The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-12-07
LIFE AND. PEOPLE AT THE BERMUDAs.

The Bermudas, named IRON Juan Bermudas are
thus pleasantly described in letter from Mr..
Foote TO the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser:
crease their natural nVtnng . t. IN.
land perfectly secure as a naval station. Every
height or projecting headland is fortified and
brislles with cannon; but the rect that encircles
the whole group at the distance of from one to
ten or more miles, constitutes their real sub
stantial defence There is but one entrance
within this rect, practicable for sea going vessels
and even when within, IT the buoys marking the
channel were removed, vessel, unless ENJOYING
the advantages OF the very best piIotage, would
almost inevitably strike Oh some sharp raj bank
AS it is, no one ever thinks of taxing in a vessel
in the night
| Ireiand's Island is a mass of soft white lime.
Stone, with an area OF perhaps fifty or seventy.
hve acres, the whole OF which is nearly covered
with barracks for the troops, governmental offices
and store houses, and few shops and dwelling
houses mole, beautifully made of the lime
stone, about one thousand feet in length and a
hundred yards or SO from the shore, makes a
small harbor, within which lies the hulk Tor the
convicts. The precise number OF the conyicts
now here, could not learn; but there are prob.
ably over thousand. They do not look like des-
Perate characters, and appear to have pretty
easy time. Tneir chief employment is getting
out and dressing stone, at which they work in
squads, under the eve of an oyerseer. abou,
eight hours day. They are lively and chattv
and many OF them, dare say, are better off than
they ever were before in their lives In their
leisure hours they occupy themselves in reading
such BOOKS as are furnished them, or in making
Toys ana ornaments OF various kinds out OF coral
anu beautiful species of spar that is found
aoundantly in hollows and cavities of the rock
ana bears very high polish. These they sell
shiy 10 visitors alta moderate price,
Inc troops stationed here are the 42d High
ianders-a hne body oil men, but not so staiwart
nor SO martial in their bearing as the esd. stationed
In Canada few years since-and two or three
companies altogether OF artillery and sappers and
miners Strict discipline is maintained and the
utmost vigilance IS at all times observed Some
months ago, when Mitchell, the Irish patriot. as
mere, and there was insane talk in the States
about rescung him, job which would have
proved about as possible sculllng boat up
Niagara Faiis-the guns were all shotted and
manned with ores lighted, ready for instant ser
vice II needed, on the approach of any vessel in
the ofing. Defended as the Bermudas are bv
nature and high art they may be considered al
most imPregnabie Fortunately, war between
the United States and England is an almost i'm.
possible event, but II by any misfortune, should
occur, these Islands would be perfect horn ~ >
nest to 10. With the exception OF St. Helena.
they ars more isolated, that is, farther removed
from any other spot on the globe. The nearest
land Is Cape Hatteras, which is Eve hundred and
eighty miles distant
The precise number of islands and isIets com.
posing the group has never been distinctly as
certained, but is popularity said to be $685. Many
OF them, Of course, are mere points OF rock, few
yards equare. bermuda, the principal island Is
some SIX or eight miles long, with an average
breadth OF perhaps mile. The chief tow n or
capital OF the group. Hamilton. Is on this island
We ran up to Il, about six miles from our snchor.
age, the day after we arrived. The boats in use