JAMAICA 221 



rises within a few miles to a thousand feet above the sea, 

 he passes many beautiful English homes, each surrounded 

 with its garden, in which flaming poinsettias, oleanders, 

 and hibiscus-trees are the most conspicuous objects. A 

 largo area, known as the Up-town Camp, is the military 

 garrison, with its parade-grounds, race-track, golf-links, 

 and handsome quarters for the officers and soldiers. The 

 troops are principally of the West Indian regiment, composed 

 of tall blacks arrayed in handsome Zouave uniforms, con- 

 sisting of red turbans, white jackets, blue trousers, and 

 white Leggings. Their picturesque figures, seen strolling 

 along the streets, are very pleasing, and the regimental 

 band furnishes good music. Four miles north of the city 

 are the extensive grounds of the governor's residence, or 

 King's House. This consists of elaborate buildings, con- 

 structed for comfort in the tropical clime, rather than with 

 a view to architectural ornateness, and surrounded by 

 lovely gardens. Here the governor and his wife extend 

 a .-ourteous hospitality to the residents of the island and 

 th.' passing stranger. Still beyond arc handsome public 

 gardens and the large Constant Spring Hotel, at the foot 

 of the mountain, from which the city is easily reached. 



At the end of the spit inclosing the harbor, four miles 

 southwest of the city, is the naval station of Port Royal, 

 the headquarters of her Majesty's naval forces in the 

 West Indies, and perhaps, with the exception of St. Lucia, 

 the most important British stronghold in the Caribbean 

 Sea. Old Port Royal, once the most flourishing English 

 city of the New World, stood at the extremity of the 

 Palisades, near the present naval station. In 1693 it 

 was destroyed by a terrible earthquake, the city sliding 

 bodily into the ocean. The disaster was one of the most 

 appalling of all recorded catastrophes of nature. In 

 entering Kingston harbor the traveler is told that beneath 

 tic- waters the Spires and roofs of the ancient houses can 

 still he seen. Kingston came into prominence as a com- 

 mercial center after this catastrophe. 



