The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-03-21

by letter. All such comm mica tions are
held sacredly confidential. '"
DIR. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets invigorate
and regulate stomach, liver and bowels.
very big name, as to the ball itself and
its romantic setting. Its account of
the many features of the days doings
closes thus:
'The hotel orchestra played many pa
triotic airs, which were applauded,
politely by the British, tremultuously
by the Americans. The ball is then
opened. Brave men and fair women
never met under more suspicious con-
ditions. Inside is the glow of lights,
the soft swing of the music and the
rhythm of light feet. Outside is the
warm softness of the June-like night,
with its dim shadows thrown by the
| moon overhead, the sound of unseen,
soft tapping waves and the heavy dew of
the tropics. But no one thinks of that.
Supper was served at half after eleven,
yet the dancers fingered still longer.
When at last the city guests went out
into the velvety moonlit night the
celebration of Washington's birthday
i'll Nassau had by some hours outlived
the day it honored And this, mark
you. in the month of February"
Nassau is the only large town of the
Bahamas, situated on New Providence
Island, about thousand miles south of
New York and nearly 200 from the
southeast coast of Florida. 1t is a gem
among winter resorts. During all the
time that snow and ice block New Eng
land, here all is warmth, flowers and
song of birds. The climate is the
most equable on the globe. The. tenn
perature remains approximately at 72o
by day or night. At midday one ma
turally seeks the shady side of the
street or gets within reach of the breezes
from old ocean. After the beautiful
tropical sunset the air cools somewhat
| and sleeping becomes a joy forever
provided ones bed has the protection
of mosquito netting. Frost never comes,
and rain but rarely in the winter; then
.. in the shape of sudden showers which
are excessive in precipitation and soon
over. During the latter part of the
summer, however, and in the autumn,
the chances of furious hurricanes are
such that the sponge feet and other
| shipping remain in the harbor. Still a
devastating storm of this kind does not
visit the island oftener then once in
eight years; but the fear of one always
exists during that period known as the
change of seasons.
1t is city to especially interest trav-
! elers from the far north. Its history is
contemporary with our own country
| and, as with US, slavery, which was long
in operation here, filled the island with
blacks which today far outnumbers the
white inhabitants The blacks seem in
many ways peculiar to the West Indies
and are an interesting study in them
selves. l fancy | can discern rather
more of respect and sympathy from the
whites toward the negroes then in the
Southern States, or at least toward the
more intelligent portion of them.
| Their schools, or many of them, are in
common and on recent Sunday / no.
ticed in the Presbyterian church here,
one of the leading churches of the town
that the colOred people had good por.
| ulOA VI VIC CuulCu lCSClttu lOE UuGu
Their dress and general conduct and
| The city itself, buried in tropical
fruit and Towering trees, with its mar
row streets and queer street sights.
with its high walled yards and fortress
ed houses, how can 1t help to draw the
interest of visitors and retain it? Down
by the bay shore are the business
houses and sponge repositories; also
the market and sisal grass storehouses.
The sponge industry is very important
and the vessels employed would almost
equal in number the Gloucester fishing
fleet. Over the hill, behind Nassau,
lies Grants Town, (named for former
governor, not for the general who aided
the American blacks to freedom. J
This is exclusively native colored set
Element, the houses being mostly one
story frame buildings with matched
roofs and, with their inhabitants, are
wonderfully picturesque. Many of the
homes are fairly hidden by growths of
orange, lemon, grape fruit, shaddock
and cocOanut trees. The ambition of
these people is not great. They haven't
to worry, during all the long summer,
as to fall Overcoats or coal bills, and
SO they simply take life easy and trust
IN PrOVldence; ana providence always
sends them warm weather and fruit in
plenty. A recent ride through this
quaint settlement by early moonlight
was revelation. The days work was
over and each little cottage, nesting
amongst the thick foliage and cocoa
nut palms, had its family all about.
The tinkle of the mandolin and guitar
was frequent, with melodies that are
| v,Io ir,v nd
be here. As we drove along, the soft
voices of the children, as they trot be-
hind, murmuring: "Let penny come"
made an experience like that of fairy
land and not soon to be forgotten.
We have met here several of our
former townsmen who are most promi-
nent in the affairs in which they have
interests. Capt. Wellington White,
master of the steamer Miami, known
far and wide for his never-failing court
esy and good nature, brings to the