764 : The Island cf Dominica. { November, 
ence of blood which for many years controlled the Windward 
islands. Many of the girls belonging to this class, who may be 
found some distance away from the coast, are really quite pre- 
possessing in appearance. 
A total population of about 26,000, of which Roseau claims 
3000, is ascribed to the island. As might be expected, the con- 
stant change of ruling power has had a detrimental effect upon 
the language spoken by the present, population. Defying alike 
the Parisian and the Englishman, a French patois is used as the 
means of lingual communication. Indolence in properly framing 
words on the part of the negro inhabitants, and perhaps an admix- 
ture of some Carib phrases or intonations have rendered it difficult 
for any one but a resident to understand what is spoken. Very few 
Caucasians are living on Dominica, as the mountainous character 
of the colony forbids extensive enterprises. Coffee was intro- 
duced, during the last century, from Martinique, and was formerly 
largely cultivated. Recently, however, an insect has attacked the 
delicate leaf and destroyed the plants. Experimentally the 
Liberian coffee-plant has been introduced, and it is hoped that its 
thick, hardy leaf may successfully withstand the ravages to which 
the other has succumbed, Limes are raised in great quantities, 
and have become so thoroughly acclimated that they flourish 
without requiring any particular attention. Citric acid is manu- 
factured from them and exported. One of the staples is sugar, 
but the annual production does not exceed a few thousand tons. 
From the appearance of the town of Roseau, some inferences 
may be drawn as to the struggles which were made for possession 
of the island in times gone by. A dyke, capable of being forti- 
fied, protects the water front, while forts, located on the “ Mornes” 
near the town, were destined to keep at bay the invading foe. 
True, to-day, all of the elaborate defences would speedily fall 
before the heavy armament of a man-of-war, but at the period of 
their usefulness they were sufficiently formidable. As the inhabi- 
_ tants are mainly negroes, the town does not present an imposing 
_ array of fine structures. Small, wooden huts, thatchéd in part, i 
=f protect their families from rain and storms. Illustrating the good 
taste shown on all these islands, there is a “ Public Garden” near - 
the town ; fountains cool the air, and conveniently placed seats 
invite the seeker after shade and the admirer of scenic beauty. 
During our stay on the island (February, 1880), we had occa- — | 
