The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-07-03


for th. COCO inhabitants and they lead
20 fairly cnviablc me- When April
comes YOU may always see them
stretched out ln the spring sunshine,
their round faces shaded by their large
hats, like those OF the Spanish Jesuits
and "a cigarette always held In their
lips
An idea Of the standard Of luxury
that prevails In Andorra may be gained
from an inspection Of the national
palace" which Is In old Andorrd, the
state tapital,-a poorly built little VIII
lage Of 500 inhabitants with very mar
row streets and no sewerage. The pal
ace Is "A square building looking very
much ike any ordinary insignificant
dwelling, its sole ornament being a
free-stone gable-end. Its 10th century
entrance Is surmounted by an escut-
chean. on the first floor are the stables
where the councillors horses are shei-
terej-fur this is, 1t must BE- remember.
ed, the seat of government. On the
floor above is a small ill-lighted school
room and the councillors refectory
where these able statesmen c. ,k tarlr
own dishes in great kettles hung on
cranes.
Above this is the council chamber,
which is quite bare, almost its only
piece of furniture being the presidents
table, covered with red cloth. All
about the walls are hung the official
hats and cloaks of the councillors. These
are interesting garments, the great
hats OF black felt being in an advanced
stage of dilapidation, While the long
cloaks of gray drugget have been in
use for centuries. Within the walls of
this room are locked the state archives,
to which each parish has a key but
which many be opened only in the pres
sence of delegates from six parishes.
And, finally there is the national
chapel, containing TIE only art work in
the country, copy of the painting OF
the Louvre, the gift of President Fee
liX Faure. Within the chapel is also
stored the old instrument for strang-
ling criminals, unused since France I'M
dertook the execution of Andorra's
criminal sentences. What there is of
conventionality in Andorra centers nat
urally in this state building.
To sec the Andorrans at their ease a
visit should be paid to one of their
inns, which are far more interesting
than they are comfortable. If it were
not for the proverbial honesty of the
people the cut-throat aspect of these
hostelries would be very formidable.
1t is in the main room of one of these
inns that the Andorrans delight to pass
their leisure. The great open fireplace
in this room is indeed the enter of
their social life, and all about it hangs
a large miscellany of drying shoes,
while stockinged feet are also extended
to catch the cheerful warmth of the
flames, the propretress busies herself
with her cooking, wnIcn is accomplish
ed by the use of many long-handled
vessels held over the fire and pOnta
ing garlic and grease as the chief in
gradients of whatever may be prepared.
Meanwhile the smoke from the fire and
the tobacco mngle and form a thick,
sour smelling atmosphere which the
freight can barely penetrate.
When the meal is ready it is served
on a rough table and a great gathering
of plates and spoons follows. Wine
poured slowly from slender carafes is
drunk so temperately that inebriety
seems the danger least to be feared in
this mild-mannered country.
How long is Andorra likely to remain
the undiscovered republic? Just as long
as equilibrium is maintained between
it's co-princes of France and Spain.
There il one possibility, however, that
may destroy forever the primitive
peace of this out-of theway Utopia.
France is considering the building of
a road through its own frontiers to the
capital of Andoua, and, what is more
serious, railroad that would shorten
the Barcelona route by several hours.
This would be nenerally patronized,
and-Andorra would lie directly on the
route! What would happen then has
been Dolly conjectured. Some believe
that it would become a gaming center
and that fortunes would be staked
nightly perhaps in that very council
chamber where the standards of repub-
lican simplicity have been maintained
for centuries. Or, cures" might easily
be established; for the country is rich
in hot springs, and has one sulphur
spring in particular from which a spec
ulator might derive a fortune. More
over, there is a large supply of mineral
wealth. and mines as yet UNEMPLOYED
bursting with silver and copper and
lead. But every lover of unspoiled
simplicity and curious tradition must
hope that the day is yet far distant
when Andorra will be "discovred."-
Boston Transcript.