CHAPTER II. PHYSICAL ASPECT-CLIMATE, &c. PHYSICAL ASPECT.-Barbadoes, although generally level, except in the north-east quarter, called Scotland (which is about 1100 feet above the sea), has a very beautiful appearance, owing to its extensive cultivation, and sloping fields or terraces. In some deep vallies there are the remains of the primitive forests which formerly covered the whole island. Bridge-town, the capital, extends along the shores of the beautiful Bay of Carlisle for nearly two miles in length, and half a mile broad, with about 20,000 houses. The handsome and spacious barracks of St. Ann's, with their fine parade, are at the southern extremity of the town. The square, with Nelson's statue, is well laid out, and many of the houses are handsome. The Government-house, called Pilgrim, is about half a mile from Bridge-town. The fort of St. Anne, though small, is capable of making a good defence; it contains several excellent magazines stored with ammunition, and an armoury, with many thousand stand of arms in perfect order. The base of the island is calcareous rock, formed of madrepores, and other marine concretions, and is probably of volcanic origin, like the greater number of the surrounding isles. The soil varies much; in some districts it is sandy and light, in others a rich black earth, and in several places spongy. Here and there is found a red clay of considerable depth; and the light whitish earth broken into a grey mould, or hardened into lumps, not only resembles chalk, but actually consists of indurated argillæ, bleached by exposure to the weather 1. CLIMATE, VEGETATION, &c.-Owing to the flatness of the island, leaving it open to the sea-breeze, and its extensive cultivation, Barbadoes is peculiarly healthy; and the details given of the range of the thermometer, &c. under St. Vincent's, will, with some modifications, answer for Barbadoes: a similar remark will apply to vegetation. One peculiarity is deserving of notice; four distinct crops of sugarcane, maize, tobacco, and sweet potatoes, may be seen in the same field, and in alternate drills. POPULATION. The inhabitants of this colony rapidly increased from its first settlement, In 1674 their numbers were calculated at 50,000 whites, and 100,000 coloured or negroes, thus giving 500 mouths to every square mile, while China, with its 350,000,000, has not more than 288 to the square mile. In 1676 Barbadoes, on 100,000 acres, contained 70,000 whites and 80,000 blacks; total, 150,000 souls. This great population was effected by granting out land, in lots of ten acres each, to poor settlers, and white servants who had fulfilled the term of their indentures. Some, perhaps many of these lots, were subsequently sold when the island became too popu 1 For an account of the renovation of the soil by volcanic eruption, see St. Vincent's, p. 216. EARLY POPULATION. 203 lous for the extension of sugar plantations; and the late occupiers, with the purchase money, proceeded to settle in other islands, where land was cheap and plentiful. The population at different periods of the last century was, so far as we have returns By the inter-colonial-appointment returns, the number of slaves is 82,807; average value, from 1822 to 1832, 477.: relative value, 3,897,2767.; pro portion of 20,000,000l., 1,721,3457. The total population and the division into parishes is thus stated : Manumission. Among the inhabitants of this island there is a numerous class between the great planters and the people of colour, termed Barbadians; a circumstance which forms a striking difference between Barbadoes and the other colonies. Many of them are descended from the original settlers, and have no precise knowledge when their ancestors first arrived. They accordingly regard this island as their nation and only abode, and do not, like the planters or the negroes, look back to the scenes of infancy as their better home. Years. COMMERCE-EXPORTS, &c. 205 COMMERCE. The trade of Barbadoes has fluctuated very much at various periods, owing to hurricanes and bad seasons, as well as to the equally injurious fiscal restrictions of man. Its early exports were— Hds. Trs. Bar. Hds Hds. Trs. Bar. Bags. Hds. Gds. Bags. 1786 8,659 82 3419 114 5199 39 693 8070 1 409 8864 Lbs. 1790 9,998 123 2935 0 2331 0 261 1791 11,333 60 2346 30 3008 0 411 770 1.163,157) 1792 17,073 125 2698 188 5064 0 512 3046 0 515 974,178 4565 0 475 1,287,088 0 The value in money of the trade of the island in 1830, was Cotton. |