212 Barbados. [March, 



Group, was discovered early in the seventeenth century by Portu- 

 guese seafarers. It was taken possession of by British subjects, 

 and settlements were started in 1625. Since that time it has 

 been ruled under the British flag. Until 1627 the island was 

 the property of the Duke of Marlborough, then was transferred 

 to the Duke of Carlisle, and in 1652 was attached under colonial 

 charter to the British crown. During the two and a half centuries 

 that have passed over this flourishing colony its inhabitants have 

 developed an independent, self-reliant character. Dissensions 

 from the opinions of the home government, interior disturbances 

 by insurrection of the colored population, earthquakes and hurri- 

 canes, have failed to disturb the proud, hospitable spirit of planters 

 " to the manner born." In 1816 the most dangerous revolt of 

 the negroes laid in waste more than sixty plantations in four days. 

 At present the protection of life and property, by adequate pro- 

 visions, is made an object of special consideration, and serious 

 trouble is no longer apprehended. 



Geologically speaking, the island is coralline in origin and rises 

 to an elevation of about 800 feet above sea level. Gentle slopes, 

 admirably fitted for a high degree of cultivation, characterize its 

 general appearance. Seen from the sea the bright green cane- 

 fields, separated from each other by roads of glistening whiteness, 

 produce the impression of one great garden. This, indeed, is not 

 lessened when traveling across country, where one estate joins 

 the other, where dozens of sugar-mills in sight betoken the indus- 

 try and prosperity of planters. But little timber remains on the 

 island, having been removed for various economical purposes. 

 " Parishes " represent the subdivisions of the total area, and a 

 population of about 170,000 inhabitants testifies to the density of 

 settlement. 



Bridgetown contains about 50,000 souls. Narrow, irregular 

 streets indicate the older portions of the town. Fine villas and 

 country houses are located in the suburbs. Small wooden huts 

 shelter large families of negroes, while but a short distance off, 

 perhaps, may be the dwelling of an European, who has surrounded 

 himself with everything that good taste and continental habits 

 may require. Large gardens, indicating well developed horticul- 

 tural ideas on the part of owners, surround the villas. Often the 

 luxurious vegetation completely hides the dwelling from view, 

 with a climate so admirably adapted to plant life, it is not surpris- 



