Smyrna times., 1896-04-15
IN FAIR BERMUDA.

In FAlk DEKmODA.
Frank Bailey's Description of the Vast
Growth of Easter Lilies and the FASH
iOnabIe Races of the Island.
! FRIEND EDITOR:
When this letter reaches you, Easter
will have passed that bright day, so
dear to every Christian heart. One
more golden sheaf, in the Garner
house of time. It has been my priYi=
lege to witness the gathering of the
lilies sent to my own country for the
! decoration of the churches and homes
of our people. How can | ever describe
the beauty of this great collection?
The soft, velvety, pure white blossom,
resting against the dark green of its
leaf, is familiar to all your readers,
but, if one has not seen them here, in
the strength of their beauty, where
whole fields of waving bloom run riot
in their luxuriance, it is impossible to
imagine the delight of the visitor, who
has so lately come from the snow and
ice of our climate.
The town of ST. George, which di-
vides with Hamilton the honor of being
the two largest in Bermuda, was
founded 1894, and was formerly the
Capital. The streets are narrow and
uninteresting. II Is military station.
On inland Island is situated the Royal
dock yard and naval establishment. On
the highest point stand hospital and
a lunatic asylum. 1t is said, the har-
Dor of st. George has space enough
to accommodate the whole British
wealth was the growing of tobacco,
but at a later period, the produce Of
the salt lagoOns of Turk Island, be-
came main article of trade. The first
newspaper, the Bermuda Gazette, was
published in 1884
The islands are wholly composed of
q white granular limestone of various
degrees of hardness; and caves, which
usually appear in limestone formations,
are we'll represented; many of them
running far into the land, displaying a
rich variety of stalagmites.
The harbor of Hamilton contains
many islands, reminding one of Alex
andria Bay; and the water is as clear
as that of Lake George, where objects
at great depths seem to be only a few
inches from the surface. The guide
book informs us there are 1000 in
habitants in Hamilton and about 100
miles of road, which, have no superior
in the world. There are no hills which
a wheelman cannot climb with ease;
and the white glare of the avenues and
houses are so shut in by the masses of
tropical foliage, in every shade OF
green, that the eye does not tire of this
sameness in color.
The Princess, which is the abiding
place of your writer, is the only frame
hotel on the Island; and was selected
not only for its many attractions, but
on account of its complete prevention
E from dampness. 1t stands on the very
e edge of the water, having a beautiful
e view of the bay, and possesses nearly
= all the sO-called modern improvements
I affOrding the change and rest desired
by all visitors-the full meaning hav
ing been facetiously described as the
bell boys getting the change and the
landlords the rest.
1t was a merry party of ladies an6
gentlemen starting out from this hote
few days ago, bound for the races
This is a great day here, all business i,
suspended and the whole population
!. turn out zen masse" to observe tn,
holiday. To one who has seen tn,
real English Derby, it would doubtless
seem tame; but they bear favorabl,
i comparison to the Montreal Hurdl,
" races, and l think 1 may claim fo
them a slight superiority over on
d Dover Fair exhibitions without detri
ment to my own State. Well, here W,
go, all sorts and conditions of people
every kind of vehicle impressed int
j. service, from the most elegant carriag
= to the simple cart and donkey. AL
the hotels, the numberless Pensions O
boarding-houses, contributing thei
quota to the general hustle, all eagerl,
pressing on to the race e-course-'th
ultama thule" of their ride.
], Arriving upon the grounds. we re
ceived tickets for our wheels an
mounted the grand stand. What
in scene of excitement! The prancin
horses, shining like satin, lead b.
l. sturdy English grooms, their expectan
G. riders costumed in yellow and black
er red and blue, the vivid colors STANDING
"A out against the bare earth like som
I'd imprisoned rainbow. Carriages com
20 dashing up with their precious load q
fair women, rivaling the sunshine wit
he their brightness, and bringing also tn
inevitable English hamper, filed wit
,. toothsome dainties. Military mer
- whose stately tread and gorgeous UNI
IN forms, keep up with the noted guards
mon Va AA'hAVit Hhh nelp 10 IOfm
scence find myself inadequate TO d,
m scrible The bell rings, and every ey
= is turned to the starting Here the
!, come, neck to neck, all the visitor
rising on tip-toe to watch the flyin
"a. steeds. Here they come, now the re
and blue, now the black and yellow
in on and ON, till the rubicon il paase,
me and the agony over Many poun
- changed hands, aud many face
A. clouded with disappointment as
- turns away from the beaming counter
ance Of the winner. As your writ,
Il was like the Dutchman, 'bet nit him
VI self, " the transfer OF money from on
Il pocket 20 the other was not attendt
= with the same gloom as characterize
uss the regular sporting man.
" As fear ! ~ trospassinQ upd