286
WEST INDIES.
the Royal Mail Company removed their depot, and the island ceased to be a port of call for the steamers belonging to the main line of communication, there was, of course, collapse ; and the island remains in a condition of mourning over its past importance and prosperity. To take one thing only, coal for the supply of the steamers is not now required. Barbados, at present the central station of the steamers, successfully competed with St. Thomas, at the time of the last mail contract, in the matter of harbour dues. The removal of the depot of the steamers was estimated to inflict a loss upon the island of St. Thomas of between 20,000l. and 30,000l. a year, but the advantage is, of course, gained by a British colony ; and for Imperial interests, not only of a sentimental but of a practical character, it is desirable that the means of communication between the mother country and her colonies should be in British vessels, and by a British port as the centre of distribution. The cultivation of aloes and fibrous plants is being tried, but not with any particular prospect of success. The unhealthiness of the island has not been so apparent of late years, and there has been no epidemic of yellow fever. As has been already explained, the real cause of its unsanitary condition lies in the fact that there is no current in the harbour to take the drainage out to sea. The decomposing matter under a tropical sun emitted gases eminently conducive to fever. But a cutting was made to endeavour to create a channel for the refuse and distribute it. The climate has been prejudicial to the health of the descendants of the original settlers. Indeed, for people from northern climes it is not good. The death rate is about 34 per 1,000 of the total population. Santa Cruz, or St. Croix, near St. Thomas, and