The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-11-02
A DRAWBACK.

The greatest drawback to Nassau as Il
winter resort is the absence OF frequent
communication with the rest of the world
Once in two weeks the steamer from New
York touches at the port on its way to
Havana, bringing passengers and mai4s,
but besides this there is no communities
ton, except by sailing vessel. with any
part Of the inhabitable globe. The eX-
element when the steamer is due is quite
refreshing, All occupying rooms COM
handing view of the ocean are on the
lookout with their glasses to detect it in
the distance, or watching the signal sta
non 1T the old fort where t1ag of red
and yellow stripes run up to the masthead
gives notice of its approach. But before
the steamer is out OF sight the letters are
rea and the papers glanced over, and the
whole town and people have fallen into
slumber as deep as Rip Van Wrinkles,
to be awakened again tor a few hours
only on the arrival of the next steamer
OF course, the Inconvenience on account
OF this lack of communication are many,
especially in the matter of letters, but one
falls very quickly into the way OF having
the morning paper only once in two
weeks. for the outside world and all its
concerns soon appear to belong to another
age, and the struggles of the late war in
France were read with the same equanm-
ity as the campaigns of Cesar and Han
nibal.
And yet, notwithstanding its isolation,
Nassau is by no means q lonely place.
The residents are uniformly hospitable,
and even We're they not, among the two
hundred and fifty people and upward
who every winter make the Royal Nicto-
ria Hotel their home, the most fastidious
could hardly fail to find congenial ac-
Iuantances and friends. During the last
winter several gentlemen formed IN
"American Club" renting Il house some
two miles ont OF the city, on a prominent
elevation, where IL fine sea view was to
be had, while a large American flag float
ing high over all made the building quite
a landmark. Wednesday and Saturday
afternoons informal receptions were given
to which ladies were invited, and these
receptions became decidedly popular, and
helped to while away many an afternoon,
all returning about sunset by sailboat or
carriage. A public library Of good size,
containing an unusually well-selected as
Sortment Of books, is finely sustained and
for an insignificant amount the visitor is
admitted to its full privileges
THE FISH MARKET.
A visit to the fish market in the early
morning is worth taking. Along the
edge of the wharf is placed q row of tubs
of water, and in them are live fish swim
ming Justify about while the attendant
negroes stand about with little nets in
hand, and promptly lay out for inspection
any singled out by their customers, prob
ably neat negro woman carrying on her
deposit her marketing. A slight hagglc
torily settled she says excel doze," and
down comes blow on the head of the
tapping wretches. who are speedily trans
ferred to the tray, and the purchaser de-
parts, satisfied, at all events, as to the
freshness of the fish.
These same negroes are a source of
much amusement from their grotesque
action, and from their habit of thinking
aloud; and if one is on the lookout he
my often hear many comical soliloquics,
as | did from an old gray-headed man.
slowly Jogging down the street; when
l way from home | eat all l can; when |
home / eat moderate. OATS parable -
And from woman, evidently in an en-
yious state Of mind: deere goes de
Spanish ladies, wild dere tiowery gowns
and dere gold chains; but" with a
chuckle, ''only so far as de grave" The
small negro boys on the wharf beset you
with, "Give us Il dive, boss;'' and no
matter how small q coin you throw into
the water, they never tail to bring it up
in their teeth at their first attempt.
Nassau is hardly far enough south to
produce its fruit in true tropical luxuri-
ance. Bananas are always 10 be had.
and at low prices, a bunch Ola hundred
and fifty being easily procurable for sew
enty-tive cents. Oranges, too, in their
season are plentiful and cheap; but one
nowhere sees them in the quantities that
are to be found in the islands further
south. There are besides, many other
fruits; pinearples in abundance, lines,
sapadillo, mangoes; it would take much
space to write out the list, but to the av-
erage mortal, with the exception OF ba-
nanas and oranges, and perhaps one or
two others, tropical fruits are decided Y
tasteless and insipid.
1t is seldom that any one wants dead