. CHAPTER III. 



New Providence. Killarney and Ounningliam Lakes. Caves and Cave 

 Earth. The Mermaid's Pool. Naxsau — its Streets, Public and Private Build- 

 ings, and Population. Tlie Poor and Happy Negroes. Fort FincastU and 

 its Signals. Oranfs Toicn and other Suburban Villages. Fort Charlotte — • 

 its Subterranean Rooms and Charming Out-look. Xiunching at the Expense 

 of the Britixh Qu^en. Removal of the Old Barracks. Fort Montague. A 

 Luxuriant Growth of Titles. JVassau Harbor and its Bar. Observing the 

 Breakers. Shells and SJiell-work. Nassau's Public Library. 



" This sceptered isle ; 

 This earth of majesty ; tliis seat of Mars ; 

 This other Edea — demi-paradise." — Shakespeare. 



"The poor contents him with the care of lieaven." — Pope. 



The island of New Providence, although small in size and 

 greatly deficient in soil, far transcends in importance all the is- 

 lands with which it is more immediately associated. Nassau, 

 the Bahama capital, reposes in calm, quiet dignity upon the 

 northern sloj^e of the hill that rises to a height of ninety feet 

 above its northern shore, bathes its feet in the sheltered sea, and 

 lifts its municipal head above the heights that overlook Grant's 

 Town. It is to the entire archipelago what Athens was to Greece 

 and the rising sun to the old Persian fire-worsliim)ers. " Paris 

 is France ;" — Nassau is New Providence and the Bahamas. But 

 for its harbor and favoral)le location, it never would have risen 

 from the rocks, or reposed under the shadows of its tropical and 

 semi-tropical trees. Its superiority as a shelter for ships, caused 



43 



