The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-24

Edtt0r Rutland Globe What q beauti-
full view from Cape Measurable. had nearly
said what q charming place this is, but my
thoughts turned to the great marsh or
Mango and dragon blood swamp, just be-
meath the hill, on the east eide, whence
come the deadly breezes for 10 hours Of
each "a and l could not say that it was
In all respects well situated. do not con.
slider 1t the most healthy place for persons
newly arriving TO attempt to acclimatize.
Up the river twenty miles would be much
better, because removed from this malaria
at the mouth Of the stream. But, barring
this, what a charming location this is.
This promontory commands fine view
of the sea sweeping round 1t on three
sides. Its verdure is of the deep green
found only in temperate regions, in seclud-
ed spots, along the streams or under the
hill sides, where the dropping springs,
shaded by overhanging foliage, give TO
ferns and lochens their deepest and richest
verdure. This verdure is therefore, "the
greenest green" and 1t continues so all the
year.
The hill PROBABLY rises three hundred
feet above the sea. It's north and west sides
are almost unoccupied. A summer resi-
dence of the late ex-Presidcnt Roberts lies
imbedded in the verdure of the hill. 1t is
in the midst of one of his coffee farms. On
the top of the hill, and comman ling a fine
view of the sea, is the Liberia college. 1t is
fine large building, and has a good
deal of apparatus and large library which
contains some valuable books. A good
deal of money has been expended on this
institution, but it has not been doing we'll
This IS partly from a lack of a good COM
mon school system and good academies be-
hind 1t as feeders. Some persons think it
is not well located relatively to the popu-
laton and should be removed up the st.
Paurs river. At meeting Of the trustees
of the institution, however, just now held,
it was determined that this was impractic-
able. One cannot look over it however as
1t crowns the hill on which these native
tribes first kindled FIRE, to attract the slave
dealer carrying on dismal and deadly
commerce along this coast, guided by the
bon. fires on Cape Mount (this cape and
Cape Palmss, without being grateful that
it at least stands here as an index of bet
ter state of things and prophecy that this
land is yet TO be elevated with a christian
civilization. Still further round the point
on the ocean shore is another rich coffee
plantation belonging to the estate of ex-
President Roberts. At the eastern base of
the hills ia village OF Kroos, one of the
most enterprising native tribes of the
coast, who swarm and colonize at all points
on the Liberian coast where vessels touch
and who go with these vessels from Sierra
Leone to st. Paul de Leanda, far away on
south cOaets.
The houses of Kroo village are quadrang-
ular huis, say twenty to forty feet square.
The sides are waited and lined with BAN
boo-matting. The roofs are of thick thatcb.
There are neither chimneys nor widows,
the smoke finding its way out through the
grass roof, if Indeed fire be ever kindled
within. The floor is of clay, The houses
are stuck about without order unless it be
of the Kroo order, indiscriminately, with
good walks or only goat pa hs betwet
them. The women wear only skirts, cloih-
ing the upper potion OF their bodies with
oil and ornamenling with the tribal marks
of clay and possibly string of beads about
the neck. Babies are strapped across the
mothers back just above the hips and
astrde them, and are often seen sound
asleep, clinging with their little hands to
their mothers sides as ms inctively as q
bird sleeps sitting on limb.
Just across the stream on an island ia
nous as being the first landing place of the
Pilgrim fathers of Liberia, is village of
the Val tribe. On a visit to it we were
shown boa constructor in rude wooden
cage. The Val occupy the northern and
northeastern portion of the territory of Ii
IBERIA. They are an interesting people. To
show that the aboriginal negro intellect is
not inferior to some others, We may say
that this tribe has a limited literature in its
own language, and that the alphabet was
originated by themselves and elbows great
ingenuity, though it is syllable, and there
fore clumsy. The tribe has a great am
bition for literary advancement. Their
language is spoken over a wide extent of
territory, and is the commercial language
of Boporo, q populous city, considerable
distance In the interior, where many tribes
gather in the markets.
Along the eastern foot of the hill is the
business portion of the city. The wharves
are the scene of remuneratiye commerce.
Here is the large warehouse of McGill g.
Co., wi lely known as entcrprising business
men. Mr.. Gabriel Moore does also an ex-
tensive business with England and the
United States. He has acquired a hand
some fortune, having large sum OF money
invested tmuneratively abroad, besides
the capital employed in his business.
There is a German firm also doing an ex-
ensive trade, sending their vessels up the
rivers and along the coast, and having
heavy trade with Europe. There are
rading schooners lying here belonging to
Liberians. All this business, excepting
that of the German firms, is conducted by
colored men.
On the brow of the hill are the churches,
the residences, the government buildings,
the presidential mansion, etc. The streets
are laid out at right angles, but the vegita-
zion is SO vigorous it is difficult to keep
them clear of grass. The scythe, however,
does what the hoe cannot, and one walks
over velvet lawn all about the town.
These are unmarked by tracks of vehicles,
for vehicles there are none on a coast
where the climate does not admit of any
beasts of burden, and man himself has TO
haa ha rlns. M ...1I -. a
here, nor will hogs nor cattle thrive. When
a ae, ,I.So s ana. inusI 70 through a1
by the way, even the African who comes
from any other country, or even from the
interior OF this country to the coast must
go through this acclimatizing fever, as
well as the white man. The type of fever,
however, being mildnr thnn in The naaa Of