of the public preachings, of which they continue to be deprived. At Morant Bay, once the seat of persecution, the society is in a flourishing condition; and the congregations are not disturbed.~ On many plantations there is an open door, which present to the four missionaries now stationed in Jamaica full as much work as they can do: and even amidst persecution there is cause to be thankful. The number in the Methodist society, in Jamaica, in the year 1814, was returned at 1937.

THE ISLAND OF TRINIDAD.

This island has been but little noticed in the history of the Western World. It is the most southern of what are called the Charibee islands. It was discovered by Columbus in his third voyage to those regions: and he gave it the name of Trinidad, in honour of the Holy Trinity. He was overtaken by a violent storm, and in great danger: and in the midst of his distress, he vowed, that if spared to make any more discoveries, the first should bear that sacred name. It was not long before a sailor, at the mast-head, descried three points of land, apparently emerging from the ocean; and this appearance, as well as his recent vow, seemed to demand that the island should be called Trinidad.

It was in the year 1498, that Columbus first landed on this island; and from its contiguity to the southern continent, which he intended to explore, he found it admirably calculated for a place of rendezvous to himself, as well as to future adventurers, who might engage in expeditions to those little-known regions of the globe.

The discovery of Trinidad led to that of the river Oronooko, to the mouth of which it lies almost contiguous. Trinidad produced no gold,

and was but little thought of, especially as objects of greater importance attracted the notice of Columbus.

Trinidad is of a quadrangular form, separated from Paria, in Terra Firma, by a straight of about eight miles. The soil is fruitful, producing sugar, cotton, Indian corn, fine tobacco, cassava, and other roots, and generally all that is found in North and South America. It is upwards of 70 miles in length, and from 30 to 60 in breadth. All the interior parts are covered with forests.

In 1595, that great English Admiral, Sir Walter Raleigh, sailed to the Western Continent, leaving Plymouth on the 6th of February, and reaching Trinidad on the 22d of March. And as Great Britain was then at war with Spain, he landed his forces, conquered, and took possession of the island.

He made a speech to the natives, about his sovereign Queen Elizabeth, which, together with his actions, filled them with astonishment, and they were almost ready to pay divine honour to the picture of the queen, which was presented for their inspection.

From Trinidad Sir Walter took with him an hundred men, and sailed 1400 miles up the river Oronooko: but the intense heat of the sun, and other obstructions, overpowered his strength and resolution, and he was obliged to return without accomplishing any lasting or valuable purpose. In consequence of his disappointment, he abandoned Trinidad, which again fell into the hands of the Spaniards. In 1676, it was attacked, conquered, plundered, and abandoned by the French. The Spaniards again took re-possession, and held it till the year 1797, when it was captured by the English, and was ceded to them by the treaty of peace. of Amiens in 1802

As to religion, the Roman Catholic, with the old Spanish attachment to its most rigid discipline and frivolous superstitions, prevails throughout the island.

Till very lately, the Methodists had no missionary in Trinidad: but Mr. Talboys, a missionary, then stationed in the island of St. Vincent's, had occasion to visit Trinidad, in 1809. On his arrival he began to preach, and many attended to hear. But meeting with some interruption, he applied to the governor for protection, which was granted: and preaching went on without further molestation. At first he preached in a house which he rented; but this, though it would hold about 200 persons, was soon found too small to hold the congregation. It was then enlarged about one-third; but this also was insufficient. A chapel was then proposed, and very shortly built, chiefly by the joint endeavours of those who wished to hear.This was soon filled with deeply attentive and truly respectable hearers, and a society of 57 members was formed in the year 1811. In 1813, the number in society was 138: and 1815, the return was 160.

GRENADA.

This is one of the Windward Charibee islands, about 24 miles long and 12 broad. It is 30 leagues or 90 miles north-west of Tobago, and the same distance south-west from Barbadoes.North latitude about 12 10. West longitude 30. A chain of mountains crosses it from north to south, in the centre of which is a large lake. Near the coast, the soil is fertile, producing indigo, sugar, coffee, cotton, and tobacco. It is finely wooded, and trees of all sorts, both fruit and timber, except the cocoa-tree, thrive better

here than those of the same species in the neighbouring islands. It is watered with ten rivers. Columbus discovered this island about the year 1498. It was at that time inhabited by a numerous race of native Charaibees. On the approach of the Spaniards towards the shores, the natives exhibited marks of the most stern defiance, accompanied by preparations to resist invasion.And as the island afforded no tempting gold, the Spaniards went off in pursuit of easier and richer conquests.

In 1651, the French established a settlement in Grenada, and afterwards utterly exterminated the native Charaibees.

Du Parquet, the governor of Martinico, took with him about 200 of his fiercest desperadoes, and landed in Grenada, designing to kill the natives before him. But meeting with a reception more friendly than they expected, they pretended to enter into a treaty for the purchase of the country; and gave some knives and hatchets, and a large quantity of glass beads, besides two bottles of brandy for the chief himself; and thus did the invaders pretend that the island was fairly ceded to the French nation in lawful purchase. But the natives entertained no such ideas, and absolutely refused to surrender their country. They were instantly declared to be in a state of rebellion; and war and destruction began.

Du Parquet, indeed, returned to Martinico, but he appointed La Compte, his kinsman, to the command of a fort which he had erected. The natives continued to defend their independency with vigour but a reinforcement being sent La Compte from Martinico, he overpowered the natives, who fell in almost every direction.

The unhappy Indians collected together,

13.

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the sea.

amounting to about 80, to make their last desperate effort. But one half of these being killed, the rest fled to a rock or precipice, hanging over Hither the French pursued them; and left them no alternative, but whether they would be drowned or killed by the sword; and they precipitated themselves headlong into the ocean.This precipice retains to this day the appellation of Le Morne de Sauteurs, or, "the Hill of the Leapers."

The French now quarrelled among themselves about the spoils; but Du Parquet and his party prevailed, and assumed the government. But he wanting money, sold it to a French nobleman, who sent out a governor to act despotically, and raise a princely salary for his master, who had made the purchase for thirty thousand crowns.He proving inexorable to all complaints and remonstrances, the principal settlers, unwilling to submit to the levies, abandoned the plantations, which they had improved at considerable expence, and fled to Martinico. But the governor oppressed those who remained still more cruelly, which produced a general insurrection. The tyrant was seized; and a court immediately formed to try him. This was composed of such of the lower people as remained on the island, after those of higher rank had emigrated to Martinico. One only was capable of writing his name; and he, of course, was the secretary. The governor was impeached by a blacksmith, who used a horse-shoe instead of a seal, to close the documents which were sent to France, with a detail of these extraordinary transactions. The governor was condemned to be hanged; but he solicited the honour of being beheaded. They compromised the matter; they agreed to shoot him; and to this he quietly submitted. But the judges and execu