New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-22
WINTER IN THE BAHAMAS.

from the North River with passengers and freight
for Nassau, New Providence, and Havana 80
party Of invalds seeking a milder climate aooI
the spires and shores OF EewYork as they Fuu
Iy faded away. The next night, as INC IouHo "a
orb dipped into the burning waves, and the PuiP
gold had melted into leaden ana duh s'"9' ~.
twinkle on the horizon proclaimed 'he pioo-le , .o
teras light that warning Of treaoherou' oH1 ,,,
beaten sand coast with lines OF snoaio o. ,,, oo,
breakers the terror of many tall snip anu s"iI
t. 40 ho,rs the vessel breastedia smooth sea- "on 10
came bluer and clearer under ciouoless shy "uu u
blv warmer atmosphere, TILL on the louIth Ho"h' "o
h,ad the hole in the wall at Abaco the most northern
I'm Rabama Islands From the bare elm on winch the
btbouse stands runs dark buttress, some quarter
90 n,Ie long I'm the center Of which yawning cavity
has beep worn by the friction Of the ceaseeSs waters,
which pour through the strait between this island ana
that OF Eeuthera distant about 40 miles TO the SOUTH
east into the Atlantic The Gulf Stream passes nside OF
Abace where stretch of 70 miles divides this group
from the coast of Florida
NASSAU DURING AND SINCE THE REBELLION
An easy run of As miles AbacO brought ms to the
bar OF the harbor Of Nassau which the tall cocoa
trees and Madeira mahogany waved on the low nights
which were crowned by the Governors residence ana
Fort Charlotte. imposing pile which commands the
western entrance 20 the harbor Gayly-dressed ana
painted whaeboats manned by negroes swarmed around
us The officer Of the Port, the Custom House Official
and the Adutant Of the Garrison In neat linen tunies
with goldbanded cap red silk swordscarf and tassels
eourteousy welcomed us 20 what seemed fairy Isle
On andncaIa stone staircase in q sold level quay tho
courthouse and public buildings faced us with pheasant
smooth green TO of the glare of the which s so
strong as make necessary the use Of white umbrellas
lined with green which had the foresight to bring
with In the yard of the courthouse stands gigantic
cOOn-tree whose limbs each big as the largest tree
In Central Park spread over wide green with bright
waving leaves aud clusters OF yellow flowers just fadng
The first impression is charming The happy character
ha0p
heads sheaves OF Indian corn baskets of gorgeous fruit
or trays OF bright crabs aud Holsters, their ganeing
bright eyes and white teeth, joined to the remarkably
fine figures and TALL straight limbs OF these Bahamias,
form quite contrast TO the pale checks OF most OF the
white inhabitants particularly the ladies, who adhere to
the unhealthy habit OF NewYork Of envelopng the
whole head hat and oil, In thick. brown gauze. mper'
vious TO both light and air. Nassau enjoyed feverisb
and fictitious prosperity during the blocEaderunnng Of
the Southern Rebellion from the reaction Of which she
IS now heavily suffering Then her wharVes were crowded
with merchandise, her harbOr with tier upon tier OF
steamers. Gold and cotton erammed her shores while
the countless hordes strangers who rushed to the
carious harvest, compelled the Legislature TO build
hotel for their accommodation there being available
means from private enterprise Fortunately they de-
ternined upon durable and handsome edidee. An
eminent New-York builder directed TO
undertake it in accordance with the exigencies
of the climate, and by its stone corridors and Railways
desideraa of strength, cleanliness and thorough ven
lation. All the solids imported from New-YOrR
There is abundance Of ice In the Government stores at
very moderate price, and fruit fish, and vegetables, OF
excellent quality. abundant The charge was 50
day for adults From the eupOa at the top OF the build
ing, the view the harbOr shipping on the sant
Islands hand, and the wooded champaign land
of the interior to the Baion hills the other, is posi-
lively enchanting, aud 1t not for the unavoidable
adjuncts of tropical climate. life would be an unalloyed
blessing Owing the ceaseless ascent OF the heated AR
above the warm waters OF the Gulf stream reverend
ing current Of colder air from the Atlantic p0urs over
Nassau to supply the vacuum thus created Unlike the
other West India Islands, where the swelterng land
bakes under the tord sum- until the cool evening sea
freshness which enables US to traverse the
of the Island. during the heat Of the midday
September aud October had cooled the refreshed
aud clematis bloomed uxuranty in the gardens. aud
festoOned the YeraDdahs and roofs OF the isolated villas
overlooked by the lofty windows Of the hotel. which
stands far above tle town The roads being all under
Government control. are wide and well macadanlzed
the spacious prison. erected by NewYork contractors
lust outside the town, could see them march out each
be well cared for both IN clothing aud food and aid
ISLAND being small only % miles by s. escape is
almost impossible. They were nearly al colored'
BUCCANEERS IN THE oLDEE TINE. .
Carriages being plenty and cheap we explored the
shore eastward along the Bay 70 the OLD Spanish Fort
arieryman, at the narrow eastern entrance OF the har
Dor. Here mere handful of English from Charles
town landed, and, frightening the Spanish garrison
Of the town by reports OF an overwhelming e1Pe-
dqon induced the commander to surrender l. IT, to the
than hundred years It's proecorate nearly nom
naaimost the whole control being In the hahqs OF the
two Chambers Of the Legislature, the Crown having
veto which rarely exercised The population Is about
spOnses and in looking out for wrecks on the hundred
ets, bays and reefs tie Greater and Lesser Banks
Providence is placed, Nassau being its cap.
tai. This was the scene also of the exploits
treasures rival those of northern Captain Kidd,
Strange to on inQuring OF the sexton OF the eastern
parish OF ST. Mathew, he showed us tombstone OF one
Piney, companion OF Blackboard, who reformed ms
aud died ~ the odor OF ssnoty foil Of years and
youth lac knew woman, who described having In her
The black flag flying and the females pouring down for
their OF the silks and neries which formed part OF
the plnpder We found Tins strange Renaissance con-
SPORTS, P1c.NICs, AND EXCURSIONS.
affords delightful lounge and picnic grounds. In front
islands covered with bright yerdure and dotted with
Sails this being the highway FROM the other inhabited
islands OF the group ana the quarantine ground with us
white octagon Duidgs ana nsSstan %ne on tae n
Providence, along which drive OF eight or ten miles
through has been very tastey ald out by the
Government To the westward an equally good road
runs past the fortress 20 the bays and cliffs where
cmsIonay an unusually heavy sea makes sad work Of
the cIseways. There are two large lakes aOonnding
with pigeons in and Wild ducks during the
Sf @ a a e a gY head Of S larger S aE
whchis balfuile from the The road through
the pine forest at the back Of the town. with us fresh cool
smell of the fir T. another treat for the lnVahd
though such good repair the shore roads and
not s much used for traffic. most of the goods being car
ried the head by troops OF guls, VINO greeted
n, with pleasant laughter and kindly courtesy as we
spun past them ID our buggy. Another pleasant eXcur
sion Is the harbOr about quarter OF nile 10
Hog Island and the Dry Dock where We enjoyed many
pleasant sail in the yacht Colleen Bawn. formerly Ia
nous cup winner at the regattas IN New.YOrk Har0Or
We also had many agreeable stroll on the hard silver
sand Of tie northern shore, extending for miles under
the low cliff which the house is erected Inc view
from the yerandah the foaming breakers, ldShng
low reefs which oppose AN efectua barrier 10 the
sweep OF the Atlantic Is delightful as the ar is never
chilly, however fresh the gale may blow. From the
cnnnl the ton Of the house IS The best coup M on