346 JOHN BOIT
morning sent a boat in to ask permission of the Governor to anchor in the Bay. At 9 the Boat return'd, and the officer reported favorably. Bore off, and at 10 anchor'd in Chapell Vally bay, in 14 fm. mud and sand, the Church bearing SE. Found riding here several English India and Whale Ships waiting for Convoy. At this place we first heard of the War and troubles in Europe, and that poor Louis was a head shorter. Capt. Gray landed to visit the Governor. Employ'd watering. The Lieutenant Governor (by name Robinson) paid us a visit. He appear'd to be an excellent man and was anxious to obtain curiositys from us, to put in his Museum. He appear'd grati- fy'd with the Collection that was present'd him. I must con- fess that I was agreeably surpriz'd on landing at James Town, for from the appearance it has from the Ship at anchor you feel prepossessed against it, but to me, when on shore, 'twas quite a pleasant place, and the sight of an English Lady made my heart feel all in an uproar and alas! the poor Sandwich Isle Girls were entirely forgot. So it is, and we cannot help it.
26. S. Lat. 15 54'; W. Long. 5 46'. Finish'd watering, and got ready for sea. I made an excursion in company with a Brother Officer to view the Company's Garden, and was amply rewarded for my trouble. 'T was kept in fine order. St. Helena had been visited by a famine, not long since, which carried off the greatest part of their stock and greatly dis- tress'd the inhabitants. Consequently cou'd not procure much refreshments for the Ship.
The Island to the windward makes a most rugged appear- ance, and indeed in the Bay 't is not much mended but to leeward 'tis quite pleasant and the roads though the work of Art cheifly are far from being bad. The Inhabitants are very polite to strangers, and in short no Man after a long voyage ought to pass this pleasant and agreeable place with- out stopping. You get the Water with great ease, as its con- vey'd to the Port by pipes under ground. You fill with a Hose, and are not oblig'd to take the Casks from the Boat, but in case you do, there is a Crane on the pier to load with. Shou'd have sail'd this evening but 'tis against the rules of the Port to sail after sunset.
