Lord Auckland's letters, it has been shown that, among much else,
Lord Dundonald made special study of the actual condition and the
possible improvement of Bermuda, both as a convict settlement and as a
centre of defence against any attacks that might be made upon the West
Indies. He suggested various beneficial changes for the strengthening of
its fortifications and for lessening its unhealthy character by better
drainage and other expedients. In all of these he was supported by Lord
Auckland. But from the new First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Francis
Baring, he met with less encouragement. Bermuda had been made a subject
of inquiry by a Parliamentary Committee, and the House of Commons being
averse to any further expense, Sir Francis Baring was compelled to
countermand much of the action that had been resolved upon.

With Sir Francis Baring Lord Dundonald corresponded on little but
strictly official matters, and therefore their letters are of less
general interest than those which passed between him and Lord Auckland.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

LORD DUNDONALD'S VISITS TO THE NORTH AMERICAN AND WEST INDIAN COLONIES,
AND HIS OPINIONS THEREON.--NEWFOUNDLAND AND ITS
FISHERIES.--LABRADOR.--BERMUDA; ITS DEFENCES AND ITS GEOLOGICAL
FORMATION.--BARBADOES.--THE NEGROS.--TRINIDAD.--ITS PITCH LAKE.--THE
DEPRESSED CONDITION OF THE WEST INDIAN COLONIES.--LORD DUNDONALD'S
SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT.

[1848-1850.]

The foregoing chapter consists chiefly of extracts from letters
addressed to Lord Dundonald during 1848. In the present one free use
will be made of his own journal of a tour among the colonies and islands
whose interests he was appointed to watch as Admiral of the North
American and West Indian squadron.[22] It furnishes much interesting
information about the places visited, and has also additional interest
as illustrating the writer's tone of mind and method of investigation
concerning every object that came in his way. The journal describes his
occupations during eight months, beginning with the summer of 1849, and
includes reminiscences of less systematic visits to the various
localities made during the previous year. Leaving Halifax, in Nova
Scotia, on the 14th of July, Lord Dundonald proceeded northwards, passed
Cape Breton Island to Newfoundland, the fisheries of which it was part
of his duty to protect.

[22] Published in 1861 as a pamphlet, entitled, "Notes on the
Mineralogy, Government, and Condi