The Washington times., 1902-08-03

unable to explain. One thing is certain,
the citizen who reaches the age OF sew
enty is considered to be very old. and is
respected to point almost approaching
veneration on account of the supposed
accumulation of worldly knowledge due
to the advanced years. The island seems
to be blessed with good health, and, in
fact the place is rather too healthy TO
prove profitable for physician. This
seems to be due to the natural condi-
tions of the island and the natural man
ner in which the inhabitants live.
Whole Island Methodist.
The whole island is Methodist in re-
Iigious belief. and a very enthusiastic
and prosperous Methodist Church is To-
Gated on the island. This church is one
OF the first objects that is noticed upon
nearing the island, as its tall spire is
readily seen above the tops OF the other
buildings and the small trees which grow
on the island. This church is the fin
est and most ambitious building on the
island. and next to this the parsonage
is probably the best building. Religion
has secured a strong footing here,
and the people are almost universally
members of the church.
outside of the church there is little
in the way of entertainment for the ISL
anders, and consequently the church is
the leader in society as well as in NOR
ais. The Fourth OF July is quietly side
tracked into a festival for church pur-
poses, and the sisters of the church fur
nish the dinner, OF which all the ISL
oh
sonable expenditure. Other sisters pre-
side at booths covered with the
sails from the vessels at anchor during
that day, and from these booths dis
pense lemonade, candy. and cakes, all
for the benefit OF the treasury of the
church
The women of Tangier are a hardy
class, and not at all wanting in good
looks. and greet the stranger upon the
street in as cordial manner as il it
could not happen that any but gentle
men and gentlewomen would ever visit
Tanger. and the formality OF an intro
duction is waived. This kindly custom
of speaking to strangers is also notice.
able among the children, and Tangier is
famous for the quantity of children that
may he seen on the streets or playing at
the waters edge at almost any season.
able hour.
Every Woman in a Sunbonnet.
The prevalence of the sunbonnet is one
of the marked features Of outdoor life
in Tangier, and the sunbonnets can be
seen in almost any direction. Some
times the wearer may be seen punting a
boat across the fields. for in that fiat
the tiny canals are completely
hidden at a short distance by the long
marsh grass at other times the sun
bonnets sprinkle the one street of the
island. and especially is this true at the
hours when purchases are needed for
The family table, or when the daily mail
arrives from Cris2eld. an event of mo-
iuent, fer there is no daily train to fur
rish excitement for this quiet spot.
AT o'clock on Saturday afternoons
the sCnSonnets vanish as If by magic,
and the girls and the matrons who are
now seen en- the street are usually bare
healed or wearing becoming hats, the
aprons lave been put aside for the day,
and perhaps you may meet on the street
io:Ce very handsome women. tastefully
-owned, whom you have seen at an
EARLIER hour CT the day going to the
store or the po5tpiiice barefooted and
wearing a generous sized sunbonnet.
or the women do not seem to think ii
strange to go barefooted during the
working hours OF the day if they are so
Inclined