Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-05
A TRIP TO THE sun.
News From the Government Expedi-
ton Sent to Watch the Eclipse.
JOURNEYING ACROSS TIE OCEAN.
Stops Made at the Azores and the Cape de
Verde Islands.
ARRIVAL AT THE COAST OF AFRICA
rrnon QUE srrc1AI. oonurss1onrn.1

b,r 2.ALand was first sighted about 40 miles
distant early on Friday morning, Novem-
Der /. 1t was one of the Azore Islands,
Flores by name. The Azores belong to
Portugal, and are inhabited almost wholly
by Portuguese. At 6 o'clock on Saturday
morning the Island of Fayal could be seen,
with its numerous mountain peaks several
miles to the north. AS we sailed along the
island small white houses and occasional
barren spots were noticeable. Just before
reaching the entrance of the Bay of Horta
we passed within half mile of the Inferno
Caldeira, meaning the caldron of hell. This
is very deep pit surrounded on all sides.
except the one seaward, by strata of stone
which extend upward distance of go feet.
This caldeira was produced during volcanic
disturbances, for Fayal, as we'll as the other
Azores, are volcanic and are still active at
times. The next sight that attracted our at
tention were the little lots on the many hills
surrounded by peculiar hedges five feet in
height. These lots are rectangular in shape
and arranged symmetrically, thus presenting
a very striking appearance, Next
comes the beautiful Bay of Horta. 1t is
about three miles broad and nearly semi
circular in form. Have this in mind and
then imagine a city OF 5000 inhabitants
situated at the edge Of the water for two
thirds the distance of the semi-circle and
extending inland only three-quarters of a
mile, composed entirely of white buildings,
which gradually rise on the hIlly ground as
they reach backward. Now for a back
ground picture lofty hills, with symmetrical
tops high above the city on all Sides Such
is the Bay o6Horta and the city of the same
name.
As the visitor nears the port he observes
the fort, an old one, which would not hold
out against the modern man-of-war. At this
fort are stationed several companies of
Portuguese soldiers. When he lands he is
Immediately besieged by beggars, mostly
women and children, and if be is so unwise
as to give anything to one of these creatures
he is troubled by numerous members of the
fraternity" during his stay in the city.
The poorer people, as rule, go bare
footed, men, women and children alike.
The women of che middle or peasant class,
tune, which consists of large hood or head
dress, running to point about two feet
above the head and the same distance before
are made of a very heavy dark blue cloth,
and are worn the year round. The faces Of
these women are completely covered, and
they are easily mistaken for nuns by the
stranger. The higher class is the same as
the better class of Portuguese found in Por-
tugal. The Portuguese and Spaniards are
very much alike in looks, dress and man.
nerS. The languages Of the two people are
H. Al l. L
the other. Very few of the people at Horta
the place. The Portuguese are not an in
dustrious people, and it is difficult to under
stand how the many who chang about" the
streets of Horta make living.
ST. VINCENT.
After voyage of eight days we arrived
1T st. Vincent, one of the Cape Verde ISL
ands. st. Vincent is the best known of the
islands because of the excellent harbor of
Porto Grande, which is said to be one of the
best in the world. Being nine miles in
width and surrounded BY high mountains of
The islands of st. Vincent and San Antonio,
here is complete protection for large num-
Der of ships st. Vincent has become an
immense coaling station, so that as many as
20 ships can be seen coaling there daily.
The island of st. Vincent is almost entirely |
covered with mountains, many of which are |
more than 2, 900 feet high. The mountains |
Ire wholly barren, as also are the narrow |
valleys, and not a tree is to be seen on the |
sland by one passing by on the water. There !
s absolutely nothing to make st. Vincent |
VI any Importance except the harbor of |
Porto Grande.
The great coaling business has caused a |
'ity of 5000 Inhabitants to be built on the |
larbor. The proper name of this place is |
Jidade de Mindello, though it is generally /!
allied Porto Grande. The name is Portu-
,uese, for the Cape Verde Islands belong to
All but 500 of the population of
dindello is a mixed race OF Portuguese and
legroes. The city is four centuries old, and
vas not built with any regard to appearance.
With the exception of the Government
buildings, all are of the'most common kind.
me Portuguese Government lays heavy
uties on all imports, and as nothing what
yer grows or is made on the island, mer-
handise of all kinds must be sold at high
rice. A reduction of 80 per cent is made
n the duty of everything which is sent to
It. Vincent via Lisbon.
The inhabitants appear to be avery strong
nd healthy people, who. as would be ex-
ected, mature at an earlier age than those
f temperate climates. The women do the
ardest work of all kinds. As coal was
eing unloaded from vessel the men filed
he small carts and women furnished the
rotor power. Again, large cIstern was
eing dug for the town. The men loaded
he baskets with earth and stone and the
omen carried the same, heavily laden, up
ldders and to a considerable distance. The
IMPRESSION that received from brief stay
mong the people is that the women are
1pericr to the men in both body and mind.
hese are jolly people who care more for
good time than for work and good living.
he wages paid to male laborers are 80
,nts per day, for female 16 to IS.
With SO low wages and high
rices for everything, it is not to
; expected that these people can live, as we
nderstand the word. Theirs is mere ex-
tence with which, however, they seem to
; contented. 1 saw many homes which
insisted of one room, perhaps bed, no
her furniture whatever unless you can call
rough board bench an article of furniture,
s to morals not much can be said in favor
the people. The Government supports
hool which is free to all children, and
range as it may seem, these people are
lxious to have their children educated. A
-iest has charge of the school, and the doc
ines of the Catholic church are1taught for
is hardly necessary to say the Cape Verde
lands are Catholic in religion.
LANDING ON THE DARK CONTINENT
We gladly bade farewell to ST. Vincent the
ly after our arrival, and left for the African
ast. On November 18, at noon, African
nd was reported, and number OF the expe-
tion went up on the deck and there, under {
e burning midday sun, had their first '
ew of the Dark Continent. All that could j
seen at this time was one of the peaks of
e Sierra Leone mountains, many miles &
way. By o'clock we were but a short I
stance of, and the mountains on one side
the Sierra Leone river and the low coast ]
ith palm. trees on the other were plainly t
slble. The country looked truly tropical.
! an hour we had anchored opposite Free t
OWN. This city is the capital of the En- I
ish colony of Sierra Leone and has popu-
tion of 10000, nearly all of which is
ltiVe. 1t IS situated just in front of a
ountain, which forms pretty background.
art way up the mountain are the barracks, S
cupied by the English troops. t
November 10 will be day long remem-
red as my first day in Africa. A few t
inutes after 8 o'clock stepped upon Afri- 4
n soil for the first time. Had landed at /