70 BERMUDA. 



affairs now exists. Nothing, by-t}ie-by, can be a 

 better illustration of the indifference of the natives 

 of Bermuda towards all that lies beyond their little 

 world, than the contents of the local papers. These 

 are small sheets: one and a half or two of these 

 small pages, are filled with island news, the proceed- 

 ings of the House of Assembly, and original articles 

 and letters upon local politics. The most scanty 

 space imaginable is made to suffice for the world 

 at large. The most important debates in the British 

 Parliament are despatched in a paragraph; and 

 the foreign intelligence of Europe is evidently a 

 matter of very minor consideration. These journals 

 enjoy a large circulation, and are conducted with a 

 good deal of talent, though unhappily made subser- 

 vient to the narrow views of party. 



Up to the year 1843, the trade of Bermuda had 

 been considerable, but, till within a recent period, 

 it has considerably decreased, in consequence of 

 the warehousing system having been abolished, 

 which assisted in supporting the commerce of the 

 Bermudas, by giving the British shipping the 

 privilege of carrying foreign pork, beef, and flour 

 to the West Indies, after having been landed jn 

 the North American Provinces.* 



* Vide Appendix C, 



