The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-10-20
BERMUDA ISLANDS.
Their Topography. History. Products. and
Other Items Of Interest.

Their Topography, History, Products. and
Other Items Of Interest.
the Bcrlnudas are group of small
islands belonging to Great Britain,
situated in the Atlantic Ocean, $50
miles southeast OF Cape Hatteras. The
group is formed upon coral reef, and
is eighteen miles in length and six in
greatest breath. The group contains
nearly 400 islets, most of them being
mere points of rocks, and not more
than twelve of them are inhabited.
The area of their entire surface is not
more than $4,000 acres. Bermuda, the
largest island, is sixteen miles long
and about one and half miles in
width. The other principal islands are:
st. Georges, Ireland. Somerset and st.
David's The islands are nearly sur
rounded with hidden, coral reefs, max
ing approach to them. difficult, but
there ara! several good harbors. st.
Georges Isle, the military station OF
the colony. commands the entrance of
the only passage for large vessels, which
is defended by stfong batteries. The
climate of the islands is peculiarly de-
lightiul. the thermometer ranging from
60 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit in the Win
ter season and from 81 to 86 degrees
Fahrenheit in the heat of summer aud
the air is moist ut all times. The soil
Is. fertile, and vegetation remains green
through ihc entire year. The chief
productions of the islands are arrow
root. coffee. cotton. garden vegetables.
and fruit. A fine quality OF rum is also
made and exported Cedar trees grow
abundantly, and their wood is exported
and also used in the manufacture OF
the small, swift vessels with whose aid
tho islanders visit one another for bust
ness or pleasure. The fisheries of the
islands are very valuable. There are
no frcsh-water streams or wells on the
| islands, but rain-water, caught in
cisterns, is used for all purposes. The
only large towns are Hamilton, stu
ated on Bermuda, and st. George. on
the isle of the same name. The Der.
muda Islands were discovered in 1922,
by Jean Bermudez. Spaniard. who
was wrecked on them. Sir George
Somers was also wrecked here in 1909
on his way to Virginia. He continued
his journey after repairing his vessel,
and the glowing description which he
gave of the islands induced colony
from Virginia to emigrate thither in
1911. The groupwas first called Som
ers' Islands. but later the name was
changed IN honor of its first discoverer.
In 1914 colony from England settled
on the islands under charter from
James l., and in 1910 regular govern
ment was established there. During
the civil war many persons of position
and wealth took refuge on the islands,
and the colony became large and pros
porous. The government Of the Bcr-
mudas consists of 3 Governor and Coun'
Gil appointed by the Crown. and an as
sembly of Sc members elected by the
people. The population, according to
the census taken in 1881, is 13,948 in
habitants, Of whom about 5000 are
white people. There was penal col
ony established here early in the cent.
ury, but it was given mp in 1862 There
are number of schools and churches
on the islands, and the white person:
resident here are possessed Of much
wealth and refinement. - Chicago hefes
OeedA