280 



TRINIDAD I THEN AND NOW. 



"When this institute was first founded it was dif- 

 ficult to obtain a suitable place in which to establish 

 it, as rents in Port-of-Spain being high it was beyond 

 their means to rent one, so a portion of the Victoria 

 Institute had to be occupied as a temporary measure, 

 but when it began to look up a more suitable one was 

 found for it in Frederick St., the centre of commerce. 

 It was removed there where the display and sale of 

 needle work and other home industries is carried on, 

 where every effort is made to increase its associates 

 and promote the disposal of useful and suitable arti- 

 cles, many of which could not be procured in other 

 places. 



To this has been added an up-to-date light re- 

 freshment room where breakfast, tea, cakes and, 

 later, ice creams, etc., are supplied at a moderate 

 cost ; it is largely patronized, serving as a great boon 

 to tired country visitors, officials, merchants and 

 other business men before seeking rest in their coun- 

 try or suburban homes or undertaking a long rail- 

 way journey to more remote parts. It is also a wel- 

 come diversion to tired tourists who, wandering 

 through the town either seeing the sights or making 

 purchases, or both, desire a little rest and a refresh- 

 ing cup of tea — none better can be obtained else- 

 where, even in your homes. 



Of late there has been added a collection oi 

 curios, or such articles as are not to be found in other 

 climes, although common enough in Trinidad which 

 are, therefore, looked upon as curious objects by 

 travellers who avidly purchase them. 



