off; and they were sent from India, and landed on the island of Saint Helena. A few Negroes, hogs, goats, and poultry, were also then left on the island.

The situation of this island was kept concealed by the Portuguese, until the year 1588; when it was discovered by Captain Cavendish, the commander of an English ship. It soon after became known to, and was visited by, vessels from other nations of Europe. The island was for many years regularly visited by Portuguese vessels, trading to the East Indies, for the purpose of obtaining a supply of fresh provisions and water; but after the Portuguese had formed several settlements on the coast of Africa, they abandoned Saint Helena; which was then taken possession of by the Dutch; but in the year 1651 it was abandoned by them also; and was soon after taken possession of by the English East India Company; and it has ever since been held under the authority of the British crown; excepting only for the space of one year, when it was taken and held by the Dutch. This was in the year 1672. The island was, in the following year, retaken by the English; and shortly after four Dutch vessels, richly laden from India, were brought into the harbour of the island, the commanders of the vessels supposing the island to be in the possession of the Dutch; and thus the vessels were captured by the English.

The island is frequently visited by British vessels trading to the East Indies. Here they can obtain fresh supplies of provision and water. But the prices of meat, poultry, and vegetables are high. Grapes, figs, oranges, and lemons ripen in the valley's near the sea. Gooseberry and currant bushes do not produce fruit, but become evergreens. Cherries do not grow on the island; but the common blackberry when introduced into the island, grew so rapidly, as to threaten destruction to other and more valuable productions. A public order, therefore, was issued for their extirpation. Cabbages, peas, beans, and potatoes are raised in large quantities. Oxen and sheep are bred on the island. Wild rabbits, pheasants, partridges, and wild fowl are

numerous.

Canary birds abound in the island; as do also red linnets, and sparrows. More than seventy kinds of fish are found

on the coast. The flying fish, when pursued by their enemies, often drop upon the rocks. Whales are frequently seen near the island. Turtle frequent the coast in December and March. Oysters and other shell-fish are not

scarce.

Mr. Brooke in his account of the island says, "The appearance of St. Helena at a distance, is that of an abrupt and rugged rock. A nearer approach brings to view the central eminences, which have a soft outline. A yet nearer approach shuts from the view these eminences, and nothing is presented to the eye but craggy and stupendous cliffs. On nearing Munden's Point, James' Valley presents itself, situated between two lofty mountains." The town of St. James has a pleasing appearance. It is entered by a gateway on one side of the parade. There are streets with shops, in which, many of the products of Europe and India are sold. The town stands between two eminences, called Rupert's Hill on the east, and Ladder Hill on the west. Diana Peak, the highest point of a chain of hills which runs across the island, is 2,700 feet above the level of the sea.

The accounts given by different writers as to the salubrity of the island vary. Some writers say, that the climate is remarkably temperate and salubrious; being scarcely so hot as it is in the heat of summer, and the cold never being so intense as it is in the middle of winter in England. Other accounts represent the island as being subject to great and sudden changes of temperature; and that these changes are experienced in traversing short distances in the island; it being in some parts exceedingly hot, and yet, at a very short distance, very foggy and cold.

The most important historical event connected with the history of this island, is the fact that it was the residence of the celebrated French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Who, after his fall from power, was, by the Allied Powers, banished to this island, and placed there, under the care of the British crown, as a state prisoner. This was after the battle of Waterloo, and the taking of Paris by the Allied Powers. Bonaparte arrived at St. Helena in November, 1815, and died there on the 5th of May, 1821. His body was interred, with all the pomp usually observed at the

funerals of great military officers. He was buried in a spot which he had chosen, as the place of his sepulture, under a weeping willow. Such was the end of a man, whose great ambition, and love of war, raised him from a low condition to the throne of France, made him a terror to all the nations of Europe, and caused the massacre of millions of human beings.

A few years since, the English government allowed his remains to be removed from St. Helena to France. This was for the gratification of the French, who desired that the bones of Bonaparte should be entombed in their land. The compliance of the English government with this wish was highly commendable. It is proper for nations and individuals, to endeavour to promote mutual goodwill, to reciprocate acts of kindness, and to bury the remembrances of former differences and quarrels.

"LOOK BEFORE YOU."

"WHY don't you look before you," said a plain countryman to his son, who had just struck his foot against a stone that lay in the path, "if you don't look before you," added he, "you will be always in trouble."

Although I passed by the man without making any observation, yet I could not forget his words, and repeating them over again, “many dangers would be avoided," said I to myself, "if people were to attend to the remark of the honest countryman." I was resolved to improve the event, and a second adventure soon convinced me of the importance of the maxim.

As I turned the corner of the road, I perceived a man stretched on the ground, apparently breathless, and, upon inquiry, found he had just been thrown out of a gig. He was driving at a furious rate, and while he looked round to notice some very trifling circumstance, a cart laden with coals came in contact with his vehicle, and by a sudden jerk he was thrown out. Providentially for him he experienced no serious injury, and soon recovered. The driver of the cart, who was standing near him, exclaimed, "I am very

sorry for the accident, but if the gentleman had looked before him, it would not have happened."

I walked on to visit an old friend, and having inquired for his family, he replied, "we are all well, and tolerably comfortable, but my son James gives us much trouble; he wants foresight, and by not looking before him, and considering consequences, he has run into debt, spent his wife's fortune, and, to the disgrace of my family, his name is now in the Gazette: for some of the creditors, not looking before them also, and not calculating the enormous expenses of a bankruptcy, have struck a docket against him, and in the end I suppose they will not receive sixpence in the pound. If my son had looked before him, minded his business, put on his apron instead of his silk stockings, kept behind his counter instead of fishing, shooting, and hunting, with some dissipated fellows who met at the Golden Crown, he would have been a prosperous man, instead of a beggar; but alas! he would not look before him.""

Struck with my friend's affecting recital, I endeavoured to console him, and wished him good day. Proceeding towards home, I soon recognized a boy with his satchel returning from school, crying bitterly: "what makes you cry, my good lad?" said I. Sir," said he, sobbing, "I-I-I -have been-kept in-for not-saying-my task."

66

"How

so?" "One of my school-fellows-persuaded me-last night-to go-a fishing—with him-so Sir, I went--without learning-my lesson first-and when I went to schoolthis morning-my master beat me and kept me-an hour after the school broke up."-"I hope, my boy," said I, "that you will, in future, look before you; mind your work first, prefer your lessons to your play, and all will be well."

I arrived at home about two, expecting to find all ready for dinner, but to my great vexation, I found the house in a complete bustle. No dinner ready, but my dear wife with a frown on her face, and so much disturbed, that she scarcely looked at me. I ventured, in a gentle manner, to inquire into the circumstances of her dejection. "Pray don't ask me, my dear," said she, "for I am sadly tormented at Molly's conduct. She will not look before her, and thus her work is always behind hand."

Every day appeared to produce some new instance of the value of the countryman's remark, and I perceived very plainly that the miseries of human life would be lessened, accidents prevented, dangers avoided, and the gaols emptied, if every one acted upon the principle, "look before you;" and while I indulged, my reflections, I imagined a state of things in which Newgate was converted into a splendid mansion; lawsuits at an end; public executions unknown; police officers discharged, and the tread-mill out of use. I fancied that where the King's-bench prison once stood, I saw a large handsome square, and, in a word, there was altogether a new order of things.

Not long after this, I attended the assizes, and while I was in court I heard the trial of a young man for robbery. The evidence against him was clear and decisive, and he was found guilty. I was much affected by his address to the judge, when called upon for his defence. "My Lord,” said he, "I have nothing to say, but leave my case with the jury. I stand here, a sad instance of the folly of not looking before me. Had I kept the Sabbath, and followed the instructions of my parents, and godly ministers, I should not have stood before your Lordship to-day, but I did not consider the consequences of bad company, and evil habits, and this has been my ruin."

66

"Very striking, indeed!" said a man that stood near me, very striking! I hope I shall not forget to look before me, and I wish every one would do the same; then tradesmen would not over-run their incomes; merchants would set bounds to their speculations; talkative persons would not be so forward in speaking all that they think; and the angry and the irritable would bridle their tempers, and restrain their rage."

"True," observed a stranger of a very grave appearance, "if we all pondered the path of our feet, and looked well to our goings, we should be prepared for all events, and, above all, for the event of death. We should be prepared to meet our God."

Reader, while I leave you to pursue the remarks, and to meditate upon the necessity of consideration in all the circumstances of this life, to high and low, rich and poor, kings