Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-05-14


out over following precipice of thou
sand feet and through a natural split in
mountain point of some three feet wide
and a half mile long, with the central
part not open to the heavens-therefore,
of course, more properly speaking. 1t was
a tunnel III the centre, though 1t was u
cut-lke split for a third of the way
through OH either side. l We TX 81
part of the way, there was a hollow
sound or feeling under foot, while the
actual stiffness was intense; the situation
was doubtless safe, but severe and start
ling; the echo of our voices was UNI
pleasant and alarming.
There are more things In heaven and earth,
Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy"
The forests have been depleted, and
there are now but few native trees. On
the uncomfortable parts of the jagged
and serrated lower mountains the green,
poisonous euphorbia edndriensis bush
clings desperately to the cinders or to the
bits OF arid soil, giving patchy appear
ance not common to the temperate zones.
Wild thyme is abundant in the rough
lands as also red poppy. The native
fora seems to be not very grand, " lille
the imported shrubbery and blossom in
the gardens of wealt h are beautiful
and abundant. The bougdinri'ied, from
sout hern Spain, is rather pretty. growing
like an immense grape vine, the higher
green leaves turning to brilliant purple.
Offering a deceptive claim to blossoms.
like autumn leaves, distance lending en-
chantment, and when reached you feel
your surprise slightly tinged with disap-
pointment. The eucalyptus from Aus
tralia and the small pepper tree from
Cevlon are both considerably cultivated.
IRREGULARITIES OF THE PEOPLE.
The mountaineers dress peculiarly and
one may suppose much the same a. they
did when Columbus called al Gomera.
The women wear kerchiets on the head
and nothing on their feet; the men Wear
a white BLANKET .mdntol, doubled over
with the two ends down near the ankles,
the blight gathered il With cord and
sometimes fancttuHy bound with fine
Leaf her around the neck. They are very
fastjdious in he selection oil TINS blanket:
it must be of an exact size, With no black
hairs, and have three narrow blue stripes
across the ends. This garment invariably
forms their outer covering by day and
their only bed for the night.
The city people are moderniy dressed.
in fact the better and Younger feminine
part are nearly dressed to death. II Is
only few years since they discarded the
manti!la as the only head covering, but
now they all wear very tasteful English
built hats and "tailor-made' gowns over
forms that | must say would attract the
eye Of an auchorite. The Spanish women,
" hereyer seen, those Who have been
reared without kicks and cuffs, doubtless
present the greatest average of beauty
hat any people Of the world can offer.
The eyes, OF course, rather more than
their ma-se- Of blue black hair, form heir
principal features Of pleasing attraction.
Those Of the lower and hard-Hving classes
are rarely beautiful and they early be-
come hideous, dark, scrawny hags; While
many Of those in bright and easier path
of life take on years and flesh gracefully,
ANA A4Al IhA ltt an 4IiN4 th-tb SCI NLAtr1 Al
their charming features of face snd eye.
Ia Spanish families, above he lower or
der, the first stages of court,hip take
place through the street window Romeo
without ana JuIIette within. " hen hey
are allowed TO sit together, in the pres
euce OF tne mother or the whole family,
mutrimony mus, indeed be al hand. Amy
closer inIercourse-evenw walking together
alone through city streets would be con-
sidered au uiII-cretton.
Some Of oar people, those Who lave
been used to rather unlimited freedom,
are inclined ito suggest that sucn
custom shows a great lack OF confidence
III the behavior OF the young people;
that Is probably not al all the reason for
this rigid and very proper usage in
families that aspire to good order and due
propriety. There is charity orphanage
in this city having d peculiar convenience
that might be considered an abettor of
immortality. In the outer wall is placed a
turnstile cylinder, having a small arched
door into hich an infant may be placed,
the bed revoved half way around and the
child taken out by sister of charity in
the interior of the building, without
the depositor being seen or ever looked
for.
They have many ways and institutions
that they consider to be very much right,
but which We would call very much all
wrong. From our next port, Las Palmas,
l will write something of the history and
of the industries of the islands.
We should never condemn whole peo-
pie for the faults Of even a majority, and
am glad to admit that after all there are
many here who are agreeable and con-
inclined to social and kindly
hospitality. The degree of kindness,
amiability and politeness OF the country
neonle is only elualed by the licentious