St. Lucia: historical, statistical, and descriptive

Introduction

. Of all the insular possessions of Britain there is none so little known as St. Lucia ; and while each has repeatedly attracted the attention of the traveller and the historian, this Island has either not been noticed at all, or has been dismissed with a cursory glance. Amongst recent writers on the West Indies, Mr. Mackenzie's sphere of observation appears to have been confined to Hayti ; Colonel St. Clair's to Demerara and Ber bice; Mrs. Carmichael's to St. Vincent and Trinidad ; Colonel Flinter's to Porto-Rico ; Dr. Madden's to Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Jamaica ; Sir Andrew Halliday's to Barbados, Guiana, Trinidad, and Tobago ; Mr. Turnbull's to Cuba ; and the Rev. Mr. Philippo's to Ja maica. Neither of these writers has the slightest

INTRODUCTION.

. VI mention of St. Lucia. Of those who have noticed it, Coleridge has given the impressions of a four hours' loitering under the roof of Government House ; F. W. N. Bailey the imaginings of half an-hour's ride to Morne Fortune ; and Sturge and Harvey the gleanings, mostly taken at second hand, of a whole day's excursion to the valley of Roseau. Even Montgomery Martin, who should be supposed to have sought access to every available source of information, has contented himself with copying from Coleridge the brief notice which he has given to the world of this in teresting Colony. Not only is there little known respecting St. Lucia, but even that little is generally incorrect. In confirmation of this I may mention that Mr. Bailey places the Pitons, or Sugar Loaves, in Gros-ilet Bay — a distance of twenty-five miles from their actual situation ; that Mr. M. Martin represents the superficial extent of the island to be 37,000 acres, instead of 158,000 ; and that Messrs. Chambers, in their " Information for the People," describe Pigeon Island as being at a

INTRODUCTION.

. VII distance of six miles from St. Lucia, instead of one-third of a mile. And yet there are few of the sister islands that have higher claims to attention. As a military station it is of considerable importance, not only from its proximity to the French Settlement of Martinique, but from its central position amongst the islands, and its natural facilities of defence both by land and by sea. Inferior to Trinidad in territorial extent, and to Barbados and Antigua in density of population , it is second to none in the number and capaciousness of its harbours and the richness and resources of its soil. We may form some idea of the value attached to it by the French from the vast sacrifices, both in troops and treasure, which they never scrupled to make for its capture or in its defence. "Had France not been deceived, it was her intention to have made it the capital of the Antilles, the general market of the Windward Islands, and the Gibraltar of the Gulf of Mexico.* The want of information respecting St. Lucia * Report of Governor Nogues to First Consul Bonaparte.

INTRODUCTION.

. was never so sensibly felt as at the present day, when every question connected with our Western Empire receives a three-fold degree of added interest, from the recent abolition of slavery, the still pending experiment of free labour, and the all-engrossing topic of colonization. In attempting to supply this want I have availed myself of a personal acquaintance with the Island during a residence of thirteen years, in which time the whole of the public records have passed through my hands, including the Registry of Slaves, the Compensation and Manumission Papers, the Parish Registers, the Records of the several Courts of Justice, those of the Mortgage Office, the Government Office, the Legislative Council, and the Public Treasury. The information thus placed within my reach is presented to the public in the following pages.

Although the details are chiefly connected with St. Lucia, yet, from the identity of the West India Islands, in condition and prospects, I venture to trust that the volume may be found to possess much matter of general interest,

INTRODUCTION.

. IX especially in reference to the French Colonies. The statistical tables I have carefully com piled from the most authentic sources ; the insurrection in Martinique I witnessed on the spot, and the account of the earthquake in Guadaloupe, originally derived from the published reports, I had an opportunity of revising during a visit to the scene of desolation six weeks after the occurrence. London, 1st August, 1844. PAGE 1 CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Geographical Position of St. Lucia — Extent — Physical Aspect — Scenery — Mountains or Mornes — Soufriere Pitons — " Piton des Canaries " — Plains of Gros-ilet and Vieux Fort — Principal Valleys — The Volcano — Hot Springs and Miueral Waters — Baths constructed by the French — Rivers and Rivulets — Lagoons and Quicksands — Bays and Roadsteads — Division of the Island — Windward and Leeward Districts — Towns and Villages — Castries —Extent anl Population — Svamps — The " Place d'Armes " — Town Wardens — Commissary of Police — Public Buildings — Town of.Soufriere — Romantic Scenery — Extent and Population — Forts and Fortifications —The Militia— Public Roads — The "Trace," or Mountain Track — The Barabara — Descent to the Valley of Mabouya — The Bamboos — Road Commissioners — Communication by Water — "Pirogues" — Danger of the Bays to Windward — Scenery of the Leeward Coast— The " Grand Caille " — The Breakers of Balambouche

Chapter II

Early History — Caribs — First Occupation by the British — Grant of St. Lucia to the French West India Company — Sale to Houel and Duparquet — Treaty with the Caribs — Rival Pretensions of England and France — Incursion of the Barbadians — Defeat of Bonnard — Peace of Breda — Surrender of St. Lucia to the French — Attempt of the English to re-capture it — Peace of Utrecht — Grant of St. Lucia to Marshal d'Estrees— Grant to the Duke of Montague by George the First— Wring's Expedition — Arrival of Champigny — St. Lucia evacuated by the English and French Troops — Its neutrality recognized — Progress of Colonization — St. Lucia re-captured by the French — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — St. Lucia again declared neutral — Renewal of hostilities— Surrender of St. CONTENTS. XII PAGE Lucia to Rodney and Monckton— Treaty of Paris— St. Lucia assigned to France— Its importance as a Military Post—Opera tions of Admiral Bairington and General Grant — Capture of the Vigie and Morne Fortune— French fleet under D'Estaing— Battle of the Vigie— Surrender of St. Lucia to the British — St. Lucia invested by the French sleet under De Grasse — Preparations of General St. Leger— Retreat of the French— British sleet under Rodney — Victory of the 12th April 1782 — .Peace of Versailles — Restitution of St. Lucia to the French — Administration of Baron de Laborie 45

Chapter III

Revolutionary Proceedings — St. Lucia " The faithful" — Visit of La Crosse — Propagation of New Doctrines — Arrival of Ricard — Operations of Sir J. Jervis and Sir C. Grey — The Duke of Kent at Morne Fortune — Surrender of St. Lucia to the British — Sir C. Gordon appointed Governor — " Citoyen " Victor Hugues — Commissary Goyrand — Sanguinary Proclamations against the British— Operations of General Stewart — Advance upon Soufriere — Defeat of the British and retreat to Vieux Fort — Reduction of Pigeon Island by the Rebels — Capture of the Vigie — Assault on Morne Fortune — Retreat of the British to Martinique — Operations of Sir R. Abercrombie and Sir H. Christian — Landing of the British under General Moore — Capture of Morne Chabot — Failure of attempt on Grand-cul-de-Sac — Unsuccessful Assault on the Vigie — Preparations for attacking Morne Fortune— Signal defeat of the Republicans— Capitulation to the BritUh arms — General Moore appointed Governor — The "Brigands" — Measures for their reduction — Arrival of succours from Victor Hugues — Marin Padre — Failure of negociations with "Citoyen" Lacroix — Illness and departure of Governor Moore — Administration of General Drummond — Surrender of the Brigands — General Prevost assumes the Command — Is appointed Civil Governor— Succeeded by General Vansittart— Peace of Amiens — St. Lucia restored to France— Governor Nogues— Renewal of Hostilities- Operations of Hood and Grinfield— Capture of the Vigie — Morne Fortune stormed by night — Nogues surrenders on Capitulation .... CONTENTS. XIII PAGE

Chapter IV

Climate — Its Effects upon the newly-arrived Stranger — Malaria — Various degrees of Insalubrity — Major Tulloch's Report — Figures and F icts— Intemperance and Acclimatization— White Rum — Comparative Sobriety of the Bri'ish and French — Combined effects of Locality and Intemperance — Satisfies of Mortality amoigst the White and Coloured Classes— Defect of the Parish Registers — The Seasons — -Car_nie and Hivernage— Rainy and Dry Seasons— Hurricanes of 1780, 1817 and 1831 — Earthquakes of Fort Royal in 1839, Cape Haytian in 1842, and Pointe a Pitre in 1843 — Soil of St. Lucia — Its great fecundity — Geological structure — Mineral products — Staple commodities — Spices, Dyeing Stuffs, and Medicinal Plants — Esculents — Fruits — Trees-yDomestic Animals — Ornithology — Fishes — -Reptiles and Insects — Serpents 114

Chapter V

Population — Different Classifications— Aliens — Their Anomalous Position — Former Rivalry and present Fraternization of the EDglish and French — Statistics of the Population — Progress of the Coloured Classes — Fluctuation amongst the Blacks — lefugee Slaves from Martinique— Tbe Heroes ofthe " Glaneuse" — Insurrection of 1831 — The " G'orieuses Journees" enacted at Martinique — Parody of the " Parisienne" — Martial Law — Arrest of the Insurgents — Sentence of Death against Twenty-two of the Ringleaders — Their Execution — Desertion amongst the Slaves — Character of the Refugees — Manners, Customs, and Language of the St. Lucians — Divisions of the Population — French Language supplanted by the Negro jargon — Corruption and Alteration of Names — Creoles — Duelling — Creole Women — Dancing: its prevalence amongst the Lower Orders — " Roses aud Marguerites" — Balls, Bclairs and Bamboulas — White Kiags — Negro Billingsgate — Pretensions to Respectability — General Character of the St. Lucia Negro CONTENTS.

Chapter VI. Page

Religion— Protestantism— Catholicism : its Exercise guaranteed by the Treaty of Cession — Character of the Clergy — Bishop Macdonnell — Bishop Smith — Conflict of Jurisdiction — Influence of the Clergy— Parish Registers — When first confided to the Clergy — Number and Composition of the Cleriry — Superstition and Intolerance — The Abbe Chevalier — His Removal from Martinique — Arrival in St. Lucia — Services rendered to Catholicism — Sectarian Influences — His Hatred of the French — His Intolerance of Protestants — The " Domine Salvum sac Regem" — Temporalities of the Church — Income of the Clergy — State Provision — Opposition of Mr. Muter — Revenue of the Establishment — " Droits de Fabrique"-— Church Wardens — Parochial Assemblies — Their Authority — Regulations of General Wood — Concessions of Colonel Mein — Decision of the Royal Court — Consequences of Colonel Me'n's Interference — Intrigues and Influence of the Aliens — Case of the Rev. Mr. Coyle— Fees of the Catholic Clergy .... 20i>

Chapter VII

Morality — Concubinage — Returns of Baptisms and Marriages — Prostitution — Quasi-marriages — Satisfies of Crime — Tests of Populir Depravity — Infrequency of Infanticide — Punishments — Discontinuance of Whipping and Working in Ir.ms — Project for the Formation of a Penal Settlement — Absence of Religious Instruction — Prevalence of Sorcery or Kembois — Case of Louis Elie ■ — Ignorance of the Obligations of an Oath — Destitution — Establishment of Asylum — Statistics of In-door and Out-door Relie1* — Educational Institutions — Bishop's School — The Mico Schools — The Newspaper Press — The " Courrier des Antilles" — The " Impartial"— The " St. Lucia Gazette"— The " News"— The " Palladium" — The " Independent Press" — License of the Press — Places of Public Resort and Amusement — The The ttre Royal — Mons. Charvet — Visit of Master Hutchings — Public Libraries — Reading Rooms — The " West India Magazine" CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VIII. Page

Agriculture— Early Colonization — First Grant of Land — Arrival of French families from Grenada and St. Vincent — First Sugar Estate — Rapid Progress of Cultivation — Effects of the Revolution — Devices and Double-dealiug of Planters and Merchants — Reforms introduced by Mr. Jeremie — Law declaring the Slaves glebæ adscripti — Establishment of English Commercial Law — Registry of Deeds and Hypotheques — Ruinous condition of the Proprietary body — Introduction of " Saisie r_elle" — Sale of the Estates — Distribution of the Compensation Money — Statistics of Agricultural Progress under the French — Present Prospects — Condition of Martinique — Staple Exports — Projects for the Cultivation of Cotton and Tobacco — The Sulphur Mines — Correa da Costa's Wine Company — Cultivation of Canes in halves — Progress of Immigration — Irish, Scotch, German French, and Barbadian Immigrants — " Squatting" — Superficial Extent of St. Lucia — Granted Lauds — Crown Lands — Lands in Cultivation — - Commercial Relations — Value of Imports and Exports — " Negocians" and Merchants — Shopkeepers — Mechanics — Banking Transactions — Returns of the Produce Exported — Shipping . 275

Chapter IX

Legal and Judicial Institutions — The " Senechaussee " and " Conseil Superieur" — President Jeremie — His Labours as a Judge and a Philanthropist — Mr. Musson, First President and Chief Justice — Mr. Justice Grant — projects of Codification — Chief Justice Bent — Reforms in the Criminal Law — Chief Justice Reddie — Salaried and Unsalaried Judges — Puisne Judges and " Juges Suppleans" — Appeals to the Sovereign in Council — Schemes for Ref-rming the Administration of Justi'-e — -The Change of Language — Circuit Courts — Trial by Jury — Courts of Reconciliation — The Assistant Court of Appeal — Introduction of English Civil Law — The Cessio Bonorum — The Press — French Laws — Code de la Martinique — Local Laws — Officers connected with the Judicial Establishment — List of Laws in force in the Colony — Returns of Intestate Successions CONTENTS. PACK 389

Chapter X

Administration — Proprietary Governments — First French Governor — St. Lucia a Dependency of Martinique — Becomes the Seat of a General Government — The "Reign of Terror"— Military Commandants — The First Civil Governor under the British — Administrative Authority of the Conseil Superieur — The Captain General, Colonial Prefect, and Grand Judge — Conflict of Jurisdiction — Establishment of the Privy Council — Creation of the Executive and Legislative Councils — Governors, Lieutenant- Governors, and Administrators of the Government — Annexation of St. Lucia to the General Government of the Windward Islands — Practical Results — Taxation — Statistics of the Revenue and Expenditure — Financial Embarrassment under General Farquharson — Administration of Sir Dudley Hill — Liquidation of the Public Debt — Colonial Agents and Houses of Assembly — List of Governors from the earliest Period — Civil Establishment on the 1st January SfC

Chapter I

Geographical position of St. Lucia — Extent — Physical Aspect — Scenery — Mountains or Mornes — Soufriere Pitons — " Piton des Canaries " — Plains of Gros-ilet and Vieux Fort — Principal Valleys — The Volcano — Hot Springs and Mineral Waters — Baths constructed by the French — Rivers and Rivulets — Lagoons and Quicksands — Bays and Roadsteads— Division of the Island — Windward and Leeward Districts — Towns and Villages — Castries — Extent and Population — Swamps — The " Place d'Armes " — Town Wardens — Commissary of Police — Public Buildings — Town of Soufriere— Romantic Scenery — Extent and Population— Forts and Fortifications — The Militia — Public Roads — The " Trace," or Mounta-n Track — The Barabara — Descent to the Valley of Mabouya — The Bamboos — Road Commissioners — Communication by Water — " Pirogues" — Danger of the Bays to Windward — Scenery of the Leeward Coast — The " Grand Caille " — The Breakers of Balambouche.

St. Lucia is one of a string of islands commonly called the Lesser Antilles, or Caribbean Islands, which extend in the shape of a horse-shoe across the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico, between the B greater Antilles on the north-west, and the main land on the south-east ; it is 13 deg. 50 min. north latitude, and 60 deg. 58 min. wTest longitude. The most easterly of the whole group except Barbados, it is situated at a distance of twenty four miles to the south-east of Martinique, and twenty-one to the north-east of St. Vincent ; with the exception of Gaudaloupe and Trinidad, it is the most extensive of the lesser Antilles. It is forty-two miles in length, and twenty-one at its greatest breadth, and exhibits a circumference of one hundred and fifty miles, and a superfices of 158,620 acres. This island is proverbially known for its wild and romantic scenery.

Viewed from the sea, whether to windward or leeward, to the north or the south, its appearance is equally grand and picturesque. From the bold, majestic Piton that shoots its peak aloft to the skies, and seems to defy the fury of the elements and the wreck of ages, down to the humble coffee plant that seeks shade and shelter at the hands of man, the whole is one chequered scene of sombre forests and fertile valleys, smiling plains and lowering pre cipices, shallow rivers and deep ravines — one vast panorama where nature alternately assumes her wildest attitudes and most enchanting forms. The principal mountains* (or rather chain of mountains) extend longitudinally over the centre of the island, dividing it into windward and lee ward districts. They are densely clothed with forest trees, and at their greatest points of elevation bear the distinctive names of Sorciere, Paix- Bouche, and Barabara.

From either side of the chain, several mountains of lesser altitude diverge towards the sea, forming in the intermediate space, plains, valleys or ravines, according to their direction and distance from each other. The Pit on s are two pyramids of solid rock, of the most remarkable and picturesque character, standing on the south side of the entrance to the beautiful bay of Soufriere. One of them is com puted to be 3,300 feet above the level of the sea, and the other about 3,000. They appear to be wholly unconnected with the other mountains, and, with the exception of their western side> which is laved by the sea, their base is fringed with verdure and cane fields in the highest state of cultivation. There are many interesting legends of the attempts made to ascend them ; but owing to their perpendicular formation I feel convinced no one has ever succeeded in reaching the summit. * In the French Antilles, mounta;ns are commonly called momes, a name which they still retain in St. Lucia.

B These mountains bear evident traces of volcanic origin, and from their proximity to the Soufre or half extinct volcano, are regarded as the remains of an eruption which is supposed to have occurred at some remote period. Not far distant from the Soufriere Pitons is a mountain, called the Piton des Canaries, which is also about 3,000 feet in height. It occupies somewhat of an inland posi tion, and is encompassed by dense forests and precipitous ravines. The height of these difFerent mountains has never been accurately ascertained ; and various are the opinions of the natives on the subject. Those of Soufriere, from their detached and iso lated position, appear to surpass the others ; but, if computed from the level of the sea, there is no doubt that the Sorciere would be found to exhibit the greatest altitude.

Intersected though St. Lucia be by numerous precipices and ravines, it possesses, nevertheless, two beautiful plains. The one is situated at the northern extremity, in the parish of Gros-ilet, and the other in the southern extremity, in the parish of Vieux Fort. Each plain contains 'a swamp of some extent, overgrown with various aquatic plants, and the resort of game in the shooting season. Due south of the Vieux Fort plain extends the promontory of Mole-a-chique, whose highest point is 1,076 feet above the level of the sea. The principal valleys are situated transversally on either side of the central chain of mountains. The most extensive to windward is called the valley of Mabouya, and that to leeward the valley of Roseau. Besides these, which are equally remarkable for their extent, fertility, and in salubrity, there are others of minor importance, such as the valley of Grand-cul-de-Sac to the north of Roseau, and the valley of Fonds to the south of Mabouya.

The greatest natural curiosity in St. Lucia is the Soufriere, or sulphureous mountain, situated in the parish to which it has given its name. It is about half an hour's ride from the town of Soufriere, and two miles to the east of the Pitons. The crater appears at an elevation of 1,000 feet above the level of the sea, between two small hills, totally denuded of vegetation. It occupies a space of three acres, and is crusted over with sulphur, alum, cinders, and other volcanic matter ; in the midst of which are to be seen several cauldrons in a perpetual state of ebullition.* In * The number of boiling fountains varies according to the intensity of the action of the crater. I counted fourteen of them in 1842. some the water is remarkably clear ; but in the larger ones it is quite black, and boils up to the height of two or three feet, constantly emit ting dense clouds of sulphureous steam, accompanied by the most offensive and suffocating stench.

From the comparative heaviness of the circumambient air, these clouds generally ascend to the summit of the hills, and then shoot off horizontally in the direction of the wind. After remaining stationary for three minutes on any part of the crust, the subterraneous heat is sensibly felt through the strongest shoe — a circumstance which would seem to indicate that the volcanic focus is not confined to the boiling fountains. Indeed, it is only necessary to remove a small portion of the crust to the depth of eighteen inches or two feet, and the wrater under neath will find a vent to the cavity and trans form it into a cauldron. Occasionally, fresh fountains spontaneously burst forth, and then some of the lesser ones are reduced to bubbling pools of liquid matter, which gradually subside and become quite extinct in appearance.

There is a peculiar feature about the Soufriere, which does not belong to any other volcano. Of course, it can bear no comparison with Etna, Vesuvius, and other celebrated volcanoes, for the intensity and violence of their eruptions, or their terrific grandeur even in a state of quiescence ; but it surpasses all others by its uninterrupted manifestation of the volcanic process. Even the Geycers in Iceland, to which it would seem to bear a striking resemblance, only play at intervals, whilst the Soufriere is in a continuous though less violent state of eruption. What it was three hundred years ago it is at this moment, and will probably be three hundred years hence. From the chaotic appearance of the surrounding objects, and particularly of the Pitons, there is no doubt that this spot was once the centre of some awful convulsion of nature ; but at what period there is now no means of ascertaining.

It must have occurred long before the discovery of the island, as no chronicle of any such event has been handed down to us by the Caribs. Another peculiarity of this volcano is the pe rennial supply of water which it commands. It is supposed that this water is received through some subterraneous passage from the Etangs, or lakes, situated at a distance of half a mile to the south-east of the volcano ; nor does this supposi tion appear wholly unwarranted, when it is con sidered that the water in the Etangs is visibly de creasing year after year. Surely neither the rivulet at the foot of the crater, nor any springs in its immediate vicinity, could have supplied for ages the quantity of water which is daily ab sorbed by the unremitting action of this extraordinary work of nature. The hot springs and mineral waters of the Soufriere were celebrated in former days for their medicinal properties, and continue to be advan tageously used by convalescents even to this day.

The first who appears to have taken any notice of them was the Baron de Laborie. Soon after his assumption of the Government in 1 784, he caused the waters to be analysed by the " Medecins du Roi" in St. Lucia and Martinique ; and in con sequence of their favorable report Louis XVI. granted a sum of money towards the construction of baths and the requisite buildings, " for the use of His Majesty's troops in the Windward Islands." This humane undertaking was confided to the Baron de Laborie, under whose superintendence it was completed in the course of the year 1785. The baths were established upon an extensive scale between the volcano and the town of Sou friere, at a distance of little more than a mile from the latter place, and they continued for many years to be the resort of invalids from the neighbouring islands.

In December, 1836, some steps were taken by Sir Dudley Hill to restore the Soufriere baths, but his exertions were defeated by Mrs. Alexander, the owner of an adjoining estate, who put forward a claim to the portion of land formerly occupied by the works. In an action for trespass against the Governor, the Royal Court decided that " the baths and circumjacent land were the property of Dame Alexander ; and that, consequently, the works commenced thereupon by the local govern ment should be discontinued, and matters put back in statu quo." St. Lucia is watered by innumerable rivers and rivulets, which ever and anon arrest the traveller's progress. They have their source in the Pitons and mornes, whence they meander over hill and dale, in the most fantastic courses, irrigating and fertilising the plains below.

During the wet season, and after heavy showers, some of these streams descend impetuously the steep sides of the mornes, tearing up the brushwood and trees by the roots, and precipitating whole masses of earth and rock upon the roads and fields in the valleys. Nor is this power of devastation confined to the mountain streams. On these occasions the rivers in the low grounds overflow their banks, and forcing their way through gullies and rocks, sweep before them every species of vegetable production. The principal rivers are those of Castries, Grand-cul-de-Sac, Roseau, Anse Laraye, Canaries, Soufriere, Anse l'lvrogne, Choiseul, the River Doree, Balambouche, Piail, Anses Noires, Vieux Fort, Canelle, Troumasse, Volet, Dennery, Louvet, Marquis, Esperance, Choc, and Vide Bou teille. With little labor and expense some of these rivers might be rendered navigable for small craft, to the incalculable advantage of the conti guous estates.

In the dry season the volume of water contained in the smaller streams being insufficient to force a passage into the sea, their embouchures are dammed up by mounds of sand and gravel, formed by the action of the waves. These basins of stagnant water are called Lagoons. The beach between them and the sea is generally of a com pact nature, and affords a safe passage to all who are fond of a ride along the beautiful belts of sand that encircle the coast. Not so when the heavy rains set in : then the embouchures overflow, and the beach, without undergoing any apparent alteration, is converted into a series of quicksands, which often prove fatal to the incautious traveller. There are several bays in this island which afford excellent anchorage for ships of every size. The most remarkable to windward are those of Marquis, Gran-d'Anse, Louvet, Dennery, Praslin, Micoud, Troumasse, Volet, Canelle, and Savannes, and to leeward those of Gros-ilet, Choc, Castries, Grand-cul-de-Sac, Marigot, Roseau, Anse Laraye, Soufriere, and Vieux Fort.

The bays to windward are somewhat dangerous and difficult of access, owing to the rugged formation of the shoals, and the prevalence of boisterous winds from the Atlantic. The most singular of them all is the bay of Marigot, with its double basin formed like two rings of a chain, the inner of which is entirely concealed from view on the coast side. The principal station for the shipping is the Port of Castries, one of the safest and most extensive in the Antilles.* It is adorned with an ex cellent quay, and possesses a sufficient depth of water to allow the largest vessels to come to anchor close to the wharf. Its entrance is one third of a mile between the headlands of the Tapion and the Vigie ; and it is a mile and a half in receding depth. From the invariable direction of the trade wind, and the consequent difficulty of approaching the bay, no more than one vessel can enter at a time, whilst the largest fleet might * In compliment to this port the seal of the island bears the legend " Statio haud male fidacarinis." safely ride at anchor within the basin, and stand out to sea at an hour's notice.

St. Lucia is formed into two great divisions or districts. The eastern side, which is exposed to the trade winds and the Atlantic Ocean, is called the Windward District ; and the western side, which looks out upon the Caribbean Sea, is called the Leeward District.* It is subdivided into eleven quarters or parishes, viz. : Castries, Anse Laraye, Soufriere, Choiseul, Laborie, Vieux Fort, Micoud, Praslin, Dennery, Dauphin, and Gros ilet. At the period of the introduction of the apprenticeship system, there were three stipendiary magistrates allotted to this island, and it was accordingly divided into three districts. The first comprised Castries, Gros-ilet, Dauphin, and Anse Laraye ; the second, Soufriere, Choiseul, and Laborie ; and the third, Vieux Fort, Micoud, Praslin, and Dennery. At a later date the number of stipendiary magistrates having been increased, the island was divided into five districts.