388 CUBA AM) POETO 1UCO 



The Danish and Dutch influences are trivial. The 

 English habit, wherever implanted, is one of law and 

 order. Where the Latin predominates, civilization is 

 lacking, at least in methods of modern sanitation. In 

 the countries in which the French race habit has been 

 implanted, Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, there has 

 resulted a more complete elimination of the Caucasian 

 type than in either the English or Spanish islands. 



The condition of the native whites, with some excep- 

 tions, is most unfortunate, and yet at the close of the last 

 century uo finer race existed than the whites of the West 

 Indies, of whom were Hamilton, Dumas, and the Empress 

 Josephine. With the industrial ruin these people have 

 rapidly decreased, and their children are sent to more 

 progressive parts of the world. We do not mean to say 

 that most excellent white people may not be found in all 

 the leading walks of life, upon every island, but these are 

 not increasing, and the old planter class is almost gone. 



Yet here and there we find proofs that the white race 

 still maintains its foothold. The descendants of the old 

 Dutch settlers of Saba, St. Eustatius, and Curacao are 

 examples of a long-domiciled European race which has 

 not lost in complexion or sturdiness. Upon every little 

 island can be found an old Yankee skipper or two who 

 has settled there to enjoy old age ; merchants, bankers, 

 consuls, and shipping-agents seem also to find life pleas- 

 ant in these tropical surroundings. 



Modern science has done much to alleviate the process 

 of acclimation in the tropics, yet every one who goes 

 there must pay a penalty. Changes in the tissue must 

 follow if the individual is to become wholly acclimated or 

 adapted to the new conditions. The nice balance of 

 power is upset. Many unduly expose themselves to the 

 scorching sunlight; others expose themselves to the 

 heavy dews. Many indulge in the fully matured juicy 

 fruits of the tropics, thereby upsetting the already over- 

 taxed internal machinery. A fever of some kind is a mere 



