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“...THE POCKET GUIDE TO THE
WEST INDIES
Chapter I
GENERAL INFORMATION
The West Indies : Position and Names : Geological
Features : Climate : Health : Population : Religion :
Language : Freemasonry : Books : Expenses : Money :
Banks : Food and Beverages : Meals.
The West Indies consist of a chain of islands varying
in size from 44,178 square miles, the area of Cuba, to
small.islets of only a few acres in extent, which stretch
in a curve from Florida to the northern coast of South
America. Beginning at the north-west with the
Bahamas, they end at the south-east with Trinidad, off
the coast of Venezuela. They owe their name to the
fact that when Columbus first sighted them he believed
that he had reached India by a western route, as he
had for long hoped to do. The name Antilles, which is
also given to them, is said to be derived from
Antilla, or Antiglia, a mythical land which was believed
to exist in the west, and is placed on ancient charts
about two hundred leagues...”
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“...156 POCKET GUIDE TO THE WEST INDIES
SPORTS. The Grenada Cricket Club has a picturesque
ground a quarter of a mile from St. George’s, where Cricket and
Football are played. At Grande Ance Bay, which is reached
by boat in half an hour from the Carenage, there is a fine stretch
of sandy beach, from which the bathing is perfect. Boats can
be hired at the Carenage. The sea Fishing is good, and the rivers
can be fished for mullet, brochet, sard, and mud-fish. The
natives use avocado pears, green grass-hoppers, red bananas,
and sometimes worms and cockroaches as bait. The St. An-
drew’s Racing Club, founded in 1897, holds flat Races periodically,
and race meetings are held at Queen’s Park, St. George’s, occasion-
ally, and also at Grenville on New Year’s Day and at Easter.
Rifle-shooting is encouraged by the St. George’s Rifle Club,
founded in 1907, which has its range at the Queen’s Park.
CLUBS. The St. George’s Club, which was opened in 1888,
and faces the Carenage, is very...”
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“...Grenada töi
and provides for seven inmates, respectable women in
reduced circumstances. The almshouse was rebuilt in
1905 with money collected by Lady Llewelyn, wife of
the then Governor. Near the town is Queen’s Park with
a race-course and recreation ground established in mem-
ory of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee in 1887.
The Botanic Station, which owes its inception to Dr.
(now Sir) Daniel Morris, is situated at the foot of Rich-
mond Hill, only five minutes distant by boat from St.
George s. It was established in 1886, since which year
it has made rapid progress. Many valuable trees have
been planted and the gardens have a nursery for the
growth and distribution of plants.
At Grand Ance Bay (a row of about 30 minutes from
the wharf; fare 2s. (48c.) per person), to the south of St
Georges, there is an exquisite stretch of sandy beach
(from which delightful sea-bathing can be enjoyed
The Government have provided a landing-stage, and
the use of a bathing house can be had...”
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“...174 POCKET GUIDE TO THE WEST INDIES
spot, but also because of the magnificent view. In the
eighteenth century the Mome was the scene of much
fighting, and it was upon it that Prince Edward, Duke
of Kent, and great-grandfather of King George V, j
hoisted the English flag on April 4th, 1794, when the
island was captured from the French by Vice-Admiral
Sir John Jervis and Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Grey.
It was, too, from its works that the French republicans
were driven by Brigadier-General John Moore, after-
wards Sir John Moore, the hero of Corunna, two years
later.
The Mome now looks peaceful enough; but it presents
rather a melancholy appearance. Its officers’ quarters
are deserted and its barracks empty. The glorious view, .
however, remains and well repays the ride. It is more
extensive than that obtained from the terrace of Govern-
ment House, including as it does the superb mountain
ranges of the interior, a long stretch óf the coast-line
to the south, and...”
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“...ST. CHRISTOPHER
22Ï
keeps quite near the coast. Several well-cultivated
sugar estates are passed. At Molyneux a small area is
under cacao cultivation. Estridge estate buildings,
about i £ miles farther, afford a notable example of the
substantial work done with the help of slave labour by
the old settlers. Below Bellevue estate a halt should
be made at Black Rocks (12 miles from Basseterre).
These rocks consist of huge masses of lava standing out
in the sea, against which the deep blue water dashes
itself into white foam. They extend along the coast for
a distance of about half a mile.
Continuing the drive past the village of Dieppe or Deep
Bay, two fine sugar estates, Willets (right) and Belmont
(left), are passed, and to the left one obtains a fine view of
the central mountain to the edge of the crater, with a
stretch of well-cultivated sugar lands on its lower slopes.
At a distance of about five miles across the channel on
the right is the little Dutch crater...”
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“...242 POCKET GUIDE TO THE WEST INDIES
by OJdmixon as far back as 1708. The natives, he said,
tell all strangers
a strange Tale of a vast monstrous Serpent, that had its
Abode in the before-mentioned Bottom (an inaccessible Bottom
among the high mountains). They affirm'd, there was in the
Head of it a very sparkling Stone, like a Carbuncle of inestimable
Price; that the Monster commonly veil’d that rich Jewel with
a thin moving skin, like that of a Man’s Eyelid, and when it
went to drink or sported itself in the deep Bottom, it fully
discover'd it, and the Rocks all about receiv'd a wonderful
Lustre from the Fire issuing out of that precious Gem.
There is a rude shelter by the side of the lake, where
ponies can be tied up while the visitor proceeds afoot to
the famous Rosalie View. Here there is one of the most
magnificent vistas in the West Indies. From a fore-
ground of tall tree-ferns, rubber trees, and a wealth of
tropical foliage, stretch eight or nine miles of...”
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