River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-08-25

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the Great Western railway for
Bristol, en- route for the Isle of Joy
and Sunshine. Dining excellently
meanwhile, we were soon whisked to
Avonmouth, where our ship, the Port
Kingston, was awaiting our arrival,
all spick-and-span in a coat of pure
white, showing off her beautiful lines,
looking quite fairylike, and sparkling
with electric lights. BY IL o'clock we
had retired to our comfortable state
rooms, and soon afterwards all was
quiet and ready for the voyage of over
1000 miles.
High winds and rolling seas kept
most Of the ladies in their cabins for
four days, but the men and few
hardy ones of the other sex who
would not give up came on deck, prac-
Using for their sea legs" Soon the
wind dropped and the sea Gained; the
glorious sunshine and mild breezes
brought out the butterflies from below,
and the spacious deck was thronged
with fashionables.
Before long we were in the tropics,
and soon sighted the island of Bermu-
da, the fortress, guardship and won
derful dry dock well in the fore
ground. We were enabled to land,
and enjoyed a few hours on shore and
a drive over the well-kept roads, pass
ing flourishing plantations and gar
dens in all directions, and being re-
minded of home by the English names
given to the places and homesteads.
The rest of the voyage was delight
full beyond expression. The time
passed only too quickly, and the Blue
mountains of Jamaica were visible
early one morning The most glorious
sunrise imaginable was the reward of
those who rose to greet the wonderful
panorama presented to our view-a
picture never to be forgotten!
Immense business is done in King
ston, which rapidly recovered from the
effects of the earthquake. Great en-
poriums are in full working order, and
in more than one may be seen endless
varieties Of fabrics and models which
would not disgrace Worth or Jay.
Landed and past the customs, we
were soon on the road for Constant
Spring" a distance of six miles,
reached in about twenty minutes by
excellent motor omnibuses every few
minutes to the Constant Spring" no.
tel, so-called after a wonderful spring
which has never been known to fail!
The hotel, delightfully."- situated, is eX-
cellent in every way, replete with COM
fort and, being away from the heat
and hustle of Kingston, it is an ideal
palace lifting to eternal summer"
Mr. Verley's training stables are
about seven miles from Kingston,
near his rebuilt and enlarged mansion,
which was much injured by the earth
quake Here are also, within a short
distance, the Jockey club racecourse
and polo ground
The reports and rumors published of
the hurricanes and ravage caused by
floods have been greatly exaggerated,
yet a good deal of damage is done to
the plantations, roads and bridges, and
torrents of rain fall. The results,
however, give work to hundreds of
men, and eventually prove blessing
in disguise. 1t is believed the next
two or three years will prove great
fruit seasons, in consequence of the
heavy rains.
The Jamaica club is a fine house in
a pleasant situation in Kingston, and
# celebrated far and wide for its hos
pitality and loyalty.
The homeward voyage was even
more pleasant than the outward, be-
cause of the perfect weather we were
favored with, and it was only when
within sight of the Irish coast that the
colder breezes and mist reminded us
our trip was nearly at an end, and, re-
.garding this, there was only one opin-
ion-never had time been passed more
pleasantly or profitably from a health
point of view than on this cruise to
!. amaica and back, 5000 miles in five
weeks!
Mention of the late Sir Alfred
Jones, the chief of the imperial direct
West Indian mail service, has been
left to the last for obvious reasons.
Just before starting for Jamaica a
long telegram was handed to me from
the founder of this and many other
great undertakings. He never forgot
anyone or anything, and fell victim
Ito his Jealous work. OF Sir Alfred's
somewhat sudden death the public are
fully aware. 1t has been said no one
is so good that he cannot be replaced
but it will be very difficult indeed to
replace the one whose whole thought
was the good of his country! 1t is
known ne did much for the great cause
of empire, but it may never be known
how much good he did, how he worked
day and night for the one great idea
OF his life. He was always ready te
do a kind action, and many of bis
noblest deeds were done in secret.
The working and enterprise of the
firm with which was connected can II
Justice be mentioned, more especially
Inoy that the chief has passed away
Amongst the great distribution of The
products of Jamaica over Europe and
America none stands higher than the
firm which was formed on the advice
sof Sir Alfred Jones. who introduced