The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-12
RUIN COMPLETED!

upheaval beginning at the southern part
and extending north, Mt Pelee, whicn
has caused all the terrible destruction OF
life and property, being the outlet or the
Internal force. Pelee stands 1929 feet above
the level OF the sea and was supposed TO
have been extinct, the last eruption nav
ing taken place in 1851 when only hot
ashes were thrown up Nearby, within
few miles Of the volcano were the miner
al spring and baths called La Foun-
tane Chaud du Prechur." CThe Hot
Fountain OF Prechur) whose waters were
highly recommended for rheumatic,
blood and skin diseases. The waters or
this spring came underground from Pelee
and plainly now show that while the
old volcano upon the surface was qule'
there we're other conditions underneath.
The first town Of any size from the foot
Of Mt Pelee was Morne Rouge and was
built on comparatively high ground so IL
may be possible that some there nave
been saved (from the torrents OF Laval
but probably met death from sunocatlon
by the falling ashes and dust.
The climate and degrees OF temperature
range ordinarily from rs degrees 10 70 de-
grees Fahrenheit the greater part or the
year while in the excessive heated
months II often reaches ll0 degrees. There
is little malaria and rarely contagious dis-
eases which are born upon the Island, yet
are In most instances brought from 9TH
er ports by vessels. The total population
OF Martinique at the last census number
ed 1859 OF which 81. 923 were males and
97.676 females. St Pierre was the chile
commercial city and had about $1,000 In
habitants. while Fort de France, the cap
Ital had but 5000. The white population
has been slowly but surely dying away
and the ratio before the calamity was
about s whites 10 1000 colored. The peo-
pie while morally bad. were quiet and
peaceful as a general rule and treated Tor
eigners with that politeness which show
ed the strain OF French blood running in
their veins To the stranger arriving at
Martinique the first thing that attracted
notice was the costumes worn by the ma
tive women, which were developed PACK
in the dark, dismal days of slavery, there.
These costumes were very simple In
themselves yet the brightness OF the col
or. the personalities OF the wearers all
rendered to make II OF more than ordi-
nary interest.
The robe or gown was a simple chem
Use OF gay color (cut low at the neck) and
finished with long train or ''jupe, wnich
in at the waist. About the head was
twisted a handkerchief, or madras, also
of gay color. arranged with admiranle
skill and effect. The little tucks were
held in place by golden brooches, while
thrown carelessly about the shoulders was
a silken foulard. In the ears tney wore
massive golden ear rings. the most popu-
lar being formed Of five cylinders, looking
very heavy. but really being light, as
they were hollow. The golden ornament
OF the natives was their savings bank, as
most of their earnings went for these.
ST. PIERRE.
The population OF the unfortunate city
has been given before and we Will en-
deavor to give some idea of the condition ,,
on the side hill. with background or
dense tropical growth, The streets were
exceedingly narrow, bordered with stili
narrower sidewalks and with small gut
ters, which was the only sewerage sys-
Gem OF the city, and carried the refuse
10 the sea. The houses were In most
casea OF square Do sign, built OF rough
grey vso~ And Naineed white or yellow.
They could not be said TO be attractive
from an artistic standpoint, but gave
an air of quaintness and solidity to the
The Rue Victor Hugo. several miles in
length, was the principal thoroughfare,
lined with shows and shipping houses.
Jardain des Plantes Garden OF Plants),
situated on the road to Mt. Pelle. and
was veritable garden of Eden. IL was
here the Empress Josephine. when SHE
came on visit to st. Pierre from her
home at Trois rslet. used to spend
great part OF her time. The garden was
a bower Of all kinds of tropical growths,
deep ravines and high cliffs. winding
walks, small lakes and cascades. There
were several beautiful cathedrals in the
city-the Cathedral du Moulliagt and Ca
thedral du Fort, both of which have been
destroyed.
In todays paper will be found a picture
OF Behenzin. ex-king OF Da Lomey, who
has been "A political prisoner of France
upon the island for a number of years. He
is seen surrounded by his wives and
daughters. St Pierre was without doubt
the most foreign OF any city in the entire
West Indies. Many of the other islands
had gradually assumed a more English
aspect both In regard 10 customs and
dress but the people OF Martinique, TO
great extent, clung to the old school
tourist coming 10 Martinique. even from
nearby island would notice this and the
effect was both surprising and pleasant.
It has been said by some IL was a pleas
ant place TO be born and died In. II was
indeed a pleasant place To live In were
IL not for the fact that one hardly knew
what nature would do next. IL has been
called the Pays des Revenants," which
means the Land OF Conner Back" and
II is said that anyone who has once is
tied the beautiful spot OF the island would
always have desire deep down in the
heart 10 again pay "A visit 10 its shores