, 1874-04-29

In New York. cine open air lie one leads mere is
delightful-so delightful, perhaps, that the
closed doors and windows of home, on ones
return, may seem oppressive. The early
morning hours are very lovely, and most invit-
inc for riding, driving and walking. From ten
to three o'clock all like to keep within doors, if
possible, for any great exercise in the sun at
this time of day proves rather heating TO the
system, but once in the house, there is no cause
to be sensible of the heat, as the overlooking
breezes sweep into every corner, and are most
freshening. Again, in the afternoon outdoor
exercise is reSOrted to indeed, there is SOmuch
to attract one out of the house, that one
might easily fail in carrying out any extensive
plan Of n-doOr work he might plan for himself.
No rainy days arise on the fair scene, nor inter-
rupt the days plans from the end OF October for
the nine following months whole cloudy day is
entirely unknown. Sudden and short showers
freshen up the earth, and the sun is seldom
oLscured for more than two or three hours at
the time. At my writing (middIe February
the dry spell has begun, when perhaps weeks
may elapse without even a shower. The ISL
and being mostly billy, and the soil stony and
dry, The rains when once over seldom keep one
in the house, for the streets or roads are in a
few minutes quite dry for walking.
Much and varied entertainment can be found
to while away a long stay, especially to those
who are fond Of studying nature, which here
seems to open new yistas every day. The
drives are numerous, and in all parts Of the
island the roads are of excellent constructions,
hard and free from dust, and the rides over the
hills by bride paths are seemingly endless.
The horses are hardy and Sure-footed, and to
those accustomed TO riding they afford the best
mode OF. exercising, Game is not abundant,
but the sea is full of excellent fish, and q good
haul can always be made by throwing the line
off the rocks or by beating, by which latter you
can catch anything from a shark to a sprat.
The sea-bathing the entire winter is good and
a daily resort to it is considered here very
healthy to both young and old.
The general plan of Americans appears to
have been to locate themselves within the
towns, but 1 see every reason why the visitor
should seek lodgings in the country. The
latter has the like advantages over the former
in st. Croix as it has elsewhere, and, with the
easy access to and from the welI-settled estates,
it has few of these disadvantages, for the society
in all parts is good and the people are very
hOspitable and always ready with a glad well
come for the stranger, Houses can be had
furnished for the entire season IN the town and
in the country, particularly in the latter, where
many vacant mansions are found on the
6SbdJ6Ss IACCileuD lOu4 luSS Cdl W udN AA
both towns. The general rates of board and
lodging every where are $40 (gold) per week,
and horse and carriage hire are quite moderate
in terms. With an abundance Of poultry and
tender mutton and good milk in addition
to the great variety Of wholesome fruits native
to the soil, there is no reason to find fault with
the fare spread before one. The bread is fine
and excellent there is no production in which
the negro women succeed better than in The hak-
ing of their good, sweet, and white bread rolls.
There appear to be no diseases peculiar TO
the island and the ages to which many Of
the inhabitants attain, white as well as black.
attest its great healthlulness.
A frst-rate hotel is demanded, and whoever
understands such will be remunerated. The
people generally need a little Of our Yankee
life; between the Danish phIegm and the large
preponderance of the negro population matters
might, in our view, be considered slow
So far our American friend. AS a true friend
he has told us of our faults, at the same time he
has given a fair representation of the adyan-
tages we can offer to those who seek a more con-
genial cline. We may as well plead guilty Of
a good deal of phlegm, Danish or Dutch,
n'importe, but we have been shaking off much
of that since our friend was here, which was in
the winter of 1872. If he would pay US a vi
sit now, which we have no doubt he will, he
would find many improvements in this respect.
He would find that these few dry wears, Gala