Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18

hoe puiuanS Is me structure aad equal TO
anything of its kind in the United States. The
inhabitants Of Baddeck are for the most part
Scotch, descended from "Crofters" of the west
ern islands of Scotland. For generations their
ancestors led hard lives in the deepest poverty,
subsistinG half from the land and half from the
sea. About seventy-fve years ago the people
were turned out by wholesale from the islands
of Scotland, which they had inhabited from
time immemorial. to make room for sheep and
deer. Their houses were burned or unroofed
to prevent them from returning. Their fields
were given over TO wild beasts deer game &c
and they themselves were packed off in ships
to America. Many settled in Cape Breton pre-
pared for them by British mea-of war that car
ried the French from Cape Brcton). as they
had already done in Nova Scotia. and the
Scotch Crofters were put IN possession
PROM DwARFs TO GIANTS.
The people belonged to stunted race, the
men and women being much below the average
height. The change of climate has effected
complete change of appearance in the people
The children of the little puny men and women
grow up TO enormous size. There is hardly
man under six feet, while very many reach six
feet and two inches and some six feet and four
inches IN height. One grew to be nearly eight
feet high and was exhibited as a giant He
died q few years ago and his grave in ST. AIMS
boots, his clothes, his rings and mis- coat but
tons are carefully preserved and exhibited to
strangers. The people of Cape Breton and of
Baddeck in particular are religious. They are
Presbrlerians of the John Knox order.
sMILELEss SUNDAY.
One Sunday morning when awoke found
the sun well up in the horizon. Deathlike
stiffness reigned everywhere. The street in
front OF the hotel was deserted; not living
thing was seen; all had gone to church. The
contrast between the busy Baddeck of yester-
day and ITS silent counterpart of today was so
great as to excite my curiosity as to the cause.
VI course knew 1t was Sunday and that il
was day of rest, but never before had been
IN place where everything was SO lfeless
On entering the breakfast room / met the
guests of the house, but not one of them
smiled, and the only salutation that received
was cold and formal nod. However L sat
down to the table and ate my breakfast amid
the general silence which prevailed. The cause
OF this change from the gaiety of the night be-
fore could not well understand. Had some
great calamity occurred? If So what was il?
As soon as breakfast was over L took my hat
and went out for a stroll along the shore.
Every person l met appeared sad and thought
full. The walk of all was slow and sober; even
the horses that on Saturday trotted at lively
pace seemed to feel the universal hush and
they. too, just dragged one leg after the other.
On my return to the hotel 1 asked the land
lord the reason for this unusual sadness. He
looked at me a moment to see whether L was in
earnest. and being satisfied that L was not
joking informed me that it was Sunday. "Ah.'
said L. "Ah. the disciples OF John Knox reside in
this place, and like their ancestors do not allow
any unhallowed thought or action to mar the
quiet of the Lords Day."
Eastward from the town we wendell our way
along the coast until we came to a point at the
mouth of the bay of Baddeck-another outlet
Ilrac n lr OH rka
here for several miles is high table land. run
ming boldly to the shore and breaking off in a
steep Cliff. On the opposite side of the bay
rises Benin Bhreagh-a beautiful mountain
jutting out into the lake and presenting a
stately appearance from every point of view.
From the summit one of the most magnificent
views can be had
THE TOP OF BENIN BHREAGH.
The highest point of Benin Bhreagh is
clear rounded space of about fifty acres on
which grow rich grasses affording sweet pas
turage. Standing on this summit one sees that
Cape Breton is a hollow island-an island
turned inside out with the salt water inside
The sea enters the island on the east through
two very long and narrow passage called by the
French Bras Or, or Arms OF Gold. The in
habitants do not understand French and do not
know, therefore, that these words mean the
Arms of Gold" and as the pronunciation is
misleading they very commonly speak of the
two entrances as the brass DOORS" These
passages are the connecting links between the
ocean and the interior lakes.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELLS ESTATE.
DIR. Alexander Graham Bell of Washington,
so well known as the inventor of the telephone
has purchased Benin BhreaSh and will lay it
out as a beautiful estate. The mountain is well
watered; fine spring of clear water bursts
forth half way up the mountain side-a spring
that is capable of producing power either for
electrical or other purpose.
DR.. Bell has bought a number of the native
sheep. which rove all over the place He has
erected high wire fence from water to water
to keep his own sheep from straying off the
premises and strange sheep from mixing with
them. In order TO distinguish his sheep from
his neighbors he tattoos their ears on the in
side, numbering them, that when one
startles the sheep they turn and look at him
with their ears standing out, and are at once
identified.
One of the finest harbors for small craft on
the lake Is owned by DR.. Bell on the north of
Benin Bhreagh, and is called the Bell haIbor"
Its waters are always calm, no matter how
angrily the waves lash the long and narrow
beach. On a bluff at the head of this beautiful
harbor and not far from the falls DR.. Bell has
erected a summer cottage. with large and de-
lghtful verandas, and the view from here is
superb.
Near the western extremity of Benin Bhreagh
Is an Olu an 1hSSicSlliAS mere
buried some of the first highlands settlers of
Baddeck, and their children still desire to be
laid beside their parents in this sunny nook.
After enjoying the view from the summit the
tourists pleasure is not complete unless he takes
a boat and rows around this peninsula and then
to Big harbor, long. narrow harbor with
dense foliage on one side and PERCEPTIONS white
gypsum cliffs on the other. aud a. its head a
green meadow in the center of which rises
round knoll-a charming place for picnic.
THE BELL COTTAGE
is built on rising ground about mile north of
Baddeck and from its portico fine view of both
bay and lake can be obtained. The level,
smooth shaver lawns. nicely pruned trees and
gravel walks show that gentleman of culture
and refinement resides here. As one ap-
proaches the house his arrival is announced by
the bark of a large Newfoundland dog. The
owner at once comes out to see who the visitor
may be. The figure is one familiar to all sci
entIsts. Prof. Bell extends warm welcome
1t is here that Prof. Bell seeks sec fusion when
at work on some important subject. His
library, which is his work shop, contains many
volumes relating to all branches OF science He
gat hers specimens of granite for the geolOglst
ana insects for the study OF the entomologist
He finds time to study up the genealogy of the
deaf and dumb and, in short, is one of the
closest students OF our time.
The house Is handsomely and warmly fur
nished. Sealskin rugs adorn the floors; the an
tique furniture of Scottish pattern contrasts
strongly with the high-priced velvet parlor
suites of our city homes.
PAUL AND VIRGINIA