CHAPTER XVI. 
The Infiuence of the British Court and Aristocracy upon the People of 
Nassau. The Landing of Prince Alfred upon the Island of New Providence. 
Nas.au and the British Government During the Late War of the Rebellion. 
Blockad: Running. Nassau Practically a Confederate Port. International 
Laws Construzd and Enforced so as to Greatly Damaje the United States. 
Furtunes Rapidly Mads, Squandzred and Lost. Wild Hucitement and Great 
Dissipation. Great Increase of Disease and Crime in Nassau. 
‘““No voice of friendly salutation cheered us, 
None wish’d our arms might thrive, or bade God speed us.”—Rowe. 
As the child apes the man, so the practices and sentiments of 
the court and aristocratic circles of Great Britain give tone and 
character to society in the dependencies of the British crown in 
al] the ends and corners of the earth. In Nassau, English in- - 
fluences dominate, although from the geographical position of 
the Bahamas, and the natural course of trade, they are commér- 
cially more closely allied to the United States. As the homé 
government retains and exercises the power of filling the high 
executive and judicial offices, and has the ultimate and deciding 
voice in all important legislative and judicial matters, a gréat 
check exists against the growth of a natural sentiment in favor 
of political independence, and free institutions. Much is doné 
in the Bahamas to foster, keep alive and deepen the feeling of 
reverence for and true allegiance to the Queen, her family and 
her government. The landing of Prince Alfred upon the island 
of New Providence, upon the 8d day of December, A. D. 1861, 
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