cal custom would have been delayed until our arrival on the Line; but when a ship's destination renders her crossing the Equator unnecessary, the ceremonies are performed immediately on entering the Torrid Zone.

The night preceding this festive day amongst the sailors, a hollow voice was heard from the bows of the vessel, proclaiming in a loud and menacing tone the arrival of a deputation from Neptune; announcing his aquatic majesty's intention: of coming on board the following day at twelve o'clock, with his entire suite, for the purpose of levying contributions and exercising his jurisdiction over those who had now, for the first time, visited the seat of his dominions.

Having performed his mission, the ambassador retired; and in order to produce the semblance of his recession from the vessel in his car, a large tarred hogshead had been imperceptibly set fire to, and lowered into the sea, where its flaming ap pearance, as it occasionally rose upon the

bosom of the waves, had a very curious and pleasing effect.

At the appointed hour on the ensuing day the king of ocean's approach was announced by a flourish of trumpets, and immediately after, upon drawing aside a sail curtain which screened the forecastle, the procession advanced in grand state, preceded by martial music; Neptune, and the fair partner of his watery throne, being seated in due form upon a gun-carriage surrounded by a numerous train of Nereides. The mighty ruler of the waves was represented by the seaman considered best qualified to give proper dignity and spirit to the character; whilst Amphitrite was most delicately personated by another jack tar, attired with all the grace and elegance that oakum and sailcloth could bestow. The preliminary formalities, &c., being terminated, a considerable number who had not acceded to the monarch's tributary demands, or whose proffered forfeitures had been rejected, experienced the luxury of a tropi cal shaving; but this part of the ceremony

is too well-known to require particular explanation. The remainder of the day was spent by the seamen with the utmost mirth and jollity.

The officers and men were as usual every morning and evening practised in military exercise, and had become very expert in the management of both artillery and small arms. The weather likewise from this date continued mild and favourable; and, on the 22d, we were enabled mutually to congratulate each other upon the appearance of land, which had been for some time the object of anxious expectation. It proved to be the island of Barbuda, bearing south, distant about five leagues.

Captain Sharpe considered himself fortunate in having made this land during daylight; Barbuda being regarded as one of the most dangerous islands in the West Indies, in consequence of its extreme flatness, and the numerous shoals by which it is surrounded.

24th. On the forenoon of this day we sailed into the harbour of Gustavia, in St. Bartholomew's, where we found (only a

few hours arrived) the ship Prince, with Colonel Wilson's corps on board, and the Emerald, with Colonel Hippesley's regiment, which latter vessel had been in port nearly a week. They gave us three hearty cheers on entering, which we returned with equal cordiality.

St. Bartholomew's belongs to the Swedes, to whom it was restored on the general termination of hostilities in 1814, being the only island they possess in the western world; and is so small and sterile, that their acquisition appears to be one of little real value. The produce is confined to a small quantity of cotton, by the sale of which the poor in the interior principally subsist. Sour-sops*, prickly pears, and some other wild fruits, grow here spon

very

*The sour-sop (annona muricata) grows to about fiveand-twenty feet high, and the fruit generally to the size of a moderate melon, but is of an elongated or oval form, rough on the outside, and of a green colour. It consists of a white and pulpy substance, possessing a sour-sweet taste. As this fruit will not keep more than a day or two after being gathered, it is never conveyed to England; but its use is strongly recommended to Europeans on

taneously, as also a few tamarind trees, and the poisonous manchineel in great abundance.

This island may be considered a place of general rendezvous for smugglers of every description. The flags of all nations (but more especially of America) are to be seen flying in the harbour of Gustavia, and the resident merchants, I understand, derive a very large proportion of their emoluments from their intercourse with those engaged in contraband traffic.

The Swedes received us with the greatest kindness and hospitality; and the Governor, Colonel Rosensvard, to whose affability and attention we were highly. indebted, a few days after our arrival invited the senior officers of each rank to a grand fête, given at Government-house, in honour of the birth-day of his Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Sweden. Colonel R.'s desire we attended in the uniforms of our particular regiments, and were

By

their first arrival in the West Indies, being particularly cooling, and by many also considered of an antifebrile

nature.