Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-03-21
The Bermudas.

The Bermudas are comprised in grou
of three hundred and sixty-five islets, lyin
in the form OF 1ish-hook, but five or 81
of which are important as to size, and th
whole occupying space of about twenty
four miles in length and one and one-hal
in breadth. They are situated in the Mort
Atlantic, about six hundred miles due cas-
from Cape Hatteras, and seven hundre
miles southeast from New York, by whic
they have communication by semi-week
ly line of steamers. These islands, to
gether comprise about twelve hundre
acres, and are of coral formation. The
were doubtless created in the following
manner: volcanic upheaval seems t.
have taken place, after which the coral in
sects formed successive layers of calca
reous deposits until reef reached tn
surface of the water Then sand, shells
decayed leaves and other substances accu
mulated, thus gradually converting tn
protected from violent storms and heavl
seas by coral reefs lying adjacent, having
narrow and intricate channels leading t
the shores. The water within the land
locked havens thus formed is so clear as tc
reveal to its lowest depths the beautiful
coral formation, shells and many varieties
of curious and excellent fish.
The Bermudas were so named from
Bermudez, Spanish navigator, who sight
ed them in 1927. In 1909, Sir George
Sommers was shipwrecked on these
islands, and this was the immediate occa.
sion of their being colonized from Virgin.
in Tho iSlnN,He hnx ncin tiN,1nI liz,
British rule.
The principal towns are St. Georges and
Hamilton; and Great Britain maintains
an important naval station. The total
population Of the islands is twelve thou
sand, of which three-ffths are negroes.
The white residents are mostly an aristo-
cratic class of English, who have sadly
degenerated through the frequent inter-
marriage of blood relations, but of late a
different policy prevails and alliances are
formed with Americans and other outsid-
crs. The colOrcd people embrace twenty
different compilations, from darkest to
lightest. While their condition was visibly
improved under the gradual emancipation
act, it is noted that those who have made
much moral or material progress have
more white than black blood. Glass pref
udices are strong, and often carried to an
absurd extreme, as for instance, in one of
the cemeteries there is n wall four feet
wide and six feet high, forming division
line between the dead of the two races.
The government Of the Bermudas is
vested in governor-general and a paria-
ment, with subordinate officials. The
islands are divided into several parishes,
each having four representatives in the
parliament The right of suffrage and
eligibility to office are based on property
qualifications. The list of voters is small.
Large salaries are paid to all officials.
About three churches Of all denominations,
including Church of England, Wesleyan
Methodist Presbyterian and Roman Cath
olc in each parish.
The houses are built of stone of chalky-
white, quarried from the soft and porous
rock formation, which is easily worked in
10 blocks. Wood is scarce and expensive.
The principal wood is Lebanon cedar,
which is used for ship building, burial
caskets, etc. The fruits are numerous,
including several varieties of the orange,
lemons, bananas, dates, figs, etc. OF the
ornamental trees, Mr.. Fulton severely con-
demns the oleander because of its poison
Gus properties, and said he would never
give it foot Of gronnd. Flowers of every
kind grow in great profusion. He has an
especial aversion TO the geranium now,
because in the Bermndas it is more fre-
qucntly found, and ilourishcs best, in the
cemeteries. The rose, of every conceiv-
able variety, is found there; and he saw a
fuchsia tree, four inches in diameter,
which bore several thousand blossoms
While the Bermuda flowers attain to great
perfection in size and color, they are lack
ing in perfume.
The leading exports in domestic produce
are arrow-root, Irish potatoes, tomatoes
and onions. The vegetables are usually
marketed in January, and shipped to
American ports. Sweet potatoes are in
digenous, but Irish potatoes are imported
for every planting, as those grown on the
islands rapidly dcteriorate, and are unfit
for seed. The arrow-root which is much
valued as food for invalids, is largely
cultivated and the Bermuda product is es-
teemed the best in market, but is often
adulterated. A large trade is carried on
in the reshipment of " old rum," brought
from Jamaica and Demerarn The spirit
is distilled from the sweets that accrue in
making sugar from cane-juice, and is per-
colated through beefs blood and charcoal,
and stored in charrcd casks for ship
ment When received ut the Bermudas
in its pure state, it is nutritious, exhila-
rating drink, but does not inebrate. Mr.,
Fnlton says there is much spirit drinking
in the islands, which may be one reason
why many persons like to visit the place,
but drunkenness is of rare occurrence.
Before the cold rum " is reshipped the
quality is reduced, and it is doctored "
with blue vitriol. When received by
American and English importers it is still
further reduced and more vitriol and per-
haps other vile substances added; and this
process of adulteration is repeated as the
I" fine old liquor" passes from dealer 10
dealer, and consumers are thus supplied
with the murderous stuff often denominated
as fighting rum"
The climate cf the Bermudas is regard.
ed as highly beneficial in pulmonary com.
plants, but is bad for rheumatic persons
owing to the excessive humidity. On this
account, too, nice clothing, kid gloves
etc, soon mildew and spoil The temper
atule rarely rises above $40 and seldom
falls below so, yet in consequence of ex
cessive moisture visitors suffer much from
cold at certain seasons. In summer the
temperature often remains ut 800 through
the night, thus interfering with comfortable
sleeping, The principal rests of the island
are mosquitoes, reaches and cenlipedes
The latter are eight or nine inches long
and travel on twenty one pairs of legs
are very venomous, but seldom give
trouble unless attacked They infest ole
houses more than new; their bite is dan
gerous and sometimes fatal; alcohol, in
which dead centipede has been inhumed
is mentioned as an effective antidote. Vel
low fever is IN occasional visitor, and is
more fatal to the whites than to the blacks
it is usually followed by an epidemic o.
typhoid fever, which is most fatal to the
colored inhabitants Mr.. Fulton gave
some account of wonderful cavern, ant
other interesting features which camt
under his observation; and concluded his
lecture with warm tribute to the kind
ness and hospitality of the Bermuda peo
pie.
Mrs. Il. G.. Greene, who presided in the
absence of the president, gave notice thai
the next lecture would be delivered b\
Col. Albert Clarke, on Tuesday evening
March 9th.