Year: 1879

In latitude SO South the steamer touched At the
island Of Ascension. and anchored for hour its
leeward side. This slandis held as 8 British naval
station and further than the officials connected with
the forthcatons, there are no other inhabitants.
The island is bleak and sandy, although full of
mountain and valley could discover no trees but


dark brown heath covered most Of the interior; the
coasts sandy and bare, where large NUN bers OF
turtle are caught of these which were brought
on board the steamer. were of unusually large size,
and few young the size of dollar piece were
sold TO the passengers curiosities. We did 20
on shore here the period for remaining was too
short and with only look at this lonely island. we
resumed cur voyage tranquil ocean, and under
sky that at night revealed to many of the con-
siellations of the Southern hemisphere.


little over two days steaming brought us in sight
of St. Helena which, it rises high above the
ocean, q long distance eff. THIS well known
island is stuatate in about latitude l6 South and
is little more than bare rock from the sea-
As we approach the bay OF jamestown the island
maintains Its bare appearance. and the slopes of
the rocky bills are long stairways, of which
called " Jacobs ladder" has, we are told over five
hundred steps, in a straight line. slope having
an angle OF As :. On arrival at the anchorage,
we were told that the steamer would stay six or
seven hours, and Of We went ashore to spend
the time allowed. walk of six miles inland
brought us to the tomb where Napoleon the lst
was buried and disentombed. The tomb is in good
repair, having around it an iron railing, and the
surrounding country has few clumps OF trees, and
some cultlVaHon, while stream OF water
close to the tUI1b The roads here mountain
paths little suited for vehicles, and the produce of
the interior is carried the backs of asses,
goats, &C. The climate of St. Helena is considering
the low latitude, cool aud healthy generally, aud
varies slightly in temperature to latitude. although
the range does not exceeds 40C0 feet. jamestown,
the capital and seaport has only three Streets which
are Joined together like the letter Y the being
Main Street, through which is the entrance from the
sea, the lett arm is Napoleon Street. and the arm on
rrhf Nor Lat ksah lottA- l.. Al.
patches of cultivation in the interior and to Ma
poleon's tomb, the principal spot OF historical in
terest the island. The Market house is situated
at the junction Of the three streets but although
the building itself is large enough for so small
country yet the supply of meat, vegetables. poultry,
fruit, dc, were of poor quality, and stinted in
quantity, the occasion Of visit, and witha very
high priced. In the way of curios, found only
photographs of jamestown and Napoleon's tomb Of
very pour artistic merit. and walking sticks which
evidently msnamed, for they were made out of
the bones of whales and had heads of whales teeth
the sticks sold at 81 90 and 81 90 each and
dear enough at these prices. The business of
jamestown is mostly conducted by men of Hebrew
persation and consists principally of selling supplies
to " lame ducks" and other shipping that may
touch at the island. The inhabitants Of St. Helena
are half breed mulattoes, between negresses from
Western Africa and the soldiers off the garrison.
The mulattOes conduct many Of the retail Stores and
cultivate what ground there upon the island fit for
tiilage. Passenger steamers touching at st. Helena
are the natives their principal of revenue
and three four Of these call every MONTH
As we hadepreviously made bargain with our hoat-
man, we had trouble in getting on board, soon
after which the steamers anchor was weighed, and
Cape Town destination was reached on the
seventh day from St. Helena. As we approached
the coast Of South Africa barren and dry loneliness
seemed to characterize the landscape viii h. with the
exception Of table mountain looming thirty
miles in the distance had few hills of much elevation
We reached the anchorage in Table Bay as the
shades Of evening fell thick around u.s. and the faint
glimmer of Cape Town street lamps were seen
through the moonless shadow Of night.


Cape Town and its surroundings will be the sub
ject Of my next letter. J. NJ. MACDONALD.