Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-04-17
THE ISLAND
OF JAMAICA,
An Augusta Lady Writes interest
incIy of the Land of Coffee.


written for the Spectator Vindicator)
Basic City, April ia trip to-
Jamaica is intensely interesting. IL
is beyond the power of pen to adequate
ly describe the wonderful beauty and
scenery Of this lovely island OF Inc
Caribbean Sea. After sailing for five
days on the solemn and majestic ocean
there was something particularly in
presslve when this tropical island,
with varied and luxurlant vegetation,
burst upon my vision, and what a
contrast was this scene with the bar
rem fields and leailess forests which l
had left behind. NV first view of ia
maica as we entered the beautiful bar
Dor of Port Antonio, filled me with a
sense of delight that defies words to
express.
Many writers have given descrip-
lions of the beauty of the harbor OF
Naples, but hardly think that it can
surpass, 10 natural beauty, the barbor
OF Port Antonio OF course, different
temperaments are affected In different
ways, but the first glimpse OF this
lovely harbor awoke within me feel
ing of profound thankfulness that l
had been privileged to look upon
scene of such surprising beauty. The
lovers of nature fnd scenery, wild and
beautiful in every part of the island.
Jamaica has an interesting history. 1t
is the largest and most important of
the British West Indian colonies, was
discovered by Columbus on May 3rd.
1494, during his second voyage, while
sailing south from Cuba. He named
the island Santiago, though it still re
tains it's Indian name, Xaymaca, now
called Jamaica. 1t has been British
possession since 1866, in which year it
was captured from the Spanish.
Jamaica is divided into three cOun-
| ties and these are sub-divided into
parishes. The present population of
the island is about 755, 900, of which a
large majority are colored. The natives
are quiet and law abiding people,
very obliging and polite to the tourists,
and a study of their manners and
quaint ways forms pleasant feature
of the trip. Many coolies have been
introduced from India to work on the
plantations. They are a reliable, in
dustrious people, and their oriental
style of dress, together with their
erect forms and stately carriage, make
them very interesting.
Jamaica. being an English colony, the
currency of the island is, of course
English, consisting of pounds, shil
lings and pence. The country is quite
mountainous, the most notable range
being the Blue Mountains, the highest
peak of which reaches an elevation Of
1850 feet above sea level. Jamaica is
indeed an ideal winter resort. The
climate is delightful to one seeking
warmth and sunshine. The average
temperature is about 800 Fahrenheit
but owing to the absence Of humidity
, in the atmosphere, the heat is not op
pressive. The breeze from the sea cOOli
= the island during the day, succeeded
at night by the cool air from the mour
tains. The great charm of the tropic
| is that it is life lived practically il
f the open air. Houses are merely ,
: shelter against sun and rain. Window
: are never closed, indeed they are oftel
: not used, their place being taken b.
!. "jalousies" kind of Venetian blind
4 which is so constructed as to admi
light when open, and keep out rail-
when partially closed. The supply o
water is exceptionally good Throughout
Jamaica. Owing to the remarkabl
fertility of the soil, mildness of climat
q and abundant moisture, tropica
( fruits, vegetables and products of a.
3 kinds grow in great perfection an
: prOfusiOn-such as the banana, orange
V grape fruit, pine apple, shaddock,sta
, apple. mango, lime, tangerine, alliga
j. tor pear, cocoanut, nutmeg, cocoa
coffee, bread fruit, yam, etc. Larg
q quantities of bananas, oranges an
J, pine apples are exported to the Unite
r States
:, The fruit industry has increased col
v siderably under the management {
e the United Fruit Company. Fruits {
q all kinds are very cheap, for instance
, barrel of delicious oranges can
!. bought for one shilling. which is abor
a 25 cents in American money. Sugar
l. still manufactured, but not SO extel
70 sively as in former years. Jamaica
!. the home of the fragrant piment
, commercially known as allspice.
le The principal roads of Jamaica a.
= macadamized, and maintained in pc
IS feet condition by the government fl
j. the use of the general public. Travt
). ing over them is indeed luxury, al
9 one can go for miles without feelin
al the least fatigue, besides there is q
G. ways something new and interesting
" be seen with such variety of scenel
r. spread out before the travellers gaz
It is astonishing to the northern tou
Y. list to see the vast quantities of troy
- cal plants and flowers growing wild
ha the road side, and the mountains al
Ii valleys all covered with growing fru
lis and vegetation, presenting on eve
~ side pictures Of natural loyelines
w There are over 200 varieties of fer
that grow Oh the island, some attain
the size of trees. The orchids are We
beautiful, also the cactus, oleande
h hibiscus, poinsettias, the bouga
We viHea, and other lovely plants a
be flowers innumerable. The cocoan
II l. n,