The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-12


are an unknown luxury. they rub the dirt
and poison into the eyes when they wipe
off the perspira ton that flows freely from
their foreheads under he brOiling sun
| Their other physical ailments come large
~ from similar causes. A cut or scratch
from thorn is poisoned and kept In
famed, and develops into a permanent
running sore, or vicious swelling.
Their food, also, has much to do with
their physical condition. They never eat
meat, and bread is luxury. Manages
take the place of both. A sort of yam
usually eaien fried, is their principal veg
e+able. They eat land crabs and fresh
fish only when they cannot sell what they
have caught a miserable quality of cod
hsh made into very light puffy fshballs
which are fried, is their chief breakfast
dish. MIX is rare. Even at hotels. if you
want enough for your morning coffee you
must give notice the night before Every
body drinks black coffee. children includ-
ed, and with meals, cheap wine or water
which later is not good and never filter
ed. And for all this poverty Of food aud
drink there is absolutely no excuse except
lazinoss. The finest fish I have ever eat
en- are abundant in all the rivers and small
streams. Most delicious small birds in
any number are to be had for The killing
The Women DO the Work.
The climate and soil are excellently
adapted to the cultivation Of vegeta bles
and fruits of all kinds, but the market
offers only few varieties There is no
thought of improving the size. quality or
flavor of the Vegeta bles There are many
beautiful native woods, but they serve no
purpose. Ordinary reed bottom chairs
tome all the way from MarseiIIes
The women particularly object to the in
PRODUCTION of new ideas, but in their own
WaV they work and do what is TO be done
They support themselves, their men and
the country. Only one familiar with the
existing state of affairs can realize what
the French West Indies would be without
the women. | have passed on the high
road early in the day, a man and woman,
the latter carrying on her head a great
heavy mattress, and on top of il gourd
that her lord might drink at wayside
springs. Returning later I have met the
same couple. the woman stl with the
burden on her head, the man smoking
a cigarette.
But even the women, with all their
drudSery and hard work. have contempt
for the value of time. and love for the
social amenities that are at times appalling
For handshdking and kissing they have
perfect mania. 1t is a fortunate thing for
the buyers that the market women carry
their loads on their heads, since it would
delay their appearance at the market
place by some hours if they had to stop
to put down their loads each time they
manage,
even with this handicap, and the meeting
of a particularly friendly pair gives the
stranger a dizzy feeling as they approach
each other for tender greeting They
stand very close together each putting
a hand on the load for its security. sway
a moment, stretch their necks and the
blissful salute is effected. But the danger
as not over for 1t requires steady nerve
and a well balanced head to regain the
equilibrium after such combined contor-
ton and emotion.
Opportunities For Education.
Whether from a passionate love of
DOCKS and letters, or a cunning des.re to
cope IN all matters with the whites the
negro here at first displays an intense
aVidlty for learning, and the facilities for
acquiring knowledge are very good For
instance, the Garnet Lycee opened in
1888, is an establt shment Of which any
country might be proud. II consists of
a main building and two immense wings,
and is located on the highest spot in the
city. II is set deep in an ideal spot sur
rounded by beautiful gardens command
ing a view of the sea-
The amount allowed by the government
for it's support is 100000 francs, for. not
outstanding that ii averages eighty to
100 pensionairs and 200 to 800 day pupils
and demi-pensionairs, its revenues are not
equal 10 its expenses. The professors are
all from the University of Parts and are
of the highest possible standing recely-
ing large salaries. The superintendent of
public instruction receives $1,000 a year.
The principal gets $500, the steward and
general treasurer $4,000. Besides these
there are twenty eight professors recefv-
ing from SIPS 10 $500 month and as the
tuition for the school year of nine months
for the senior class is only $3.50, it wild
readily be seen that large grant is nee
essary TO sustain the institution
The suggestion that a similar school
for young women be established in con-
nection with the lycee met with so little
public favor at first that the school board
declined to assume the responsibility. The
lycee faculty thereupon started il on their
own account and ID mas succeeded beyond
the expectation of the most sanglMne.
Slowly but surely the people are arriving
ait the conclusion that young women can
receive instruction from men and yet not
necessarily be demoralized. OF course. it
is thus far only day school, the young
women being conducted thither by
member of the family or an Old and
trusted domestic and called for after
school hours. Frances Drake.