The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-11-18
JuSKETIYG IN JAMAICA.
From Spanish Town to Gordon Town Above the Clouds to New castee Saint Ann's, Where Columbus Stranded His CuraynIs

and Courier)
 New Castle, Jamaica, Oct. 15.-Unlike most of these islands, the traveller finds Jamaica easily accessible in every part Besides the excellent coastirg service, railway and tram-lines, there is an extensive system of highways, as well constructed, in their way, and as carefully kept as the boulevards of any northern city; and where cars or mail coaches are not, carriages and saddle horses may always be hired. The Main road, as it is called-answering to the Camino Real of the Spanish island runs around tke eastern shore of Ja- maica, from Kingston through various port towns to Annateo Bay, where a junction road, striking inland across the island, connects the capital with the north coast. Leaving Annatto Bay, the Main road continues along the coast to Ocho Rios ("Eight Rivers'D. thence the two sides of the island are again connected by a road running through Moneague. Then the great highway wanders east, through Linstead and Spanish Town, and sends a branch close along the sea to Falmouth, St. Ann's and Trelawny. Another read, starting from Monteagu Bay goes straight across the island to Black river and Savanna-la-m mar; and others, cr.ss crossing in every direction like man. moth spiders web, reach Lucia, Green Island and every other coast or interior village and hamlet.
 Even the ascent of Blue Mountain peak, the highest point in the range, which was formerly extremely difficult of accomplishment, is now delightful excursion over the fine road which Governor Sir Henry Norman caused to be built at his own expense. Leaving Kingston early in the morning, you reach the mountain top seven thousand feet above the sea, before dark. There is tiny house on the peak, in which the traveller may find shelter for the night, making picnic of it with his own blankets and provisions; and hay ing enjoyed a glorious sunrise and some of the finest views to be had in this grand old world. he may descend the mountain at leisure, stopping at vari- ous points of interest on the return to Kingston.
 Another favorte excursion is to Elan stead, four thousand feet above the sea. You go by carriage to the Government Gardens, thousand feet above Kings ton, and the rest of the way on the wiry little island ponies. Life takes on a keen edge in these tropical mountains.
 The climate at Flamstead is like that of northern June. and the temperature of midsummer is never above savety degrees In the evenings cheerful wood fires are built, and at night more than one blanket is needed for comfort There is hotel up there at Flamstead, some ,boarding- houses and cottagesand always in winter pleasant colony of foreign visitors Every house has it's garden gay with flowers from year to year; ferns, plantains cedars, tama- rinds and wild oranges flourish to per- lection amid tall spires of cacti. The mountain roads are lined with masses of beautiful pink and white begonias; aHfthe Eedgerows are overrun with gor- geous nasturtions and every bank laden with wild strawberries. The hill slopes are mostly planted with what is known as Blue Mountain coffee which com n,ands higher price in England than any other; while tte lands between are devoted to potatoes, yams and other vegetables for the Kingston market. The views from Flamstead cannot be described in words. On clear day you may see Port Royal and Kingston at opposite ends of the shining lagoon; the Palisades, Fort Augusta, the Twelve Apostles an on every side the Carrib- can sea dotted with islands to the hori- Zon.
 Jamaica's forty-two hundred square miles of territory are divided into dis tricts which. differ as materially from one another in their natural character istics, industries and possibilities as do the mountains of Colorado from the prairies of Illinois, the pine woods of Maine from the everglades of Florida. Though so near to the equator, there are frequent frosts in the uplands of Jamaica In it's mountain valleys all the products of the north can be grown, while cane-fields and corn-ffelds, coffee plantations and cattle farms suggest a wonderful blending of the temperate and torrid zones. Sometimes the mix ture of crops in the same fields is strik- ing-carrots and cassava, corn and su- arcane, bananas and pumpkins grow ing side by side. It is charming re- production of English agricultural life. bathed in the eternal sunshine of the tropics. One may choose his own eli mate in Jamaica-from the constant heat of the coast plains, through the sub-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 it in parlor car This former capital of Jamaica-which was founded by Columbus son, Diego. and by him christened San Jago de la Vega est. James of the Valley"), was sac relgeous'y dubbed Spanish Town by the English a century or so later. The very first capital of the island, you know. was sevilla Nueva (New Seville), near St. Anns, founded by the same Diego Columbus in the year 1885 Though the glory of Spanish Town de- parted with the transfer of the govern ment to Kingston, it is still quaintly charming place. full of the memories Of the past, with it's deserted plaza, ram- bling lanes and low, vinewreathed casa. Among it's few sights which interest the visitor are the old legisla- tive halls and public buildings, a