The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-24


feet. ..... 4s6a 3s474
LignuniyitG and ebony tons ~ 80.
beeswax, cwt. ........... p34 966
honey, gallons. ........., $3.50 6,25l
Logwood, tons .......... 5Ol5 $3.50
Lancewood and spars. 1000 1882
sugar S hnds. .....'''....- 1861 1889
Rum, puncheons. ....... 6,233 1913
SoHee, IDS. .........- .l,23s,54 2,S69,475
With this increase it cannot, however, be said that
the prosperity of all classes in the island has kept
pace. On the contrary, the blacks seem to grow
poorer and more dependent each year; and the ship
ing interest also considerably affected. Vessels from
the Spanish MaE which heretofore were accustomed
to clear from Kingston with assorted cargoes, now
sail from ST. TEomas and from conversations we had
with several Merchants, it would appear lesser du
ties ard greater inducements to be found at the lat
ter island Ause much Of the trade hitherto carried
on at Jamaica to be transferred to her rival.
The Late importation of coolies has met with
success, the majority hanging about Kingston in
state OF, abject poverty, depending on theft and
charity for their support. Without such ADVENT
tious aid, there are plenty of iaborers in the coun
try If they could he got to work: but the niggers,
naturally ndolent, are satisfied so long as bounteous
nature supplies them with the means of sustaining
life BY the mere pucking of the fruits which grow
in such abundance. So far, il il confessed by the
most intelligent merchants, the emancipation of the
niggers has been injurious both TO the liberated and
the commercial interests of jamaica Many of the
largest sugar estates were abandoned or sold OIL at
sacrifice, and not till within the last few years,
when colonial produce got up in the market were
they looked upon as of any value. Now, as the
market has a downward tendency this temporary
prosperity will be checked, and things relapse into
their ordinary condition. The former rich planters,
growing year after year more impoverished, have
got low in the scale Of existence that the female
members prefer to live in state OF gen.
teel prostitution than earn a decent livelihood
by honest labor Some signs of social improvement
are observable among the more thrifty OF the black
population. Education, precept, encouragement and
example are doing something toward their elevation,
but as general fue, the sight of well-to-do in
dustrious and respected niger is like angels visits,
few and far between
The prices paid in the several branches of mechani
cal, commercial and professional life are nearly as
fouows:-Laborers, Is. day; mechanics, from Is.
Cd. to Is. day: clerks, from go TO fl00 year;
female domestics 81 awcek: physicians charge, 50 for
the first visit and sl4 for each subsequent Board
can be had from So TO So week. good two story
house, with drawing rooms, parlor, bedrooms, bath,
&c, coachhouse and garden attached, can be rented
for 800 or $50 year. Commercial situations
almost entirely filed by Europeans, the coored
creoles not being very remarkable for observance
of the Seventh Commandment. The habits of in
diligence which most young clerks and government
officials contract in the country such to induce
premature old age, and more frequently lead TO an
nntimey grave. Such as keep apart from sensual
and tipping habits enjoy not only good health but
are sure, with industry, economy and enterprise to
realize handsome competence. Land can be bought
a
ton Of twenty within four miles of kingston
which was lately purchased for one hundred dollars.
Good engineers, thoroughly understanding their bust
ness, are in demand, and receive high compensation.
Some five or six years ago an attempt was made
70 introduce the cotton plant. A company, with a
capital of 100000, came from England, bought an
estate, aud planted a crop. Notwithstanding all
their efforts IL turned out total failure, the quality
being excellent but It's growth sparse and irregr
lar it would not pay for the expense of its picking.
An effort also made to introduce the grape cnl
ture but this also failed for similar reason There
two crops Of sugar in the yearat Christma and
in the month OF August. Every acre produces on
average one ton of sugar, the cost price of
which is IRON fl3 to flt. Manufactured rum costs
from IS 10 GO, a duty of 2s. being charged on all
used for home consumption.
In stroll through Kingston the poets description
of the Lusian capital came forcbly to my mind
But whose entereth within this town,
psconsolate will wander up and down,
Md many things unsightly TO strange ee
Pigs, dogs and goats seemed 10 have unbounded
liberty. Passing up of the unpaved. piebad and
dilapidated streets, which are like our unsca-
veDgered lanes, my oliaetory organs We're RECALLED
with the scent Of dead hog in high state Of putre
faction, which did not give the slightest uneasiness
20 the sooty pedestrians Of that locality We after
wards learned il had remained for several days in
that condition. No wonder that in 10, and suisse
quenty cholera decimated the population. The
women walked about without hoops stays, or any
of those Northern restraints in the full display of
those beauties which rise fall nature pleasesn
with their manners, which reminded me Of Byrons
remark
what men cal r7'altrv, and gods adult'ry,
IL much too common where the climates sultry.
At the solicitation Of Mr.. Arnaboldi an enterpris.
ing merchant Of the place 10 whom am indebted
for many favors. / accompanied him In a drive
around The suburbs. Proceeding 10 Up-Park Camp,
alb ut two miles from the city and two hundred feet
above the level OF the sea, we passed the
course, a mile in circumference and admirably
adapted for the trial Of equestrian proves. Asking
my friend II Jamaica was favorable TO the breed Of
horses. he informed me they TO be found there
good a. Ia England, and that a Mr.. Henry Davis,
well known breeder. had lately sold one for
5000. Speaking Of the races, which periodically
take place, he remarked. 80 the speed attained i
generally mile in two minutes and the winner
must come In with the which lie lighted at the
start, In full blast The idea I thought good
puff for Jamaica jockeyisIn.
Presently the strsss OF martial music foated on
the gentle breeze which was tanning orr moist TEN
piles. A few more evolutiOns Of the wheels intro
duced US in the midst Of one Of the most magnif-
cent plateaus ever beheld, 20 a gay, fashionable
and select assembly. OF the Kingston aristocracy
who were listening TO one Of Donezetti's operas
Ia File de Regiment '-played in excellent style
by band composed altogether Of colored musicians.
The company were all either en- horseback. or seat
ed in carriages. il not being the fon for claimants
TO upper ten distinction 20 appear on foot. The
Hon Mr. Exquisite wore his Jouyin's white vest and
SPY glass with as much grace as IL be were ogng
on the Fifth avenue; while the McFlmsies were
outdreseed IN the very pink OF New York
fashion. and looking ~ II their sole occu-
patton was 10 love and be loved. Yonder. for
over twenty miles the eye dilates on the tender
azure Of the unrufed deep" Around you mountain
sitter mountain asoends 60 the height Of near seven
thousand feet the falling mists Of evening yelling
their imbruwned sides and the variegated maze of
sun tinted trees, and the vernal carpet which your
feet press with joy, giving 20 this beauteous and
glorious ensemble, In a tropical cline grandeur that
nc pen can express. After playing for an hour the
band wound up with God save the Queen" and
the company departed. Returning TO the hospitabIe
residence Of Mr.. Arnabodi. we were entertained by
an agreeable circle OF bis friends: and after enjoying
good cheer and pleasing and instructive converse,
ton the wee ana hours Of the morning found me
vending my way. overloaded with lines pineapples.
bananas and oranges. 20 the Star Of The West"
Adding that Kingston contains ten laryr and well
built churches. a splendid reservoir. post orTce
courts a dinry looking theatre and othor ,nyl;s