Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-03-20
STORY OF THE eERMuDAs.
Anna M. Clark Of 6roohield De
scribes Their Features.

ttRermuda-a land OF shelNlng ceoaI,
sloping hillsides, green with verdure ana
shimmering under a southern sun, misty
haze of violet lowering over all, sea OF
emerald hue, shading at times to tur-
ouoise blue, with purple patches marking
the shoals Thus the shores of Bermuda
looked TO us as we slowly made our way
down the long harbor to Hamilton. From
the boat we were hurried along the crook
ed narrow streets of Hamilton to one oil
the exauisitely neat cottages near Hotel
Hamilton, kept by two Bermudian ladies'
where we were TO make our home during
our stay upon the islands.
The whole history of Bermuda might
almost be prophesied from its geological
and geographical peculiarities. The whole
group of islands is of coral and shell for
nation, built upon the peaks of submerg-
ed volcanoes. From small beginnings ex-
tensive reefs were built up into circle,
with a large central lagoon. These reefs
later were more or less broken up by
heavy winds and waves from the sea and
the fragments gradually heaped up and
washed inside the reefs were ground TO a
coarse or fine sand, which in time reached
the level of the sea and above ~. ms
fine limestone sand was subsequently par
TALLY dissolved by the rain which soaked
down through and cemented the layers
into rock, the lower layers into hrm,
compact rock.
As YOU walk along the rugged dangerous
shores OF Bermuda today, you see the
same process going on-bits of coral, shells
and sand washed upon the shore, blown
inland where they are somewhat consol-
dated and the lower layers cemented INTO
a soft chalk-like rock, which, however,
becomes much harder upon exposure TO
the air. Subsequent sinking and eleya-
tions OF this ring of coral debris have fol-
lowed SO that the northern half OF the
ring has been almost submerged and eX-
lists only as an extensive reel over whlch
the waves break and few huge pinnacles
of rock projecting here and there above
the water The lower half of the ring,
about twenty-five miles in length ana
varying in width from one half to two and
one-half miles in width, forms the habit
able portion of the islands today. The
organic tissue of these shell animals m the
process OF decay has furnished some other
materials to the islands besides limestone,
which have produced layer of light red
soil about six inches thick. This amount
has been increased somewhat by the sea-
weed which is everywhere used as the fer
tilizer and other means of enriching the
soil.
An account of the discovery OF Bermuda
speaks of its sole inhabitants as cedars,
palmettos and an Incompatible number OF
rats How these first residents reached
here is a mystery, but it is certain that
since that time great number of plants
and animals from all parts OF the world
have been introduced and are now -four
ishing as If they were upon their native
heaths. The number of animals, however,
is quite limited. Cats, dogs, frogs, few
insects, which do not include the potato
bug, are to be found, but there are no
snakes, squirrels, woodehucks or other
mammals which are so familiar in the
United States. Besides a goodly number
of native birds, most of which are seen in
the United States, large number of 9TH
ers visit the islands during the fall and
spring migrations.
The houses of Bermuda are made by cut
ting out with the hand-saw blocks Of lime
stone rock, cementing them together and
plastering inside and out. Even the roofs
are made by cementing together thin sheets
Of the rock like shingles. II is only neces-
sary to buy a building lot, and enough
stone comes from the cellar and back yard
to put up the house. The houses are gem
orally one story high and whitewashed
y y
provided with tank for water, as there
are no springs on the islands and the water
from wells is generally brackish. If the
roof surface is not large enough the soil is
scraped off neighboring hillside, the
surface whitewashed and the water from
here conducted to the tank. This arrange
ment is called a .'catch. These little
white stone Villas with their white stone
steps. walls and gateways of the same ma
terial over which may be hanging a large
night blooming cereus, present an impos-
ing picture.
With their trim gardens of rose bushes,
Gala lilies, varieties of narcissus ana all
manner OF palms and cacti, surrounded by
a hedge of geraniums at the front and a
row Of century plants at the rear, which,
by the way, serves as clotheslne on wash
ing day, these substantial little dwellings
present even palatial aspect. One would
naturally people them with lords and la
dies, but quite as likely they belong to
some humble colored families.
The roads of Bermuda are made by scrap
ing off the soil and smoothing down the
rock to a surface which looks much like
asphalt. They are remarkably porous and
become dry in a very short time after
shower. Mud in the streets is practically
unknown, and what there is, is white or
nearly so. Deep cuts have been made
through the hills sometimes twenty-five
and thirty feet deep like miniature can
yons, which wind about, become decorated
with the most delicate ferns and MOSES
and afford here and there glimpses of the
matchless sea and sky.
In the place of fences the roadsides are
bordered with hedges of oleanders, which
grow like our New England willows, tam
arack and century plants.
The people Of Bermuda, OF English stock
and strong English sentiments, settled
about the time of the Virginia company,
and brought with them large negro pop
ulation. The inhabitants today number
about 1900 people, of which fully two
thirds are negroes, who are remarkably in
telligent and speak with a broad English
accent. The negroes Of Bermuda are upon
a distinctly higher level than those usually
found in the United States, and those de-
spairing Of the future Of the negro would
do well to see the way in which they are
holding positions OF responsibility in Ber-
muda.
In visiting foreign country one Is GER
tain 10 find some unique and interesting
customs connected with the burial Of the
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