Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-10-31
The bermuda Islands.

In the Atlantic Ocean, in latitude -
deg. Il min. north and longitude GA deg.
IL min. west, about 600 miles from Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina. and $50 miles
from New York, lies a group of Islands
in which perpetual summer reigns.
Although these islands can be reached
by steamer conveniently and comfOrta-
bly, in brief time at small expense
from this city, yet they are very un-
familiar to the most of our people Our
relations to them, however, are of con-
siderable Importance, inasmuch as We
take nearly all of their productions and
supply them with three-fifths of their
imports. We have thought that a brief
account of them would be welcome to
our readers.
The Bermuda or Somer's Islands,
consist of five principal and innumer-
able small ones, embraced within an
area of 30 by miles. They are clus-
tered about the main island, or Bermuda
proper, which is - miles long. ST.
Georges, Somerset, and st. David's is
lands are next in size and of about
equal area, being some 3 miles in length
each. Ireland island is = miles long
and strongly fortified at immense ex-
pense by the British Government. The
other islands of Importance are Cooper,
Smiths, Paget's, Long Bird, Nonsuch,
and Boaz. Several of these are con-
nected together by means Of causeways
and bridges. Their width varies from
one-quarter to 3 miles. 'he highest
land is about $50 feet above high water.
The climate is so peculiar, that seed
time and harvest may be said to be CO.
incident the whole year round. There
is no extremely hot or extremely cold
weather, but happy medium exists
between the two. December, January
and February are called the cold months,
during which the winds prevail from
the north and are occasionally accomp-
anied by heavy rain and hail. In the
latter part of February spring commen-
ces, and the weather usually continues
mild, with refreshing showers of rain
and warm, gentle breezes from the
south until the end of May. The sum-
mer commences in June, and warm,
calm days and long droughts, relieved
BIZ violent thunder storms, are some
what characteristic of the season, as
with us.
In September the weather again be-
comes mild and agreeable. Spring and
autumn are the pleasantest seasons !;
but the changes are so gradual and, on
the whole, slight, that it is difficult to
say where summer ends and spring be-
gins. Heavy dews are frequent, and
vegetation flourishes at all seasons.
The thermometer seldom falls lower
than Sc deg. or rises higher in the warm
est weather than Sc deg. i'm the shade.
Mornings and evenings are especially
delightful.
The approach to the Bermudas in
fine weather from any quarter, offers
enchanting scenes in great variety. The
undulating form of the hills, the snow
white appearance of the tops of the
buildings, the stately cedars, Pride of
India, oleanders, and various kinds of
evergreens, the number and variety of
small islands covered with verdure, the
transparent sheets of water, with the
pretty homemade cedar boats plying
on their surface, the numerous coves
and bays-all conspire to produce a
most charming impression of the attrac-
tions contained within these cOmpara-
lively narrow limits. The view from
an elevated point of the main island is
very fine, and has the added impressive
ness of the wide expanse of ocean,
clouds and sky. The endless variety
of vegetation is also seen in all Its beauty
and minute of detail.
These islands are Of cOralline origin,
and contain numerous caves, as Is COM