The National tribune., 1892-03-17
THE ISLE OF JUNE.
Capital OF the Bahamas-Scated on Coral Rocks
Pickaninnies and Pofentatcs. and What They DO

| Pickaninnies and P0tentatcs, and What They DO.
| DEAR TRIBUNE: On a high prominence in Mas
sau, the Capital of the Bahama Archipelago. stands
| the Royal Victoria Hotel, from whose flagstaff
floats the glorious Stars and Stripes How good
and homelike the sighti This hotel is the prnci'
pal hosiery Of the island, built of coraline rock,
very massive, and is more than 200 feet front. 1t
was built by the Bahama Government at great ex-
aense aud was during late q TRUSTING
place where English and COnfederates met and
concocted their plans for running the blockade.
Most graphic and wonderful stories told of the
days when cotton was sovereign here and this
WINS the channel through which il flowed across
the ocean into English ports.
Times are changed now. The dashing and dar-
! ing men in gray that once made these courts and
| the roliicking prodgai times are passed, and in
stcad the quiet. intelligent business man comes
from the North with part or all of his family TO
recuperatc from over exertion and mental strain
in climate where the air is said to have healing
in its wings. where one can wander out and sit on
the rocks and feel for the time almost as much
alone as Robinson Crusoe, or on the broad piazZas
breathe the soothing, languid air and dream the
idle hours away.
What anomaly! A hotel built with British
money, on British soil and under British Govern
ment. run by Americans, the American flag float
ing over it, and dependent on the great American
dollar to sustain il.
The island of New Providence IL a great coral
rock with comparatively little native coil. 1t is
mostly made By picking and pulverizing the por-
GUS surface rock and mixing with 1t sand from the
beach. This is a slow process rs everyb body here
is constitutonally tired: and. then seed or root
let Will grow by inserting II In crevice, or by
punching a hole IN rock. A bush or tree gener-
ally gets IFS first start that way il is astonishing
the tenacity and vitality all plant life has. Hot
houses are useless for most beautiful flowers grow
by natural planting the year round. Roses, deli
cate and rare, are indigenous and grow In prOfu-
sion from 10 TO Is feet high often right out OF old
morning to the hotel courts and sell readily On
our table this morning were three bouquets each
large as a washbowl, and all roses.
One can hardly imagine what the original form
probably n a
peak OF q mountain range projecting out of the
sea. 1t slopes irregularly on oil sides toward the
water. On the highest point stands large, airy
house built of coraline, with many verandas and
much lattice work, and commands n view of the
whole island: This is the residence of the Gov
ernor of the Bahamas the Queen Bee in this little
hive. unseen and unknown by more important
parts OF the globe, but here, oh. my! The grounds
to this palatial residence are large and lie to the
south The many and beautiful trees. and all per.
tanning thereto, are inclosed with high stone walls.
The house faces the north and rests on the crest
of the hin. Here the art and handiwork OF man
have assisted nature with pleasing results. East
Hill street passes the front of the house closely,
carriages can drive to the foot of long fight Of
steps that lead up to the door. This passes
trely through the spacious grounds and at both
ends are high arclled gateways that securely
closed sunset but are open TO tile public during
the day. Passing down the steps, and crossing this
street drive, another flight of steps, cut from the
solid rock. descend to a large landing about 20 feet
square on which is
STATUE OF COLUMBUS
low; long mantle falls from his shoulders to the
ground, sombrero rests jauntily the back of
his hcad-not unlike the western cowboy Of to-
day-and his right hand leans heavy I'M
sbeathed sword. In front Of the statue other
steps, formed in the same way. leading down, and
at the bottom an iron gate which Apens on the
street below. The white rocks, The ups and downs,
the p!ateaus, steps and landings the verdure and
flowers, all combined, give a most romantic and
picturesque effect.
His Excellency the Governor " IS appointed by
the Queen. and. with his wife. who here bears The
title of Lady Shea" revels in greatness and is
officially addressed as follows
ITO His Excellency, Sir Ambrose Shea Knight
Commander Of the Most Distinguished Order
of st. Michael and Saint George. Governor and
Commander Chief in and over the said Ba-
hama Islands, ice-Admiral and Ordinary Of
the same.'
One can but smile Mt the contrast between the
above and the few modest words used in addressing
the President of our great United States.
The streets of this quaint little town a con-
slant curiosity and study. They of the same
hard rock we see everywhere either leveicd, ex-
cayated, or Tiled, as necessity requires, and are
usually n foot lower than the curbstone aud side
walk, which are of the same material. Where the
surface is reasonably level the cut Is simply made
lower for the street; where an ascent or Decline
the stone is sawed to a proper depth each side
and excavated to form an easy grade to reach the
ments sometimes and makes very irregular yards
and building spots. but house, large or small
seems TO be built wherever wanted. regardless Of
such minor details. In one yard where there are
four terraces OF solid rock, the upper reaching
to the second story. one cannot see spadeful of
soil. but roses oleander. cactus and pomegranate
grow luxuriantly thereon.
WHERE CoNvICTs ARE HAPPY.
Convict labor keeps The streets in repair. The
convict suit light blue and white The right side
OF the blouse or jacket is blue, the left side white
the pants alternate, the right leg being white and
the left blue. The convicts work in gangs and
sometimes chained together The eye OF an
overseer Is always on them, though he is comfort
ably located. you may be sure. They sit on the
ground and pound stone all through the hottest
days and look as happy as though carrying out a |
contract the price of which had at last been setled
by Powderly arbitration. Indentures are filled
with this crushed stone and the first rain forms it
into cement, which hardens in the heat Of the
Market street runs at right angles with and passes
through East Hill street by means of a tunnel. |
This looks like great piece OF masonry, but is
simply cut out OF the rock and arched over. On
one side are long flights of broad steps also
waited, for the use of pedestrians What n boon
such streets would he in our Northern cities where
thousands upon thousands are spent in cx pertinent
Here street sweeping IS reduced "A minimum.
Men of about tie usual age and Appearance and |
moving at the same untiring rate per hour rs in
our cities drag the surface over with few eahess
branches of tree tied together. Rather primaliye
but the desired result is attained.
The native inhabitants coal black and Of the
true and original type. Easygoing and good |
natured, nothing annoys them. They are very
sociable and like TO answer questions. / asked a |
JOLLY GIANT OF A FELLOW
II they ever tried TO save anything and get ahead
financially. lie laughed and said dey didn't had |
to- fur de sun, lie keep WON and We don't |
needs 10 noliin' to eats fur some mo- CROWN
all de vile, and de clothes dey donts costs muchl I"
That Is the secret of their contentment and poverty.
They need little and know the Lord will provide |
Men, women aud children doff their hats to an |
American and willingly obey their every mand.
They seem to have fascination for Northern peo-
pie, and will follow one for hours; will do any |
thing for n copper, will more willingly accept |
for doing nothing. They have not the slight |
est hesitancy In asking for Them and evidently be-
lieve Americans are copper plated and silver |
lined. II Is nothing to have them stop you on the
street and ask money to buy something they hap |
fat and shiny as seal, asked for q sixpence to
get breakfast.
One day,
ON THE SPONGE MARKET
man had two peculiar sponges we admired and |
asked the price. He said he wanted to sell badly, |
and would let US have them for Si.75. We smiled,
said II was too much, and sauEtered on. He fol- |
lowed saying, Would ye glib dollah. boss?" |
No; don't want your spcnges!" On the far side |
he appeared again. Would you glib Is cents, |
boss?" The boss ~ looked Mt me. shook my |
head. but kept my face sober. As we left the |
market he stood waiting and said. Lady you can |
hab 'em fur SO cents would you glib me so cents |
fur 'em, and I'll takes them to the hotel?" We |
had 10 laugh and the boss gave him the so cents.
When arrived at the hotel they were there
While these peculiar people will take and ask 10 |
times what thing Is worth if there is chance of
getting it, they will just pleasantly take what it
can be relied upon doing what they promise. 1t is
just safe to pay before after getting anything
as for servant stealing, it is unknown.
THE COPPER sCRAMBLERs. |
English money is used here wholly. A penny |