Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-12-14

toes. They are not nearly as large as
a States insect, but they are the most
industrious and energetic inhabitants,
always ready for a contract, large or
small, and inside of thirty seconds one
will cause rising like a Venezuelan
revolution. | slept in my stateroom IN
the harbOr of the island of Guadalupe
one night and in the morning my low
er limbs from my knees down were so
swollen that had TO draw my trousers
on over my head. Fact. The blotches
are there now and can be seen by any
male voter. | don't think there is an
island or country in the tropics with
out mosquitoes, but one gets so used
to them or inoculated by them that in
short time they cause no inconyen-
fence or blasphemy. So don't stay
away on account of the mosquitoes.
Leprosy prevails to a certain extent
among the islands generally and all
through these ATTITUDES and a we'll
populated leper hospital is located in
the harbor OF Antigua. 1t is said not
10 be contagious, however, and no Wis
itor need fear il.
As matter OF education and geo
graphical interest, take your atlas and
follow along down the chain of the
West Indian islands, the Leewald and
Windward islands, or the Lesser An
titles, as they are inditlerently called.
They begin with st. Thomas, just east
OF Porto Rico, then the scattered Nir-
Gin islands. so called in the vicinity
next Santa Cruz, then st. Martins. The
latter belongs to Holland and is not on
the usual steamer route. After 81.
Croix the next port is St. Kits and
Nevis, Antigua, Guadalupe, Dominl-
en-, Martinique, st. Lucia, st. Vincent,
Barbados, in that order. Grenada
and the Grenadines lie south of 81.
Vincent, but are not on the route. The
Quebec line steamers nearly always 90
10 Demcrara, British Guiana, South
America and occasionally go 10 the is
land Of Trinidad, near the Venezuelan
coast, for "a cargo Of pitch or fruit, The
regular route. however, is as given
above and includes everything that
can possibly be desired to make a win
ter cruise in the tropics a "midwinter
DAYS dream"
From the exceedingly mountainous
character OF the islands they are yisi-
bic for q long distance at sea and are
nearly all within sight of each other.
From Granada, the southernmost is
land of the chain, 10 St Kits on the
north, one is hardly out of the shadow
of one island before another towers dis
tinctly on the horizon. The sail from
one to the other probably averages 10
occupy tour hours. Nearly all the is
lands are apparently volcanic in char
acter and are exceedingly rugged and
PERCEPTIONS. As one sails along the
shore little cottages and miniature
plantations are seen away up among
the erags, wherever a sufficiently level
place can be found to erect a dwelling
and put in a few square yards OF crop,
cane or fruits. The exceedingly clear
atmosphere gives wonderful light and
shadow effects on the mountains, and
the succession of wonderously beauti-
tul scenery is beyond words TO express
Although in magniiicenee OF scenery
there's very little 10 be said in favor
Of any particular island, vet possibly
Dominica may be considered the most
maiestically beautiful The little is
land OF Nevis appears to be almost cir
cular, with one grand volcanic noun
tain towering in the center From the
shore on all sides two-thirds up the
mountain are green fields arising m
gradual slope and the general effect
from the ship surpasses any painting
ever executed. Every island, except
where cultivated, is covered with
dense growth Of emerald torest-even
to the very tops Of the peaks-and the
effect OF the sun and the cloud shadow
can neither be imagined nor described.
| rejoice with exceeding great Joy
that | will soon be out OF the living
fish belt. The three weeks at Barba- /
dos were principally passed on a ily- |
ING fish diet and the succession of fly |
ING fish broiled. steamed, baked, roast |
ed and in pie has raised within me !
repugnance to this especial product Of
Barbados which time will never Grad |
lcate. These particular fish are seen
all through these waters and as far /
north Is the Gulf stream, but nowhere |
are they caught and used for food ex- |
ccpt in Barbados. They are a superb |
food fish, but fully realize that there |
can be quite too much of good thing. /
Magnificent pieces of coral can be
purchased OF the coloTed boatman any
where among the islands for a trine.
All they have to do is to dive for it in a
few feet OF water, and a perfect pat
.ern OF any one OF a half dozen varie-
les Of coral as large as a bushel bas-
let can be bought for shilling.
a feature of social lite in nearly all
he islands, and which reminds one
.orcibly of home, is the Salvation army.
These red-garbed pioneers in the re-
igious field are garrisoned in every
own OF any size, busily, and hope
at work in their chosen
ield. There is plenty of room for the
exercise Of their functions and let us
nope that the harvest is all it should
De.
The most conspicuous and important
diplomatic post Of our government
lmong the West Indies is that occu-
lled by Gen. McAllister. our consul at
Barbados. Gen. McAllister is one of
he most prominent citizens of Della