CHARLES.  “St. Helena was discovered by those pioneers of navigation, the Portuguese, on Saint Helen’s day, the 21st of May, 1501.  It is 1200 miles from the continent, in latitude 5 deg. south, longitude 15 deg. west.  It is a beautiful island, inhabited by about 300 English families, whose ancestors took possession of it in 1600.  The Portuguese stocked it well with cattle and fruit, and the English now benefit by their forethought.  ‘St. Helena,’ says a clever writer,[20] ’is the dark monument of the most conspicuous man that has arisen within the period of certain history.’  Of course that means Napoleon Bonaparte.  I have done.”

[Footnote 20:  Captain Morrell]

GEORGE.  “Ascension Isle lies between Africa and Brazil:  it was discovered in 1508.  It is about 39 miles in circumference, and of nearly a circular form.  It has water only in one spot, called the Green Mountain, from the rich verdure with which it is covered.  The natural productions are not numerous.  Guinea-fowl have been introduced, and are now quite wild.  Ten head of cattle were likewise imported, which have also taken to the woods, and are hunted by the garrison as required.  This island was at one period overrun with enormous rats, to destroy which somebody with good intent imported a cargo of cats, which are now become as great a plague as their predecessors, keeping the sportsmen constantly on the alert to destroy them.”

MR. STANLEY.  “Well done, George!  I am glad to hear you not only remember the information, but try to retain the phraseology of the geographers.  That is the right method to improve your memory; do not halt at the trouble it cost you, for you will be abundantly repaid in the end.”

DORA.  “We have only one more bay on this side of the equator to notice.  Among the numerous bays on the western coast of Africa, first in rank stands Kabenda Bay, near Congo.  It is a very fine harbor, and is so agreeable a situation that it is denominated the ‘Paradise of the Coast.’  The sea is always smooth, and debarkation easy.  The town of Kabenda stands amidst delightful scenery, composed of lofty cliffs, verdant hills, and deep luxuriant vales; it is resorted to principally by slavers, who trade thither for slaves, ivory, and wood.  The poor inhabitants, strange to say, notwithstanding their oppression, have a great respect for white men, and believe that they know everything, or, in their dialect, ‘sabe ebery ting.’”

MR. BARRAUD.  “There is a fact worthy the attention of travellers connected with the kingdom of Loango, which you will perceive lies immediately north of Congo.  It contains amongst its inhabitants numbers of black Jews scattered throughout the country.  They are despised by the negroes, who do not even deign to eat with them.  They are occupied in trade, and keep the sabbath so strictly that they do not even converse on that day; they have a separate burying-ground, very far from any habitation.  The tombs are constructed with masonry, and ornamented with Hebrew inscriptions, the singularity of which excites the laughter of the negroes, who discern in these hieroglyphics only serpents, lizards, and other reptiles.”