The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-07
PROSPERITY REIGNS IN
 "THE BLESSED ISLES'

Ponta Delgada, Azores, January 5l.- "The Blessed Isles" as they used to be called, the nearest of European winter re- sorts to the United States, the remains according to popular belief, of the fabled continent of Atlantis where the Garden of the Hesperides grew golden fruit; My islands," which Grant Allen once describ- ed in an entertaining essay explaining how they rose from the ocean floor in the middle of the Mioeene period-these appear as little black specks on the map one third of the distance across from southern Europe. They were early cov- cred with beautiful vegetation and peo- pied with interesting animal life; they are still the delight of scientist and art ist. True, the advent of man to an extent spoiled the game from the naturalst's point of view, but the men themselves, sturdy Portuguese and Flemish naviga- tors who settled her shortly beforeCoum- bus sailed for the New World, created civilization that for many years has been not less remarkable
 Regarding the quality of it, views have
 
 were long believed to be a seagirt para disc peopled by a peaceful race whose lives were simple, manners gentle, homes, however humble, hospitably open to all who come-a region where thirst for mar tial glory is unknown, even among men who were never lacking in physical or moral courage but who have consistently been averse to the spirit of mlitarism. Steam ships bound for the Mediterran- can have for many years passed close to the islands which lie in the beaten path. and the passengers aboard have looked longlngly at the green slopes and purple harvests. Only one of the great lines, the White Star. which has taken up the ser vice recently inaugurated to the Mediter- ranean countries by the Dominion Line stops to take on and put off passengers at this, one of the most beautiful spots on the earth
 False Impression Created.
 Ii recent years there has been a ten dercy on the part of writers who have visited the Azores to shatter the allusion of the "5lessedness' of the islands, and tales have been spread to the effect that these outposts of Europe are being rapid ly depopulated by migration to the United States Such stories, often written up with that exageration of statement which some popular globe-trotters affect, have
 
 fact that for many years the Portu- guese was very rigid in its enforcement of the conscription laws; that young fel- lows in great numbers, to avoid military service would smuggle themselves aboard sailing vessels bound for New Bedford or Boston and would thre acquire citi- senship. usually with the intention of re- turning eventually to their native land but often discovering In Uncle Sam's do- int hood than exist in their own Blessed minion better opportunities for a livelihood than exist In their own Blessed Isles. They know the United States for their country men have settled in numbers in Mass achusetts and the New England states and particularly in California; but there has been no such stampede from the islands as careless writers have said.
 For a time it is true, thre was period of depression, such as settles upon most countries now and then, and vis- itors were surprised to find that in the midst of natural conditions which seem- ingly should support population in opulence, the peasantry were poor; that so per cent of them have never learned to read and write; that industry was re- pressed and that agriculture, carried on by means of the most primitive imple- ments, had ceased to be profitable.
 Hothouse Pineappel
 Probably there has been no more re- markable recent development in tropical fruit-growing than that of the hothouse pineapples as raised in the Azoras. These huge fruits far more delightful and tasteful than the little wild pineapples of Central America, are seldom seen In our country. Practically the whole output from the hundreds of conservatories on San Miguel and other islands goes to Great Britain. The tourist is always as- tonished at their enormity and luxuriance. They are no ordinary pines. these of the thirty cent variety, but fruit in the London markets at from four shillings to a guinea a piece. To raise these pineap- ples requires little capital. but only a small plot of land, and more and more of the islanders are building hothouses. One of these days. so every yankee visitor says to himself, American enterprise will unquestonably secure a share of them for the markets of our large cities. where they will be esteemed as great delicacy as they already are in England.
 If all the products of the pinearies of the islands are good so are those of the distilieries of Ponta Delgada which are coming to employ each year a greater and greater number of peasantry at wages that considering the cost of liv- ing in the islands. have to. be regarded as very fair The products are made en- tirely from the sweet potato and Indian corn. and the entire output goes to Por- tugal no other nation getting a taste of 1t. Here. too. according to the average tourist from the United States. is a chance for enterprising Americans.
 Construction of public works-macada- mixed roadways around the islands close by the verge of the sea. and an exten- scion of the great breakwater of Ponta Delgada. the leading city of the islands is also furnishing work for thousands of the natives. All. in fact. that Is now needed to complete the prosperity Of the Blessed Isles-so leading people like the viscount de valle da Costa. with whom your correspondent talRed-asure one is for American capital and enterprise to flow in and develop the winter tourist business. Trolley roads sanitaria. popu- lar amusements- features in general for