The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-23

fourth street when she accompanied her
husband, DR.. Hovey of the American Mu-
scum OF Natural History, on his recent trip
among the West Indian volcanoes.
Mrs. Hovey, vho Ia q graduate Of Mount
Holyoke College. was not a novice in noun
tain climbing, having assembled with her
husband some of the high peaks of the
Alps and having teen the first woman to
20 to within a short distance Of the top OF
Mount Popocatepetl in Mexico. But no
other woman had encamped on the edge
Of the crater Of Mont Pelee in Martinique
since the time when st. Pierre was de-
stroyed, half a dozen years ago..
1t was planned originally that Mrs. Hovey
should her husband as far as
| possible UP the side Of the mountain and
IL it was impossible for her to make her
way clear TO the top where her husband
wanted TO make his headquarters she would
turn back and remain at one Of the planta-
lions that line the base Of the mountain.
But previous experience in geological ex-
peditions stood her in good stead and Mrs
Hovey was OF a passenger, merely, in the
expedition, but aided her husband in many
ways, so that much OF the success OF this last
"trip to Pelee was due to her efforts. Not
only was she the active housekeeper Of the
two tents which comprised the living apart
ments OF herself, her husband n two
servants, but 1t was she who discovered
that the fumaroles, out OF which poured
the steam from the crater, were excellent
substitutes for q gas range and much more
effective than the alcohol stoves the party
carried along for cooking purposes.
While leading this wild life, miles away
D.. 49, .aaras bahtfa ton Mra Hnyav
kept a diary in which she recorded some Of
her experiences. Often she had TO kneel
In three feet OF ashes while she used a pack
ing box on which to write. Parts Of this
diary are given here.
A great abundance Of warm clothing was
essential, for although the tropical heat
was almost overpowering at times, the wind
was so terrific hat 1t was frequently neces-
sary to take refuge in crevices in the noun
tain to avoid being blown of the mountain
top. The nights were so cold that even
with an abundance Of blankets the campers
slept in their clothes.
The food proposition was solved by Mrs.
Hovey before she left New York. Instead
Of burdening the guides with stores Of
canned goods she limited tho amount Of
canned food az much as possible and took
quantities OF dried vegetables.
From dried egg powder she evolved
scrambled eggs. and palatable vegetable
soup was made from the dried vegetables
cooked over the fumaroles. Then the
campers carried plenty Of coffee and guam
titles OF sweeienod chocolate.
Only such utensils as were absolutely
necessary for preparing the simple fare
were carried by the campers. The alcohol
taken all the way from New York for cook
inc, urposes was almost superfluous, the
natural heat from the volcano proving
more satisfactory for cooking.
Mrs. Hovey started from New York on
April 10 last. OF st. Pierre she wrote:
AT st. Pierre there Is just one house at
present, q sort Of shack built since the
eruption, with one room. which we secured.
Then we began our excursions among the
ruins. No ore can conceive the desolation
unless he sees IL.
"A city Of $4,000 inhabitants with street
cars and other conveniences and then
everything IN a mSaent wiped out and
nothing left but .-'ned walls. In FIVE
years the ruins have become filled up and
covered and vegetation long ago started to
grow. Great bramb!o bushes are growing
everywhere
or tho ascent Of the volcano Mrs, Hovey
has this description In her diary:
May AFTER a day and a night at the
meteorological observatory We returned
last evening to st. Pierre and this morning
at o O'Clock the director. II. Guinois-