Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-21

and more commonly known as Mos
quito Coast" This section at that time
and even to the present day, was in
habited by savage tribes, whom it wa
thought would soon oxterminato tn,
famishe d woaklings thus unceremoni
ously thrust upon their shores. Blu.
to the contrary the black seems t.
have treated successfully with his new
countryman, and becoming reconcilet
after a while to their destiny, began
anew those thrifty traits which char
acterized them on their native islands
They began to scatter over different
parts Of the coasts, some going down
into the Isthmus and over nto New
Grenada and Venezuela, while others
went northward, scattering through
Honduras and Guatemala, though al
most clinging to the coast. We saw
several of their villages along the
banks Of the Rio Sarstoon, which
forms the boundary line be-
tween Belize and Guatemala. Some
have gone even higher up into Yucca
tan. The king Of this tribe was taken
with his family and landed near the
present port of Truxillo, and in that
vicinity remained until his death,
several years ago. Though bereft of
the country over which he had ruled
for many years, he was still their
recognized leader and ruler in their
new home, and to this day the pedigree
Of the royal family are invested with
dignities and honors by the banished
race, and they still cling, with tena-
cious reverence, to the traditions of
their fathers.
Their strange tongue was for a long
time undistinguishablc, but, of recent
years, it has been carefully and earn
estly studied, and one missionary has
undergone the laborious task of com
piling a grammar from the same. Ii
is perhaps one of the most difficult
tongues now spoken, and the labor Of
collecting the difficult phrases, dis
jointed terms and the strange gibberish
of a language, which has never had
any definite shape, is no easy task, and
he that consummates such a work de-
serves a like praise to that bestowed
upon Chaucher, the father of English
literature. Their favorite occu.
patton is fishing. and manufac.
turing boats, oars, etc., as most of the
little dorys and pitpans which skirt
the Caribbean shores of Central Amer
lea are the work of their hands. They
are expert and fearless seaman, and il
this respect far superior to all theil
surrounding neighbOrs. In contrast
to the Incidence and laziness of the
people among whom they are thrown
they are very thrifty and energetic
and though ignorant they constitute
one Of the EaOst substantial elements
of the population. Undoubtedly they
are one of the most peaceful elements
here, as they seldom take any part il
the civil wars which yearly agitatC
these republics. Perhaps their i'll.
fated destiny destroyed their warlikC
spirit, as the m~isfortunes of theil
countrymen and the many vicissitude.
of their hapless career seems an ever
present thought in the once PROUD
warrior.
There is a lesson in the peculiar
reverence of this unfortunate CARL
for his native land which should fine
a deep response in every patriot,
soul, especially to the American, VIII,
is sadly wanting in this great nationa
trait. We are strangers to that feel
ing which draws back the Switzer an,
the Tyrolese from distant climes t
spend their declining years in thei
native land and lay their bones witt
their fathers. With all our fiery pat
triotism no people on earth are S,
nearly destitute Of love for their nativ,
land. In the Carib, therefore, we hav,
the example of a barbarian, which W,
need not feel ashamed to follow, fol
though ignorant, he exhibits the spiri
of true patriotism. Yours truly,
A. j. NJ.