The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-11-20

bare Iianas and few scared shrubs
upon the face of the dark, Silurian
roeks-skeletons only of the luxurant |
life which had fourished few months |
before. Our steamer did not attempt |
the passage of tile Monos Boca, but |
sailing past it, steered through the dam
gerous Huevos Channel, and glided into
the Parian Gulf. AS we crept along !
over the calm waters of this land-locked |
bay-waters tinged deep yellow by |
the muddy current of the Orinoco-we |
could descry on the not distant shore
some of the loyeliest spots mans eye
could rest upon; tiny palm-thatched
huts Nesting amid broad-leayed ba-
nanas, and fantastic-looking cerei, with
coca or cabbage palms waving grace
fully over them; the whitest of sand
beaches in front; and behind, tall.
gloomy mountains. whose sides were
hidden from the sunlight by sombre
forest trees. Nearing Port of Spain
the mountains sank into hills, and the
hills ran back from the sea, leaving
low, fat plain in front, on which the
town was built. From tbs water its ap-
pearance was pleasing, but not at all
imposing; while the marshes on either
side created feeling of uneasiness in
the mind of the timid traveller. who,
since he reached the Tropics, had found
that ''the fever was more prominent
than ''thc weather as subject Of con-
versation. However, l am told that
Port Of Spain viii compare favorably
with any West Indian city in point Of
health, and / do not doubt the State
ment.
The hotels of Port of Spain are curl
osity in themselves. They are all to be
found clustered together in the heart Of
the city, on King street or Armand
Walk; and are each and all built after
the same pattern. They are three
story buildings, substantially made of a
gray stone-the first story being occu-
pied for business purposes, and the
others used for the hotel itself. The en-
trance is one of the singularities of the
structure. Ours is a narrow archwaY
paved with cobblestones, and leading
into courtyard behind, in which are
flights of steps which reach to the floors
above. The parlor and dining-room are
one; but along the face of the building
runs wide, covered gallery. fenced in
with broad-slatted shutters, which eff
allow free access to the air. 1t is here
that our time indoors is spent, and
more cool, and therefore comfortable,
| spot cannot be found in the island. The
bedrooms are large. sparely furnished.
and unexpected; and each is provided
with balcony similar to the one on the
floor below making delightful place
to lounge in the evening, clothed only
in robe-du-nuit, and having for COM
| pany a West India ''swizzle. Our
| hotel has, besides many other conven-
fences, a bath-house, which is situated
in one corner of the courtyard. 1t is a
small stone affair, with open work
around the roof, and cool, cemented
bath inside. After my long sea-voyage
/ longed for dip in the cooling waters;
50, obtaining the key from Nathaniel,
/ the colored butler, sailed forth. But
on the way | fell in with a sharper in
the person of long-tailed monkey, who
/ lived on top of pole next door to the
! bath. He was most Hamoosin' cuss, -
and was all play and friendliness until
he inyeigled ME into giving him the key
to the bath, when he changed his tactics
at once and ran to the top of his pole
1A1t1 ihOAS sou t1A1d 4hSs
while endeavored in every way in my
power to make him return what he had
stolen. 1t was no use, however, and |
had to call Nathaniel to my aid before ]
again obtained possession of the key and
could take my coveted dip.
The meals and meal-houses in the
West Indies are perplexity to an
American A small cup of excessively
strong coffee, and little roll of bread
shaped something like a cooked hat,
are brought to your bedroom at six in
morning, After that you get nothing
until eleven, when comes breakfast
substantial meal, consisting of meats,
vegetables and fruits in great variety
Dinner is ready at six p. M, and is usu
with fair wines and plenty of them. tc
ally magnificent affair of many courses
say nothing of something stronger. The
West India dishes are, however, as {
rule, too highly spiced-red peppers
being used with altogether too liberal /;
hand Of course, the milk (when yol
get it) is condensed, and the butter
which is seldom seen, is canned. Cor
Clticago Tribune.