Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-28

Rev. w. j. Birmingham, pastor Of
b. Patrick's r. q. Church, is advis-
ing all of his friends who can, to take
trip to Jamaica. He returned on
Saturday from a three weeks trip to
that island, where he went for a vaoa-
tion and a rest. He was delighted
With the trip and Describes Jamaica as
the most picturesque and beautiful of
the West Indian islands.
Father Birmingham sailed from
Philadelphia on February 9th, on the
steamship Admiral Sampson Of the
United Fruit 90. line. The steamer
encountered two days OF very rough
weather, on the way to Jamaica. lie
returned on the Hamburg American
Liue from Kingston and arrived in
New York last Thursday. He got back
90 Wilmington on Saturday night On
Monday night he was given a reception
by his congregation, which was a great
Surprise TO him.
Father Birmingham in speaking Of
his trip, said: During the four days
q ocean trip We passed ths gulf
ntream, in sight of the Island of San
Salvador, which Columbus mIstook for
the mainland of the New World, and
entered the Caribbean Sea, which was
th, playground of our cruisers during
>the Spanish American War. AS We
entered the barber of Port Antonio,
the most beautiful scene appeared.
The hills, adorned with tropical vege-
tation, the groves of cocoanut and
pine trees, present a. magnificent view.
After disembarking at the wharf
of Port Antonio, a modern American
hotel, conducted in the best American
method is seen. This is the Hotel
Litohfeld, almost a perfect Waldorf
Astoria. 1t has electric lights, perfect
sanitation and windows that look out
upon the sea, with a surrounding tropI-
cal ver5ure. During the day masses
OF cot.ony clouds mitigate the sun q
heat and at night the clear sky, lighted
by the Southern Cross. makes it a
veritable summer dwelling place. "
Father Birmingham remained in
Jamaica three weeks and says he en-
ioyed every hour. He described the
Interesting features Of the little town
OF Port Antonio, among which are its
flowers and fruits, it's sturdy, bronze
and ebony-hued people, its parks Of
banana, palm, orange, lemon, and
mango trees, and its alamando, wheTeon
visitors from all parts of the world
take the air in the ocol of evening.
He says that American capital has
made this great winter resort for the
Americans, what 1t now is. The Bos
ton Fruit Co., which was organized in
1887. now the United Fruit Co., is a
great corporation, leasing 90, 600 acres
Of land and employing 6, 800 laborers,
with about 76 steamers carrying fruits
70 the United States. The annual
shipments average 3. 600, 600 bunches Of
bananas and 100000 cocoanuts.
Father BerminRham says the Span
American War attracted great at
tention at Porl Antonio, as it was the
news-base of the Santiago campaign,
most of the newspapers dispatches
having been sent from there.
He remained at Port Antonio for
several days and then went 10 King
Hton, where be ofiiciated every morning
while there at the Cathedral. King
aton 10 q city of about as, popula-
tion and of this number about IA, 600
are Catholics. There are 1s Catholic
priests in Kingston, spiritually gov
erned and ruled by the Jesuit Fathers.
The Catholic schools there are gov
erned by the franciscan Sisters.
Father Birmingham visited some of
the Catholic schools and in one of
them found coo children. He says the
priests Of Kingston we're especially
kind to him.
While in Jamaica he met Ella
Wheeler Wilcox, the writer, at a hotel.
and was introduced to her. He also
met many other genial people while
away. In addition to Port Antonio
and Kingston he visited other points
Of interest on the island. Kingston,
be says, is an old fashioned city.