The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-03
THE FAMOUS GIBRALTAR.
A Visit to the Great Rock in the
Mediterranean.
Great Britain's Key to the Water Way to
India-Its Military Strength and Arma-
ment-Lovely Climatic Conditions.
Letter in New York Tribune.

of several miles, it presented through the
dim light of early morning the appearance of
a monstrous monolith, which has been COM
pared to gigantic granite sphinx, whose
shoulders groins and Group would lie toward
Spain, with the long, broad, loose, flowing
and undulating outlines, like those of a lion
asleep and whose head, somewhat truncated,
is turned toward Africa, as if with dreamy
and steadfast deep attention. As l sailed in
to the noble harbor among a myriad of see
going craft and came to anchor near the
United States steamer Nipsic and the Ameri
can yacht Dauntless, the sun was just rising
above the waters of the blue Mediterranean.
Before me rose. to the height of about 400
feet the famous fortress, the Calpe of the
ancients, which was captured from the
Spaniards 1853 years ago, the very year that
Marlborough won the battle of Blenheim.
During the American revolutionary war the
Spaniards besieged it for four years, but I'M
successfully and were at length compelled to
raise the siege.
of restoring Gibraltar to Spain, and Mr..
Bright declared in Parliament that. in his
opinion, it ought to be given back as it cost
England more than million of dollars
nually in time of peace to maintain the fort
ress exclusive of material, the total outlay
millions upon its defenses Burke held a
different opinion of its importance, and re-
ferred to it as a post of power, post of su
periorty, of connection, of commerce; one
which makes US invaluable to our friends
and dreadful to our enemies" Its import
ance has increased as a coal depot since the
general use of steam, 1000 steamers having
entered the harbor in 1881 and consumed or
purchased 300, 600 tons of coal.
Gibraltar is constantly being strengthened,
both by new works and by improved guns in
the place of the old ones A one hundred
ton Armstrong breech-loader was brought
here from Woowich two days ago, and an
other isexpected before the end of the month.
From s, 900 to 5000 men are constantly sta
toned here At present the force consists of
four regiments of infantry and one ofartillery,
and as much vigilance is displayed by the
military as if state of war existed with
their easy-going neighbors of Spain. Between
the possessions of the two countries is piece
of fiat sandy soil about 800 yards in length
and the same in width, known as the "neu-
trail ground" on either side of which the
English and Spanish sentries have been at
their posts within sight of each other ever
since the year 1904!
Lord Napier, of Magdala, the fiftieth Gov
ernor of Gibraltar, who has been here for six
years, will in a Jew weeks surrender the COM
mand to Sir John Adye, one of the Egyptian
heroes, who succeeds him on the LIST Of Janu-
Governor. will visit the battle-felds of Egypt
before returning to England to be retired
with the rank of field marshal having served
his country faithfully and most successfully
efor more than half a century. He several
years ago passed his SEVENTEEN birthday, but
is still hale and vigorous man. as | can
testify, after having had three-hours' gallop
with him on the sands and soil of Spain. At
his residence this morning | witnessed most
interesting scene. He received a party of the
Indian native troops, who were on
their return voyage after being in
England as representatives OF the
Eastern regiments lately serving in
Egypt There were thirteen officers and
twenty non commissioned officers and men.
As each one of the former was introduced he
presented the hilt of his sword after the
Oriental custom for his Excelency the Gov
ernor to touch, who addressed to each few
words of welcome in their native tongue. re-
ceiving some with a hearty shake of the
hand as he recognized old acquaint ances and
comrades in arms, TO the great delight of
those honored by such recognition. This
ceremony concluded. the Governor and those
invited to be present proceeded to the corri-
dor where the privates and non-commission-
ed officers were drawn up in line. They were
fne-looking fellows, representing various
branches of the Indian army, and all bear
ing on their breasts the medal for Egypt.
with clasp, recently received from the
decorations. The Governor had for each a
few kind words, and at the conclusion
of his inspection he addressed them all in
a indoostani, with which language he is per
fectly familiar. Among the deputation were
stalwart Sikhs, Bengal lancers and infantry.
and long-haired Beloochis who surpassed
the others in picturesqueness. Before going
on board the steamer again, the visitors were
taken, bymembers of the Governors staff and
were shown the foritications and heavy
guns were fired for their edfcation.
The climate of Gibraltar is delicious. This
afternoon, as write by an open window,
see geraniums and heliotrope in tropical
luxuriance, and in the Govern or'S garden
4 orange and lemon trees heavily laden with
fruit, the pepper tree full OF pink colorod
clusters of berries, the aloeS with their gor-
geous crimson flowers. and the stately palms.
There is also a magnificent dragon tree, be-
lieved to be at least 1000 years old. and
very beautiful vine bearing
an exquisite purple flower known as
the Bousarville, which clings lovingly to the
convent and grows to a height of sixty feet.
l may mention that there are 456 species of
Towering plants and ferns indigenous to
Gibraltar. and fifty-four which are intro
duced. There are also some fine trees, in
GLIDING a fir known as the "Primsapo,"
which is only found in the south of Spain.
Among the interesting sights of Gibraltar
are the wild monkeys. which are frequently
W NC SeeH oli tIle SOutH sue Ol lHe TOCk.
There are about thirty-six at present, and
they are of course protected by law although
somewhat Troublesome, frequently carrying
away from the classmates and chambers any
thing portable that may be left lying about.
Such at least was the statement made to me
this morning by an old sergeant who in
conducting us through the galleries hewn
..out of the solid limestone rock. said: IF we
rndon't tie these things. those ID MONKEYS
carry them off" A French writer.
whose book / have been glancing
through, states that a Spaniard with whom
he travelled from Seville to Madrid asserted
that 1.-THE monkeys accupfed the Rock en-
tlrely, and were so numerous that no ships
could dare approach land without the risk
l.n;..