The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-09-18
NUMBER 81.


people II has a rocky soil and is Gov
cred almost everywhere with iInpere-
trable bush. The few settlements are
On the east coast, and the center II the
island has never been explored This
furnishes food for the superStitious and
fanciful minds of the negroes. who re-
late wonderful tales of race OF giants
and various supernatural beings who
are supposed tn inhabit the interior
and occasionally visit the coast al night
Almost all the settlers on this island are
engaged in sisal cultivation, Of which
there are several large plantations. that
of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, VI. r.. being
notable.
The long struggling island OF EIeu-
thera has also siSal estates. though the
local speciality is the raising Of Tiuear-
pies. The island Is cooler in summer
than Nassau. and many OF tn. inhab-
itants are glad to escape from the me-
tropolis to Governors Harbor and other
settlements. where decent accommotla-
tionS may be found. which Is mor- than
can be said of most of the other islands.
Inagua, the most Southerlv of the
group, lying close to Hayti. i somewhat
different in character. II possesses ex-
horses Mention must be made II San
Salvador. which was the first land
touched upon by Columbus He sun
sequently visited New Providenca. Oc-
tober L, 1892, which he named +, rnan-
dina after Ferdinand of Spain.
The island was chiefly celebrated in
early days on account of the deeds of
daring set of pirates who had fised ON
Nassau as their headquarters The
reefs and shoals which surround the
harbor made convenient retreat for
those knowing the waters. but extreme
" dangerous for any unlvary vessel that
might be driven towards the shores.
The pirates Al length attracted So much
attention that, at the solicitation of
British merchants George l. dispatched
an armament TO reduce the colony 20
obedience. During the early pars Of the
American war of independence the is
land was taken by Commodore Hopkins
but abandoned as untenable. II was re-
taken in 1.s1 by the Spaniards and
Americans. but afterwards restored 10
Great Britain.
OF course the palmy days of the Baha-
mas 0iSe the other West Indies) were.
before the abolition of slavery still
during the American civil war. money
literally poured into Nassau II WIS the
principal center for blockade running.
and all provisions and stores were
bought up al fabulous prices.
The sights of Nassau are certainly
not numerous; there are two. however.
which the visitor should not neglect.
The first * the phosphoreseent lake
which lies two miles east of the Town.
and only about so yards from the sea.
with which ii iS connected 10y a chan
mel II Is said TO be the most phnSpho-
rescent piece OF water in the world. but
the reason of the phoSphorescene has
never been satisfactorily explained.
The lake. or pond. * artificial. havirg
been cut many years ago. probably for
storing turtle Certain II J. that on any
dark night the water presents "a won
derful spectacle. \ boat i there for the
use OF visitors. and plenty OF small boys
always on hand to dive under and
around IL. As soon as the water Is dis
turbed. il appears simply transformed
into liquid fire
The other sight TO be recommended Is
visit to Grantstown Zone Of the native
settlementsl on a Saturday evening.
line the roadway, each one brilliantly
illuminated by a small bundle uF can
dlewood. which forms a splendid nafur-
al torch. Then there are shanties where
Characteristic negro singing and dane
ing may be heard and seen.
Surely there never was such a place
for pSalm-singing as Nassau: II seems to
be the only dissipation of the colored
people. Almost every night there i a
function in the various churches auJ
chapels; il IL is not a service, it is a
choral practice. The negroes are not
ably n musical race. and here they ha,,
full opportunity OF cultivating Their
tastes as far as psalmody is concerned.
The knowledge of the tonic sofia Is
widely diffuSed, and the part-singing
of the people is really admira BILE; the
quality of the voices often leaves much
to he desired. but the singing is correct
and always hearty. not To say bolster.
Gus The sailors on the sponge boats
and other craft, when their attention Is
not otherwise required, usually pro
duce their tonic sofia books and begin
deciphering new tunes, sometimes IN
two or three parts, in really eNtraor-
binary way In short. when the negroes
are not talking or eating they are usual
| ly singing hymns. There are several
races OF negroes in the islands. sue
| cesSors of those originally brought 10y
the Spaniards. Some of the African
languages are still spoken blythe older
| people amongst themselves. though
English is the only language one hears
and remarkably pure English 1t =. 70!
the most part, with but very little
! slang.
Mosquitoes are a terrible ScOurge &c
| the island, still from November To Nav
Nassau is practically free from them
| Snakes are plentiful in the bush but are
| perfectly harmless. Tarantulas and
centipedes may be found by those who
take the trouble to look for them The
most brilliant humming birds and but
terfiies are always abundant.-PaH
| Mall Magazine.
Electricity i'm Heathen Temples
The temples of India are to be lighted
with electricity. the example having
been set by the great shrine of silva. al