The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-06-26
. WARSH|P'S DIARY.
A Visit to the Island of Bar
bados.
LOYAL SUBJECTS
Bridgetown, the Principal City, a Very
Beautiful Place. Country Densely
Populated.

ans. VI WnOm some traces are TOQnQ
here as we'll as in all the others of
these islands. 1t was not until the
reign of James l. that we hear of any
visit being paid by Englishmen-the
crew of the ship ''Orange Blossom
who deserted the island. la-ded, and
took possession in the name of their
King. and it has remained in the hands
OF the English eve since. In 1854 the
population was 20, 900 whites and 49,
900 ~slaves.> The slave trade ceased in
1906. The year previous Lord Nelson
laid in the vicinity of our anchorage
for sixteen hours before searching the
neighboring colonies for the Spanish
and French fleets. A bronze statue
of the Admiral stands in Trafalgar
Square, within a few minutes walk
from the boat landing at Bridgetown.
The island was used as a military sta
tion during the wars with the French
and Dutch. 1t was the first English
settlement where the sugar cane was
planted and cultivated. The total
population is 1876, 600, 1920 to the square
mile, making it the most densely p
lated country in the world to be found
outside OF China. The islands has it's
own governor, its legislature and all
the excellent features of Colonial ad-
ministration. The colonists enjoy the
same rights and privileges as their
brethren in the mother country, and
and have similar laws and institutions.
They are and always have been good
Englishmen and loyal objects. The
islands is divided into IL parishes and
districts. There is a railway "a miles
long from B%ridgetown to the Parish of
ST. Andrew, following closely along the
coast. The religion of the island is
chiefly that of the Church of England.
though other denominations are repre-
sented.
Bridgetown is situated north OF a
~rivulet in Carlisle Bay, on the leewald
side of the island. The Bay is named
after James Hav, Earl of Carlisle, al
early lord proprietor OF Barbados and
the Caribbees. The Bay is an open
roadstead exposed to the wind, from
the south and southwest. There is an
inner harbor and careenage, protected
by a mole. The town extends along
the shores of the Bay for nearly two
miles. Though irregularly built it
presents quite a beautiful appearance.
contains comfortable houses, princi-
pail" OF stone, a large square, and be-
sides many churches, several chape.s,
and 4 large number of schools. The
population of the town is about p, 900.
There is also the Government House,
in which the Governor resides, and
some other public buildings, ware
houses, etc. On landing the streets
are found full of a noisy crowd OF ne.
groes-women with their bright pits Of
colored tinerv, and carrying trays OF
fruit and other things upon their heads.
naked children, brawny ~stevedores and
laborers upon the docks. All seem to
be light-hearted and gay, and actuated
by the one idea of making as much
money as possible out of the men OF
wars men. Bridgetown takes it's name
j, from an old piece of Indian history
, The Indians had built a bridge over
the creek or outlet through which the
water from the hill ran into the sea
This was known as the Indian bridge
for a long time, and it finally gave its
name to the town which was bull
around it. Great damage was done tt
the town by fire in 1866. 1865 and 1915
1t is interesting historical fact thau TIE
J one foreign trip ever taken by George
Washington was made to this island il
1852, in company with his brother
Lawrence, who was an invalid. Here
the Father of His Country enjoyed the
hospitality OF the island, and also hat
the smallpox.