The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-05

W.T. uhfb hltbhu1 IclcIttuj' WuOho
q most excellent breakfast and dinner
we're served in courses, under the
direction of the Doctors handsome
and accomplished daughter. who
speaks English, Danish and French,
but whose linguistic accomplishments
in no wise interferes with her csps-
blllty as hostess. The Doctor is sn
Eugllshman by birth, who has made
ST. Thomas his home. He has travel
ed extensively in the United States
where be took his degrees in medi
cine, and is acquainted with many OF
the prominent aud distinguished men
OF our country. DR. TAYLOR repre-.
sented the Island Of 81. Thomas a.
the Worlds Columbian Exposition in
Chicago as commissioner, aud the
model Of the island, constructed by
nim and sent to the Exposition by the
cirizens of ST. Thomas, WAS pro
nounced by the Committee on Award
10 be worthy TO stand alongsld
the best" and secured to its con-
structor the award of the media
and diploma. A representation OF
this be1uuful model may bs seen
U the Doctors pleasant diolng-room.
HIS mansion, situated upon a proud
emineuce overlooking the hsrbor,
with spacious rooms, wide versnda
and extensive grounds adorned with
trees aud hrubbery, looks the picture
Of one Of he stately, old time man-
sions Of Virginia. lOdeed, your cor
respondent was informed that the
mausion was originally erected by q
Vlrginian, who came to st. Thomas
TO make it his abode. and WAS pur-
chased by DR.. Taylor. Be that as it
may, the IN nsion, with lts hospital
aud accomplished host and hostess,
will remain a pleasing memory OF the
visit to st. Thomas.
Tue Danish G G)vernor General now
resides six months of the year in st.
Thomas srd six months in the Island
II ST. Croix (slso a dependency OF
Denmark), some 40 or 80 miles dis
tsut. Durlog the visit of your CORE
spondent the Governor'Genersl was
residing in st. Croix. The Govern
meut House in st. Thomas, the resi-
deuce Of the Governor. General, is a
large, handsome building, with well
appointed grounds, aud the fort, bar
racks and parade ground, over which
a)ats 1.-THE whte.crossed, blood'red
banner Of the Dannebrog," are clean
and we'll kept, the Danish soldiers.
with their snowy uniform, presenting
neat and attractive appearance.
There is a colonial council elected
by the people a reconcIliDg court,
which bringing plaintiff and defend
ant together before two citizen judges
and reconcIling them, when possible,
saves endless suits at law; town
court tries criminal cases. There is
no trial by jury.
Iu times past sugar and coffee
we're extensively produced in ST
Thomas, but for years their cultlva-
ton has been abandoned, probably
owing to the abolition If slavery iD
lS48. and the great commercial
activity prevailing, which caused the
negroes to abandon agricultural
pursuits and flock into town. The
main production of the Island at
present is the bsy-lesves, from which
the celebrated ST. Thomas bay-rum
is made Tropical fruits OF all kinds
can be produced in abundance, as
the N any vsriiies growing in gardens
in and about ST. Thomas demonstrate.
The land is about 3 miles long ard
3 miles in width. Formerly st.
Thomas and st. Croix contributed
annually a handsome sum to the
home government, but now the
government at Copenhagen expends
annually about 5000, 600 for the
benefit Of the Islands of st. Thomas
and St. Croix
Although Danish is the court
langusge of st Thomas and all
Official business Of the govern ment is
transacted therein, the EuRlIsh
language is universally spoken on
The Hand. The negroes OF st.
Tnomas, who are generally quite
black, speak Eoglish with brogue
not unlike that of the Irish.
The present British Consul to San
Juan tells an amusing story or an
Irshman who came to st. Thomas,
and falling in with black man
whose accent resemble that OF his
own native E in,iuquired ofbim how
long be had been there. to which the
duSky hued individual replied 1.-TWO
months" "Pbwatl" exclaimed Pat,
"ooly two months, ,snd black already
o. must git back to the ould sod right
away"
John r. Garrison.