New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-18
A WINTER PARADISE.
WITH DRAWBACKS AAD PROSPECTS.
N.ss.u AM ITS c1IMATE-LACK OF ENERGY
IMPENDING CHANGES-A NEW SUN
IN THE SKY
IN THE SKY.
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the sole stock in trade Meteorological tables
showing the mean temperatures during the au-
tumn winter and spring are conspicuOusly dis
PLAYED in the hotel circulars sent to New-l FORK
and London. The incoming visitor is conducted
TO the corner where the thermometer hangs and
is informed that the mercury remains practically
stationary during the twenty-fOur hours, that
there are no sudden transitions from heat to chilli
ness. and that nothing is lacking TO make Nassau
an ideal summer resort in the heart of the winter
season. The climate is the Joker boldly played
so as to bring out all the trumps. Ii may be
good for the first trick of attracting visitors, but
it is not strong enough to win the game of con-
verting the island into prosperous wirterinc re-
sort. Climate counts for much. but 1t is not every
thing. Comfortable a. the hotel accommodations
undoubtedly aIe. and manifold the pctur-
esque effects of the island there has been lack OF
energy and public spirit in improving the town
and imparting freshness and variety TO Its at
fractions. If the climate had been less equablc.
less reliance would have been placed upon it and
greater effort would have been made 10 develop
the resources of the islands.
4 Northern visitor is impressed at once with
a sense of neglected opportunities. lie lands al
4 shabby little park, which, with moderate
Investment of public funds, might be enlarged
and converted into a beautiful waterfront pleas
Janeiro. His guide on the way to the hotel
halts in a perfunctory manner in front of the
mammoth silk-cotton tree back of the postoiicc.
md in the course of his first drive he will see
cocoanut groves. few stunted royal palms. trop-
zeal fruit trees of every kind in ill-kept gardens
and at least one unique palm-tree, with foliage
tasselled with purple fringe. but no attempt has
been made to exhibit and multiply these forms
of luXurant vegetation in botanical garden
The drives are delightful, but few in number and
limited in range. There is a pretty beach, but
facilities for comfortable bathing are lacking.
There is a promise of fishing and NARROWING parties
among the adjacent islands, hut the water Is
ordinarily too rough for comfortable voyaglng
ut least for ladies. Excursions are planned with
difficulty owing TO the lack of s-eam-yachts and
launches. The visitor is forced to find recrea-
ton on shore, and occupation is wanting. The
public library. the Cathedral, the museum. the
miniature theatre. the Governors Mansion, the
prison, the hospital and the fish-market can be
seen in single hour. The sca-gardens. the lake
of fire. the Notifications, the spongcfshcries and
the other attractions catalogucd with painstaking
zeal in the handbooks are speedily exhausted
The visitor finds himself outside the circuit Of
cable communication and dependent for letters
ard newspapers upon a fortnightly mail service.
and in tie interval between steamer days
dulness reigns. The Nassau theory presupposes
that restfulneSs and quiet are essential to happi
ness in winter resort with a perfect climate
The experience of American visitors tends to
prove that restlessneSs is induced by assitudc and
lack Of occupation and pleasurahlc excitement.
Moreover when tourists especially nvalids are
restricted TO the amusement Of watching the
mercury in the tube they become incredulous re-
specting the official readings of the mean temper
hi. -;.l, o,1 f,r
nished with heating facilities would compromise
the reputation of this winter paradise for invads.
No attempt is made TO Giscredit the climate
in this way and when the weather is damp
and chilling breezes are blowing. sometimes
happens in December and January. there is dis
comfort among the guests, especially If they are
Americans accustomed to living in overheated
houses and offices in winter time. This de-
preston of a thermometer which warranted
n register mean heat of over 70 degrees, may
he pronounced phcnomenal-a nineteen years wOn-
6er-but this does not mitigate the disappont-
ment of shivering invalds longing for a warm
corner by an open fire. This is the experience
of guests who have been here since November but
have not found the localized climate wholly trust
worthy. Perhaps if more recreation and occu-
patton had been supplied they would have had
less time for critical investigation of the temper.
ature.
Lest these reflections may seem prejudced let
ne record my own favorable impressions of Mas
sau The weather to-day is that of md-June in
New-York. with the blue dome of sky
frescoed with the most delicate cloud tracery
and the luminous waters of the harbor re-
splendent with broad bands of harmonizng
colors-emerald, violet and turquoise blue. The
air is laden with the perfume of white shaddock,
yellow jasmine, pimentO and cinnamon trees.
The gardens may have neglected aspect, but
roses are blooming under every matched cabin
in Grantstown, and the fruit trees hang heavy with
oranges. bananas, cocOanuts. tamarnds alligator
pears and custard-appes The streets are the
cleanest which | have seen 70" many year, and
the drives which | have taken have been over
excellent roads in perfect order. 1t would be
difficult to find another tropical island where
within the compass Of an hours drive gmpscs
of a wider range of luXuriant vegetation could
he obtained. From the foliage Of the
waving cOcoanut plumcS to the refinement OIL
delicacy in the countless varieties Of wayside
ferns from the gnarlcd and buttresscd ceihas 10
tie light and graceful almond trees, from the
paadulous cactus to the free-growing sisal now
cultivated by the acre in every quarter OF The
island the eye passed rapidly with an unfailing
sense of refreshment and delight. l looked in
vain for oeanders in blossom. but the gardens
were filed with roses and jasmine, and the WHO
flowers by the roadside, growing from crevice'
in the spongy limestone ard coral rocks were OF
surprising lovelincss. Let me bear my feeble
testimony. based upon the limited experience OF
single delightful day. TO the natural beauty and
perfect climate OF Nassau.
Then. too let me add that if rcstlulncss OF
a strictly passive kind be wanted, there can be
no winter resort where there is less need OF
,,,,. han ne canital q HalamaS
With coaches to be had for fifty cents an hour
and with a swarm Of good natured negro attend
ants close al hand 10 do almost anything fol
five CENTS exercise and labor are traditions OF
the busy word which has been left
beaind across the sea. | strongly suspect
that tine industrious invads who have giyer
me depressing account Of the December weather