The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-05
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION.

Bermuda, April IS, 1886.
DEAR SIR: Perhaps short notice of this singular
group Of islands, whose characteristics are not yery
generally known In the United States, may not be
wholly without interest to you. They are situated
IN latitude 3zo 1850 miles from Cape Hatteras,
me nearest iand-are about 400 in number, and are
said to contain about 800 square acres. Many Of
the islands are, however mere rocks, covered with
a thin soil, on which stnnted cedars hardly gain
twenty-five miles from T. 10 W. is,
believe, their extent, and no where will the land ex-
coed in width three miles. From the littlo map
which send herewith, you viii get better idea Of
their position and comparative size than can other
wise give you,
Nature has made the islands almost impregnable
On the north, the reefs extend quite fifteen niles AT
the east, about four at the northeast Ave; and at
the northwest and west about seven and the chan
nels are narrow and intricate. st. Georges harbor
Is most accessible and affords excellent anchorage
Tor vessels OF any burden. The main entrance Is
quite narrow-I should think not over one hundre
yards IN width. To a nervous person, beating into
this harbor seems rather a delicate operation; but
accidents rarely happen. The channel is very
deep, and vessel may run close to the rocks with
out danger. Vessels drawing eight or ten feet are
able TO enter this harbor through the "ferry" and
Is common for them, when the wind is ahead in the
main channel, to go out through that passage. 81.
Dayld's island completely LANDLORDS the harbor IL
10 difficult TO get vessel, drawing more than twelve
feet, into Hamton and the entrance is circuitous-
for instance, If the land is made at the west and the
vessel gets through the "cats passages through
the reefs, she passes round Ireland island down be-
tween the "stags," and from thence picks her way
TO the harbor; and she cannot get out again unless
the wind Ii in a certain direction. Or, instead Of
passing Ireland, she may run down the south side
Of Bermuda, passing st. Georges, and go up the
channel on the west side, in the dotted line
Hamilton is small town, but being, as YOU observe.
IN he Of he ala 10 #
siderable trade, and is the seat of government Not
far from Hamilton, on the northern shore, is Mount
Langton, the residence Of the governor. IL il a
beautiful place, commanding fne view Of the sur
rounding country and the sea. st. Georges has
about the same population Hamilton. The val
ley IN which Il 10 situated is open the harbor on
the south, and the narrow, hgh-waled streets, and
prison-like appearance Of the business part Of
the town, give il rather a forbidding ap-
pearance TO a stranger. The hills around
ST. Georges are generally fortified, and the fort-
hcauons are Of a most permanent character. Ire
pot for the station. Southwest Of Hamilton, on
Gibbs's hill, 245 feet from high-water level cast
ron lighthouse has been erected, not yet lighted.
From high-water level to centre of lamp is 36l feet
nches and 378 feet inches to top Of the vane and
should be seen from the deck Of vessel 26 or "a
miles, and .nny, depending on the s.aie Of the at
mosphere, be seen 40 or "a miles. There are about
300 conviets on the islands, who are kept at work
On the Notifications. ...i T. sI''L w
The rock of the islands 10 of a peculiar character
IL seems TO be composed wholly Of finely puiyer-
zed shells, and resembles hard mortar. When first
luarried 1t is white, very porous, and sof, as to
be easily cut with a aaw vet when "curedi'bv ex-
posure to the air, it becomes hard and is universal
y used for building. Roofs even are covered with
thin slabs Of this same stone, and when the whole
building is plastered, and whitewashed, it has a
very neat and pretty appearance. 1t is common
sight TO see sitting by the road side, cutting
with hand saw, from large blocks, this thin
stating.
The cedar is the universal growth, and Is seid to
De (for Bermudians partial to their country }
relative, if not the cedar of Lebanon. Early i'm
oressions cause us to regard tho "cedars of Leba-
non" as the Tonarchs Of vegetation, and can but
think one of those venerable trees would turn cold
shoulder to member Of the Rermudian branch,
should Of that puny family dare to claim very
near relationship. But the wood is highly priced
or ship building, for it is fine grained, very heavy
and almost indestructible Most of the tropical
fruits and many of those of the north, can be pro-
1uced here. The peach grows luxuriantly, and the
sweet orange is quite equal to the Cuba The cul-
vation Of fruit, however Of any kind is but little
attended to. Coffee can be raised, and tobacco
grows wild; and when properly cured, is of excellent
quality. The palmetto often attains height of 20
Or 80 feet. Arrow-root is the staple. II requires
but little attention, and is not much affected by the
Winds which are very destructive 70 other crops.
Orange and peach trees in the winter season (the
all is the time of planting) are often completely
stripped of their blossoms by the winds. observed
, few days since the tops of some Irish potatoes
'lnckened by the winds, as much as if they had
,een touched by FROST have been told that the po-
alto rot CONFINED to the Irish potato) has made its
appearance here but is confined to crops where the
eed was obtained from .fmerica Two crops of pota.
os can be raised in year.
The appearance ofthe land is a continued success
ZION Of steep elevations covered with low cedars and
short grass. In the valleys the soil is of
bright red color, owing probably to the decomposed
'adar. Here the cedars grow to larger size, and
'ome valleys are almost darkened by those trees
80 narrow is the land that there s hardly a spot
hat does not command view Of the water, and in |
/ driving storm, the spray will almost fly from sea
sea, and yet there are but few Of the natives who
lave ever been off the rocks Of Bermuda. The
Dads are excellent, are often cut through the hills,
md in passing over the country, one often finds a
perpendicular and smooth wall Of solid rock from 10
o 20 feet high on either hand The views from the
ill tops are very beauful-water on all sides, and
iteray dotted with islands-some covered with a
tense growth Of cedars, others growing in
Jumps, their dark foliage contrasting beautifully
With the snowwhite buildings that are perched on
he hi-tops, or nestled in the valleys, and every
blade of grass as green as if nature had just given it
IN additional coloring.
AS to the climate, my experience has not been
,ery favorable. In January, February, March,
md even in this month, we have had great deal
If unpleasant weather. Violent rain storms, high
Winds, and damp atmosphere, that chills one more
han really cold dry weather II is not cold enough
make frost, but it seems to chill ones very bones
Dwellings are generally damp; for the stone, when
lot properly plastered, will absorb water like a
ponge; and yet, in but few houses, are there to
70 found fre-places do not wonder that people
lie here with nsumption-living without fires, in
welIings so damp that may almost wash his
ace in the drippings from the wallis | think new
n experienced more changeable climate: il varies
With the wind During those northern storms, Ber-
nuds looks truly dismal and it is then that those
errible reefs, that grde the islands, m AXE them
elves visible. Miles seward north and south, the
lea is piled up in an unbroken wall Of foam upon
he reefs-the rain falls in torrents and the winds
literally yell as they pass. Wo hetide the vessel
hat, at such times, touches the rocks Oak and iron
melt at the touch.
There are some springs on the islands; but rain
water is generally used Every dwelling has its
cemented within, Often, In the ooun-
ry, the side Of hill is paved with stone slabs, plas-
sred and whitewsshed, to catch the raini and nom
hese slides, resembling banks Of snow, the water
into nka N the f,of IF hill MANY duel |