XIV INTRODUCTION. 



The Causeway. — This bridge wa.s coustracted in England and sent out 

 in pieces. Just at its end, on the Walsiugham side, is a deep pool, 

 which is known as " Blue Hole," in which many kinds of fish may be 

 seen disporting themselves in the clear water. 



Walsingham Caves. — About a quarter of a mile up tbe hilly road which 

 leads from the causeway towards Hamilton, stands a small wooden 

 shed on the left hand ; while on the right, a rough and narrow road 

 is seen, which leads to the famous caves which have afforded for many 

 years the most singular scenes to be met with in tbe Bermudas. It 

 would take pages to describe i>roperly the various portions of these sub- 

 terranean recesses, which present the usual appearance of stalactitic 

 halls and spacious chambers, floored with transparent waters, on which 

 no boat has ever yet been launched to explore the darkness beyond. 



Walsingham. — The grounds about Walsingham are by far the most 

 picturesque in the islands, presenting a singular chaotic appearance of 

 broken rocks, caverns, and ponds, interspersed with grassy patches and 

 thickets in which numerous kinds of trees and shrubs mat their foliage 

 with that of the orange and lemon. Here may be found species of plants 

 unknown in any other part of the islands, and in the clear waters which 

 occur in almost every cavern month, the most brilliant-hued fishes may 

 be seen. The coffee-tree grows luxuriantly at Walsingham, and a climb- 

 ing jasmine overruns both rocks and trees profusely. The soil of this 

 district is differeut to that of other parts, being of a bright brick-red. 



Paynter Vale. — Xot far from Walsingham, and snugly ensconced in a 

 grove of fine old trees, lies all that remains of the old homestead of the 

 Paynter family; the house a complete ruin, with ferns growing out of 

 the crevices, and bananas, papaws, and cedars hemming in its remains 

 on every side. Xear what was formerly the principal entrance gate 

 stands a magnificent fiddle- wood tree {Citharexylum), the parent of all 

 the fiddle- wood trees in Bermuda. It was brought from Barbadoes about 



the year 1820. 



A little east of the ruined house an avenue of tall tapering cedars leads 

 to the old burial place of the family, which has recently been covered 

 over with blocks of stone to prevent desecration. Climbing a steep hill 

 near by, the visitor finds himself in full view of Harrington Sound, with 

 the Flatt's Bridge and village in the distance, while a little higher he 

 will find a patch of red ground, on which it is said nothing in the shape 

 of vegetation has ever been known to grow. About 80 yards north- 

 wards of this i^atch, and situate in the adjoining wood, is a small cave, 



