The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-06-28

in the future ID that the American
tourist will be the one best crop
There is no reason why We should not
rake " these islands the finest winter
resort in the tropics. Especially since
sc own them. ! have never been in
the Bermudas, but from what | can
learn Of them the Virgin Islands have
many advantages over them The
voyage from New York consuming
four days, each day growing milder,
the transit from furs to Palm Beaches
enroute; the arrival in the beautiful
harbor and the survey Of the red tiled
town nesting against the rugged
mountains, ali form happy prelude
and prepares one for pleasant So
journ. Then. on acquaintance TO find
the people so kindly and polite, and
devoid Of viciousness and illmanner is
a further recommend.
There is no reason why the Islands
should not yield abundant rest and re-
creation. Cricket is the national game
at present, but baseball will soon fol-
low. There is room for golf; the fish
ing Is excellent; and boating, motoring
and mountain climbing will complete
the outdoor exercises while the hotels
Of today are amply equipped with
spacious ball rooms for indoor exer-
else.
Mountain Climbing
| did little mountain climbing on
my own hook. Mountain climbing UNI
der tropic sun is not without its
drawbacks but by taking it slow |
finally won the top Of mountain
back Of ST. Thomas and overlooking
the city and harbor. 1t was fine
view Standing on the summit | could
look off to the north across the rest
less Atlantic. To the south, spread
out at my feet like map was the
city and harbor. Every street was
checkered off and the red tile roofs
nesting among the palm trees gave
just the desired touch Of color. The
blue caribbean was as calm and peace
full as a mill pond and one or two be-
Gained sailing vessels with Tapping
sail were visible on the horizon like
painted ships on a painted sea. Turn
ing to the north | noted that the At
lantic was rough and shirred with the
trade winds, which famed up on the
top, but was cut off from
the harbor below.
A delightful spot for winter home,
and landscape ever new, was my
mental verdict. | stood on the porch
Of roohess house and was told that
a hurricane had ruined the place last
Many places were de-
and vegetation and trees were
torn and twisted in a frightfu man
ner. The hurricane season is in the
fall of the year, and after that no one
need fear. While everybody refers to
the hurricane Of last November, and
evidences of its destructiveness are on
every hand it is fact that only a few
people were killed The slimpsy man
ner in which the poorer classes are
housed would lead one to wonder how
they ever survive any kind of an am
bilious storm.
The men of St. Thomas are mostly |
merchants and sea-faring men. Ag-
riculture is neglected. In fact there
IS but little evidence of any attempt at
In st. Johns the bay tree
S cultivated and the bay rum indus
ny is practically the only industry of
he two islands. st. Thomas men are
excellent sailors. Here we find, the
lncient art of stretching canvas still
n practice. The men of st. Thomas
an estimate the amount Of wind in a
ingle cloud down to the last pocketful.
They can trim sail with the best of
hem and they know the world as only