The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-02-22

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Jamaica are several peaks over mile
high, and one, Blue Mountain peak it.
self, is nearly mile and half above
sea level
AS usual in the States at this time of
year the newspaper society notes re-
cord, see, that this, that and the other
member Of the fashionable American
circle has gone to southern Europe to
get away from the harsh late winter
and early spring winds and cold. Such
q person has gone to the Riviera, or
this family Is cruising in the Medi-
terranean. or another gilded party is
doing the Nile the present season.
! wonder why none Of these gilded
Americans cares to learn of the summer
weather of winter on his own side Of
the world Glorious Bermuda, the
mystical Bahamas, sunny Jamaica with
its pure air, health giving mineral
springs and Infinite yea, infinite pos
sibilities for rest and sweet day dreams!
Why do not Americans explore their
own West Indies? Why not do their
yachting over the charmed waters OF
their own Caribbean sea? Here is
something new to be learned. some
thing that is not the eternal feeding
and flirting. dressing. gambling and
parading at Nice and Monaco and 9TH
er south Europe towns. Or have Amer
lean rich people lost all taste for the
natural and the restful.
Faith yyvapdny. br,xr ,.~s.. {
cans even know that Kingston is the
capital of Jamaica. Here the English
crown governor resides, and it is the
leading seaport of the beautiful island.
Inyalids and those seeking rest after
overwork and oyerdissipation would
like Jamaica perhaps better than the
gay and healthy, for it is not wildly
hilarious spot. Malaria, dysentery and
yellow fever used to be here In the old
Spanish times. but when the English
got the island they cleaned it up, ac-
cording to their custom of sanifying
their tropical colonial cities. and now
Jamaica Is as healthful as Switzerland
and far more agreeable as to winter
climate than that land OF tourists.
During the Florida orange famine a
few years ago Americans learned how
delicious the oranges Of Jamaica are.
Perhaps they are the best in the world |
but don't know. At any rate. 1 never
tasted better. Other tropical fruits are
as good as the oranges too. The island
is easy of access from the eastern coast |
of the United States, and it is only
ninety miles from the eastern shore of
Cuba in a southern direction.
Polo is played here, and it is the live.
Hest amusement English residents en-
gage in. Tile ponies used are the little |
sawed off creatures of the horse tribe
peculiar to tropical countries. Intense
heat seems to dwarf the horse. 1t does
not, however. stunt his strength. Fa-
miliar with mountain climbing, the
small Jamaica ponies are very sure
footed. In proportion to their size they
are stronger than Clydesdale, and |
they are sound Of wind and extremely I
spirited. They make therefore, excel |
lent polo ponies. Numerous good things
are produced in this balmy island apart I
from Jamaica rum and Jamaica ginger.
The island is nearer the equator than |
either Hawaii or the Philippines. it be-
ing situate in latitude II degrees to 10
degrees north: yet. because of its eleya- I
ton above sea level. it is cooler than |
either, Every morning here cool I
wind. called .the DOCTOR" begins to
blow off the sea about 10 O'Clock. IT T
lasts until 4. In the evening the pure.
fresh air comes down from the hills, {
and that forms cool land breeze.
WILHELMINA SCHIFE.