ciples, rather than the humidity of the soil, which causes the
increase of malady at this period. It generally assails new residents
in August, and few are the exceptions among the oldest
inhabitants, of the month of October passing, without their
being attacked by the fever of the country.
These disadvantages are more or less attendant upon the greater
number of our African settlements, but Bathurst possesses an
additional danger, which has proved fatal to many; and a painful
instance of it occurred during my residence there, in the person
of Mr. Malcolm Ritchie, who fell a victim to his indefatigable
exertions in the pursuit of his medical profession. This great evil
is, the considerable and inconstant range in the thermometer,
during the space of twenty-four hours ; I have repeatedly seen it
as low as 60° at six in the morning, and as high as 90° at mid-day,
in the shade. A consumptive constitution, therefore, must not
calculate on experiencing that relief at Bathurst, which is so
generally found in a warm climate.
The Harmattans, or hot winds from the desert, occurring chiefly
in December and January, are severe, and more scorching than
those of the leeward coast; they frequently crack tumblers and
glass shades, and one, unusually powerful, cracked even the large
bell of the barracks. If, therefore, combining the variation of the
climate, the locality, the rarity of good soil, with the frequent
scarcity of fruit, vegetables, and pasturage, I pronounce Bathurst
to be the least healthy of all our African settlements, no one
will accuse me of being prejudiced by the misfortune which there
befel me.
Since the clearing of the island from its superfluous timber,
many pretty houses have been erected, which render the town
extremely prepossessing in its appearance from the riverk; and
‘ The annexed drawing, PI. 10, was. taken from the upper veranda of the
Government-House. It gives a faithful delineation of the greater part of the barracks,