the north, and an insignificant colony in the south, now comprise the whole of the French possessions in America.

GUADALOUPE, AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.

THIS island lies between 15° 58′ and 16° 13' N. latitude, and between 61° 15′ and 61° 55′ W. longitude, 40 miles south-east of Antigua, and 20 north of Dominica. Together with its dependencies, the small adjacent islands of Marie-galante, La Desirade, and Les Saintes, and a portion of the island of St. Martin's, it occupies an area of 309 square miles, and has a population of about 135,000.

Guadaloupe is divided into two unequal parts by the riviere-salée, or Salt river, an arm of the sea about five miles in length, and varying in width from 20 to 120 yards. The division south-west of this inlet is Guadaloupe Proper-that on the north-east is called Grand Terre. The former is of an oblong shape, and a chain of volcanic mountains covered with woods runs through the centre nearly its entire length. The medium height of its summits is about 3,000 feet, but near the south extremity the Soufriére, a volcano still exhibiting smouldering activity, rises to 5,108 feet above the level of the ocean. A multitude of rivulets course down the flanks of this chain, and water the slopes of the island; two of them, Goyave and Lezarde, are navigable for small craft, and highly useful for the conveyance inland of sea-mud to manure the plantations, and downwards of the produce of the island. Guadaloupe contains many mineral springs. Grand-Terre, the eastern division, is of a triangular shape. It is little raised above the level of the sea, and differs remarkably in its features from Guadaloupe Proper. It is almost a level plain, with only a few scattered hills, destitute of woods, and its rivers are insignificant.

The SAINTES Consist of three small islands, situated between Guadaloupe and Marie-galante. DESEADA OF DESIRADE is 10 miles long, and 5 broad. It lies 12 miles north-east of Point Chateau, the eastern extremity of Guadaloupe. MARIE-GALANTE is of a circular form, 14 miles in diameter. It is situated 15 miles east of Guadaloupe, and is traversed from east to west by a chain of hills, which, like those of Guadaloupe, abound in timber. It is very fertile, and produces large quantities of sugar, coffee, cotton, &c. These are all dependent on Guadaloupe.

The soil of Guadaloupe is light, and easy of tillage, but is inferior to that of Grand-Terre, which is rich and fertile. Almost every part of the island is capable of cultivation; and notwithstanding the deficiency of water, in some parts is very productive. The climate is extremely hot, and is only tempered by the recurrence of sea and land breezes. About 86 inches of rain fall during the year. Hurricanes and earthquakes are frequent, and have several times been attended with tragical consequences. More than one-half the cultivated land is planted with sugar-cane. The agriculture of these islands has been much improved of late, in consequence of the introduction of the new implements; and the manufacture of sugar has also improved since steam-engines were brought into use. The live stock consists principally of black cattle, sheep and mules. Guinea grass is the only for

age grown.

The commerce of Guadaloupe, in which is included that of its dependencies, is considerable. The annual value of produce exported averages 25,000,000 francs, and consists of raw sugars, molasses, rum, coffee,

dyewoods, cotton, copper, &c. Nearly all the exported articles are sent to France, whence also nine-tenths of the imports are derived. The imports are chieffy salt meats and fish, flour, olive oil, cotton, linen and silk fabrics, wine, perfumery, &c.; the annual value of which at least equals that of the exports. About 500 vessels, of 50,000 tons burden, enter and depart during the year. The principal roadsteads and ports are those of Basse-terre and Mahault, in Guadaloupe; Point-a-Pitre and Moule, in Grand-terre; the roadsteads of Saintes, and a few others.

Guadaloupe and its dependencies are divided into three arrondissements, six cantons, and 24 communes. The legislature consists of a governor and a colonial council of thirty members, elected for five years by the people at large. A Deputy is sent to the National Assembly in Paris, as representative of the interests of the colonists. There is a supreme court at Basse-terre. The other tribunals are two courts of assize, three of original jurisdiction, and six tribunals of justices of the peace. The colony has a military commandant, and a large armed force, and militia. Churches, schools and charitable institutions are well provided. The revenues are under 5,000,000 francs a year.

BASSE-TERRE, the capital and seat of government, on the south-west shore, is a clean and well-built town of 5,000 inhabitants. It has two parish churches, a government house, halls of justice, a large hospital, an arsenal, some good public fountains and promenades, and a fine botanic garden. It is defended by several strong batteries facing the sea. CAPISTERRE, on the east side of the island, is its other chief town. Point-a-Pitre, a town of some 10,000 inhabitants, is situated at the west end of Grandterre, and owes its prosperity to its excellent port. It is regularly built, has a handsome church, and many good private edifices. This place has suffered severely from earthquakes, and a few years ago was almost entirely destroyed by one of unusual violence. The other towns are insignificantbut three of them, besides the foregoing, have their own municipal councils. These islands were discovered by Columbus in 1493. The French took possession of them in 1635. Guadaloupe has on several occasions been taken by the English, and was occupied by British troops from 1810 to 1815, when it was restored to its ancient masters.

MARTINIQUE

THIS Small island is situated between latitude 14° 23′ 43′′ and 14° 52′ 47" N., and between longitude 60° 46′ and 61° 15′ W., about 25 miles south-east of Dominica, and 20 miles north of St. Lucia. It is about 38 miles long, and 10 in average breadth; its area is 290 square miles.

The surface of Martinique gradually rises from the coasts inland, and mountain ranges occupy the centre of the country. Their loftiest summits are the Montagne Pelée, 4429 feet high, and Piton du Carbet, 3960 feet above the sea. These and other mountains are evidently of volcanic origin, having the characteristic conical form, and abounding in lava. Dense and luxuriant forests clothe their flanks, and in many parts cultivation is extended to the height of 1500 feet. About one-third of the island consists of level land. It is watered by numerous rivulets, but of these only three or four, disembogueing on the west, are at all navigable. At the south extremity of the island there is a small salt lake. The coasts present many bays and inlets, but the harbors on the east side are difficult of access,

ostricted numerous islets and extensive banks of madrepore. me out kies 'ne Bay or Marin: on the west that of Fort Royal, one De mest arbors a ne intiles: md in the south-west is the roadstead arre, vnere -BIDs ride safely except during west winds.

mate Martone is not unhealthy, and the great heat is tem2o 21 nu ind reeze. The moisture of the atmosphere is exnus sunated at it the eve of the sea 85 inches of rain fall *U. 168 V Vuca as Tom July to October. Mineral springs fina gente, saune, or silicious nature, and are useful

as sand fer ittle from those of the West Indies e tapes, wich is exported to France in large

171e of exports is somewhat under en 40 Pines, nu se apers are to a similar amount. About 750 vesPenca and oreign, are emploved in the trade. The government of sretnized in the same principies as that of Guadaloupe. The MIRAAL (NORBQare is out 4,500,000 francs.

Mariage has niy three towns worthy of mention. PORT ROYAL, the zapatu, und seat of overnment, lies on the north shore of the bay of the same maine, a 'he south-west part of the island. Population about 1,000. It is wen bunt, and has a number of fine public edifices. The Prefect Apostoäqze, ne superior ecclesiastic of the island, resides here. It is well defended on the horn ov Fort Bourbon, and on the south by Fort Louis. Near Fort Roval are numerous country residences. ST. PIERRE, also on the west coast, is the largest town in the French West Indies. It is a port of entry about 15 mies north-west of Fort Royal. The bay is of a circular shape, easy of access, but unsafe in stormy weather. Population, 15,000. LA Taires, on the bay of the same name, on the east side of the island, has a population of about 6,000. Its roadstead and harbor are secure: the latter has good holding ground, but it is difficult of access. Its entrance was formerly protected by a strong fort, now in ruins.

Martinique was discovered in 1493, and settled by the French, in 1635. In 1762, the English captured it, but restored it the following year. In 1794, it was again taken by the English, who gave it back in 1802. Again in 1807, it was captured and held until 1815. Beauharnois and his wife Josephine, subsequently the consort of Napoleon, were natives of this island. Martinique, as an integral part of the French Republic, is now represented in the National Assembly.

ST. MARTIN'S, (NORTH SIDE.)

ST. MARTIN'S, one of the Virgin Islands, belonging partly to the French and partly to the Dutch, lies between Anguilla and St. Bartholomew's. It forms a commune of Guadaloupe. (See descrip. Dutch W. I.)

THE DUTCH WEST INDIES.

colonial possessions of the Dutch in the West Indies are extremely I consist only of a few small, but somewhat important islands. raçoa, St. Eustatius, Saba, and the southern part of St. Mar

tin's; the first lying off the coast of Venezuela, and the three last between the islands of Anguilla and St. Christopher's

CURACOA,

OR Curassao, lies on the north coast of Venezuela, in latitude 12° 6' north, and longitude 69° west. The shores of this island are bold, and the interior, in some parts, hilly. The soil is in general poor and rocky, and there is a great deficiency of water; but by the industry of the inhabitants some tobacco, sugar in considerable quantities, indigo, &c., are grown; and an abundance of salt is obtained from the marshes. Maize, cassava, figs, oranges, citrons, and most European culinary vegetables, are cultivated, but provisions are not produced in sufficient quantity for its inhabitants. Curaçoa was once noted for its contraband trade with the Spaniards of South America, and from this source derived immense wealth; but since Venezuela became independent, and opened her ports to the flags of all nations, Curaçoa has retired into its original insignificance.

The government is conducted by a Stadtholder, assisted by a Civil and Military Council. WILHELMSTADT, the seat of government, is one of the neatest cities in the West Indies; its public buildings are magnificent, and the private houses are commodious. The harbor is excellent, and well-protected by strong fortifications. There are several good harbors, but the principal commerce is carried on by the merchants of the capital.

The small islands of Buen Ayre and Oruba, one on each side of Curaçoa, also belong to the Dutch. They are chiefly celebrated for their fine

breed and number of cattle.

THIS small island, part of which belongs to the French and part to the Dutch, lies about latitude 18° north, and longitude 63° west. The southern, or Dutch division, is less fertile and less wooded than that of the French, but more profitable, on account of the salt it produces, which is sent to the neighboring isles, and to the United States. Sugar, &c., are also produced in comparatively large quantities. The Dutch portion is said to be nearly as populous as the French, and more than one-half the whites are of English origin. This island was first colonized by Spaniards, but abandoned, in 1650; after which it became an object of contention between the French and Dutch, who subsequently divided it between them

ST. EUSTASIUS

Is one of the Leeward Islands, and lies in latitude 17° 30′ north, and lon gitude 62° 40′ west, between St. Christopher's and Saba, nine miles northwest of the former, and 15 south-east of the latter. This island is evidently an extinct volcano; it rises from the ocean in a pyramidal form, and has a depression in the centre, apparently its ancient crater, but which now affords a plentiful cover for numerous wild animals. The coast is almost inaccessible, except on the south-west, where the town of St. Eustasius has

been built. The climate is moderate, and generally healthy, but terrific earthquakes and hurricanes are frequent. The island also suffers from the scarcity of water. Almost all the land is under cultivation, and tobacco, the principal product, is raised on the sides of the pyramid to its very summit. All other West India staples are grown, and from a superabundance of hogs, rabbits, poultry, &c., the inhabitants are enabled to furnish other islands with these necessaries. Formerly St. Eustatius carried on an extensive contraband trade with South America. This island has, with little exception, belonged to the Dutch since early in the 17th century. The French and English have several times captured it.

SABA,

A small island, twelve miles in circumference, is a dependency of St. Eustatius. It consists of a delightful valley, which produces the necessaries of life, and the materials for several manufactures; but being destitute of any port, its commerce is very inconsiderable. The adjacent sea is shallow, and full of rocks, for some distance from the coast, and none but small vessels can approach very near. Access to the interior of the island is by a difficult road, cut out of the rock, by which only one person can ascend at a time.

Personal slavery was abolished in all the Dutch islands in 1848.

THE DANISH WEST INDIES.

THE Danish colonies in the West Indies comprise the three islands of Santa Cruz, St. Thomas', and St. John's in the Virgin group.

SANTA CRUZ, OR ST. CROIX,

THE most southerly of the Virgin Islands, is situated in latitude 17° 45′ N. and longitude 64° 40′ W., 60 miles east-south-east of Porto Rico. Its length from east to west is 20 miles, and its breadth 5 miles. The northern portion is traversed by a chain of hills, but the island is generally level. The coasts are much indented, and present numerous harbors, the best of which are Christianstadt and Friederichstadt. The rivulets are dried up during a part of the year, and water is scarce and bad, and the climate unhealthy.

The fertility of the soil is indicated by the quantity of its products. The average value of sugar amounts to about 1,200,000 rix-dollars annually, and that of its rum, celebrated throughout the world, to 50,000 rix-dollars. The principal town, Christianstadt, the capital of all the Danish West Indies, is situated on the declivity of a hill, on the north-east shore of the island. It is a well-built town of some 5,000 or 6,000 inhabitants. Its port is secure, and defended by a battery. Friederichstadt, on the west coast, has 1,500 inhabitants. Santa Cruz was discovered by Columbus in 1493. The Dutch, English, French, Spaniards and Danes, alternately possessed it until 1814, when it was finally ceded to Denmark. It also formerly belonged to the Knights of Malta.