The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-17
A Trip to the Bahamas,

A Trip to the Bahamas.
The following interesting letter from
Nassau, N. p, is from the Hartford, Conn.
Times
On leaving Hartford, on a certain day
in January, it was showing fearfully, and
the streets were all blockaded, the rail
roads ditto, with SNOW from one to four
feet in depth. With two engines at the
head Of two coaches, we were about five
hours late into New York. There taking
one of the Savannah boats, which leaves
at 3, P. NJ, We were out for "a life on the
ocean wave" The harbor of New York
was completely choked with ice, and it
was with the utmost difficulty that we
were able to get out.
We left on the Herman Livingston, one
of the steamers of the New York and Sa.
yanuah steamship company, Captain NAL
lory in command. 1t takes about seventy
hours to reach Savannah, and the winter
voyage, though often rough, is also often
delightful. We saw two large whales and
thousands Of porpoises, These strange
creatures delight in getting directly before
the prov of the steamer and performing all
kinds of ground and lofty tumbling that
would put to shame the best of our circus
riders. 1t is great fun to watch them.
We found Savannah very thriving
business place but not much public spirit
among her citizens. With us Yankees
such city, with its shipping and railroad
facilities, and its lovely, green shaded
squares, would be perfect paradise. But
the city residences, the unpaved, sandy
streets, and the buildings all look like the
last rose Of summer and seem to be going
to decay.
Embarking on the steamer Leo, for Mas.
sau, we set sail, on the 23d Of January,
down the Savannah river. The weather
was delightful and all hands happy.
The trip to Nassau from Savannah, of
about so hours, is the most delightful sail
it has ever been my good fortune to enjoy.
After rounding Tybee Island we kept Just
on the west edge Of the Gulf Stream. The
air is cool and bracing, the sun really hot,
driving us under the awning.
On this trip there is scarcely a moment
but the eye detects some new object of in
terest. The playful porpoise is here seen
in schools, seemingly of thousands. Fly
ing.fsh are also seen on all sides. Mon
strous green turtles are seen quite often,
swimming on the sea; while the great man
eating shark lies lazily basking in the sun
on the top Of the water, summing himself,
or perhaps on voyage of discovery around
the ship to see what he can pick up for
his dinner. -t
Arriving at Nassau we take up our
abode at the Royal Victoria Hotel. The
island is perfectly beautiful the flowers
and trees in full bloom, and fruit on every
branch.
New Providence is, Of course, the most
important of the Bahamas; and Nassau its
chief and only town, is pretty place. 1t
was settled by Europeans in 1929, and
has always been the capital or seat Of gov
ernment ever since. This island covers
an area of eighty-fye square miles, and
has a population OF about l4,OOO-nine-
tenths OF which are negroes, and the other
tenth-well, I'm most tempted to say ne
gro too-tor most every person you meet
on the streets or among hedges or by
ways Is a black man or woman.
Inc city OF Nassau Is on the north side
Of she island' aud IS on hillside, giving
perfect drainage down to the sea; The
DOCKS ana buildings extend along the wa
ters cage In the haroor for about two
miles-Snd the houses rise back to the
.oP OF tne NH, on winch stands the hotel,
inc government mouse and many OF the
nnese an residences resi- at an elevation OF about
oo M 70 ioV iee1 from tne water
Inc streets are iald out IN blocks or
squares something aiter the style OF Hart
ioru' on!y muea smailer' ana as square as
us posslopie 70 make tnem'
Durine our ia'e unpieasahtness, when
p.ocAaue , running was IN us prime, and
Mnen e'eiy one Was inaAing money, ana
sealosiy knew whae 70 40 WIN II OF wnere
- pus =, so~Pany u hnsiisnnhsh uougn,
VIZ "e'e iA,se tracts oi 1anu, ana divided
uu ,euJou ea"s y " y sunni ,o's ol ABOUT 40
e M ;ssn s aPoJs" p''iS snas sne prosPerlsy o.