Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-03-29

! one rlde in particular, is beyond the power of
description. The morning alr was delightful,
che scenery one long panorama of fascination
md beauty. The brllliancy OF the foliage the
variety Of fruits, the waving OF the Cocoa nut
md palm, the deep green leaves Of the splendid
mango as it autters in the breeze disclosing lis
'ack VI velvet brown, the grandeur OF the
| covering maboga " tamarlnd5 locusts, eedlrs,
8lld oranges and u thousand others, gorgeous
nd lnnumerabl3 flowers the irreguaruy Of
he landscape, with hlis dales, and running
streams, constantly emerging into openings
sprDkled with rude cabins AID scanty plauta-
ions, with small fields OF cotton and sugar.
alne, the canes ten feet high and as large as
ones welsl, patches ct bananas and corn, and
re finest situations for larms, now idle aud neg
cted, all seemed enticlng ana invite the hand
OF the enteIprs ng laborer
We passed through deep glen lined on each
'Ide with trees fifty feet high, the ground COW
red with the sOittst mos, the sides rising high
,bove US, all grown over " h the most beautl-
vi and strange plants and shrubs, interpreted
with rocks and cropping leaves, and luXuriant
.erns, dense, green, varied and brilliant, a Law
sh wealth Of beauty and glory which one can
4eyer see except III tropical lands. The strange,
,ub1ued light, as we were shut 10 from the
outward world for space Of ten minutes,
seemed like vision OF fairy life, and our voices
we're hushed in mute surprise and wonder We
.ssued lorlh into the clear sunlight, and came
lpon little hamlel OF rude Bohas With clus
.ers OF trees gardens, bee.hiyes, and an air Of
1ali cvlIz luOn a change sudden enough, but
'nlI picturesque. The appearance Of 50 many
Americans seemed t produce an unusual tx
iitement. Men, women and children came out
70 give US a slight nod Of recognition.
Our guide annoyed us by stopping to chat
whenever he lett inclined, without the slightest
elerence to our convenience. The Bohlas or
luts Of the natives are generally without floors;
Ghelr beds II they have any, mats OF palm leaf
stretched on four posts driven lnO The ground
Jgs and poultry 03cupy the eame room with
he family. Now ana then you hnd some at
.enpt at neatness, but usually their wants are
900 easily supplied. The climate requires little
care Tor shelter or clothing and nature provides
food
There is no Systematic agriculture. Plow.
ing Is almost unknown. The land affords the
most extensive pastuiage for cattle, and is every
where capable Of the hlgaest culture and IN
cnense returns. SIX hours day throughout
che year would give more results from labor
than our summer farming. Prices for produce
ire irregular and exhOrbltant, owing TO the
people and the lack Of competition. Potatoes
"a per barrel corn 1925 per bushel string
beans aud peas 50 per bushel, eggs 80 cents per
ioz.n, milk 80 cents per quart both the lat
or quite diihcult to get, tue natives finding it
to much trouble to catch the cows to milk them,
Or to look after the eggs
All the mechanic arts are mperfectly carried
out There is no machinery except ore steam
mil, upon the northern side OF the island
All corn, coffee, spices, ETC.. are pounded OF
ground Ia hand mil. Every trade seems neg
Iected but cabinet making, which is very in
differently done tailoring well dene. Carpen
tors and masons are rude workmen.
Think of land within seven days sail, where
the climate Is laultll SIS Astounding In the rich
est cabinet and dye woods It's soil of extraor
binary fertility, unbroken for centuries, capable
u maturing three crops Of corn and our ordi
nary vegetables every year, suited to the cult
satlon vi spices, caue, these last requiring 10
be renewed but once in seven years the sur
face OF the land exceedingly diversified, and
licked all over with brightness; a land where
here is no ueed OF expensive houses or barns,
shere cattle, hogs and sheep can be raise1 ns
ash as in Illinois; where good water, build
ing materials, and all the appliances Of life are
close at hand but now dormant and desolate
-peopled by race capable of culture and ele-
Satlon under inspiring Influences, governed BY
hose who perilled SO much 10 its discovery and
huid 1t now at a ruinous cost. Who shall 70
deem this land from its sleep, and awake 1t to
life and energy?
| never once looked out upon the rising day
hat did not ache to see the time when Iteta-
cure, enterprise, the mechanic arts, anu well
applied labor, should unlock the doors to its
b1undless wealth to see the poor degraded PEG
pie lifted into Wholesome emulation, to some
ie.ire for a higher lie, to "A destiny In harmony
With the eauty, magnlfcence and grandeur o
this new Garden OF Elem.