The number of deaths in the two battalions of the 66th regiment, I cannot positively state, but believe it to have exceeded one hundred and twenty men. A reference to the official returns will, however, sufficiently elucidate this point. In the West Indies, the proportion of deaths to the strength was, in the year 1814, as one to twentyfive; and of deaths to diseases, as one to thirtysix, and two thirds. Yet how trifling does the mortality there appear, when compared with that of St. Helena. At the latter place it was so great, that the governor and admiral, apprehensive of the effects which might be produced by a longer residence in the island, and, doubtless, desirous of alleviating their miseries as far as they could, sent upwards of seventy of the sick in one month to England and the Cape. Above half of those sent to the last named place, (who were the worst cases,) have been long ere now laid in their quiet graves."

The Conqueror was also ordered to cruise to windward of the island for six weeks, without, however, much benefit having accrued from the measure. It is worthy of observation, that the Racoon's ship's company had suffered severely from dysentery and hepatitis, while stationed at St. Helena; but when sent to the Cape, they recovered, and became very healthy; which state of health continued as long as the vessel remained there:

but, on her return to St. Helena, dysentery and hepatitis again appeared, and a heavy sick list followed.*

The loss of life among the crews of the following small ships, whilst they were on the St. Helena station, is also very great, viz. twenty-four in the Mosquito, complement one hundred men; sixteen in the Racoon, one hundred men; eleven in the Leveret, seventy-five men; fifteen in the Griffon, eighty-five men; besides numbers invalided, and sent to England on account of the same complaints. It is well known to naval officers, that, unless in very sickly stations, small vessels are generally very healthy, frequently not losing a man in a year. I was myself surgeon

* Another strong instance of the insalubrity of the climate is to be found in the instance of the female convict-ship Friendship, which vessel arrived at St. Helena from England in the month of November, 1817. She had not remained more than eight or ten days to water, before dysentery made its appearance; and in the course of a few weeks, above one hundred cases occurred. Previous to her arrival at St. Helena, no one instance of the complaint had occurred.

From the 20th Nov. 1815, to the 20th of the same month, 1816, there were admitted into the regimental-hospital four hundred and thirty-eight patients, one hundred and seventy-nine of whom were afflicted with bowel complaints. The regiment was between five and six hundred strong.

of a sloop of war in the West Indies, in which ship not a single death occurred during twelve months, though exposed for a considerable portion of that time, to the influence of the noxious climate of Surinam.

The undeserved reputation for salubrity which St. Helena has hitherto enjoyed, has probably arisen from its being so little known, except to seamen and others, who, arriving after long voyages, were enchanted, like Dampier's sailors, to find themselves on shore any where; and who, during the few days they remained, found themselves relieved from scorbutic complaints by the use of the water-cresses with which it abounds, and from its population being small, and chiefly composed of natives, who, of course, do not suffer so much as strangers from the effects of the climate in which they were born. Until the arrival of the state prisoner, very few Europeans resided for a continuance upon the island; and I can assert, from personal observation, that the greatest number of those now there, even of the officers, have suffered attacks more or less severe, either of dysentery or hepatitis, in which number, I regret to say, I was myself included; and that the opinion. of the medical officers, who had the best opportunity of forming a correct opinion, from actual experience on the island, is, that the climate is ex

tremely unhealthy; and especially, that hepatitis and dysentery prevail to an extent, and with a severity seldom to be paralleled. In order to convince the public, that I am neither singular in my opinions, nor inclined to exaggerate, I beg leave to refer the reader to a medical inaugural Dissertation* upon Dysentery and Hepatitis in St. Helena, composed by the candidate for the degree

"Est nullus morbus perniciosior dysenteriâ exercitibus in omnibus partibus orbis terrarum degentibus; sed in tropicis regionibus grassatur vi maximà inter milites et alios ex Europa: et videtur intimus nexus inter hanc et hepatitidem existere, nam sæpe conjunguntur, et raro accidit unum sine altero." Dissertatio Medica, p. 15.

In an official letter from Dr. Baildon, dated Nov. 24, 1808, he expresses himself as follows: "It will hardly be credited, that soldiers and others are frequently brought to the hospital as far advanced in real scurvy as if they had just landed after a long voyage, and many who are brought for other complaints are con siderably tainted with this disease." "On my arrival, I was much surprised with the great number of patients attacked with liver complaints."

Both of those diseases Dr. Baildon attributes to the " excessive use of spirituous liquors." Now, as in 1810, the government of St. Helena adopted measures to prevent any spirits from being landed, which had completely the desired effect, and as all houses for retailing spirits were abolished on the 15th of May, 1809, and wholesome beer substituted in lieu; it is clear that the prevalence of liver complaints in St. Helena since that period, must be ascribed to other causes than to the "excessive use of spirituous liquors."

of doctor in medicine in Trinity College, Dublin. The essay in question was written by Dr. Leigh, formerly surgeon to the second battalion of the 66th regiment, stationed at St. Helena.

No. I.

Letter from the Author to Admiral Lord Keith.

His Majesty's ship Bellerophon,
Torbay, 7th August, 1815.

MY LORD,-Application having been made to me yesterday by Count Bertrand, to accompany General Napoleon Bonaparte to St. Helena, in quality of surgeon (as the surgeon, who embarked with him in France, is unwilling to proceed further); I beg to inform your lordship, that I am willing to accept that situation (provided it meets with your lordship's approbation), and also on the following conditions, viz. that it should be permitted me to resign the above situation, should I find it not consonant to my wishes, on giving due notice of my intention thereof. That such time as I shall serve in that situation, shall be allowed to count as so much time served on full pay in his majesty's navy, or that I shall be indemnified in