The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-08
PLACES IND PEOPLE IN JAMAICA.
Some OF tho Inland Towns-Railroads-I
Methods OF Living Among tho Negroes.

KINGSTON May o-Mandeville is the only
inland town in Jamaica possessing any spe-
cial attraction for tourists that is easily ac
cessille. aud that is also n fairly com Portable
place in which TO stay a few days when one
gets there; consequently visit 10 it usually
comprises all the inland travelling which the
average visitor to the island is apt to under
take. This is unfortunate because journey OF
like distance in almost any other direction
would. perhaps yield more interesting ex-
periences. and much greater opportunities Tor
acquiring a knowledge OF the beauties o! the
country and the strange life OF its people.
Besides being easy OF access it is the only
town in the island besides Kingston that has
decent hotel. There are two hotels there.
Offering excellent accommodation. and
very soon there will be another built
there to DO run as q tlrst-class Ameri-
can hotel similar to the one recently eroct-
cd by an American company in Kingston.
Vaudeville is the country resort OF the we'll
TO do people OF Kingston, pretty much as Sara
toga and Lake George are OF New Workers. 1t
ia situated In the Manchester Hills, at an ele-
walton OF 2,l3O feet above tho sea level. ana in
a district containing most charming scenery.
The face Of the country is composed of num-
berless rounded hilltops, the general elevation
varying between 1000 and 5000 feet. and
among aud upon the SUBMITS Of these hills are
handsome little villas. the country residences
of Jamaicans who 20 there for the cool noun
tnin air in the dry season. and not Tow OF
them are rented 10y Americans who go there 10
spend the winter months. The climate Is eX-
cellent. although somewhat damp in certain
seasons on account OF heavy fo2s. The tenn
pera,ure varies from G5' to So In the shade
the days are not too warm for comfort
and tho nights are delightfully."- cool. The town
all IL oil md Ntl
exceedingly neat clearly appearance marks it
MS entirely distinct from almost all other towns
on the island. 1t has more The appearance OF
n quiet old English village in the kentish
downs than of n West Indian town. Tho neat
little stores and white cottages OF the peas
antry arc grouped around Rrass-covered
square On one side is the solidly built stone
Court House and on the other picturesque
old Norman church surrounded by moscow
cred tombstones that are almost hidden by
masses OF roses. honeysuckle, orange blossoms.
bright scarlet poinsettas. and oil manner OF
flowers. The vegetation clothing the hill
sides and scattered over the lawn-like
pastures Is not that usually associat-
ed with ideas Of the tropics. There are
hut tow palm trees or cumps OF BAN
hoo Of which one sees so many in the low
lands but the whole country Is like an English
manor park. There are a great many white
peope in tho district, and the negro peasantry
are better dressed and much more prosperous
than in any o.her section Of tho island. 1t Is
charming place, and one soon falls under the
/ gentle, eneivating sue.l OF the climate, the
days gliding by in sweet content that seems
TO characterize life under tropic sun.
TO reach Mauduville one travels forty seven
miles by rail to tho little village Of Porus.
whence a mail coach runs TO Mandevlle. but
almost every one will prefer to engage one OF
tho many buggies oilernR for hire, as they
+ ufrord q much pleasanter means Of covering
the ton miles Of steep but very pleasant and in-
! torres ing road. m r
perience. An American syndicate has lately
! purchased tho road. and Will no doubt soon
| management There Hre two classes OF car
| riagcs, first and third; Tho former arc pre-
cisely like the English ilrst ;class tarra.eS IL
/ hot, close. and stuiTy. They are thickh cu-h-
| ioned and tightly enc! osed and the eAperor CO
/ that OF two hours IN q. Turkish bath. Bnt they
arc exclusive, and this is even more OF, IGr-
s ihe Ensl f The brd.aass csriasSs arc
Thsy are simply IKE an SrdinS1ry S SS5
dow down The the middle, They have no windows, but
are open all along each side from the height OF
mcnl affords ample room for air and track
ballast TO circulate thrqugh thS h., car, and "a "a
! vegetation along tho track il very dense. and
7 Tor n great part Of tho way hens in the train
, on eithrr aide with a wall Of trceS closely in
tertwincd viii, creepers. 30 that the ,Irayoller
can see but little OF tho country. The road
from porus to MRndeyllle is much frequented,
and l. bordered on either side IN many places
with little groves Of bananas and yam patches
and neat huts OF tho negroes. On almost
any other road on the island one
. may travel from one town to another.
among the mountains. or by thu soasllor"i or
. through swamps and forests, without ncc lnE
: n single Vehicle or seeing sign OF human
habitatiou. The scenery along the d'he Is
. very Interesting and beautiful The roh
twists and turns about up the hiIlsidts cross
. ing frequently from one to Rnoihor ana run
( ming by narrow canons allied with rich beauty
OF trees, palms OF every variety, lamhoo5;
| banana trees cotton. cedar and MAHOGANY all
laced together with creepers 81 every shade OF
| color, and with long, ropc.lkr wit hes,
While Vaudeville Is u delightful and charm
ing place, nnd in great favor with Aine lean
visitors, there nrc Il great many Other utarr,
in lhr island that possess greater Alirttluh',
both in boluiy OF hrrnery aud esuH"l4lir IN no
strange manners and customs OF the leople,
but they are dlIcut Of access aud the ira oil;
Tor who dOsir0S TO visit them must be prepared
10 accept ohNOItully WhAtOVOE hO can set N the