70 TlMEHRI. 
lashes the bold and rocky outer coasts of the islands, 
whilst the gently sloping inner shores are laved by the 
generally peaceful waters of the Caribbean. Sometimes, 
however, this quiet "summer sea" is swept by the 
devastating cyclones which circle round the tropics be- 
tween the months of July and 06tober, in an hour or 
two spreading desolation and death where all was pros- 
perity and happiness. 
Although many of the West Indian towns especially 
those of Trinidad, are excessively warm during the 
greater part of the year, owing to their being built 
on the leeward shores and for the most part en- 
closed by high mountains, the climate of the islands 
is rather mild than otherwise, the range of the ther- 
mometer being between 71 and 82 Fahrenheit. One 
unbroken summer prevails throughout the year, which 
is, however, divided into four seasons — two wet and 
two dry. The dates of the beginnings and endings 
of these seasons vary according to the positions of the 
islands. Sometimes the wet seasons are accompanied 
by malarial fevers, especially in the low-lying or marshy 
districts ; but on the whole the health of the West Indies 
may be said to be good. The old prejudice that so 
long obtained credence as to the West Indies being 
the " European's grave," is now passing away and being 
relegated to the level of a nursery fable. It is an easy 
matter to invest the unknown with a dark veil of terror, 
and hence the dread of West Indian " fever." But as 
these colonies have become better known, the fancy 
has steadily if slowly yielded to the fact, and Englishmen 
begin to regard the dreaded climate in its true character. 
We do not deny that many a promising young colonist 
