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“...they must
be called—found in the growing heart of the palm
trees, are also looked upon as a choice luxury.
The taste in regard to beverages in the West
Indies follows very closely that prevailing at home;
but a new-comer should guard against the tendency
to increase the quantity consumed, which must in-
evitably result from a rising thermometer. Light
wines or whisky and soda in moderation are
perhaps the safest “ drinks ” in the tropics; while
for abstainers, lemonade, ginger ale, kola, and
similar concoctions can always be obtained, and
lime squashes will be found infinitely preferable ■
to the familiar lemon squash. Among other bever-
ages peculiar to the West Indies are pimento
dram and falernum, and the old-time sangaree...”
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“...GENERAL INFORMATION
29
for long day excursions before dawn, when the 1
temperature is, comparatively speaking, low, a I
loose flannel coat or wrap is indispensable. A
thin silk tea-gown and an ordinary evening dress
should also form part of the outfit. Tourists will
be well advised not to make themselves too con- .
spicuous with puggarees and similar eccentricities, '
as cabmen and boatmen naturally consider those
who do so to be fair game, and deal with them
accordingly. Sun hats are best purchased locally.
Blue spectacles are a comfort in Barbados, where
the glare from the coral roads is very trying.
A waterproof cape will be found convenient,
but in ordering it care should be taken to mention
that it is for use in the tropics, as beetles have
a predilection for inferior caoutchouc. Kid and
patent leather should be avoided for foot wear
for the same reason. Deck chairs can nowadays Deck
generally be hired aboard the steamers (R.M.S.P. Chairs>
Co., 4s.), but to ensure complete comfort...”
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“... an application to the Rector to have
the vault re-opened, when, to the astonishment
of all present, the coffins, to the number of five
or six, were found scattered about, and one of
the largest thrown on its side across the passage,
so that, had the door not opened outwards, an
entrance could not have been effected except
by removing the slab on the top, which is of
immense weight. The private marks made on
the previous occasion were undisturbed, and, as
this was the fourth occurrence of a similar dis-
turbance without the cause being explained, the
family resolved on removing the bodies from the
vault, and some of them were interred in the
parish churchyard.” The vault was filled in and
closed, as, after this occurrence, it was feared that
it might give rise to undue excitement among
the population, whose nerves were naturally
worked up to a high pitch of tension by this
gruesome episode.
Most of the numerous gullies are of great in- Gullies,
terest and beauty, but they can only be explored...”
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“...are wrapped in another
piece of paper, on which is written a memorandum
of their authenticity by John Fraser, who was then
Surrogate in the Court of Vice-Admiralty. Copies
have been made for reference of all the papers
now in the Vice-Admiralty Court concerning this
strange case, and from them have been gathered
the particulars given above.
In the United Service Museum, London, is the
head of the shark which swallowed the papers.
In conclusion, it may be mentioned that another
case somewhat similar, though fraught with less
dramatic results, occurred a few years since at
Kingston, when a well-known resident by the
harbour shot a crocodile, and found in it the
collar of his wife’s favourite cat!
The Victoria The Victoria Market, at the foot of King Street,
Market. a commodious iron structure which cost, includ-
ing the lands purchased, .£22,778, deserves a
visit. Early in the morning is the best time.
King’s King’s House, the official residence of the
House. Governor, is about 4 miles from...”
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“...the general
characteristics of both the islands closely resemble
one another. Nevis is practically one large moun-
tain cone rising to a height of 3596 feet.
As in St. Kitts, sugar is the principal industry
in Nevis, but of late years the exports of this
commodity have been steadily declining in value.
The cultivation of Sea Island cotton is, on the
other hand, being rapidly extended. Yams, sweet
potatoes, corn, &c., are also cultivated to a con-
siderable extent.
The climate of Nevis is very similar to that of
St. Kitts, though the rainfall is less, being only
45 and 80 inches. There are practically no
streams in the island, and the water supply is
derived from a public reservoir, which supplies
Charlestown and some country districts with good
water.
Nevis was discovered by Columbus in 1493i on I
his second voyage, and was so called by him owing
to the cloud-capped summit of its peak, which
reminded him of snow. The island was included
in the grant to the Earl of Carlisle in 1627, and
colonised...”
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“...established by private
enterprise. Breeding of cattle is carried on, but
chiefly in aid of the sugar cultivation, with a view
to providing the necessary stock of working cattle,
oxen and mules. St. Croix produces all kinds of
tropical fruits in abundance, and efforts have been
made in recent years by one or two planters, not
unsuccessfully, to cultivate such fruit as oranges
and bananas systematically for local use and with
a view to exporting them in the future.
The climate of Santa Cruz is very similar to, Climate,
though rather hotter than, that of St. Thomas, but
it is well suited to Europeans. During the greater
part of the year a fresh trade-wind from the east
is blowing. The wettest season extends from
August to December.
The history of the small island of St. Croix History,
is brief and uneventful. It was discovered by
Columbus on his second voyage, and in 1643 it
was inhabited by two distinct parties of English
and Dutch. They quarrelled, however, and the
Dutch were expelled. In 1650...”
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