Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-02-21
4 LETTER E'ROM BERMUDA.
The Land Of Perpetual Sunshine, Pal
mettOes and Palms.

The Land OF Perpetual Sunshine, Pal
mettOes and Palms.
Dreamy, Happy Days in these pleasant
Summer Isles of the Sea-"
To the Editor Of The Ph9nir No guest
that comes to us in these warm, sunny and
picturesque, but isolated islands, is more
heartily welcomed than The Phoenix. We
eagerly scan its columns for news of home
friends and home doings One does not
realize the possibilities Of a week until one
is beyond telegraphic communication, and
reduced to a weekly mail In few months
Bermuda will be brought into closer con-
tact with the great world by a submarine
telegraphic cable, to be laid by the English
government from Halifax to Jamaica via
Bermuda. Then the place will become an
important signal service station, and its
value as British military and naval post
will be greatly increased Though the
American visitor is not considered in the
laying Of a cable, STILL he will profit by it,
unless he feel with Mark Twain, that the
charm of the place is its isolation Then
he can follow the advice of that witty
sage retire to one of the many small, un-
occupied islands, and if he see a messenger
boy coming in boat, shoot him"
Now, every Sunday morning all eyes are
directed across the bay to Gibbs Hill light
house 10 catch sight Of white flag marked
with a red diagonal cross-the signal for
the New York mail. Very likely the ship
has been anchored several hours in Five
Fathom Hole, waiting for daylight and
high tide, conditions necessary to safe nav
igation over reefs and through narrow,
shallow channels to Hamilton harbor. Pas
sengers forget the misery of recent sea-
sickness as they stand on deck drinking in
the warm, soft air and enjoying the beauty
Of the bluest, most transparent water, dot
ted with coral islands, through whose ce-
dars and palmettOes CLEAN white rooted
cottages. For a delightful winter climate
Bermuda has few parallels in the world
no cold, or excessive heat, no great or sud
den changes of temperature. 1t rejoices
in constant succession of sunny days, the
rains falling chiefly in showers of but few
hours duration at most. Grey days are
welcome for their rarity This brightness
of weather doubtless has its effect in the
cheerful contentment noticeable in the ma
tives The colored people, who constitute
three-fourths of the population, seem al
ways good natured and happy. Their
wants are not many, and If onions and po-
tatoes run short there are always fish in the
sea.
In writing Of BermudiAn climate it would
hardly be fair not to mention the winds,
which, though never cold, do sometimes
blow with force that claims attention.
Why shouldn't they, with unimpeded sweep
over such waste of waters To stand on
the south shore and watch the big, green bill
lows dash into white, foamy surf over the
reefs and leap high into the air, is an ex-
perience worth having a gale to enjoy.
In contrast are calm evenings, when the
water Of the bay is a shining mirror in
which are reflected the glorious sunset
clouds, every object on shore, and the sails
gliding lazily over its surface. Just now
we greatly need rain to fill the water tanks.
The porous nature of the coral stone pre-
venting the formation of springs and
streams, a supply of fresh water is caught
and stored during rain storms. All roofs
are whitewashed twice a year in accord
ance with law that also fixes the lowest
limit for the number and size of reservoirs
to be cut in the rock and lined with cement.
The water thus collected and preserved is
sparkling, wholesome and delicious.
The elevation Of the Bermudas is greater
than that of most coral islands, hills of
drift rock rising to height of two or three
hundred feet. This friable stone is easily
sawed into blocks and slabs, and of it all
Bermudian houses are built
The semi tropical vegetation includes the
orange, lemon, banana and many species
of palm Oleander hedges, rich more than
half the year with fragrant blossoms,
abound, and the rose blooms perpetually
with never a slug nor bug to mar the
| perfection of leaf or flower Near the
| close Of Lent thousands Of Easter lilies are
shipped to New York Packed in sea moss,
each bud in a separate compartment of its
| box, they may remain week and when
removed will open as though still on their
| native stems.
Though small and remote, the Bermudas
/ are by no means without society and Wis
itors who wish it may soon have a round of
engagements for receptions, afternoon teas,
tennis, card and dancing parties, which,
with the frequent hops at the Princess and
| Hamilton hotels, give enough of social gay
ETY.. The red coat is seen everywhere, and
the English officer is lion in society. To
speak of the prevalence of scarlet fever
is to make a stale but ever pertinent joke.
During the day hotels and boarding houses
are deserted for life out of doors. 1t is in
terestng TO watch the groups gathered af-
ter breakfast on the verandas and wharf
of the Princess, chatting about their plans
for the day, gradually dispense their vari
Gus ways some in a steam launch for St
Georges, the Dockyard, or to see the won.
derful sea gardens of the reefs some in
yachts, sailed by jolly colored shippers, tC
make a tour of the islands, while rowboats
carry others to Fairyland, across to Paget
or down town to explore the shops fol
souvenirs to take home. For driving there
are one hundred miles of smooth, hard
road, free from dust or mud, leading along
the shore, and inland through varied anC
charming scenery, with many places of in
terest and natural curiosity for objective
points
So time passes rapidly and when, recruit
ed in health and strength, visitors turr
their faces to the colder North, it is witt
lingering looks backward to these pleasan
summer isles of the sea.
JANETTE HOWE.
Princess Hotel, Hamilton, Bermuda,
Feb, 5, 1890,
Barnum is in clover in London and NJ
mistake. Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone cam