BELLASIS, George Hutchins (1778-1822)
Views of St Helena,
London: John Tyler, 1815.

Size: Oblong folio.

Text: Title (verso blank); Dedication (one leaf, verso blank); List of subscribers (two leaves, last page blank); Introduction (one leaf); one leaf of text (verso blank) to each plate.

Plates: Six (6) coloured aquatint plates signed Drawn by George Hutchins Bellasis Esq. and Engraved by Robt Havell, 3, Chapel St. Tottenham Court Road; imprint London, Published Novr 1, 1815, by G.H. Bellasis Esqr.

The text and plates were copied from an original copy of Bellasis available from The St. Helena Virtual Library and Archive

Used with the assistance and permission of Professor Barry Weaver, University of Oklahoma.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Author of this Publication trusts that a residence of eight months on the Island of St. Helena may have enabled him to gain the local knowledge essential to his subject ; and that the accuracy of the landscapes which he drew during that time, and now presents to the public, will justify the undertaking ; and he hopes that at the present period it will be the more interesting, when this singularly romantic Island is the appointed residence of one of the most extraordinary men recorded in the annals of History.

St. Helena is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean, within the torrid zone, latitude 15° 55' south, and longitude 5° 49' west ; about 1000 miles from the coast of Africa, and nearly double that distance from South America. It was discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, on St. Helena's Day, whence it derives its name. The interior was found an entire forest, and they stocked it with different kinds of useful animals : but whether they settled a colony there, or not, is very uncertain. The Dutch afterwards became its masters, and kept possession until 1600, when they were driven out by the English. In 1673 the Dutch again took it, by surprise ; and in a short time after, it was retaken by Captain Munden, and has since continued in the possession of the Honourable East India Company, in virtue of a charter granted by King Charles the Second.

The greatest length of St. Helena is ten miles and a half, its breadth seven, its circumference about twenty-eight miles, and the area thirty thousand acres. There are many high mountains, particularly one called Diana's Peak, which is more than half a mile above the level of the sea. The Island is divided by a lofty chain of hills running nearly east and west, in a curved direction, and bending to the south at each extremity ; and alternate ridges and valleys branch off in various directions. The number of inhabitants may be about 4000, who are supplied with all kinds of manufactures by the East India Company's ships, in return for provisions and refreshments. Clear and wholesome springs issue from the sides of almost every hill, and the valleys abound with yams, potatoes, and water-cresses, which are grateful to mariners ; and here it is worthy of remark, that four crops may be produced in the year, the climate being a perpetual spring. Walks arched over with vines, and peach trees loaded with fruit of the richest flavor, are very common ; but gooseberry and currant bushes produce no fruit. Venomous reptiles are not met with here, but rats and caterpillars are very troublesome. The hills of the interior are mostly covered with a rich verdure, and the valleys are fertile, supporting numerous herds of black cattle, besides a small breed of horses, with sheep, goats, &c. ; and game is found in great abundance. The voyage from St. Helena to England is generally performed in about two months ; the distance is little more than 4500 miles from the Land's End. The Island has only one harbour or roadstead, which is difficult of access.

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