by no means a desirable residence. The ascent to the top of the mountains is effected by diagonal roads cut in their sides. There are various telegraphs stationed so as to convey information from every part of the island, when shipping appear on the coast. It is in general rocky and mountainous, but in the interior far from being barren, the valleys and mountains being pleasant and fertile. Mr. Foster informs us, that "having travelled about half a mile from the town into the country, he was transported with one of the finest prospects he ever beheld, consisting of several little hills, covered with rich verdure, and interspersed with fertile valleys, which contained gardens, orchards, and various plantations; that many pastures, surrounded by enclosures of stone, were filled with a small but a fine brood of cattle, and with English sheep; that every valley was watered by a little rivulet; and the mountains in the centre of the island were hung with woods. The soil which covered the rocks and mountains, was in general a rich mould, from six to ten inches deep, clothed with a variety of plants and shrubs, among which was a tree, which the inhabitants call a cabbage-tree, though only used for fuel, gum-trees, and redwood. In the governor's garden, about three miles from town, he saw several plants from Europe, Africa and America, and particularly a profusion of roses and lilies, interspersed with myrtle and laurel. Several walks of peach-trees were loaded with fruit, which had a peculiarly rich flavour, different from that of our peaches; but that other European fruit-trees throve

but indifferently, and never bore fruit. Vines had been planted several times, but had not succeeded, on account of the climate; cabbages and other greens thrive extremely well, but are destroyed by caterpillars; barley and other kinds of corn are generally devoured by rats, which are immensely numerous; and for that reason, the ground was laid out chiefly in pastures, the verdure of which was surprising! The island could support 3,000 head of their small cattle; the beef is juicy, delicious and very fat; and the island, besides cattle, abounds with goats, rabbits, a small breed of horses, ring pheasants, red-legged partridges, rice birds, pigeons, &c. of some of which the breed is indigenous, but others have been brought from Africa, Europe, or the East Indies. The number of inhabitants on the island does not exceed 2,000, including near 500 soldiers, and 600 slaves, who are supplied with all sorts of manufactures and other necessaries by the company's ships in return for refreshments; and that many of the slaves were employed in catching fish, which are very plentiful." It lies between the continents of Africa and South America, about 1,200 miles W. of the former, and 1,800 E. of the latter. Long. 5° 49′ W., lat. 15° 55' S.

We resumed our voyage from hence about the month of April, and arrived safe in England in July, 1802, without experiencing any thing remarkable in the passage from St. Helena. The first port we made was the Downs, where I received orders to proceed by land from Dover to London, with the company's despatches.

CHAPTER XI.

The writer is united in marriage.—Enters into business.-Discouraging circumstances. Remove to London.--A remarkable providence.--Embark for America, and arrive at NewYork-Engagement with the "Free School Society of New

York."

HAVING arrived in London early the next morning, my first object was to inquire for my old friends, whom I shortly after found, though not without considerable difficulty, as their circumstances and situations had undergone many changes.

Upon the conclusion of my engagement with Captain W. my mind was employed upon another and much more important to me, viz. the consummation of the marriage treaty with D. M., which being consolidated, our minds were engaged respecting our future residence, when the town of Leicester, distant about 100 miles from London, presented a prospect of advantageously commencing business. In furnishing the store we were greatly aided by Captain W. who advanced considerable money, and through him we obtained credit with several of the London merchants: but, after a trial of several months, it did not

meet our expectations: we, therefore, closed that concern, and shortly after removed to London, where we hoped to meet with employment. On visiting our good friend Captain W. we inquired of him respecting the probability of obtaining employment, when, to our great sorrow, we were informed, that, to every situation which offered, there were more than twenty candidates in readiness, and that the hope of success, on my part, was very gloomy, in consequence of the universal depression of trade.

Various and unremitted exertions were made to procure employment, but all were fruitless, and as the contents of our strong box was reduced to only a few shillings, our situation was rendered extremely dejecting!

On my arrival from Horndon, in Essex, (where I had been in pursuit of the office of teacher to a school in that place,) we were unexpectedly visited by a Mr. Cook, (of the house of Wallis, Cook and Hammond, merchants in London,) who interrogated me respecting my qualification for business, &c. and whether we should have any objection to go to America. This interview terminated in a request that I should wait on the other gentlemen of the firm the following morning; to which attendance was accordingly given. The result of this visit was an engagement with these gentlemen, at one hundred pounds sterling per annum; and to proceed direct for NewYork, to their agent Mr. B. P., then resident in Pearl-street. This proposition was most cheerfully acceded to on my part, as scarcely any thing could

have been more gratifying to my wishes, having but a few days previous endeavoured to obtain a passage in a vessel that was bound to Philadelphia, to serve in any capacity as a compensation for the passage; but the captain insisted that if I went with him, the price of the passage should be immediately paid in cash; this requisition being altogether incompatible with my purse, I was obliged to relinquish the idea of arriving in America by this conveyance.

In two days after my engagement with Messrs. W., C. & H., the ship South Carolina, commanded by Robert M. Steel, was under sailing orders for NewYork, in which myself and family embarked, on the 15th of June, 1804, and 'after a prosperous voyage of 52 days, without experiencing any thing very remarkable, we arrived in New-York on the 9th of August. We were very kindly welcomed by Mr. B. P., who gratuitously accommodated us at his house, with his furniture, &c. about two months; his family then residing at Greenwich. For several days after our arrival, instead of being placed immediately at the desk, I was indulged with the privilege of seeing the different parts of the city, and adjacent country; which afforded no small gratification, especially after such a tedious voyage.

After being engaged with my new employer about three months, I was recoguised by my old friend. Henry Miller, who had resided many years in Pearlstreet, and had accumulated considerable wealth in the trunk manufactory. At about this time many persons were supposed to amass abundant riches in