The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-02-27
THE ISLES OF JUNE!
ONCE THE RESORT OF PIRATES,
Now the Delightful Refuge of Tourists
ald Health Seekers.
Sppciol to the WUIn
Special to the WING.
NASSAU, New PROVIDENCE,
Bnhnmas. FehrnnrY 18th. 1S9'

The bahama Islands are the nearest tropi-
cal country to New York, and New Provi-
dence is the principal and most thickly
settled of these islands. Here the trees are
ever green: the flowers ever bloom; all kinds
of tropical fruits are in abundance, and
last but not least. the language used is Eng
lish. The latter was greatly appreciated by
yours truly. and recalled different exper-
ience had seventeen years ago when I first
landed in Cuba, totally unable to make my
self understood, although had studied the
Spanish language before l went there. was
in the same predicameIt as the yourg lady
who having finished her education and taken
Il course in French, had found on landing in
Paris, either the French people did not know
how to speak French, or that the kind of
French spoken in France, and that taught in
tn" United States We're two different things.
| however became familiar with the Spanish
language long before | left the gem of the
Antilles.
Nassau, the principal town and capital of
the Bahamas, is Il city CT IA, 600 people. 1t is
situated on the island OF New Providence.
which is about 20 miles long and will average
five milts wide There are numerous islands
in the =. CUP and any amount Of Gays or keys
altogether there is said to be 600 of them.
Nassau lies on the twenty-tlfth parallel of
north latitude, therefore it is as far south as
the lowest end OF Florida. from which it is
distant about go miles and between flows
tn" gulf stream 1t is distant from New York
$50 miles.
On landing from the steamer you find your
self in II pretty it'll" park, surrounded by an
army of darkirs, who politely invite you to
take victoria, carry your grip. sell you
fruit etc. Opposite the park are the govern
ment bindings postoilire, House OF Parlia-
ment, police station and public library.
Beyond clos" to the summit OF the hill is tn"
Royal Victoria hotel. This hotel was built
and is owned by the government it is tn"
finest building in the country and the best
hotel in the WeS: indies. 1t is of limestone.
four stories with piazlas y feet wide runnin,
around three stories Of it. 1t is butt 80 fee.
above tidewatcr and gives most cnchantiu
view of New Providence and the surrounding
OCEAN. 1t is supplied with all the latest i'm
provements for the convenience of tourists
1t is let by the year to the highest bidder.
The general hospitality and pleasant genial
friendiiness Of the people Of Nassau. united
with the natural charms and attractiveness
OF the country, delight the visitor and
make him feel at home. Profanity and vu!-
garty are conspicuous by their absence.
Every luxury and delight that any part Of
Florida can afford may be enjoyed here i'll Il
much higher degree and without unpleasant
contact with the Cracker Jack and 'Goober
Grabber' so plentiful in that State. Cleanli-
uess in Nassau is next to Goodness for Il GER
tainty; everybody looks clean; even the dark
les with their bare feet have a cleanly APPEAR
ancc that is refreshing to an American
especially if he halls from the South. The
strong contrast between the Bahamian negro
and the American negro is one Of the first
thngs likely to attract the notice of visitors
Their Olympan profile, comely, regular fea-
lures and teeth Of the most wonderful white
ness and evennesS in the world all lend Il
grace to their appearance which no doubt
accounts for the pleasant aspect they present
But the attractive cleanliness OF the city is
attributed to the whteness and absorbing
character of its porous coral rock foundation.
There is no mud in Nassau. The whole
country is OF porous formation, and the water
sinks away is fast as it comes During your
stay you will some night hear tremendous
shower and expect in the morning TO see the
town flooded, and when you look out in the
.,i,-, ,,r 4
the sun shining clear and warm, you will
think you have had Il nightmare. You will
find it was no dreams that every sign of the
storm passed away as it always does in IA very
short time.
Hog Island is Il picturesque key about three
miles long, varying in width from point to
one-half mile: it runs along parallel to the
shore line of the city, and the channel between
it aud the main land constitutes the Harbor
Of Nassau. On the north side Of this island
is about one mile of elegant beach with it,
sands white as chalk and soft as velvet
There is an ideal surf and the bathing supe-
rior to Asbury Park, Rockaway Beach or Long
Branch, in so far that the water here is never
muddy and there is never any undertow
The water is so transparent that when you
dive you can see about you for n very long
distance in any direction. As there are no
fresh water streams emptying into these
waters, they are strongly impregnatcd with
salt and are extremely fragrant. Anyone
with sufficient courage to try it, whether
summer or not, can lie on his back perfectly
motionlcss. and with his arms under his head
peacefully repose ''in the cradle Of the deep
The channel or harbor which has to be
crossed to reach Hog Island is at tho nearest
point about half mile away. The Island
is covered with oranges, cocoanuts, sapodillos
and all kinds of tropical fruits. as in fact arc
most all the islands On the highest point of
the island there is Il beautiful view of
Nassau with its harbor and shipping on one
side. and the endless waste OF blue ocean
dotted with sails on the other. Mr.. Moore,
proprietor of the Mansion house where your
humble servant is domicilcd has recently
built pretty village Or summer home which
during the winter season is converted into u
bathing house, and run in connection with
the Mansion house in Nassau. The villa is
on the highest pinnacle OF the island and has
attached dressing rooms for ladies and gentle
men, amply furnished with bathing suits,
ato iopu Stniruay lanIc bnup tn tba