The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-29

in it's construction. but this is the ex. seption rather than the rule. Every possible precaution Is being taken to have the buildings as nearly fire-proof as the limited resources of their owners will allow.
 Born of an earthquake herself, the city of Kingston has had many ex- perienees with these mysterious earth tremors. During the year intervening between the big quake of January ll 1907. and January 14. 1908, there were no less than 220 distinct shocks, the one of January 2, this year, causing a few walls to fall Prior to 1892 the great city of Jamaica and of the West Indies was Port Royal but the earth quake of that year caused the city to sink to the bolton of he sea- Even tn this day 1t Ia said that on clear days one sailing through the entrance of Kingston Harbor, can see the houses below them as they so. just as in olden days sailors passed over the fAbled city of Is. But this story is probably apochryphal. When Port Royal fell. the survivors of that dreadful catas- trophe settled on the Liguanea plain building Kingston. They laid their little city out in the form of 6 cross, and such is the plan of Kingston to- day, the two main streets being King street and Queen street, Four big flres have visited i prior to the one of last year. The one of iSs2 rendered 5000 people homeless. ..
 Kingston has an ideal situation Here. along the southern border of the island of Jamaica stretches q long coral reef, known locally as the Pali- sades. The one end of this reef is joined to the mainland and the other end--the site of suniken Port Royai--al- lows only ship-way into the expansive lagoon lying between the reef and the mainland. This haven is the harbor of Kingston. It's area is SO large and the depth so great that all the shipping of the Southern Seas might Ind a refuge here from the storm swept Car rihean. The city is built down to the waters edge and extends back some three miles on the Liguanea plain. This beautiful plain, sioping up from the sea terminates about six miles in- land in the foothills of the massive Blue Mountains. which rear their granite domes over 1000 feet above the sea. 4 dreamland scene 1t is, com bining city and plain. mountain and sea, in a picturesque panorama unsur passed in beauty and unrivalled in d. versity. Seeing this one can under stand the sentiment of the celebrated English author who said that when the Almighty was destroying Paradise He forgot to wipe out Jamaica.
 The residences of Kingston are all either villas, lodges. or cottages. Whether 1t is a beautiful villa, q rest ful-looking lodge, or eosy cottage 1t is certain to be in harmony with the landscape. The added touch of broad closely trimmed lawns, large. well kept fiower gardens. and winding walks make the scene entraneing. The resi- dences are ali named in keeping with the surroundings. On the broad posts by every gateway one sees the name of the place cut In marble. Here Is one named "Seaview Cottage" there another Retreat Lodge" and another ''Idlewild Villa" Considerably more than half of the suburban houses have been restored. and perhaps half of the remainder are now being built. It will be only a short time until remind CTS of the earthquake will no longer appear In these residential portions of the town.
 Governor swsttenham. the maPplot of the Kingston disaster. still resides and there in comparative solitude he has time to- refect over hts action in trying to be witty and gay. The Syn- pathy usually bestowed upon Swetten- ham, excusing his famous letter to Ad- mirai Davis on the ground that he was under great stress of feeling and quite beside himself. is deemed by many here to be misplaced.
 Said a magistrate of the island: q was in an unpleasant position myself as q result of his action. One of the other magistrates was personal friend of Swattenham. and he brought a petition for me to sign expressing deep confidence in the Governor, re- fused to sign it and ever since he had not been friend of mine. No. do not think that Swettenham deserves any sympathy"
 He has a whole lot Of antagonism for Americans in his makeup. and 1t was that which led him to write his famous note" Another thing winch led him to do it Is the gradual ascendency of America in the island. Engisnd grad ually sees the trade of her best West Indian possession slipping from her grasp. and Is beholding the JamaicAns themselves giving their affections to ths United States. This would be but another evidence to the natives that America could take care of them better than England, and SO. from the stand point of Swettenham. American aid could not be tolerated That was why he wrote to Admiral Davis as he aid. swettenham was good Governor be- fore that. He had things going as smoothly as they could. but he could not rise to the occasion in times of stress.
 Outside of Kingston harbor is a pa- thetic reminder of the earthuuAke. Two of the most magnificent steamers of the Hamburg American line lie high on the rocks. The Augusta Victoria has listed to starboard and looks the wreck she iss but the Prinz Waldemar, which went upon the rocks the night of the earthquake Is high and dry as If on a marine railway. and is headed as if to sail directly through the Blue Mountains. As the relentless wash of the restless Carrtbean sweeps against them 1t make one of the saddest spec tacles that remain of the time when nature shuddered at Kingston.
 Copyright. 1908, by Frederic J. Has
 kin.)
 TOmOrFOw--Bratish Rule Sn Jamaica