Published by
Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Transferred to Digital Printing 2006
First published | 18081811 |
New impression | 1971 |
ISBN 0 7146 1933 7
Publishers Note
The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original may be apparent
VIEW of the METHODIST CHAPEL in CHARLESTOWN in the Island of NEVIS.
A
HISTORY
OF THE
WEST INDIES,
CONTAINING THE
NATURAL, CIVIL, AND ECCLESIASTICAL
History of each Island:
WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE
MISSIONS
INSTITUTED IN THOSE ISLANDS, FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THEIR CIVILIZATION;
BUT MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE
MISSIONS
WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THAT ARCHIPELAGO
BY THE SOCIETY
Late in Connexion with the Rev. John Wesley.
BY THOMAS COKE, LL.D.
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR,
SOLD BY T. BLANSHARD, 14, J. BRUCE, 5, CITY ROAD; AND NUTTALL, FISHER, & DIXON, 5, LOVELS COURT, PATERNOSTER ROW, 16, 18 & 19, DUKE STREET, LIVERPOOL.
1811.
THE
HISTORY
OF
NEVIS.
.
Situation.Conjectures on its origin.Appearance at sea.Name.First settled by Sir Thomas Warner; under whose administration, and that of his Successor, the Colony flourished.Extent of population, and industry of the Inhabitants.Ravaged by a dreadful mortality;by the French;and by a violent hurricane.Description of this hurricane by Dr. Moseley.Survives these disasters. and again recovers its prosperity.Topographical divisions, and internal regulations.Productions, and advantages.Authors first visit to the island.Unable to gain access to the slaves.Requested to re-visit it.Establishment of a Mission.The Gospel obtains a footing in the island.Affecting anecdote of two little Negro children.Success of preaching the Gospel, and attachment of the negroes to it.A violent persecution, not-withstanding which the Society flourishes.Nature and utility of Class-meetings.General reflections, and number in society.
T HIS beautiful little spot is remarkable for its fertility, and for the romantic scenery of its scanty domains. It is situated in 17. 14 north latitude, and 62. 29 west longitude, from Greenwich. In itself, it is little more than a high and extensive mountain, the base of which is encircled by the waves; from which its sloping sides appear to rise with easy ascent, till its elevated summit terminates in a point, and mixes with the clouds.
That this island was produced by some volcanic explosion, Mr. Edwards says, there can be no doubt: and the reason that he assigns for this conjecture is, That there is a hollow or crater still visible near the summit, which contains a hot spring strongly impregnated with sulphur; and sulphur (he adds) is frequently found in substance in the neighboring gullies and cavities of the earth.
On the origin of this island, as distinct from that of others, we presume not to risk even a conjecture. It may have started into visible existence, as Mr. Edwards has imagined; yet we cannot but conceive, that the reason which he has assigned is totally insufficient to warrant the supposition. For, if either hot springs impregnated with sulphur, the visibility of a crater on its summit, or sulphur being found in substance, be admitted as a satisfactory proof that the island was produced by some volcanic explosion, we shall feel no difficulty in accounting for the peculiar origin of every mountain in the world, which retains marks of intestine but extinguished fires.
The island of Nevis, whatever might have been its origin, is, from the singularity of its form, easily discoverable at a considerable distance. It looks like a conical pillar emerging from the ocean to support the skies. On its first discovery, it was covered with lofty trees which graced its acclivities from the base to the summit; and, even in its present state of improved cultivation, it is well supplied with wood and timber.
The plantations, which are numerous, nearly surround it on all sides, beginning at the sea-shores, and continuing as the mountain rises, till they almost reach its top. The fertility of this island, which, perhaps, towards its base will hardly admit of many rivals, diminishes in proportion as we ascend; so that near its summit the ground becomes stony, and will produce little else but coarse vegetables, which are only adapted for domestic purposes.
Contrary to Antigua, which can hardly produce a single spring, Nevis is remarkably well watered with rivulets and salubrious fountains. The hot spring to which Mr. Edwards has alluded above, is frequently used as a medicinal bath; and its waters are presumed to possess qualities of a similar nature to the hot springs of the city of Bath, in Somersetshire.
But, unhappily for the settlers on this fertile territory, the waters, which in one view may be considered as an inexhaustible source of wealth and plenty, may in another be contemplated as a source of ruin and devastation. Issuing chiefly from the upper parts of the island, they sometimes, in stormy seasons, swell into impetuous torrents, and, in their progress towards the sea, strip the soil of its verdant honors, and sweep away plantations in the general wreck. It is probably by these temporary inundations that the upper regions have acquired a comparative sterility; while the plantations below feel themselves enriched with the losses which those nearer the summit have been obliged to sustain.
On the origin of its name we can hardly presume to speak with certainty. From the Indians who occasionally frequented it in their canoes, it does not appear to have obtained any; it: is therefore to Columbus that we must look for its present appellation. It has been supposed by some, that its name was bestowed by that celebrated navigator, from a fancied resemblance which the island bore to a mountain in Spain called the Nievies, a word signifying The Snows, because that mountain in Spain is covered with snow through the greater part of the year. There are others who have supposed, that the volcano was at that time burning, and that the issuing smoke had a white appearance at sea, and bore a strong resemblance to snow. It is perhaps not improbable that both of these circumstances might have concurred; because, to the Spanish mountain it has some likeness, and the remains of an ancient volcano are still visible.
