The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-06-03
prepared by National Geographic Society


L a pean nations, the Balearic
islands, now Spanish-owned,
are seeking autonomy under the pro-
visions of the new Spanish constitu-
ton.
1t Is doubtful If there is in the
worlds geographic photograph album
family group whose members show
as little family resemblance as do
those of the Balearics. Majorca, the
big sister, so well known to the world,
sits in the center. full-grown and radi-
antly beautiful. Minorca, slight and
delicate, yet with grace that sug-
gests certain knowledge of the
world, sits at her side.
While Majorca is manifestly.
daughter of Spain, Minorca's features
and person partake of the north-a
strange mixture of English and pos
sibly little Dutch with the Spanish.
On the big sisters other hand, Iyiza,
charming peasant in bright apron.
skirt apd shawl, hung with barbaric
jewelry. piques the interest of the
genealogist, for in her a different
strain. probably Arabic, seems to pre-
dominate. She gazes out of the pic
ture with level. quiet eyes that are a
bit mysterious and disconcerting. Her
face is unsmiling, even slightly
smudgy, but still peculiarly attrac-
tive. At her feet is Formentera island,
one of the two babies, almost Iviza's
counterpart in face and dress.
1t seems unkind to draw attention
to Cabrera, the other baby. crouched
at Majorca's feet, for she is a spare,
pathetic little figure, maltreated since
birth. In her plain face are to be
read the signs Of misery.
Such are the sister islands, and their
description fits their people. The
islanders are the pleasantest Of folk
to visit - Supplemented, even-tem-
pered, sober-minded. honest. and
kindly.
The welcome accorded the traveller
In the Balearics differs according to
island. Majorca greets the stranger
with easy familiarity. for she has
known many tourists in the last few
years; Minorca with quiet grace; and
Iviza shyly; but the warmth of well
come is never in doubt. Ask a pass
er-by to indicate the direction to a
store or hotel; you will be escorted to
the door and bowed in, and generally
you must not offer anything more ma
terial than thanks in return.
rrba s1ool Do1oor; o1;r,ofo aoptr;h-
utes enormously to the travellers COM
fort. and, in contrast to what one
often experiences on the continent. it
is gratifying surprise to find the
fondas, or inns. invariably clean and
their meals wholesome.
Mahon Has Fine Harbor.
One of the outstanding features Of
the Balearic group is the abundance
and excellence of it's harbors. Mahon.
the principal city Of Minorca, is an
example. Ones ship picks it's way
down water lane, through pink and
gray shores capped with rolling green,
into what the Spanish government
plans to make one of the finest har-
DOTS IN Tie
Ever since Mage, the brother of
Hannibal, wintered in this harbor
(Which still bears his name Portus
Magonis. now corrupted to Mahon). it
has been famed as refuge for ships,
and it's usefulness will be greatly in
creased when the Island Of the Rats.
small knob Of rock in the center Of
the basin, is removed.
Past the ruins of San Felipe Castle,
the scene Of many hard-fought battles
in Minorca's stormy history, past the
Island Of the Rats. there ahead. on
the highest and greenest crest, one
glimpses San Antonio, the seat of the
noble vigo family.
The islanders tell proudly how in
1898 Lord Nelson, during the war with
France, came into Mahon with his
squadron, seized the mansion that
overlooked the port where his ships
rode, and installed the lovely Lady
Hamilton. But the towns historians
smile rather sadly and admit that,
while history is replete with incidents
of Nelson's visit, it does not bear out
the story Of Lady Hamilton.
And then Mahon! That is the way
It comes. Suddenly. as the vessel
rounds a point, it bursts into view.
quick splash of pink and white on the
hillside, tier after tier of quaint streets.
splendid in the sunshine.
Mahon sparkles, as does the whole
island. It is maze of spotless up
and down-hill streets of shining dolls
houses. From the steamers deck the
town, terrace upon terrace of white
houses, with the spires Of the newt
able churches dominating the mass. ap-
pears pure Spanish: but that is just
Mahon's little joke on the visitor, for
many Of the houses show English fea.
lures peering from under their Span
ish sombreros.
This mixture OF the English and
Spanish gives Mahon a character Of
its own, which Is shared by its people.
II is the women who refuses to con-
form. In continental Spain and In the
other islands they take their places in
the fields with the men and the beasts
of burden. Not so with outstanding
Miss Minorca! She believes that
"woman's place is in the home" or
possibly. as concession to the march
a. &fxx.oo a