The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-20
THE ISLES OF JUNE.
Continued from Poge 1.

'"th' ih' pliH'lpdI MOOuS are bEdallltllO
cedar. ebony, mahogany, Lignum-Vitae, log
wood, MADEIRA, sabica satinwood. dogwood
cannelIa-alba and Cascarilla bark, which last
named so far as known is found nowhere else
in the world.
The drives around Nassau, and in fact all
over the island are something wonderful.
The best roads in the world are here, and Il
perfect paradise for wheelmen. 1t is esti-
mated that there are 1900 to 1900 bicycles in
Nassau today. The sight-seer will not be
disappointed in coming to the Bahamas
especially to Nassau, us there are several
unique and wonderful novelties to be seen in
this foreign, though nearby city. Among
them are the beautiful and wonderful Sea
Gardens. A single trip to them would amply
repay one for the trouble and expense of
| coming out here. There are numerous boats
including steam launch which, for a small
fee, will take you to the gardens, where, by
the use of glass bottom buckets or water
boxes, you can examine the bottom from 20
to 40 feet deep. Some boats take a glass
bottom row-boat with them, in which you
can sit and see the little world of marine
wonders. There are caves and grottoes of
coral of every color, coral flowers and coral
leaves, and all sorts, shapes and sizes of coral.
with red, blue, yellow golden and every con-
ceivable shape and color of fishes and marine
life moving about them. There are sea
plants, sea FANS shells, star fish and sponges,
all most beautiful and enhancing, and which
you must see to appreciate. | can not de-
scribe them, nor have met anyone who could
Another of the sights located about two
miles east of the city is the Phosphoresccnt
lake 1t is called Waterloo, or the ''lake of
fire. 1t is an artificial lake about 900 feet
long and from 200 to 800 feet wide Il WIS
constructed originally to store green turtle
| and fish. By daylight it looks the same ~
any other ordinary small lake. But at night.
the proper time for visiting it, and the darker
the better the least disturbance of the water
causes it to emit phosphorcsccnt light When
agitated the whole lake looks like Il sea Of
fire. Row boats are here for hire. and as
soon us the oars touch the water they seem
to pass through molten gold young girl
who lives with the keeper, for small fee will
dive into the water and will swim and plunge
about for the delight of her audience She
appears to be enveoped in flame or strug-
CLING in a lake of burning oil. 1t is an i'm
pressive and weird scene, ana you will likely
never forget it.
The Queen Staircase is another of the
wonders of the country, and II great curiosity.
1t consists Of an opening like Il gorge. about
80 feet wide by 20 feet high cut through the
solid rock, with stairway at the blind end.
Also, cut in solid rock leading to the plateau
above on which the old fort CFinrastleJ is
situated. Human beings surely made these
cuts through this hill of rocks. But when
and why history does not relate 1t is. never
thelcss, wonderful sight, and should be seen
| by the visitor. While here ascend the stair
case and visit old Fort Fincastle which is
nearby. Fort Fin"astle. viewed from one
point, looks exactly like an old paddlewhecl
steamboat. 1t is used now only rs signal
station. 1t was erected in 1889 by Lord Dun.
| more and received its name from one of his
| titles. AT the western end OF the city is Fort
| Charlotte, named for Queen Charlotte in 1888.
erected by Lord Dunmore the last royal Gov
NlhoL VI NllSIHlu. lLb lOWD Ut lnt
extreme east is Fort Mantague. This is the
oldest fort OF all. 1t was captured by the
Americans in 177G and by the Spaniards in
1871, who in turn were expelled by the
Loyalists under Lieut. Col. Devau in 1888.
The fort was built by Lieutenant Bruce in
1912
There are a number of fine estates and
ruins OF what were once prosperous and
palatial plantations aud homes. Among the
finest of these is the wel-known ana historical,
'Hermitage' built by the Earl of Dunmore
1t is just three miles east OF the city, facing
the sea and opposite the wonderful sea gar
dens, before mentioned. 1t was here that
Blennerhasset made his home whilst a resi-
dent Of New Providence. 1t will be remem-
bered that Blennerhasset, notorious for his
relations with Aaron Burr, in his so-called
attempt at rebellion, after the excitement pro-
duced by the trial had blown over, disap-
peared. But he still lived, and the Bahamas.
which furnished refuge for so many rovers
and adventures, gave him Il shelter during
the closing years of his life.
Harmon Blennerhasset was native of
Kerry. Ireland. A lawyer by profession: of
good family and of extraordinary ability.
His wife, too, was one of the most accom-
plished women of her day, whom the classic
Grafton of Writ made famous.
What became Of Bleunerhasset after Burr's
trial at Richmond, has remained shrouded in
mystery to the world. History informs us
that he returned to Ireland. to look after n
reversionary interest in some property there,
and that he aGterward resided on the Island
of Guernsey, where he died. These reports
were no doubt circulated at the time in order
to mislead. as to his real place of abode.
Early in 1907, Il gentleman calling himself
Louis Kerr arrived at Nassau, and began the
practice Of law. Nothing was known of his
past history. but such was his success and
ability displayed at the bar that vacancy
occurring shortly after his arrival. he was
appointed Attorney General. He is said to
have been the most eloquent lawyer that ever
addressed judge and jury in Nassau. The
court was crowded to suilocation whenever
it was known that he would speak.
~N ~M