Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-12-24
IN THE BAHAMAS.
BY wILFEap uESpALL

Of June-of the Pink pearl-of the
Oleander, as they have been variously
styled. Several reasons may account
for this. The islands lie apart from the
other West Indian possessions, and out
Of the course of the great steamships;
they are in no direct communication
with England whatever, nor with the
nearest British colony, Jamaica, except
by means Of on occasional sailing VS.
sel-ahd from all local schooners may
heaven preserve the unwary visitor!
Most Of the export and import trade
is with the United States, and the only
regular communication with the islands
is furnished by the American steamers
leaving New York fortnghtly, calling
at Nassau, and proceeding to Cienfuego
on the south coast Of Cuba; and by the
Bahama Shipping company, which runs
a steamer every three weeks between
New York and Nassau.
The islands are largely patronized BY
American visitors during the winter
months, who come thither to enjoy the
the superb climate; and as travelling
Enplishman is quite rara avis, every
stranger is assumed to be American un-
til he proclaims his nationality.
The Bahamas consist Of group OF
some $50 islands (only 20 inhabited),
widely scattered, the extremes being
something over 400 miles apart. Many
Of them are only partially explored, and
some of the smaller ones scarcely
| known; the population is, OF course,
very scanty, the last census giving only
$4,000, of which about 90 per cent. are
colored people.
Nassau, the capital land indeed the
only town worthy the name), is situated
on New Providence, an island about the
size and shape Of Isle of Wight. The
finest buildings the town possesses are
the jail, the hospital and the Royal
Victoria hotel, said to be the best in
the West Indies. II is only open from
Christmas till the end OF April, that be-
ing the times at which visitors come
from the states; although US far as the
climate is concerned, the rains are over
in October and the weather Is cool and
delightful from the beginning OF NO
yember. The thermometer during the
winter varies between 10 and so de-
grees.
At other times Of the year accommo'
. dations can be had at the Curry house
and at various boarding establishments.
!, The bank, post office and most Of the
shops are in Bay street-a long, wide
street, planted with almond trees, run
; ming along the coast, east and west
The roads around the town and indeed
far into the country are excellent inc
island cannot boast Of any special
beauty Of scenery; with the exception
! ! Of very low range Of hills, the country
is fiat, in some places swampy Th'
uncultivated portions are always Gov
: cred with vegetation, sometimes by AZ
almost impenetrable bush, sometimes
' by pine trees, and sometimes by many
miles of beautiful palmettos-plant!
without which no London drawing
a room is complete nowadays.
: At the back of Nassau Is a limestone
J. ridge through or over which are road
/. leading to the native towns. Thes'
0 being sheltered from the dry nortl
wind, and hence being somewhat damp
i. er and warmer than the capital. exhibi
the most wonderful wealth Of tropica
vegetation. Each cabin stands in tn
midst of garden where such utillt,
n trees as cocoanut palms. oranges pa
nanas, guavas, and sometimes bread
fruit. are sure TO be seen; the merel
ornamental plants are also not for
gotten: every species of rose seems =
run wild in the gardens, and in thi
land Of perpetual summer the tree
keep blooming right along" as a
American might express it. There ar
n four of these native settlements at tn
back of Nassau, and to botanis
: nothing can be more interesting than
t ramble through the streets, or, NOR
$ properly speaking, lanes.
The list Of trees and plants flourish
y, ing on the island seems almost inel
a baustible; besides those before mel
10 toned. some of the best known are
d Silk. cotton, banyan, mahogany, ebon.
satin-wood trees; pineapples, graz
fruit. shaddocks, mangoes, vans, plan
tains, sugar cane, etc.
The chief and oldest industry OF Il
place is spongng; an apparently EN-
less supply of sponge is found on II
reefs which surround the islands. II
sponge boats are constantly returnir
to Nassau with their cargoes' and lars
heaps may be seen almost any mornlT
in the exchange. Sponge is sold by au
ton. clipped and pressed, packed
bales, and dispatched to agents in Ne
York and London. Several species o.
found, but none of them are of so I'll
quality as most of the sorts from Il
Mediterranean.
,k Vast quantities of live turtle are 60
CHI tinually being shipped, which figu
he later at Delmonicos and the Lond'
o. restaurants. Another species 1.-THE no
a edible) Is also abundant, and furnish
rk an important industry in Nassau; t
70 shells are polished whole, and form We
y. attractive ornaments, or are cut up
Ial make combs and other small articles
or The two great prizes for which eve
e. fisherman is on the lookout are I
y, ~ pink pearls and ambergris. The form
are found in the flesh Of the large con
fstrombus gigas), a very abunda
,te shell which is dived for by the DO,
rs who are most expert in this exerci
A ,,aorl ~ unusually large size was III