THE DEVIL'S PUNCH-BOWL.

for days together.

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Longwood is girded on

all sides by precipitous ravines, and one valley larger than the rest is called the Devil's Punchbowl.

The

At Hutt's Gate, to the north-west of Longwood, commences the central mountain ridge of the island. Here the ascent is by a small rising piece of ground called Halley Hill, from having been the place selected by that celebrated Doctor for observing the transit of Venus. walk along Diana's Ridge is much facilitated by a good pathway, the little rising hills on it having steps. Here the vegetation is abundant, and little copses embower the pathway here and there. A variety of ferns prevail here; but one particularly beautiful, called the tree-fern, emulates some of the palms in stature. In ascending Diana's Peak the view brightens and extends, and the fertile parts of the island are seen to the north-west, scooped out of the rocky mass which lies on the shelving sides. The view from Diana's Peak is so magnificent, that absorbed in contemplating its grandeur one forgets the small spot on which he stands : the wild irregularity of shelving rocks and acuminated peaks, the variously coloured strata

352

BREAK-NECK HILL.

of earth, the bleak and barren ridges of rocks, the little verdant vales below, dotted here and there with cottages and farms, the rising knolls crowned with clusters of trees, and outside all these the sea bounded by an indistinct horizon, afford ample materials for a contemplative mind; and, while enjoying the view, the invalid from India's enervating clime may derive benefit from the refreshing breeze of the mountain. The converse of this, where stern sterility sits enthroned in all her harsher features, may be found in the descent of Break-neck Hill. There, beds of mountain rocks, heaped promiscuously on each other, repose in the primeval state of wild confusion. Few persons but geologists will ever venture down Break-neck Hill, and he must be one of the most persevering of mortals who makes good the descent.

On the ridge immediately above Ladder Hill is the Observatory, an establishment which bespeaks the liberality of the East India Company. It is under the superintendence of Captain Johnson of the St. Helena artillery, and in point of neatness and efficiency cannot be surpassed. The captains of vessels touching

RATING CHRONOMETERS.

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at the island obtain the rates of the chronometers from this observatory, from noting the explosion of rockets fired at eight o'clock every evening. This is a most useful arrangement, and one of the least troublesome methods of rating a chronometer that can be adopted.

All that is required of the persons wishing to rate it is, to observe the time shown at the instant of the explosion of the rocket. The time at the observatory being also noted at the same instant, a comparison of the times gives the error of the chronometer, fast or slow, and a repetition of the same for a few evenings gives the rate of the chronometer gaining or losing. A method was adopted at the Cape by Mr. Fallows for the same object. His plan was that of suddenly obscuring a light by means of a shutter. The advantage of this method was, that the light being obscured at a time previously. agreed on, was known at the moment of observation; whereas the time of the explosion of the rocket noted at the observatory could not be known immediately without sending for it. I cannot help thinking that the warning which

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RATING CHRONOMETERS.

the gradual flight of a rocket gives to the observer is more favourable towards observing the moment it explodes, than the sudden disappearance of a light, for which he cannot be so well prepared.

CHAPTER XVII.

Napoleon's Grave.-Reflections.- Longwood.-Institutions at James Town.-Silk Establishment. - Potatoes. - Current prices.-The China fleet.-Absence of lawyers.Humid climate.-Geology.-Cockroaches.-Sharks, their

voraciousness.-Surfs.

THE principal objects of interest at St. Helena are Plantation-house, the residence of the governor; Sandy Ridge; and Napoleon's grave.

Of these, the latter is of course the most interesting to strangers ;-in fact, the first enquiry made by them is, "How far is it to Napoleon's grave?" No sooner are they on shore than horses and vehicles of any kind are levied to convey them to the tomb of the exiled warrior. I fear that it would be tiresome to the reader to follow me there, for I had as much curiosity as every other person who visits the island: in fact, no one ever thinks of foregoing such gratification. The journey is short, and affords the