Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-03-10
AliseclIanp.
scenes in San Domingo.

nc correspondents VI lnc NcW ioIh
York papers send interesting accounts of
the condition of men and things on the
Islaud We make few extracts
We landed at SANTANA, from the ships
boats on wretched wharf which runs
out about 100 feet into the shallow wa
ter; and if the village looked comical
from the frigate, what shall / say Of the
nearer view? The platform swarmed with
men, women and children, of all shades
of color, gazing open-eyed and open
en.mouthed upon the strange arrival
At least half the children under eight
years of age were as naked as when they
first came into this wicked world. The
offspring of this innocent population usu-
ally begin to toddle about the streets
when they are little above the size of
large sweet potatoe, and it is not custo-
mary to clothe them in SO much as
fg-leafuntil they are at least five years
old. Clothing, even at that age, is look
ed upon as superfuous as often as not,
and have seen some pretty well adyan-
ced children with nothing on worth men
tioning 1t seems to be one of the uu-
written laws of fashion that the young
shall never wear more than one garment
at at time. fla mother has given her
child shirt, that is enough if coat is
more handy, let a coat suffice; and, in
deed, it is not uncommon for all the pur-
poses of convenience and adornment to
be answered by hat or pair of shoes.
Among the lower classes-if l may be
pardoned the expression -economy in
costume is not confined to the children.
There are men whose whole wardrobe
consists of pair of pantaloons, and wo-
men who boast of no garment whatever
but torn calico gown--not SO much as
a ragged handkerchief. One of the men,
bers of the Commission assures me that,
in the interior, the full dress of gentle
man sometimes consists of broad-brim-
med hat and rusty sword, tied around
the loins with belt of bark. | don't
wish to be understood as making this
statement on my personal responsibility /;
but evidently we shall have a great deal
to get used to in Santo Domingo.
X
There is nothing on wheels to be seen
here-not even the rudest sort of cart.
Everything is carried on oxen, asses, po-
MES or mules, or by hand. The most
common beast of burden. or for riding
on by the people of the interior when
they come to town." is small bull
The rider, who is often woman or girl,
sits astride on a rude wooden saddle,
without stirrups,.. the naked feet and legs
hanging dangling down nearly to the
ground. In place of bride or other
head gear to guide the bull, there is a
ring in the nose of the animal, with a
single cord attached to it. Literally
these stunted and docile little bulls are
led by the nose. One of our party was
SO amused with the comical sight of a
half nude young woman sitting astride
one of these animals as she rode through
the village that he declared he had seen
Europe. Judging from the appearance
of the women from fourteen years of age
and upwards, and the numerous children
here, the human family is as prolific as
the soil. As in all tropical countries,
females arrive at puberty at an early age.
Considering the large families women
have, and at the same time the very lin.
tied population, it ia evident there are
causes at work to cut off the people rap
idly. What are these2 The frequent
revolutions and intestine wars contribute
undoubtedly to keep the country depop-
ulated, but there must be other causes.
The ignorance Of the people, and their
mode of living, may account for many
deaths; still the country cannot be as
healthy as has been represented to us al
SANTANA. White people, particularly
those Of the United States and Northern
Europe, could not labor in cultivatinp
the soil. If ever st. Domingo be made
productive, it must be through other la.
borers. The question is, where are they
to come from and how are they to be con.
trolled or induced tc labor?
<
Santo Domingo City is nothing but a
ruin. l have been here now two days
and have searched vainly for new
house, a fresh brick, newly quarried
stone, or lately sawed scantling. Ap.
parently there is not, in the whole city a
structure that is not 200 years old. All
the houses bear the proof of great age.
Crumbling stones, concrete falling to de.
cay, ivy and other vines clinging to the
walls, moss and mold and discoloratiou
everywhere. Every street is but copy
of its fellows. Its houses are like pris.
ons, with thick walls, massive doors, and
barred windows.
/ L.