of sugar-cane. Of the whole area of 24,640 acres,
only about 6000 can be cultivated, and that mostly
on steep slopes, which, however, are extremely productive
like all the ancient lava soil. Sugar and
molasses were the only products for export, and
since they became unprofitable the little island has
gone into a decline.
Its population numbers a few thousand, mostly
negroes and ‘ * coloured ’ ’ now ; and Charlestown is
a decaying village on the open roadstead in the
south-west. Near by are warm sulphur springs where
there used to be fine baths, making it a watering-
place for visitors from far and near ; and there was
genteel society in Charlestown in the old times.
We must not forget that here was the birthplace of
Alexander Hamilton, who went to the United States
in his youth to become one of the leading statesmen
of the infant republic ; and it is worth while recalling
again that Horatio Nelson was here captivated by
the charming widow Fanny Nisbet, and was married
to her at the old F ig Tree Church on the road out
of town in 1787. I t is not so pleasing to remember
how, when he became a famous admiral, he wrung
the heart of the faithful wife, lured away by the
brazen attractions of that aristocratic huzzy, L ad y
Hamilton.
W e may note on our way to Montserrat that the
little islet of Redonda has a few inhabitants and
belongs to the presidency of Antigua. T h e bold,
steep shores and jagged heights of Montserrat reminded
Columbus of the old Catalonian monastery,
where Ignatius Lo yo la “ promoted ” the Society of
Jesus. Hence its name. I t is thirty miles to the