Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-04-27
GIBRALTAR.
ITS HISTORY AND DATTLEMENTs, BY
LIEUT.. W. @. ROSS.

The Arabian name for this stalwart
sentinel to the Mediterranean, from
which the present name is corrupted,
is Jebal al Tdrik, mount of Tarik, and
with Ceuta, the African point opposite,
constitutes what the Phpnicians called
tho Pillars of Hercules, from their
Tyrian deity. The worldwide repu.
tation of this mighty fortress inspired
us with some awe Notwithstanding
we were free-born Americans floating
under the stars and stripes) as we cast
our anchor few hundred yards from
its gaping rampOrts. We had passed
in through the straits before a fresh
westerly wind, and after satisfying the
scrutiny of a rigid quarantine, found
ourselves in the midst of a good deal
of shipping, and surrounded by a
clattering set Of gumboats, with all
sorts Of fruits, vegetables and wares.
No sooner had our topsail hallyards
been started than we were boarded by
q thirsty set of pcddlcrs, contractors,
washerwomen, and guides all armed
with an unlimited number of recon.
mendations bearing autographs all the
way from Mark Twain TO the Prince
of Wales. We were beset by such a
polite and afiable set of "conriers" as
they call themselves, that we found it
difficult to escape from their united and
untiring zeal, so that we might select
for our escort an old friend, Michael
Benunes, the veritabe ferguson" OF
Innocents Abroad, " and the beau ideal
of a chivalrous Spanish courier de
families. He had been in our employ
before so we knew him to DO all that
was required-reliable, intelligent, and
communicative. We were lucky to be
waited to the Rock by n westerly
breeze, for during the Summer months
an easterly wind, or Levanter as it is
called, is almost uncomfortable, the at
mosphere becoming hot, sultry and
oppressive. As il was, the heat was
quite intolorable. After long pull in
the cutter we landed very near the old
molc.head and passed through the
gates into the city. A more picturesque
scene could not well be conceived
Here was a town of some 5000 souls,
exclusive of about G,000 troops, all
huddled together in thesmallestpossible
compass. The houses arc built on
abrupt slopes, tier above tier, to a
height of 250 feet above the sea. The
space is so limited, the entire town
being situated on shelving ledge of
the Rock, that great care is exhibited
toprevent heincrease OF new residents,
and foreigners are permitted TO remain
only certain length of time upon a
promise of good behavior. Persons Of
every nationality can be found roaming
the streets (or rather the street, for in
reality there is only one about a half.
mile long,) from the jews, Turks,
Moors, Arabs, and Negroes, in their
primitive and oriental costumes, TO
every class and style of European,
both civic and military, and last but
not least, othe plucky and irrepressible
Yankee, Such motley assemblage
could not well be found at any other
spot on the globe. They have come
here for the purpose Of trade of which
there is considerable. Gibraltar is n
free port to the world and consequently,
many articles can be procured much
cheaper than in other markets. We
were forcibly struck by this popularity.
As an instance, Florida water, which
costs about sixty cents a bottle in the
United States where IL is manufactured,
costs only thrty.fve cents in Gibraltar
after having been freighted across the
ocean How such discrepancy arises
is for the proprietors Of this marvellous
perfumory TO answer. We were also
told that American cigars could be
purchased here at n lower price than
the same quality in New York city.
Proceeding along the main street
we arrived and registered at tho Hotel
Royal, the best public house in the
place We were surprised at tho &C.
commodations, and the manner in
which the table was served. Our i'm.
agination might have been somewhat
excited aflor long sea voyage but it
is safe to say that the cuisine contained
everything that the appetite could
wish for, and true relish impaired by
the inviting accessories and surround.
ings The question naturally arose,
"From where comes all these choice
vegetables, eggs, meats, fruits, etc ? 4"
The guide took mo TO tho market
stallS,and from the information CLEANED
there, the mystery was easily solved.