Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-01-30
RAMBLES IN JAMAICA.
Kings House the Interesting
Feature of Kingston.
A VERY PRETTY BUT DUSTY DRIVE.
Negroes Pride Themselves on Being the
Direct Descent of the Old Maroons-
Climate OF Barbados.

Jamaica is called, answers TO queen 3
House, In Barbados. 1t is situated
about four miles from Kingston, i'll
fertile plain among the hills, that re-
minds you of rural England. We were
asked to spend day with her Majesty's
representative. Sir Henry Arthur
Blake, and his estimable lady, and
drove out early enough to escape the
intense heat. Driving in Jamaica is
anything but pleasure at this time OF
the year, the roads being deep in white
dust. which flies everywhere in whirl-
ing clouds. In this island rains are not
constant, as in the Lesser Antilles to
the southwark. There is short wet
season and long dry one, and during
the latter period the fields and hillsides
become parched and brown, and moth
ing saves the crops from destruction
but the innumerable springs that gave
the country its name-Xaymaca-
"Land Of Springs.
Having ratified through the ill-paved,
unattractive city streets, we find the
suburbs more interesting. There are
many handsome homes on the long
slope that gradually ascends from the
sea to the mountains, and cottages
hedged with tall, slender spires of the
organ cactus as in Southern Mexico;
and farther on, white and yellow villas
are nestled among cane-fields and coffee
groves, and little farms where negroes
cultivate tobacco, corn, and yams.
The rural roads are Notwithstanding
the dust; but you meet great many
more pedestrians than vehicles, and
most of the latter are queer three
wheeled carts, drawn by three oxen
abreast, or by three mules, or three
horses; or perhaps "mixed team" of
horse, OK and mule harnessed side by
side.
There appears to be a great many
more women than men in Jamaica,
judging from those met in the street,;
but, perhaps, it is because the females
are more given to gadding about.
Hereabouts women are not the gentle"
sex, but do more work that requires
strength and physical endurance and
make decidedly more noise than the
males; but all are jollity and politeness
personified and do not seem to have a
care in the world.
Once in the country the perfumed air
smells exotic, and the greenhouse feel
ing in the hot, moist temperature is
enhanced by the discovery that the
loveliest and most fragrant violets are
blooming all along the dusty wayside
and very weed in the fields is one of
the daintiest plants which we cultivate
under glass at home. Presently the
lodge of Kings House is reached, and
you turn into an extensive park, in the
center of which stands the great, square
building, amid groups of fine old trees,
400 feet above Kingston. Its surround
ings and tropical elegance of arrange
ments are charming. Like the houses
of other wealthy West Indians. it is
planned to keep out hot air and exces.
sive rains in way that is possible only
where cold weather is unknown and
chimneys unnecessary A description
of this model country house answers
for thousands of others, not only in
Jamaica but all the English Islands.
1t is square, built of stone and stands
upon blocks, leaving space under
meath for the circulation of air, and is
approached by broad fight of steps,
On three sides of the mansion which
the sun touches deep verandas OF bal
comics are thorwn out on the first and
second floors, closed in front by green
blinds or rather by jalousies set into
panels, which can be partially or COM
pletely shut. so that at distance it
looks like house of cards, or an
enoromus green dry-goods box with
vines clambering over it.
Behind the jalousies run long, wide,
airy galleries, and into these all the
rooms open. When the blinds are
down, as they generally remain all
day, the galleries are in twilight, and
the communicating rooms so dark that
one can hardly see to read in them;
but the subdued light gives sense of
GOODNESS and repose delightfully."- refresh
ing in contrast with the broiling glare
outside. The floors are black. smooth
and polished, with loose rugs for car
pets and the lightest of rattan furni-
ture. without bit of stuffy drapery or
upholstering. Cane sofas and reclin-
ing chairs are scattered about the gal
leries, and everybody ''of the male
persuasion" smokes when and where
he pleases, for the free circulation of
air sweeps away all traces. The spa
cious dining saloon is detached from
the house, reached from the drawing
room by flight of stairs and thence
along covered passage. Among the
mango and fig trees behind it is a
separate suite of rooms for the aids-de-
camp; and beyond that superb swim
ming bath, sixty feet long and eight
'eet deep. The servants quarters are
'ome distance from the house-a group
If white cottages hidden in clumps of
bamboo and banana. Sir Henry has a |
amous collection of orchids and other
botanical treasures and Lady Blakes'
and the paintings she has