CHAPTER XVIL 



The Bahama Constitution. Opening of the Colonial Legislature. ImpO' 

 sing Ceremonies. The Negroes Made Happy. The Governor and his Military 

 Guard of Hmor. " Parliament " Prorogued. Martial Music and Booming 

 Cannon. Engrossed Bills Approved and Signed. Small Annual Crops of 

 New Laws. No Color Line in ths House of Asssmbly. Wrecks and Wrecking 

 in the Baha/ihas. Salvors and Salvage. Bahama Hurricanes. 



"Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 

 Like a colossus ; and we, petty men, 

 Walk under his huge legs, and peep about 

 To find ourselves dishonorable graves." — Shakespeare. 



I2f 1879, the day after our arrival at Kassau was distinguished 

 by the opening of a new session of the Bahama Legishiture. Our 

 landlord kindly secured for us tickets of admission, for only those 

 thus favored were allowed to witness the ceremonies. They bqj'e 

 the official signature of the President of the Council. The chief 

 executive officer of the Bahamas was Governor William Robinson, 

 a man with black hair and eyes, a heavy moustache and long 

 beard. He was apparently not over forty years of age, five feet 

 eight or nine inches high, rather good looking, and had a practi- 

 cal business air about him. He appeared in most excellent phys- 

 ical condition, ^ith the thermometer, even in the winter 

 ranging in the shade among the seventies, he b'ore up under the 

 following heavy weight of titles and descriptive appellations. 



"His Excellency William Robinson, Esq., Companion of the 

 most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor 



875 



