The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-14
SEA GARDENS.


The attractions OF Nassau have been In
creased by the arrival of "a remarkable
craft designed for us by the people OF the
Royal Victoria aud Colonial hotels in Wis
iiine the sea gardens. which are among
the most attractive natural beauties OF
The island. says the Florida Times Mon
Tho boat Is made With glass bottom.
The idea OF glass bottom II not new
10 Nassau one which was made fifteen
years or more ago, which boa sted of two
or three square ieet Of glass. and this was
iself = development OF the clumsy sort
Of marine telescopes that had been used
before. The water about Nassau In So
absolutely clear that " the slight ripple
can be removed from the surface one can
see the bottom as clearly as ons sees the
objects outside the window. IL Is never
any use telling those who have not Wis
tied Nassau This sort OF thing. because
they politely but firmly refuse To believe
H. " IL simple statement W fact,
however. when the surface is absolutely
smooth one can SIT In boat ana find
sea gardens cover quite a wide area. and
are unfortunately situated I'm n channel
which can usually boast Of many small
waves. TheN were accidentally discoN-
cred many years ago. and since then have
been AN obie&tiVc point with all tourists
Nho visit the island Seated in a boat
with glass bottom sufficient size to re-
move All ripple from the surface, II H.
possible TO sail over what seems To- be n
triumph of landscape gardening on the
part of Father Neptune IL Is all of
course. his work. The strong current
which so long hid the beauties Of the spot
has probably brought I'm, this tremendous
seems as III every kind of sea fan ana sea
palm are to he found within the space
of square yard.
As In All coral forma tons. the bottom is
ful of holes. These little csverns are
frequently of the most delicate tints. The
prevailing colors OF the growth at the
bottom are yellow and purple. relieved by
great patches of golden brown and here
and there are feathery growths OF tall
palms. which wave lottily with the tide.
~ do their sisters on land In Il gentle
breeze. The sea ferns are made of coral
purple and yellow. and are just about
ne size or a palm leaf fan, standing up
more graceful plants. The bottom H. of
that exquisite whiteness found only in
coral formations. and dotted her. and
there are the great lazy beeches de mer
lhe chinese, but have not yet crept on to
bills of fare Their sp-
pesrsnce Is not tempting TO any but Ce-
seaWeed OF that gorgeous golden brown
shade. which becomes so faded and neu-
tral when the delicate things are removed
from the water Frequently vandals. dis
guissd as respectable Americans. have
sent their divers down TO pull up some
Of the finest specimens of sesweed or
palm but the punishment always lifted
the crime, for they have been obliged To
pay the diver for scrsggly and unat-
traftve trash. The sea lends its charm
TO its children. and is jealous enough To
take IL back as soon az they desert II.
The sea fans and corals are made Of
sterner stun and retain much Of their
beauty, hut divers are forbidden TO dis
turb the beauties OF the place Every
where through this singular marine park
swim fishes of varied colors. There are
ishes with gold spots and red fishes ana
blue fishes aud fish that look as n the
nermaids had been having a little fun
with their paint boxes. The easiest way
Io describe these would be 10 pick out Of
he dictionary ALL the adiectives descrir-
i've OF color and after ingenuity has been
lutte exhausted there will probably he
Few left undescribed.
IL seems excessively materialistic. not
% say commonplace, Ia descend from
.alking OF the narvels OF the ocean 10 the
delights Of food and drink. but IL has been
raid that many people enjoy the cocoanut
grove which borders the sea gardens quite
az much az they do the gardens them
selves. hut after all the jelly OF the soft
,ocoanuts and the milk from the same
serve 10 put one in highly poetic frame
II mind. so perhsps the association is
not after all uncomplimentary To the es-
thetic achievements OF Neptune.
As for the sail up there and back that
= always delightful The harbor Of Mas
'au would send marine painter distract
ID. II IS all puppies and blues, and
green's. and no spot Of twenty square feet
seem to have just the same tint. Once
we'll within the harbor the water is SO
smooth that the bottom can he seen very
nearly As one can observe that Of the sea
gardens through the glass bottom boat.
4 Is not. OF course. as beautiful, but IL Is
The low shores OF Hog ISL
md too show a wealth OF strange fol-
age; on the ether side are the gardens
II these town residences, which borden on |
he water. Opposite the gardens is OLD |
ort Montagu. set there 10 keep the Span
ards and buccaneers AT bay 80 years ago |
Z did not always keep them out, how |
M far hp Ia
sland which the the pirates once |
unused themselves by roasting the gov /
rnor Of the Misunderstanding alive being |
ather favorite amusement of theirs in /
heir leisure moments. IL Nassauvian ira |
lition tells the truth In fact, on the 4
rip TO the sea gardens. one combines the I
hree best things In Nassau--the beauties !
4 tropical nature, the interest or stir
ing history, and last land there are not 1
many who can truthfully say, least0 the 4
luxury Of modern travel