Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-12
PORTO BELLO.

Changes " roiYht Oy Time from 1907 TO
1889 The Gem Of the Spanish Main in
its Decay.
Three hundred and eighty years since,
Columbus, sailing along these tropic shores.
discovered this beautiful land locked har-
Dor. Its placid waters and its densely
wooded, green, bold shores charmed the
great admiral and his devoted followers,
as they charm and delight our eyes to-day.
Its position is such that no wind that blows
can disturb its profound serenity, its per-
feet security. In the old days it was the
scene of great activity. After the discov-
cry and conquest, for the long period of
800 years, during the Spanish occupation,
it was the seat of power and Of vice-regal
splendcr. The number and strength of
ITS Notifications were second to none in
the new world. A line of powerful fort
resses, with bristling armaments and ample
force of brave and stalwart Spanish SOL
,diers, lined its shores, ready to repel in
vasion and to protect the vast commerce
that had its center here.
PAVED HIGHWAY
the remains of which may yet be traced,
was constructed, with immense labor and
expense, to connect the port with Panama,
and the treasure from Peru were trans
ported. Great annual fairs were held,
lasting two or three months. which drew
together here fleet of galleons, richly
laden, and crowds of merchants, adven-
turers. and the miscellaneous multitude
that ever follows in the wake of wealth.
Luxury. extravaganza, dissipation, and
wild high revel were known in far-famed
Porto Bello.
But how changed! How relentless has
been the tooth of time! How rapacious
the reign OF ruin! Of all those brave and
costly strongholds. from the embrasures Of
which the bulldog cannon peered forth.
ready to bark flaming death and destruc-
ton. not one remains. 4 few crumbling
walls. picturesque IN their vine-clad decay,
are all that IS left day. The dark and
frowning forests again encroach upon the
sea. Down to the waters edge great trees
stand sentinel, and rise in unbroken masses
of wonderful veraure TO the SUBMITS of the
surrounding heights.
4 DECAYED VILLAGE
Of cane-thatched huts, nesting against the
foot of the mountain. with a population of
a few hundred listless natives, represents
to-day the glory and power Of the old
regime. The modern world sweeps by un-
needed. The restless activities of our
modern life are unregarded and practically
unknown. The great wave OF modern
progress distUrbs not the dead calm of the
lovely, secluded spot. As sit upon the
awning covered deck of the good Lucy p.
Miller this November morning, breathing
the bland air, the clear sun bathing the
emerald shores with glorious light, penning
these reflections, am reminded of
TENNysoN's LoTus-EATRRs.
The charm Of silence and reposs is su-
preme. The deep still waters reflect tho
bold shores in every detail of lofty tree
and cIam5ering vine. Fishes leap up hero
and there to disturb for the instant tho
shining surface. Lonely fisher-birds wade
along inshore, or dive for their abundant
prey, or stand in melancholy groups upon
the rocks beneath the masses of overhang-
ing foliage, in artistic pose. Parrots salute
the ear from the leafy coverts with their
harsh chatter, and wild turkeys scflo their
call from the jungle. Low, dark caincas
or native canoes, with their dusky half
nude rowers. glide silently alongshore to-
ward the banana patches, half-hidden or
wholly concealed amid the forests. Over
all is the wondrous, golden, mystic charm
of summer Sunlight and silence! Far off
beyond the narrow harbor mouth, the blue
Caribbean breaks with a low roar. that is
waited inward upon the entranced air like
the undertones of some giant organ
Sight, sound, the profound calm, the brood
ing stiffness, and GROWING all, the haunt
ing, saddening power of reminiscence,
conspire to render the scene living poem,
& beautiful and memorable waking dream.
BANANAS.
But what is the good steamer doing here?
What mission brings her to this quiet har-
Dor gem, set round with emerald? What
throb of enterprise, what hope of gain has
this invasion?
Read the T eply il the boats which begin
to .ring alongside their great, luscious
paIe-green punches of bananas. There is
unwonted activity here to-day. The lotus
eaters are awake, and aware that an OPP
portunity is offered to transmute the pro-
duct of their little fields into shining coin.
A spasm of commercial resurrection
thrilled their blood at the sound of the
steamers whistle, and they seized paddle
and machette and went forth, to return
Ao0cn Will Cuc ucllC1OuS Lulu tuds udo W
come SO familiar and grateful to the north
ern palate. Three thousand or 900 punches
are promised. Porto Bello will be made
wealthy and happy by the exchange. Her
dusky sons and her dark-eyed daughters.
not to mention her horde of tawny children,
will rejoice in the possession Of munif-
cent supply of ready money.
FINE OPENING.
If the steamer should come with regu-
larity. q large and constant traffic in fruit
is promised. The prospect is truly en-
-couraging. The supply may easily be
made inexhaustible. All that is required
is the certainty of market. Thousands
of acres of virgin soil surround the harbor,
requiring only to be cleared and planted,
to produce hundreds of thousands of splen-
did punches of the finest bananas. With
the start already made here, Porto Bello
may easily rival Colon. The silent and
deserted port may enjoy renewed lease of
prosperity. 1t is revival devoutly to be
wished for Who knows but before many
years, this decayed stronghold, which oc-
cupies so prominent place in the early his