Caracas as a Place of Resort. 365 



Before taking leave of Caracas, a few particulars 

 must be given respecting time, and other matters of 

 importance relative to the journey to the capital and 

 back— information which will be useful to residents in 

 the West Indies. 



A visitor from Demerara leaving by the Inter-colonial 

 Steamer, via Barbados, would, at the shortest, be away 

 from the colony a day less than three weeks. I calcu- 

 late that the expenses, including return passage, inci- 

 dental expenses on the voyage, and three days' stay at 

 Caracas, would amount on the average to a little over £1 

 a day. From Trinidad, individual expenses would be, for 

 the seven days' away, a trifle more per day, and from 

 the Northern Islands the same as from Demerara. It may 

 be mentioned that passports are no longer needed. 



There can be no reasonable demur brought against 

 these charges as being extravagant or excessive, pro- 

 bably they are far less than the ordinary run of daily 

 expenses on shore. 



With government officials there is another considera- 

 tion, and that is the question of leave. Many officials 

 say "If I take three weeks' leave in the year it 

 counts against my long leave which I am entitled to 

 after so many years' service." That may be so. But 

 what is three weeks' leave in the year after all, out of 

 the four, six, or, it may be twelve months' leave to which 

 the official is entitled ? Granted that such an one has 

 worked hard day by day for two or three years, and then 

 returns to England to enjoy his leave. Is it generally 

 all enjoyment ? Or it may be that he has had no change 

 of air, or pursuit, for a very long time and then returns 

 home in failing health, with a liver out of order, or 



