Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-04-04
s.sJv'TO DO.MEyN'GO.

Many circumstances render the history
Of this island peculiarly interesting. Here
was planted the first European colony in the
New World. 1t was the first spot cursed
by the introduction OF African slavery, and
the place where the great movement for the
extinction of human servitude commenc-
ed. On this island has been welded the
power of almost every European govern
ment, the blood of whose children has been
lavishly poured forth upon Its soil. Though
fire and sword, cruelty and persecution,
have always swept over every part of this
glorious island, to- day 1t rests upon the bo-
som of the tropc seas as beautiful, maJes-
tic, and fruitful in all its natural gifts as
when Columbus first discovered it, waiting
only the assistance of law and sound gov
ernment, accompanied by intelligence, in
dustry, and enterprise, TO take its place as
one of the most favored Of States. Lying
In the Atlantic ocean, at the entrance 10 the
Gulf of Mexico, second of the Great An
titles to Cuba in size only, Santo Domingo,
by its position and natural advantages,
ranks first of all the beautiful islands in
these waters; and though to-day impover-
ished and beggar, she will yet prove, un-
der proper care, precious jewel to the
power that may take her under its protec-
tion.
From Samana Mr.. Hazard proceeded to
Santo Domingo city. A queer old place 1t
must be. Gayly colored walls, with dirty
negroes summing themselves against them
narrow streets, with solid-built houses,
whose immense doors and spacious win
dows contrast forcibly with their limited
height Of only one or two stories; broad
brimmed- halted horsemen on small, COM
pact, quick moving horses, contrast with
tho dusky urchin who, naked of every
thing but a shirt, bestrdes an immense
straw saddle on the back of very dimin-
utive donkey-all serve, with hundreds ol
other noticeable things, to strike the stran-
ger, and impress upon him the fact that he
has exchanged his Saxon associations of or
der, cleanliness, and precision, for the pc
culiarities of Spanish tropical life.
Knots of men and women, mostly color
ed, and busy in talk, are scattered abou
the quay, or in the small open places called
"plazas;" oddlooking stores, with still
more odd-looking assortments of goods
are entirely open to the the gaze Of the
passer-by; while in the market place are
noticed the same peculiarities observed al
Puerto Plata, only on more extended
scale. Go where one will, however, ever,
one is cheerful, and polite, and communi
cative, while the dusky "fair ones" presid
ing over piles of strange, unknown tropic
nj productions are merry and obligng
Such are the sights that to-day first gree
the traveller In this city that at one TIM
was famous for its magnificence.
The outskirts Of the city are composed o
unattractive frame or clay huts; while II
the interior OF the town many Of the hous
es are solid and imposing. They are bull
in the old Spanish style, usually one stor,
In height. seldom over two. wide en-
trance with immense folding doors ope
into the hall, which conducts into the pa
ito, or courtyard, around which are th
quarters and offices. The same lack c
glass In the windows, and the use of iro
bars, seen in Cuba, are universal here
while the quietness OF many Of the oil
streets in the upper part of the town re
minds one OF city of sleepers. In th
streets leading up from the wharf, and /
the vicinity of the market-place, more III
Is seen, and the architecture Of the store
and houses, II not so imposing, is NOR
modern.
The general business of the city appear
to be very limited, there being, indeed, OF
ly one or two large stores In tho place. Br
there Is always certain amount OF amus'
ment to be obtained In trading in these ol
Spanish towns. The easy, lelsurely wa
In which negotiations are conducted, tt
amount of chaff aud compliment exchanl
ed even In the most ordinary transaction
are astonishing TO people Of the Anglo Sa,
ON race and 1t becomes quite a pleasai
amusement to have a seller name an e,
travagant price for an article, and gradua
ly descend to moderation and cheapness.
In small village near the city Mr.. Ha
ard found a school-house. 1t was simpl
a matched hut with earthen floor. A nun
ber of boys and girls, white and colore
, were seated on rude wooden stools range
at the sides Of the room. Fastened to
, perch by the side of every pupil was