Highness Prince Albert consented to become their patron. The number of members is limited to seventy. In concluding this brief sketch of the History of the Bermudas, we cannot but express our opinion that much of the future prosperity of the Islands will probably depend on Colonel Reid's being, for a longer time than usual, continued in the office he at present so worthily fills, or his successors adopting the same wise, active, and indefatigable spirit which has so highly distinguished his administration.* you will descension, will not be thrown away upon the loyal inhabitants of Bermuda; to whom generally, as well as to the Club, I beg that make the gratifying circumstance known. I have the Honour to be, Your most obedient Servant, MARK KERR, Commodore. SAMUEL TRISCOTT, Esq., Hon. Secretary, WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 18, 1845. MY LORD, I have laid your Letter before His Royal Highness Prince Albert, who commands me to say that Her Majesty will give Permission to the Bermuda Yacht Club, to style themselves the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The Lord Mark Kerr. I have the honor to be, Your most obedient servant, G. E. ANSON. * Since this was written, Colonel Reid has been appointed to the Government of Barbadoes; his successor at Bermuda is Captain Charles Elliott, R.N. CHAPTER VII. General description-Geology-Climate-Agriculture-Productions Commerce-Civil Constitution-Revenue and Expenditure-Church Establishment-Education-Tradesmen-Steamers-Mails-Public Institutions. A SHORT account of the general appearance and geological structure of the Bermudas, and of some matters connected with the present state of their inhabitants, will probably be interesting to those who have followed us through this narrative of the early struggles and progress of this small but important Colony. The Bermudas, Summer or Somers Islands, form a small insular group, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, but considerably nearer to the New than the Old World. Their northermost extremity is in long. 63. 28 West and lat. 32. 24 North. With the exception of St. Helena there is not perhaps a spot on the globe so remote from any land, the nearest point being Cape Hatteras, in North Carolina, distant 580 miles, and Atwoods Keys, one of the Bahamas distant 645 miles. Their number has been variously estimated at, between 300, and 400, but the greater portion of this computation cannot be termed islands, as they are mere rocks. The principal of the group are five in number; St. George, St. David, Bermuda Proper, Somerset, and Ireland. The third is by far the largest, more than equalling all the rest put together, and is hence sometimes called the Continent. Separated only by narrow channels, the five now specified were regarded by the first discoverers as a single island and are still generally known by the designation, Bermuda. They extend from north-east to south-west in a curved line resembling a shepherd's crook. The extreme length of the group, following its sinuosities, is about twenty-five miles, while its breadth nowhere exceeds three, and in most places not one. In 1780 the population was estimated at 15,000 and this appears to have been the maximum of inhabitants at any one period. According to the last census there were 10,126. The Islands contain a superficies of 12,424 acres, most of which are overgrown with the cedar. The roads throughout the colony are wide, well-made, and kept in good repair, for which purpose yearly grants are made by the Legislature. Their estimated length, in 1844, was 62 miles, and to that period they had cost £41,768 sterling. The land is low, and consists of a succession of mounds or hills, none of which exceed 250 feet in height. The appearance of the Bermudas is highly romantic; it may be said, with truth, that spring never forsakes them, and the fields and woods are clad with a mantle of perpetual green. The water around the islands is singularly clear, and objects may be seen at a great depth. The shores of the group are encompassed by a range of breakers, and sunken rocks, standing at a short distance from the coast on the south side, and reaching ten miles into the ocean on the north and west. The unexpected extent of these last reefs have proved the destruction of many a noble ship, whose crew, little dreaming of danger, to their astonishment have suddenly found themselves shipwrecked. In the parish of Southampton there is a fine iron lighthouse now being erected at the expense of the Home Government, which, although unfinished, is a prominent object, and has been seen from the decks of passing vessels at a distance of twenty-eight miles. The Ireland is about a mile in length, and varies in breadth, nowhere exceeding a quarter of a mile. It is occupied by the Home Government as a Naval Depôt, and is strongly fortified. Attached to the dockyard there is a breakwater, constructed like that at Plymouth, for the use of the navy. The head-quarters of the Convict Establishment is also at this island. prisoners are men sentenced in England to transportation, and are sent out in drafts to be confined in the hulks, and employed on the Government works. Bermuda is not a penal settlement, the convicts having been sent to it solely to assist in the public works, and they are not allowed to be employed for private benefit, or to be discharged in the colony. In 1844 there were 1,168 prisoners in the islands, costing the Home Government £28,032. There are two towns in the colony, Hamilton the capital, situated in the parish of Pembroke, about the middle of the Islands, and St. George at the east-end, by which all vessels must pass which proceed to Hamilton, or the Dockyard, by the eastern passages, which are the best, and, consequently, the most frequented. These channels are protected by strong fortifications, some of which are yet unfinished. There is a narrow and shallow passage between St. George and Cony Island, which, with an east wind, may be used by vessels of a light.draught of water, when proceeding to Hamilton, or Ireland. At the outlet of this, where there is a ferry established by the colony, a Martello tower of one gun has been erected. The harbours of both towns are capacious, and completely landlocked; that of St. George being easiest of access, and consequently most frequented by vessels of large burthen. Works are now in progress for removing a bar at the entrance, and from the improvement already made, no doubt is entertained of the complete success of the undertaking. The houses of both towns, like those thoughout the country, are built of the soft stone of the place, which is a cheap material, abounds in the islands, and is easily wrought. The buildings are kept whitewashed, and seldom exceed two stories in height; there is little or no architectural design displayed about them; the only one of consequence, of a public character, being that erected at Hamilton by the Colonial Government for the Customs and other public offices, which, up to 1844, had cost the sum of £5,280 sterling. The attempt in this |