Formerly, this colony was located up Berkley’s Sound, and called Port Louis. It has since been removed to its present site, and styled Port Stanley. The Falkland Islands are situated in the South At{24}lantic Ocean, where the mariner guides his course at night by the sacred constellation of the Southern Cross, and between the parallels of 51 deg. and 53 deg. south, and extending from 57 deg. to nearly 62 deg. west. The only two of considerable size are the East and West Falkland. These are separated by a channel. Around these islands are numerous rocks, whose distance from the shores, where tides run strongly, and winds are violent as well as sudden, renders it rather difficult to navigate. In approaching land, and particularly when entering a harbor, a good look-out should be kept for fixed kelp, which grows upon every rock covered by the sea, and not far below the surface. Lying upon the water, the leaves and stalk serve as well as a buoy to warn of hidden danger. A region more exposed to storms, both in summer and winter, it would be difficult to mention. High winds are prevalent, and very violent at times. During the summer, a calm day is an extraordinary event. Generally speaking, the nights are less windy than the days. Altogether, the appearance of these lonely isles of the South are dismal and uninviting in the extreme. Moorland and black bog extend in nearly every direction; although there are valleys affording coarse, excellent grass, upon which{25} thousands of wild cattle subsist. Some tracts of land, I was informed, at the southern part of the island, were low, level, and abundantly productive of excellent herbage. Many years since, the French and Spanish left, at different times, cattle and horses upon the isle. They have multiplied and increased, until they now estimate the number at a hundred thousand head that are roaming wild over the hills. The ship being safely moored, I entreated my husband to take me on shore. After much persuasion, he consented. A boat was lowered, in which, after much difficulty, I was placed. This was effected by tying a rope around my waist, and lowering me down the ship’s side; then watching an opportunity when the boat was in a right position, to “lower away.” This method was of necessity adopted, the sea being so rough, I lacked the courage to leave the ship the usual way. When my feet were placed once more on terra firma, I inwardly resolved never again to return on ship-board. We wandered from the shore to the top of a small eminence, from whence, at a little distance, we descried a shanty.