some of the younger women's hands
into his. One peculiarity was remarked on the present occasion, that
many of the natives had lost one of their hands, and some both, indeed
we found this so common in the island, that there was no doubt of the
deprivation of this part of the body being resorted to as a punishment.
Before returning to the ship, I went with Messrs. Galler and Jeffery to
visit the works at Clarence, when we were informed that the men
employed in clearing the jungle, had discovered the Indian-rubber tree,
and one or two other indigenous plants which had not been previously
noticed.

_Thursday, November 8th_.--The importance of our acquiring a knowledge
of the language of the natives of this island, must be obvious. In
order to promote this object. Captain Owen selected an active and
intelligent young man of the name of Elwood, who volunteered to reside
for a week at a village in the interior of the island; and he left the
ship this morning in pursuance of the plan. The Captain this day fixed
upon a spot for the site of a house intended for his own residence: he
also gave the name of Paradise to a portion of ground which had been
cleared to form a garden for the use of the colony, and changed the
appellation of Glover's Stairs for that of Jacob's Ladder. This
consists of a flight of 150 steps, leading from the beach to the
acclivity on which Clarence is situated that had been constructed,
since our arrival, by Mr. Glover, and his body of English artificers.

_Friday, 9_.--During the night there had been much thunder and
lightning, succeeded, in the morning, by heavy rains, which went off at
eleven o'clock, and recommenced at two, accompanied by strong gusts of
wind; at four, it cleared up again: scarcely a canoe or native was to
be seen throughout the day.

_Saturday, 10_.--The weather is to-day extremely fine, and yet very few
canoes or natives have been seen: and none have approached the ship. We
apprehend that something has occurred to displease them--a suspicion
afterwards confirmed. In the afternoon, at the time I happened to be on
shore, a deputation of seven chiefs came to Mr. Jeffery, at Newmarket,
with a complaint that our Kroomen had been cutting down the palm-trees
for the leaves to thatch their huts with; and, also, that they were
much annoyed by the frequent firing of muskets. In reply to the latter
complaint, Mr. Jeffery explained to them, that the firing proceeded
only from the attempts of