MORTALITY OF SIERRA LEONE.
WE copy from a country paper a striking account of the fatal in- fluence of the climate of this place. Death, it seems, has become so familiar an acquaintance there, that he is even made a joke of.
"Write upon my letters," says this person—" which may be dead letters for me, 'if dead to be returned.'" A lively sally, which we confess made us very melancholy. We can well remember the hearty countenance and the hardy frame of Sir Neil Campbell. It was too bad, after so many years of honourable service and dis- tinguished achievements in every part of Europe, that he should be put in the way of one of those tricks of death which have ex- cited the Merriment of the correspondent of the Sheffield Iris. If a judicious and popular colonial appointment was ever made, it was certainly that of Colonel Denham ; and it is a lamentable con- sideration, which his death serves to show, that no experience or inuring habits can protect an European from the pernicious effects of this atrocious atmosphere. A colony ought to be of great im- portance which is retained at such a price as we annually pay in life for this place. It seems, however, that we are so far front being sick of the African coast, that in the island of Fernando Po we are arranging another cemetery for Englishmen. It is said that an expedition to the marshy shore of the province of Texas was viewed with a secret satisfaction by the Mexican Government, as materially affecting the burthen of the half-pay list.
SIERRA LEONE, JUNE I0.—You will, no doubt, have heard of the death of Col. Denham. Exactly four weeks ago, this day, I had the honour of being presented to him on his assuming the command of Sierra Leone. His levee was most numerously attended by all the military and civil officers of this station—by its magistrates and merchants. This gallant officer and celebrated traveller was surrounded by his staff and his friends, all eyes were turned upon him with looks of admiration and regard ; he had escaped the dangers of battle and travel—the field of Waterloo and the deserts of Africa. He returned here to rest after his many perils and enterprises—he now rests in his silent grave. This day the same hands bore the pall of his coffin, which a little month ago grasped his in con- gratulation and joy. In the freshness of his fame, and in the vigour of his manhood—even he succumbs to the destiny which awaits all who have the temerity to intrude on this awful spot—where death sits high en- throned. lie was interred with all the military honours of a soldier, and with the still more precious honours of tears and of sorrow poured over Isis grave. Ere another mouth be passed, many who followed his obse- quies will themselves be borne to the same place of rest, and become tenants of the same seyulchre. You will now ask me what is the cause of this place being so pestilential. I cannot tell you. Its site is most beautiful and picturesque. It is a spot which the admirer of nature's beauties could contemplate with delight for hours, days, and nights. After taking a night view of it, certainly his admiration would not extend further, as it, and his life also, would be cut short by a remittent fever. To talk of miasmata, animal and vegetable decomposition, would be to use terms merely to conceal my ignorance. Write to me soon, else it may be, so far as I am concerned, a dead letter. When you write, put Mg the cover, "if dead, to be returned to," &c.—ShiSield
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