ST. LUCIA.
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colored snake, of a very venomous nature, which is pe culiar to some parts of North America, to this island, and to Martinique. It is frequently causing loss of life. Here also, and at Martinique, they have a bird of song called the " rossignol," which is believed to be identical with the mock-bird. St. Lucia produces chiefly sugar and coffee. The i average yearly produce of the former has declined from ten thousand to three thousand hogsheads since it be came a British possession. The prospects of the com ing crop are favorable ; it is expected to reach four j thousand hogsheads. The coffee plantations have also declined, in consequence, as is supposed, of an altera tion of climate ; but the injury is less extensive and severe than in Dominica. We passed to day through an abandoned plantation of cacoa, which was once extensively grown, but has declined in consequence of the low price to which it has fallen. St.' Lucia is a crown colon}' and governed by Royal Orders in Coun cil. It has, however, a colonial Council appointed by the crown, and consisting of an equal number of unofficial members, and of members holding import ant offices under Government. It possesses legislative powers, but is entirely under the control of the Colonial Office. The ancient constitution and laws of the colony are not yet abrogated, though they appear to be gra dually disappearing. The French language is almost exclusively spoken by all classes. The lady of the Chief Justice, informed us that there were only two ladies in the colony who spoke English till the ar rival, a few days since, of the wife and daughters of one of the Stipendiary magistrates. St. Lucia has been more completely neglecied, both by the government and people of England, than any M 3