The times., 1898-11-20
Diversity of Climate.


Sometimes the mixture of crops in the
same field is sstriking-carrots and cas5ava'
corn and sugarcane, bananas and pump
kins growing side by side II is charm
ing reproduction of EnGnsa agricultural
life. bathed in the eternal sunshine of
the tropics One may choose his own
climate III Jamaica-from the constant
heat of the coast plains, through the SUD-
tropical temperature of the lower ranges.
to the cool. bracing air of the mountains.
Spanish Town is only thirteen miles
from Kingston-a most delightful drive
unless you prefer to spoil the trip by
making 1t in a parlor car. This former
capital of Jamaica-which was founded
by Columbus's son, Diego, and by him
christened San Jago de Ia Vega tSt.
James of the Valley'', was sacrlegiously
dubbed Spanish Town by the English. a
century or so later. The very first capital
of the island was Sevilla Nueva New
Seville), near ST. AIMS, founded by the
same Diego Columbus, in the year 1so.
Though the glory of Spanish Town de-
parted with the transfer .. the govern
ment to Kingston it is still a quantity
| charming place, full OF memories of the
past, with its deserted plaza, rambling
lanes and low, vine -wreathed casa.
Among its few Sights" which interest
the visitor are the old legislative halls
and public buildings a quaint red brick
cathedral, and the massive Kings House,
with pretentious columns and porticos,
where the early governors resided.
In front of the Kings House is an ad-
mirable statue, by Bacon, u. Lord Rod
ney, he who routed the French fleet under
Count de Grasse, which has wandered
about like an unquiet ghost. 1t was held
in England for time; then set up in its
present place for a few years; after
wards transferred with the government
to Kingston, and lately brought back to
Spanish Town, where, slet us hope, it will
remain. Il: -pn
Relics of the War.
Among other relics OF the war to be
seen in Spanish Town are couple of
brass 32-pounders,; still guarding the
empty palace. On oeact1i of them is in
scribed Louis Charles de Bourbon,
Compte d'Eu, Due d'Aumale, 4th May,
174S." The present population of the place
is about 1000. The old assembly room and
a portion of kings house are nowadays
utilized for a government training school.
In the burial grounds surrounding the
two Episcopal churches you may read
on many crumbling stones the pompous
records of lords and dukes and 'sirs"
who ruled Jamaica. IN the early days,
and of naval heroes known to history;
and sandwiched among their highly
respectable names are those of many
notorious sea-rovers of piratical propen-
stiles. The parish of Saint GATHERINGS, in
which Spanish Town is situated, was
named for the Queen of Charles II, and is
a memorial of the Stuart Restoration
period.
To thoroughly appreciate Spanish Town,
one must furbish UP his English history.
In the same parish are Linstead and Har-
bout, both towns of consequence. In the
old brick church of Harbout, the first
English settlers who came over with
Penn and Venables worshiped according
to their narrow lights, and in the grave
yard around it most of them lie buried
Linstead. nestled in mountain hollow.
is a thriving place for trade and market
ing, but otherwise uninteresting
Driving the five or six miles between
it and Spanish Town, you pass the most
picturesque bit of scenery on the island.
Steep mountains on either side form
long. deep and narrow ravina. down which
the Cobre River dashes on its way to
the sea, amid vegetation or richness and
variety SURPRISING description.
The Spaniards call the place Boca del