The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-19
The spInster in New England.

In spite Of the pre-eminence of the spins
ter in New England, the proportion of I'M
married women is greater in the British
colony of Bermuda than anywhere else on
this side of the Atlantic ocean. The semi
tropical climate of the islands, together
with their isolation, has made of the white
inhabitants of English stock a quiet, al
most a sluggish, people of a simplicity
nearly Arcadiau. The women especially,
many of whom have led very circumscrib-
ed lives never leaving the islands, Guilt
vate an old-fashioned hospitality and pos
sess a natural ease of manner that seems
to rise from perfect faith in other people.
Crime is very rare in Bermuda, partly be-
cause it is extremely difficult for crinni-
nal 10 get off the islands.
Rermudian women are excellent house
keepers, and bring up large families OF
children, the favorlte chicks of Hook
being sent, in some cases, to the states for
education. In matters of etiquette these
folks are comfortable, well-to-do set of
people, with here and there a family pos
sessing ample means. As in England prop
erty, especially real estate, remains in the
same family for long period, some OF the
descendants of the original settlers still
possessing lands that never have passed
out of their families.
1t is conserVat ism as to real estate own
ership that keeps up the supply of spins
ters. No alien can acquire O title to land IN
Bermuda, either by purchase or inheri-
lance. This law is directed mainly against
the Portuguese, who have flocked TO the
colony and taken to growing onions. SO
long as these intruders own no land they
have no vote, and the difficulty of natur-
alization and the property qualification
combine TO make a double barrier protect
ing the natives in their control of things.
But the law provides, further, that If
woman owning land marries an alien she
eal ct uTld n
capable of inheriting any. They have no
"sduaw men" in Bermuda. This law is
not very popular with young women, who
see their brothers and sweethearts paying
court to American girls with comfortable
incomes. The number OF Americans VINO
have become residents Of bermuda IS
smaller than it would be thder different
land laws, but the winter colony Is large
one and the most energetic business men
Of Hamilton, the capital of the islands,
are from the states. Marriages result of
Bermudian men with American girls, but
in a community where so large a proper
ton of all property is land. Bermudan
girls are prevented from retaliating. There
are instances where girls renounce their
birthrghts, but penniless bellies are not
universally attractive.
Young men emigrate from the Islands IN
ever-increasing numbers in search of bet
ter openings than so limited aldeld can
offer, and this course operates With the
land laws to restrict matrimonial oppor-
tunities. There is very little abject pow
erty among the whites of Bermuda, so
that from one point Of view the super
fiuous" women do not suffer. but they
have not the mental or social resources of
yankee spinsters. Schools ere poor, libra
ries few and small, charitable work, ex-
cept to a very limited extent among the
negroes. unnecessary, and women's clubs
unknown. The women are devout church,
goers, but unless they belong 10 the gov
eminent house set they have little Other
recreation. II Is much pleasanfer to be a
girl bachelor in New York or Boston than
an old maid In the beautiful coral islands.