CHAMBERS'S POCKET MISCELLANY. A DAY AT SIERRA LEONE. In the early part of 1852, one of the Cape mail-steamers, taking the route then prescribed for that line, put into the harbour of Free Town, Sierra Leone, and remained there about twelve hours, thus giving the passengers time to see something of the small, but singular, and, in a certain way, interesting settlement. It was by the establishment of this Cape line of steamers in 1851 that Sierra Leone was for the first time brought within the route of ordinary travellers, from whom an impartial and unprejudiced account of it might be expected. We had hoped to reach Sierra Leone on Sunday morning, just a fortnight after leaving Cape Town, but were disappointed. The wind was contrary, and the increasing warmth of the atmosphere and the water (diminishing the condensing power of the engine) was also unfavourable to our progress. The air was filled with vapour, and showers fell occasionally. Towards night, the horizon was veiled with so thick a haze, that it was difficult to distinguish the line of separation between sky and sea. Soundings were taken in the afternoon, and |