, 1874-08-12

Gorgeous indeed is the dress of some of the
colored women. Here comes one, a tall,
handsome negress, whose costume attracts
general attention. She wears a loqg flowing
robe Of fashionable dimensions, of figured SOL
ferino or crimson damask satin Of very SUI
perior quality, extending downward from
her waist. Tue body and sleeves are Of white
muslin, the sleeves pufed. A NAL heavy
green silk shawl pinned in front over her arms
falls gracefully over her neck, while her head
is surmounted with a magnificent Madras
handkerchief with brilliant yellow and purple
squares, secured in front by several large pins
of solid gold. Her earrings are of the same
material, representing huge cylinders, five or
six in number, Que ABOVE the other. They are,
of course, hollow and light, but appear as if
they may weigh half a pound each. Around
her neck are four rows OF god beads tjree-
quarters of an inch in diameter, with brace
lets of four rows Of the same size on her arms,
presenting a most gorgeous appearance, while
pendent from the centre may be seen half a
doz II different articles Of jewelry. This gor-
geously dressed female, We are assured, may
be seen every day in the market-place Of Fort
de Ftance earning her livelihood by selling
salt pork and goldfish by the penny's-worth
The streets of Fort de France are laid out in
regular squares, with open sewers on each
side, through which streams of pure water
are continually running, as at St. Pierre.
The public buildings, The docks, and mar
kets are in excellent order, and except on fee
days the city presents a busy and enterprising
appearance. The male portion of the lower
white class are, however, iudolent and shift
less, aud may be seen loungiog about gambling
tables under the trees, smoking, drinking, and
betting small sums, varyiAg from one son to
a franc.
The shipping interest Of Fort de France is
very large, aud it brings a motley floating popu-
lation to the city. For this reason there are
more hotels aud restaurants there than in all
the rest Of the Island. The most prominent
as well as the Oldest hotel proprietor in the
cry Is Moss Toulouse. a colored gen
tleman Of enormous proportions. He is a great
character in Fort de France, aud is better
known than the governor himself.
The public square of Fort de France is
adorned by a beau iful statue of the Empress
J ~lsephine, presented to the island by the late
Emperor Of France, Napoleon III. 1t rests on
a square marble pedestal, on each side of which
are delicate soul ptures representing scenes ia
the life of Jos, phine. The statue is of very
graceful proportions, Tne right hand, lifted
gracefully to the waist, holds a bouquet of
hDwers, ezqui8itoly carved; the left, tue por-
trait of the emperor. The he'd IS turned to
Trois IIets, the place of her birth (which lies
opposite the city of Fort de Frauoe), upon
which her eyes are fixed as if absorbed in
thought. The pedestal is surrounded by an
elaborate iron railing, outside of which, at regu-
lar distances, are planted stately palm-trees,
nearly one hundred and fifty feet in height,
forming a complete circle around it. On each
side of the square is an avenue of tamarind-
trees, whose iaterlacing branches form a shaded
promenade. 1t is a favorite resort for all clas-
SEES, who at the close of the day repair thither to
enjoy the delicious zepbyrs which play through
the branches. One OF these avenues, which is
more retired than the others, is called the
Avenue of Signs" 1t affords a delightful
promenade for lovers, who may there breathe
their tender thoughts without fear Of intru-
sion
The following account of the early life of
Josephine on the island of Martinique, as we'll
as the two traditions connected with it, was
derived from an aged lady long resident at Fort
de France. NJ. Joseph Gaspard de la Pagerie,
captain of dragons, and Rose Claire Des Yer
gers, de Sanois, his wite-both of whom were
descended from families of the highest distinc-
ton in France-Iived on an estate at Trois lets,
opposite Fort de France, in the island of Mar
Unique. * 5ef- .sqar
In 1854 two daughters, Marie and Josephine,
were born to them. Marie was of a va and