PREFACE.
In presenting this work to the British public it is proposed to bring before the notice of those unacquainted with the charms of tropical scenery some of the features which tend to make one of our oldest colonies, Jamaica, a delightful winter resort.
At present, it is visited mostly by Americans, because of its easy accessibility from New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. Their unanimous verdict is that there is no lovelier spot under the sun than this gem of the Antilles set in the midst of the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The historical interest is sufficient to attract the student, while the artistic sense is constantly charmed by the exquisite colouring of the tropical seas, the delicious green of the waving cane-fields, the lofty mountains with their ofttimes mist-wreathed summits.
The illustrations of island scenery are by Dr Witney of East Street, Kingston, Jamaica.
In compiling this book the writer is indebted to the courtesy of Mr Frank Cundall, who placed the old histories of the colony, which are kept in the Jamaica Institute, at her disposal; also to the Archbishop of the West Indies for the information His Grace was good enough to give her, concerning the Disestablishment of the Church of England in Jamaica.
B. PULLEN-BURRY.
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| CHAPTER I | |
| MANDEVILLE—JAMAICA NOT NEAR THE VOLCANOES—BOOKS ON THE WEST INDIES | [1] |
| CHAPTER II | |
| THE DIRECT LINE—THE LAZINESS OF THE NEGRO—FELLOW-PASSENGERS ON THE PORT ANTONIO | [7] |
| CHAPTER III | |
| THE KESWICK DELEGATES—MISS SARAH WALKER—HAYTIAN CANNIBALISM | [15] |
| CHAPTER IV | |
| THE BLACK UNDER BRITISH RULE—THE GOVERNOR OF JAMAICA AND SUITE | [26] |
| CHAPTER V | |
| LAND SWALLOWS—TURKS ISLANDS—AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK—CONSTANT SPRING HOTEL | [31] |
| CHAPTER VI | |
| SUITABLE CLOTHING—PEDESTRIANS IN JAMAICA—SELF-HELP SOCIETY | [46] |
| CHAPTER VII | |
| DOMINICA’S FLOURISHING CONDITION—SCOTCH DINNER—TROPICAL VEGETATION | [58] |
| CHAPTER VIII | |
| SAVINGS BANKS—KESWICK VIEWS—SPANISH TOWN | [67] |
| CHAPTER IX | |
| THE ROYAL MAIL COMPANY—THE “MUMPISH MELANCHOLY” OF JAMAICA | [77] |
| CHAPTER X | |
| THE CUISINE ON THE E——.—THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF DOMINICA | [87] |
| CHAPTER XI | |
| DR GRAY ON YELLOW FEVER—MONT PELÉE—THE RED CARIBS OF DOMINICA | [95] |
| CHAPTER XII | |
| DRIVES AND COUNTRY LIFE AT MANDEVILLE—NEGROES AND FUNERAL CUSTOMS | [107] |
| CHAPTER XIII | |
| MY VISIT TO A PEN—ARAWAK REMAINS—LEGEND OF THE COTTON-TREE | [123] |
| CHAPTER XIV | |
| OBEAHISM AND COFFEE-PLANTING | [133] |
| CHAPTER XV | |
| COCKPIT COUNTRY—THE MAROONS | [146] |
| CHAPTER XVI | |
| INDIAN CATTLE AT MONTPELIER—PALMER MONUMENT IN MONTEGO BAY PARISH CHURCH—AMERICANS | [167] |
| CHAPTER XVII | |
| DESCRIPTION OF ROSE HALL—SUGAR—THE EXPENSE OF WORKING AN ESTATE A CENTURY AGO—BANANA CULTIVATION | [179] |
| CHAPTER XVIII | |
| MONEAGUE HOTEL—THE TROUBLES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS | [190] |
| CHAPTER XIX | |
| WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN JAMAICA—A BREAKDOWN ON THE RAILWAY—PORT ANTONIO—CHESTER VALE | [201] |
| CHAPTER XX | |
| THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN JAMAICA—ITS DISESTABLISHMENT, ITS INCREASED ACTIVITY AND DEVELOPMENT | [212] |
| CHAPTER XXI | |
| SIR HENRY MORGAN—LORD RODNEY—EDUCATION IN JAMAICA—CAPTAIN BAKER ON THE BRIGHT PROSPECTS OF JAMAICA | [230] |