New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-11
JAMAICA.
TOWNS AND SOCIETY IN JAMAICA.


KINGSTON, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1854
Nothing has occurred since the departure OF the
George Law TO disturb the calm current of passing
events Even the Christmas and the Newiear holidays
have conduced very little to relieve the enHni which
usually prevails during the recess. The people" whom
il so fashionable to decry, enjoying themselves in
rational manner, and the quieness OF their demeanOr
would do honor TO many who are foremost In stigma
tzng them as the verest barbaraDs in existence. This
think is sufficient answer to those who are wont to
indulge in the cant of retrogression AS The Morning
Journal of yesterday said in its leading article on the
NewYear, it is not little creditabe to the humber
classes of this island that during the six month in which
the Government was in a state Of DISCRIMINATION they
manifested every disposition to remain peaceable and
evinced quiet submission to the laws.
While am ON this subject, may as well point out a
serious which strangers arriving in Kingston from
abroad apt to fall into Because they witness in this
city and ts immediate ycnage customs that are con-
trary TO their notions and civilization, they rashy con-
clude that the faults prevail all over the island,
and on their return home, write big books on the
low scale of intelligence and enlightenment of the pe0
pie of Jamaica Hence, when they see the break
neck gulies, mis-named streets and lanes with which
the city abounds they fancy all the other towns are
alike badly furnished with thOrOughfares These peO-
pie would soon understand that though Paris may be
France, Kingston is not Jamaica, were they to visit
the north side of the island and some Of the towns
in that quarter Falmouth for instance bears the repu
taon and Justly So of being the best laid out town in the
island 1t is the principal town of the parish of Ire
lawny, and ranks next to Kingston in commercial i'm
portance. As it is of the most modern towns in
Jamaica the buildings do not present that appearance
of age and decay which chsracterzes the houses of
Kingston and Spanish Town Neither is the eye IA
tigued with that endless succession Of jaOusie blinds
by which The architecture OF the two last towns Is dis
tineuished, from the preposerous notion that such
conriyances contributed TO cOolness Were they used
as they were intended indeed they might tend TO the
circulation of current of air in the house TO which
they belong but as, to avoid the dust which prevails
in city where you walk snkedeep in sand and dirt,
they kept constantly closed, the only effects which
they have are to darken, while they render the interior
OF the house excessively hot Indeed were the jaousies
Of Kingston house to be thrown open for half an
hour during the prevalence Of strong breeze the fur
nture would soon be in the condition of Dean Swfts
books-coveTed with dirt and il would be Of no use
cleaning them they would get dirty again Nor
the matter mendea during wet weather for then the
impalpabe powder in the streets becomes converted
into mud, rather disagreeabe portion Of which is
soon transferred from the streets to the houses In
Falmouth the streets. unlike those of Kingston consist
of hard mari, and now being kept in admirable
pair. while cleanliness is most scrupulously observed
The houses generally detached from each otherthe
gateway OF one forming the separation from the other
The windows handsome glazed sashes in many in
stances reaching from the ceiling to the foor with
tains Of spOtless muslin calico But the prevailing
taste seems 10 be sashwindov in the center, with
narrow jalousie each side ana in great number Of
the glare Oftbe is prevented from penetrating
by shutterblinds instead of curtains 1t is pity,
however that many Of the houses built entirely
of wood still, there are great number of elegant
brick and stone mansions and stores By the way,
there is not single stone building in either Kingston
or Spanish, Town.
Falmouth boasts Of the most substantial and elegant
courthouse ON the whole island The front is entered
by bne porch, supported BY four massive stone col
unBs. OF the Tuscan order On entering you find your
self in lobby either side of which are the peace
and police Offices as well the other parochia Offices
Tie upper story also contains lobby on the right
hand Of which is the room in which the Quarter SEES
siOns, the Vestries and other important public and
psrochisl meetings held On the left is the bali
room, which is universally admitted TO be the most
spacious well the most elegant on the island It's
attractions are its lofty sash windows suruouaed by
rich gdrd ornaments, and the gorgeous crimson dra-
peTy with which the whole is hung on gala occa
sbBs AT enc end are the Royal and at the other the
Island Arms, in has relief, and richly gided Three
magnificent glass chandeliers are suspended from the
ceiling and add brsncy TO the nights Of fes
tiSty tie cut pendants with which they ornament
Cd sparkling with prismate rays on every movement
Of tie spectator TIE room is surrounded with e0uches
lined with crimson dsmask, but am s5fry to say that
they have been permitted 70 fall into decay. mlss not
ou il to mention the fne llleng portraits. IN Oh.
large as he, a Sir Join AcsEe 40 Tie good SIR