds of useful animals; but whether they ever settled a colony on it or not, is uncertain. The Portuguese having either abandoned or never taken possession of it, the Dutch became its masters; and kept possession of it till the year 1600, when they were driven out by the English. In 1673, the Dutch took it by surprise; but a short time after it was recovered by the brave Captain Munden, who also took three Dutch East Indiamen then lying in the harbour. On this occasion the Hollanders had fortified the landing place; of which there is only one on the island; and erected batteries of great guns to prevent a descent; but the English having knowledge of a small creek, where only two men abreast could creep up, climbed to the top of the rock in the night; and appearing the next morning behind the batteries, the Dutch were so terrified, that they threw down their arms, and surrendered at discretion. This creek has been since fortified, and a battery of large cannon placed at the entrance of it; so that now the island is rendered perfectly secure against all regular approaches or sudden attacks.

St Helena has lately acquired no small celebrity as the place of confinement of Napoleon Bonaparte, late emperor of France. The illustrious exile arrived here on the 17th October 1815, and remained in the island till his death, 5th May 1821. He was buried in a retired spot not far from Longwood, the place of his residence.