280 {SLES OF SUMMER. 
fortunate ones, we repaired in good season to the appointed place, 
inspired by a natural curiosity to witness the “ giving up of tle 
ghost” by an integral and important part of the law making 
power of this out-lying portion of the Quecn’s possessions. 
The Senators, (or colonial lords,) grave, digniiicd and prepos- 
sessing in their appearance, took possession of their high-backed 
arm chairs, and in low tones conversed with each other, until 
the sound of approaching footsteps indicated the arrival of their 
more youthful and less experienced superior in official rank and 
honors. , 
In the presiding officer’s chair, (which was decorated with ban- 
ners and bunting,) the Governor was soon comfortably seated and 
enthroned. His military dress and sheathed sword were mildly 
suggestive of the power which upholds government, and gives 
effect and potency to law. He received, as before, the speaker 
and members of the lower house, the former accompanied by his 
large and conspicuous mace of office, brought to Nassau from 
South Carolina by the royalists after the revolution of 1776, 
while aclerk or secretary carried the parchment rolls upon which 
were engrossed the unsigned bills of public acts which had suc- 
cessfully run the gauntlet of the two houses. Hach roll was 
successively lianded to the speaker, who, in an audible voice, in- 
dicated its character by reading its title, and handed it to the 
Governor, who signed it in the presence of both houses of the 
colonial parliament, and thus, by his approval and signature, 
united with the legislative branch of the government in making 
ita lawof the colony. There were in 1879 but five rolls, so that 
only five laws were enacted at one entire session of the Bahama 
Legislature. We had no means of determining to what extent 
this extremely short law crop was chargeable tothe climate. In- 
the crisp, cool air of the north, crime is tirelessly active, and con- 
stantly assumes new and unexpected forms, rendering additional 
