The times., 1898-11-06

mitigated pleasure at any time of the
year in Jamaica, the roads being deep
in white dust. which files in whirling.
choking clouds. In this island rains are
not constant as in the Lesser Antilles
to the Southwark. There is a short wet
season and a long dry one. During the
latter season the fields and hiIlsides be-
come parched and brown and nothing
saves the crops from destruction but the
innumerable streams which gave the
country its name-Xaymaca, Land of
Springs" Having ratified through the
dirty. ill-payed streets, you find the su-
burbs rather more interesting. There are
some handsome houses on the long slope
that gradually ascends from the sea to
the crest of the ridge. and there are pic
turesque cottages hedged with tall, slen-
der spires OF organ cactus, such as
abounds in rural Mexico Farther on.
white villas nestle among cane-felds and
coffee groves. and little farms where
Browns" and negroes cultivate corn,
yams and tobacco.
Excellent Country Roads.
The country roads are excellent. bar
ring the dust: the perfumed air smells
exotic, and the greenhouses feeling in
the hot moist atmosphere is enhanced by
finding the loveliest and most fragrant
side, and every weed In the field dainty
plant which we cultivate under glass at
home. Presently the lodge of Kings
House is reached, and you turn into an
extensive park, in the middle of which
stands the great square building amid
groups of fine old trees. 400 feet above
Kingston. Its surroundings and tropical
elegance of arrangement are most pleas
ing. Like other West Indian mansions. 1t
is planned to keep out heat and excessive
moisture. in a way that is possible on y
where cold weather is unknown and
chimneys unnecessary. A description of
this model villa answers for thousands
of others. not only in Jamaica but In all
the English islands. 1t Is square built Of
stone. and stands upon blocks, leaving a
( space underneath for circulation of air,
and is entered by high, broad fight of
steps. On the three sides of the mans sion
which the sun touches, deep yerandas
are thrown out on the first and second
floors, closed in front by green jalouses
set into panels whirh can be partially or
completely closed, Behind these ''bliGds'
run long, wide, airy galleries, into which
all the rooms open. When the shutters
are down, as they generally remain all
day. the galleries are in. twilight and the
communicating rooms SO dark that one
can hardly see to read in them; but the
subdued light inparts a sense of cool
| ness and repose, in refreshing contrast
with the broiling glare outside. Tie
| floors are of some black native wocd.
smooth and polished as ebony. with loose
rugs for carpets and, the lightest of rat
tan furnishings, with never a bit of
drapery or stuffy upholstering. Cane
sofas and reclining chairs are scatter ed
| along the galleries. and everybody .'of
the male persuasion,'i as Samantha Allel
| puts it, smokes when and where he
| pleases, for the. free circulation of air
| sweeps away all traces. The spacious
dining room is detached from the house.
| reached from the drawing room by a
! fight of stairs and thence along a cov-
| cred passage. The kitchens and SER
wants quarters are still farther off, hid
den behind clump of bamboos, SO that
no scent of cooking food can ever annoy
the family nose; and at one side of
Kings House. in grove of fig and man
| go trees, are a group of cottages for the
governors aides-de-camp and secretaries.
/ There is also superb swimming bath
( sixty feet long and eight feet deep. under
a sort of Grecian temple, and green
houses containing Sir Henry Blake's ia
| nous collection of orchids, and Lady
Blake's equally famous butterflies. Driy-
ing along the winding paths of this fine
estate, you see pastures containing choice
cattle imported from England, and are
convinced that life in Jamaica need not
be SO very bad If one is the governor
with a salary of $35. 600 year.
FANNIE BRIGHAM WARD.