The Republican journal., 1869-12-23

dence' along which a drive OF eight or ten
miles through the trees has been very taste
fully laid out by the Government. To the
westward an equally good road runs past
the fortress TO the bays and cliffs, where oc-
casionally an unusually heavy sea makes sad
work OF the cauSeWays. There are two
large lakes abounding with wild pigeons in
one season and wild ducks during the other
We had many a days sport rowing on the
smallerand hunting in the caves at the head of
the larger lake, which is short halfmile from
the sea. The road through the pine forest
at the back OF the town, with its fresh cool
smell OF the 1ir cones, is another treat for the
lnNaild, though not in such repair as the
shore roads and not as much used for
tralllc' most of the goods being carried on
the mead by tl1ops of girls, who greeted us
with pleasant laughter and kindly courtesy
as we spun past them in our buggy. Another
pleasant excursion is across the barbor.
about quarter of mile. to Hog Island and
the Dry Dock, where we enjoyed many a
pleasant sail in the yatcht Colleen Bawn,
formerly famous cup winner at the regattas
in New York harbor We also had many an
stroll on the hard silver sand of
the northern Shore extending for miles under
the low cliff on which the house is erected
The view from the varandah, over the foam
ing breakers, lashing the low reefs, which
oppose an etfectual barrier to the sweep Of
the Atlantic, is delightful, as the air is never
chilly, however fresh the gale may blow.
From the cupola at the top of the house is
the best coup d oeil of the harbor and its en-
trance, the bright green and white house,
peeping out Of the luxuriant vegetation and
nearer still the wooded knolls of Hog Islands
a famous station for pigeon-shooting as the
flocks fly over the main island.
The deep sea fishing all round these waters
is most excellent. Agriculture, properly speak
ing, is out of the question in these islands.
the soil being coral tufa, deeply creyiced,
II the holes of which, filled by black mould
from decayed vegetation, the roots of the
trees find abundant nourishmcnt There il
therefore no underground, and only where
this tuiu has been pounded or covered with
light sand, is there room for grass, so there
is but little pasture. The avocado pear, the
mango, the sapodilla, and the massonec.
grow to great SIZE as also does the tamarind.
| the most pleasant and graceful garden tree,
while bananas and grapes wave their grace
| ful leaves over every little plot along the
shore road, The pineapple, which is the
staple of the fruit commerce of the islands, il
| principally cultivated at Eleuthera and ST.
| Salvador, the place of the first landing Of
1
with fine central lake, about l. hours sail
| from the eastern end of Nassau. Oranges
and lines seem almost the weed of these
islands. In November we saw them hang
ing in rich yellow clusters upon the boughs,
still white with fresh blossoms while the
guava, both the yellow and the white, dot
ted the dark green shrubs in almost marvel
| lous luXuriancc. One of the most pleasant
OF the fruits is the sour sop. Some of Ills
liked the sugar apple, but it was too sweet
| for my taste. At early breakfast, or under
a cool awning at luncheon, Il luscious pine.
! not cut with 4 knife in slices, but dug out i'll
I fresh cool Jumps with the fork is one of the
most delicious morsels for the gourmand ~
well as the fastidous invalid.
| OF course in this latitude, the day lasts but
| little over II hours, but, owing to there being
no heavy dews, the nights are cool and re-
freshing, without their fascinating temptation
to remain out of doors proving dangerous
Owing to the presence OF Royal garrison
there was excellent music and no lack uf
hospitality from the officials and other resi-
dents Of the town. Constantly the cruisers
Of the station ran in for the news of the COM
plications of the Cuban question, in which
the sympathies OF the whole population were
deeply engaged and the streets were enli-
vened by the gay. uniforms and merry pranks
OF Jack ashore. Certainly not one day passed
but we We're able pleasantly to pass many
hours in the open air. Storms both of wind
and ram. though violent, shor, lived.
The medical care was both good and court
cous, and our invalids found the benefit they
hoped-bathng every day in the sea through
out the whole season. Altogether on our
| ret,m to New York, we left the Bahamas
| its fishing, picnics, rowing clubs, pigeon and
duck scrambles and happy evenings, with
unalloyed regret.