32 A. E. Verrill —The Bermuda Islands. 444 « 
partly on the slope of a rather steep, rocky hillside that overlooks 
the harbor. From this hill there is a fine view of the surrounding 
islands and waters. On the crest of the hill is situated Fort St. 
George, with the barracks and other military buildings. Several 
other forts, some of them of antiquated construction and now of — 
little or no use in war, overlook the entrance of the harbor. But 
some modern batteries have also been built near the town. 
St. George’s is rather notorious for the extensive business in block- 
ade-running that centered there during the late civil war in this 
country. In this business it was probably not excelled by any other 
port, unless Nassau. Fortunes were rapidly made and lost at that. 
time, and business was very lively. But it does not appear that this 
business resulted in any lasting benefit to the town. Indeed, it is 
said by many that it was, on the whole, a great detriment, because 
it disturbed or destroyed all normal kinds of business, distorted 
values, and demoralized those connected with it. 
At present its commerce is of small amount, for Hamilton has 
become the principal port. But it is an interesting place to visit. 
It has a very creditable public garden, near which may be seen the 
tablet erected in 1876, by Governor Lefroy, in memory of Sir George 
Somers, who died at St. George’s, Nov. 9, 1610, and whose heart was 
buried there, at his request. 
There are many other places of historical interest in St. George’s. 
But the “Alley of Limes,” immortalized by Thomas Moore, no 
longer exists.* 
The house of “Nea,”+ to whom his ‘Odes to Nea”’ were dedi- 
* His reference to it is as follows: 
‘¢ And thou-—when, at dawn, thou shalt happen to roam 
Through the lime-covered alley that leads to thy home, 
Where oft, when the dance and the revel were done, 
And the stars were beginning to fade in the sun, 
I have led thee along, and have told by the way 
What my heart all the night had been burning to say,—— 
Oh! think of the past--give a sigh to those times, 
And a blessing for me to that alley of limes.” 
+ ‘‘Nea” was Miss Hesthea Louisa Tucker, who afterwards married Wm. 
Tucker. She died in December, 1817, aged 31, and left several children. Some of 
her descendants still live in Bermuda. Two of her granddaughters were named 
Nea. It is said that she was already betrothed to Mr. Tucker at the time when 
Moore’s verses were written. This might also be inferred from some of his 
verses, especially his farewell lines : 
‘« Well—peace to thy heart, though another’s it be, 
And health to that cheek, though it bloom not for me!” 
