allows. The departure of the first fleet of the year, for England, was now at hand; and all was bustle and preparation, on the part of those intending to go home :-some, to enjoy their hardlyearned fortunes; others, to regain, if possible, that health which they had lost; some, on important business; and some with children under their protection, to receive that education which the colonies cannot supply. There is nothing more trying to parental feelings than this early separation. Fathers and mothers are compelled to part from their children at the age of five or six, without the hope of seeing them again, (even should their own lives. be preserved in this fatal climate,) until they shall return, grown into young men and women, and strangers to their own friends and relations.

The expense of proceeding to England is very considerable; for, besides paying the same sum for a passage, as in coming from it, passengers are compelled to provide all the stores, stock, and wine, necessary for the voyage. In time of war, when large convoys are collected, this occasions a perfect scramble in the markets or plantations; and agents are as regularly employed, as for victualling His Majesty's fleets.-To the gentleman's family, before alluded to, the utmost possible attention was paid by every inhabitant of the island. Nor were the attachment and respect of the negroes shewn in a less striking and forcible manner.

Not only those who were domesticated in the family, but many who belonged to other masters, and even whole gangs from the estates near town, over which the gentleman presided as attorney, arrived on the Sunday preceding his departure, to bid "good massa good bye, and peedy return.” On the evening previous to the sailing of the convoy, the house was filled, for hours, with friends who came to bid adieu. Several children were embark. ing under their charge, and many tokens of affection were entrusted to them, from parents to their children already in England. The ladies were nearly exhausted and overcome by the constant agitation and excitement of leave-taking.

On the following morning, a gay and imposing scene was presented: a fleet of 200 sail of West Indiamen deeply laden, and convoyed by a squadron of men-of-war, displayed their broad sails to the wind; and the ships in the roadstead were busily employed in weighing their anchors, and getting under sail; whilst boats and canoes in all directions were conveying the passengers and their friends on board the respective ships. In a short time, the signal to bear away was made, and the squadron and convoy, under charge of the late Admiral (then Captain) M'Namara Russel, in the Vengeance, of 74 guns, with two frigates, crowded every sail.

In this fleet, two young officers of the garrison

went passengers. Their story is not unworthy of record :-These two brothers were as fine young men as ever wore the British uniform. Both had been attacked by fever, some time before. One soon recovered; but, by a renewed attack, the other had been again reduced to a state of extreme weakness, and his case pronounced hopeless, unless he immediately embarked for England. To this he would not consent, except his brother were allowed to accompany him. The regiment was much reduced in strength, and had few effective officers remaining. The gallant and affectionate youth struggled between love of his profession, and affection towards his brother, who refused to leave him a prey to the climate. At length, affection prevailed. He had no time to obtain regular leave of absence from head-quarters, and he left his letter of resignation with his commanding officer, to be sent to the late General Sir Thomas Trigge. With this letter, the worthy commanding officer forwarded one from himself, stating the case, and requesting, as a favour to the regiment, that leave of absence should be granted to both, and the letter of resignation returned. The commander-in-chief, with those kind feelings which belonged to the man, complied with the request: the leave was forwarded to England, where the young men arrived in safety. They were, subsequently, promoted into other regiments, with which,

and in the Portuguese army, they served with distinguished reputation, were often wounded, and more than once received the thanks of the Duke of Wellington. Thus were these fine youths preserved to the service, by the well-timed consideration of the worthy commander of the forces in the Leeward Islands.

Similar instances occurred, by no means unfrequently. When Death was stalking around, sparing few, and sweeping hundreds away with unrelenting hand, the effect on the minds of the inhabitants and garrisons was such as may be supposed-dejection-sometimes bordering on despair, and requiring immediate change of air and scene. The fatal nature of the climate derives aggravated force from the state of mind in which it finds its victims on such occasions. Immediate removal affords the only hope of preserving the survivors.

At the time when the 68th and 87th regiments were in garrison on Morne Bruce, and when the deaths were increasing from ten to twenty in a day, the disease was checked, and the mortality reduced, immediately on their being divided into companies and sections, and scattered round the island on the different plantations. These corps had buried nearly 300 men each, in the course of the months of August and September only; but, when removed from the barracks, the seat of disease, the sickness ceased at once: they returned,

in a few weeks, to their quarters, and continued healthy during the remainder of their service in the colony. When relieved, each of them embarked in fine order, and as effective as though they had been just landed.

For some time after the departure of the fleet for England, there was much of that depression which generally succeeds a period of excitement. To dispel this, the most effectual mode is to get up a dance. Several balls-not cannon-balls-were therefore projected; and, in a short time, all was again brisk and lively. The arrival of young ladies, and of married folks also, is always, in the West Indies, an event of considerable importance. After due preparation, they are welcomed by a dance and supper, given by their friends. They are thus introduced to the best society of the place, and enabled to judge of the customs and manners of the inhabitants. This introductory fête is generally followed by others, to which the military and naval officers are invited; and, in their turn, the regiments and men-of-war have partiesmostly breakfasts, with dancing at the close.

As the rainy or hurricane months approach, the apprehensions of even the old inhabitants are perceived to increase, as they know, too well, that, during the months of August, September, and October, they hold both their lives and properties by a very precarious tenure. The rains seldom