294 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 



being about fifty miles in length, and containing, it 

 is estimated, about three hundred and eighty square 

 miles. The surface is very uneven, the interior being 

 one grand region of hills and mountains. The high- 

 est of these is Mount Pelee, over four thousand feet 

 in height, north-west of the principal town, St. Pierre. 

 Though a volcano which has emitted smoke and 

 ashes within thirty years, there are now no signs of 

 an eruption. Late in July I was hunting in these 

 mountains, making my headquarters at Morne Rouge, 

 a little village occupying a central plateau near the 

 volcano. From there I made excursions to Morne 

 Calebasse, Morne Balisier, Mount Pelee, and Champ 

 Flore. There are many mineral springs in the moun- 

 tains, two of which — one reached from St. Pierre, 

 and the other from Fort de France — are famous re- 

 sorts for the inhabitants. 



Morne Rouge is a holy city ; to it every year the 

 people of the coast, high and low, make pilgrim- 

 ages on foot. The church here is beautifully deco- 

 rated, the interior containing valuable paintings and 

 frescoings. The Virgin is magnificently arrayed and 

 enriched by the spoils of the faithful and credulous. 

 All about are shrines and crosses and sacred mounts 

 of Calvary ; and near the town is a most charm- 

 ing grotto, containing an image of the Virgin, over- 

 hung by tree-ferns, hollowed from a rock dripping 

 with water, with a clear pool and fountain at its 

 base. 



Sundav is a fete day, and the busiest of the week. 

 Then the young ladies from the convent and the 

 brothers from the monastery attend church in a body. 

 Every one is dressed in the best he can afford. A ven- 



