establishment than submitted to this irreparable damage. I am afraid the timbers are so much started, that the yacht will never be good for anything again," said the Yachtsman, addressing himself to

the mate.

"I fear not, sir," said he; "but we cannot ascertain the full extent of the damage until we have stripped the hull of everything, and thoroughly overhauled her."

A number of hands were busily employed in getting out the cabin furniture, some of which had been seriously damaged by the salt water. The bottom boards were then removed, and the ballast hauled out.

"But did the Captain of the Miranda make any excuse for running the yacht down?" enquired Charley of Joe Strand.

"His only excuse was, that he did not observe our light soon enough to avoid the collision."

"Did he offer to tow the yacht ashore, or render you any other assistance?"

"He offered no assistance whatever, sir, but appeared to take advantage of the darkness, and steamed out of the harbour like a 'lectric telegrapher."

"Was it a very dark night?" inquired the yachtsman.

"Just the contrary, sir. It was a fine starlight night; and every light in the harbour shone brightly."

"Then what a reckless fellow the Captain must have been! Had they a pilot aboard, do you know?"

"I think not, sir. The Captain was at the helm at the time of the collision; and had we been all turned in, there would have been no one to put the helm of the yacht over, nor to call to the steamer; and there is little doubt but the yacht would have been almost cut in two, and every soul aboard would have perished. But as we were anchored near the mouth of the harbour, and away from the shipping, the mate directed the watch to be set; and I, for one, was very willing to take my turn, knowing what an unlucky craft she is: but I did not expect so shocking a disaster as this."

There are

Such was the fate of the unfortunate Sooloo, and, it is to be feared, too often the fate of many a small fishing-craft at sea. many such men as Captain Pearson, captains of large steamers; and, rather than deviate a few moments from their trackless course, to avoid collision with a small craft, they will run her down, unless she happens to be quick enough to get out of their way: but should they chance to run her down, rather than submit to exposure, they turn a deaf ear to the imploring cries of the drowning men, pretending it to be impossible to render them assistance; and they steam on in the same reckless manner, as if their victims were a mere cargo of useless animals, and to rid them of the sea were doing a public naval service. But let us look at home. Perhaps every man aboard that unfortunate little vessel had a wife and family ashore, dependent for their daily bread upon the success and exertions of the unfortunate victims who have been hurried out of the world by a lawless monster, and for no fault of theirs; but, on the contrary, whilst navigating the seas at considerable risk, and exposure to storms and gales, in pursuit of a means of subsistence as praiseworthy and independent as any

poor fisherman could pursue. The arrival of the little craft is anxiously awaited by soine dozens of hungry mouths and affectionate hearts; until at last they despair of ever seeing the object of their only hope, and conclude that the little bark has been wrecked in a gale, never once imagining their real fate, nor ever suspecting the true cause of their melancholy bereavement. There are seldom more than three persons on the deck of a steamer navigating the high seas at midnight, two of whom are placed at the helm, and one at the bow; and, in small steamers, but two, and more frequently but one; all others being asleep in their hammocks, and would scarcely feel any shock occasioned by the running down a small fishing-craft. There is, therefore, no one to tell the tale, nor to convey the true cause of so merciless a fate to the disconsolate friends of the victims. What a hard-hearted, cold-blooded picture is this! but it is but too true a one of the fate of many a little bark, both English and foreign, which have been run down at sea by the don't-care sort of conduct of captains and others in charge of steam-vessels.

The damage to the Sooloo was found to be so serious, that it would require several weeks' labour to repair it, and fit the yacht again for sea; and as it was then already late in the season for yachting, Charley gave up all further intention of going other voyages he had planned and proposed, until another year.

Our readers must not turn away in disgust from their yachting pursuits on account of such a season of ill-luck and misfortune as befel the Sooloo. The career of that yacht, up to the present period of our tale, presents such a catalogue of ill-usage and disasters as would deter many a man from entering upon yachting or yacht-racing. It is not every racing yacht that is alike unfortunate, particularly with such superior and unequalled sailing qualities as were possessed by "Wanhill's last;" but there are few yachtsmen who energetically follow out the highly-delightful and exciting recreation of yacht-racing without meeting with crosses, vexations, and misfortunes similar in some instances to those of our friend Charley, but, we trust, not often so heavy and deplorable.

The accident having occurred in the harbour near Littleborough, Charley was necessarily backwards and forwards in that neighbourhood more frequently than ever. Clara expressed her regret at the misfortune with much feeling; for she knew Charley was particularly fond of his yacht. Still, she was rather glad of the opportunity given him of so frequently being in that neighbourhood. It is, therefore, not to be wondered at that Clara's pleasing and lively manner, her pretty face, her graceful figure, and amiable disposition; and, above all, her talented and intellectual accomplishments, should have made considerable inroads upon the Yachtsman's affections during the few weeks the yacht was undergoing repair. Clara was an only daughter; and her brother Tom was her only brother. Augustus Lambton Littleborough, Esquire (their father), died when they were both young; but their haughty mamma had never married again. Clara had several admirers, and amongst them was Harry Vare; and it was through his introduction that Charley first became acquainted with her and in a short time it was apparent that Charley was decidedly the chosen favourite.

Having endeavoured to give an accurate description of Miss Littleborough and her family, it is but justice to our readers that we should give an outline of the features and appearance of our yachting friend, Charley. He was tall, muscular, and powerful in appearance; but dark, and well-looking; a fine manly countenance; his cheeks ruddy and weather-beaten; and, although a daring and defiant cast might often be observed upon his brow, there was a softness and feeling about the expression, that would induce many a stranger to become prepossessed in his favour, on first acquaintance. His manners were exceedingly gentle and pleasing; and, although often rather reserved in company, he frequently amused the whole party with his little bursts of wit and eloquence, which, when tinged with his sailor-humour, were almost irresistible. In the society of so agreeable a man, it is not to be wondered at that Miss Littleborough should have become considerably attached to him; nor, on the other hand, in the frequent society of so charming a girl, can any one be surprised at Charley's falling in love. Clara used to put many simply-artful but well-intended questions to the Yachtsman. On one occasion, when sauntering with him in the grounds of the Hall, she inquired if he would not be glad when his yacht was finished, that he might not have occasion to come so frequently to Littleborough?

"I shall be glad on one account only," replied the Yachtsman. Clara hesitated a few moments before speaking; for she knew that in inquiring what that "one account only" was, she risked the reply of either a compliment to herself, or the reverse; so she merely added, "I thought you would."

On receiving no further reply, she added, "It must be tedious to you to be so much at Littleborough, with so few companions."

"I need no other companion than you, Clara: it is never tedious to me to be in your society. When I am alone, I am sometimes apt to feel dull; but it is impossible to be so here, with my sailorbeauty," said he, looking fondly in her face.

"I hope you are alluding to your yacht, or to some member of your crew, when you speak of your sailor-beauty,'" said Clara. "I allude to you," replied the Yachtsman.

"Me!" replied Clara: "I am sure you could not have seen much to admire in so stupid and unseaworthy a girl as I—so helpless and prostrate as I felt aboard the yacht, in that terrific gale."

"But you were neither helpless nor prostrate on the return-voyage, were you?" inquired Charley.

The blushing beauty hung her head in silence; for she knew not how to reply to that question. But, quickly recovering her selfpussession, she raised her head, and gaily added,

"Of course, Tom considers I was as ill as he. But never mind: the gale is over, and there will be no more yachting until next season; and then"

"Ah, and then I hope you and Tom will often accompany me," rejoined the Yachtsman.

"Tom will not, I am sure," said Clara; "for he frequently speaks of that day as having caused him the worst sensations he ever experienced."

"Poor Tom! I felt sorry for him," said Charley.
"Here he comes, I declare," said Clara.

"How do you do, Tom?" said Charley. "We were just speaking of our unfortunate excursion."

"Ah-egad!" said Tom, shrugging his shoulders, "I shall never forget it: I always feel sea-sick when I think of it. And here's my sea-going sister anxious to have the dose repeated.'

"Not the gale, Tom," said Clara.

"Ah, but sailors must risk gales as well as calms: they have to put to sea in all weathers-all weathers, Clara," said Tom, patting his sister's shoulder.

"Well, Tom; and I should not be afraid to go to sea again in a gale, if Mr. Scupper had charge of the yacht."

66

Oh," said Tom, "I neither doubt your temerity nor Mr. Scupper's nautical skill; but you don't get me out again in a gale. Egad! I never expected to see land again.'

Charley smiled at Tom's dread of salt water, and the source from which his fears and dislikes sprang. "But I congratulate you upon your bravery on the return-trip," said Charley.

"Ah, I felt bad enough on that occasion, but not so bad as to have to lie on the sofa in the cabin all the time," said Tom, glancing at his sister, but fortunately without perceiving her confusion on allusion to that circumstance.

"I shall leave you to yourselves, to talk over the gales and storms at sea, whilst I go and join my mamma," said Clara, tripping along the winding path leading through the extensive grounds to Littleborough Hall.

SKETCHES OF LIFE AND CHARACTER IN THE WEST INDIES.

COMMUNICATED TO, AND EDITED BY, LORD WILLIAM LENNOX.

CHAPTER XIV.

Return we to Kingston, a point from which we have diverged in our episode upon slavery.

In ascending the Port Royal mountains from the Botanical Garden, the road, or rather path, is generally very narrow, and all the produce is brought upon mules' backs to the Kingston market. In my rides to the Port Royal mountains, I frequently saw them coming towards me in long strings, followed by their drivers, who urged them on by loud cries; and there was no alternative but to look out for some recess, in which to secure myself whilst they passed rapidly by ;

for if the horseman takes the outer side of the road, he must be precipitated headlong down the side of the hill or precipice which generally borders it. But sure-footed as they are, I have seen them, when hard pressed, and jammed together with their fore-legs on the edge of the road, their hinder ones hanging down the precipice, make the most strenuous efforts to recover themselves, and again, after a desperate struggle, obtain a footing to trudge along with their coffee bags. The coffee plant is so luxuriant, and the climate so favourable to its growth, that the white blossoms, unripe and ripe fruit, may be seen upon it at the same time.

I only heard of one society in the island for the encouragement of agricultural and other arts and sciences. In the month of August, cultivators of vegetables, fruit, and flowers are invited to send specimens for exhibition to the society's rooms in Kingston, where prizes are awarded to them according to their respective merits. The breadfruit is not so common as might be expected from the similarity that exists between the climate of the South Sea islands and Jamaica, If it is not used within twenty-four hours after it has been gathered, it becomes hard and choky, so that Negroes greatly prefer the plantains, which they roast in a green state.

Having alluded in former chapters to the state of slavery in the West Indies, it may not be uninteresting to give a statistical statement of the population of the British (formerly slave) colonies. According to authentic documents made up to the end of the year 1837, it was as follows:

These islands adopted immediate emancipation August 1, 1834.

+ These are crown colonies, and have no local legislature.