The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-05-30

SlluS w tlit Olu-llHlt ldtlNt COSbuHeS,
and are in character almost a counter
part of their near neighbors, the Arabs
Jealous and turbulent among them
selves, given TO eternal feuds, like the
Corsicans. but governed by Arab laws
of hospitality aS laid down in the Koran;
Whose bread | have eaten. lie is hence
forth my brother. He who tastes my
salt is sacred; neither | nor my house
hold shall attack him. Bring corn,
wine and fruit for the passing stranger
Give the one who departs from thy
tent the fastest horse Let him who
would 60 from thee take the fleet drome
Diary: reserve the lame one for thyself."
Therefore, being the favored ''strang-
er,'' you may journey unattended
throughout the length and breadth of
the islands in perfect safety, so far as
the people are concerned: whereas, if
to the manner born. you might often be
in deadly peril of the robbers sling or
the murderous vendetta. Even little
Iveza has its good roads for mule-back
travel, There are few wheeled vehi-
cles; but delightful long days jaunt
in the saddle may be made from the
fort, at the southern end of the island,
to San Antonio at its northern eXtrem-
ity; returning next day via San Juan
Bautista. Though up hill and down
dale by steepest grades, over bridgeless
torrents, and in places skirting the
shoreward cliffs by beaches so narrow
that they would overwhelmed by the
tide if the Mediterranean had any
every yard of the way is shaded by
magnificent oak, olive or chestnut trees;
and the wild flowers that blossom, the
birds that sing, the simple, kindly peo-
pie constantly met, make you believe
that this is the true Acadia The billy
parts of 1veZa are denSely wooded. and
in the tiny, pocket. like valleys hemp,
flax, corn and grapes are grown in
wonderful luXuriance, though the lazy
natives have hardly advanced step
beyond tie methods of cultivation en-
ployed by the ancient Romans. In
places along the shore are numerous
salt-pans. formerly worked by the
Spanish government, but now in the
hands of an English company. There
are even some exports, such as char
al ri,
beans and stockings of native knitting.
On hill, near the town of lveZa, called
Campsey, is placed one Of the stations
Of the celebrated are of the meridian.
One might write volume about the
curious customs of the islanders some
of them probably of prehistoric origin.
Counting, for instance, is not done in
couples, but as publicly as possible.
Like the granddames of Washington, a
Balearic belle has her regular ''even-
ings' at home. when all her suitorS are
expected to present themselves en-
masse, and at no other time. AS the
belle-ship of the girl is guaged by the
number on hand, her relatives make a
point of corralling as many ''eligibles'
as possible. The parents sit in the
room, pretending to pay no heed to the
doings of the young folks, but in reality
giving the closest attention to all that
goes ON. The girl sits on sofa at one
side of the room. and in row of chairs
ranged along the opposite wall the
suitors dispose themselves, as uncom-
Portable as may be imagined. Each has
ming at the end of the line nearest the
east, the first gentleman crosses the
room, sits down beside the girl with his
back to the rest of the company, and
for ten minutes talks to her very rapid
ly, in tones audible to her alone. OF
course he does his best to make as ia
vorable an impression as possible, in
the short time allowed him. If he
overstays his limit, or endeavors to
occupy an undue share of the young
woman's attention, the others remind
him of it by boisterous coughing and
scraping their feet upon the floor
Should he rashly persist in the error OF
his way, he is more than likely to be
seized by the coat-collar and trousers
seat, and pitched out of doors. Incl
dents are common of suitors who would
not heed the warning being murdered
by enraged competitors.
The amusements of the rustic popu
lation are crude enough. The favorite
fun is known as Gel Joch del CALI
! and is similar to Gel Gallino' of MeXi
CO. A dead rooster is suspended from
the branch of a tree, by cord tied
around his legs. Competitors in the
game are blindfolded, led some distance
from the tree, turned around several
times and then ordered to advance upon
the cock-he who succeeds in cutting il
down with sword, being entitled to
some sort of prize. OF course, after
the turning, the blindfolded youth is
utterly bewildered as to directions; and
his antics in slashing the air yards away
from the cock are as ludicrous as the
attempt to pin on the tail' which We
| used to see when dOnkey-parties were