Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, October 22, 1898, Page 8

£ : Notes of a Cruise Taken There by John G. Shortall. With Porto Rico an American de- pendency and Cuba substantially in the same situation maugre the objec- tions of the patriots and non-annex- ationists; with the adult public once more taking lessons in the science of geography, it is not strange that great ~ interest should have been developed in the Lesser Antilles, Under the protocol of terms for peace between Spain and the United States probably the most desirable of the great Antilles will become an American colony. This island conti- ‘nnent—it is almost such—is the eastern and northern barrier to the great Caribbean sea. Porto Rico holds the key to the position in these seas and is a near neighbor to the Danish is- lands of St. Thomas, one of the Vir- gin group, which has caused American statesmen more loss of sleep than any other piece of land surrounded by wa- ter on the globe. With one of these already in America’s grasp it is but natural that the people should wish to know more of the neighbors who form the eastern fringe to the Carib- bean. The Lesser Antilles consist of the three groups known as the Virgin is- lands, the Leewards and Windwards, in order from north to south. The Virgins sweep from the eastern bor- ders of Porto Rico east and south to near where the Leewards commence. These overlap the Windwards, which extend almost to the South American continent, forming a broken, jagged barrier to the Caribbean sea, Something over 18 months ago, when war with Spain was a mere rum- ble, John G. Shortail, accompanied by a partyrof ladies and gentlemen, made a trip through the archipelago. As the tropical seas and climes are not desir- able neighbors in summer when storms and the ever-present yellow fe- ver abound, while the heat is stifling, the trip was taken in the early months of the year. The party left Brooklyn in February and cruised di- rectly to St. Thomas, the real start- ing point. Thence the steamer went zig-zagging through the Leewards and Windwards to Venezuela. Mr. Shortall describes St. Thomas as one of the most interesting of all the islands near the western continent. This is not only because of its native attractiveness, but because America has flirted with it so much. As he recollected it was during Grant’s time that a proposal to purchase the island was made. The king of Denmark hes- itated because it was scarcely con- sistent with the royal dignity to sell a colony. His dignity was frightfully shocked when congress refused’ to rat- ify the deal after the royal assent had been indicated. But St. Thomas possesses something very rare in the groups of islands; that is, a good, well protected harbor. The bay of the city is a large, well sheltered one, amply provided with a large dry dock and wharfing facilities. The island also has one other advan- tage: There are fewer negroes there than in the others. The island is not- ed for the beauty of the scenery, the beauty of the bay and the sport of the matives in diving for pennies from open boats in the bay. The water is so clear that the skillful fellows are able to plunge to the bottom and res- cue the coin tossed in by visitdrs in search of amusement. The various groups are almost de- woid of harbors, although engineers might be able to remove this objec- tion at considerable cost, A slight indentation in the shore line is about all that any of them can boast in the way of harbors. Piers thrust out into the bay serve to land boats from the ships, but only two or three of the limited harbors are furnished with docks. This, of course, makes calm weather necessary for comfort in mak- ing visits. “The population of these islands,” said Mr. Shortall, “is largely negro. Some authorities say in the proportion of twenty to one. Naturally the dwell- ings are such as might be expected with such a population. Sugar has been and still is the chief product. It has made many great fortunes, but Among the Lesser Antilles. those days are past and many of the best plantations have been abandoned. Their tattered chimneys and slowly disintegrating buildings present pict- ures of desolation. In the British Is- lands the subject of assistance to su- gar planters has given and is giving the government very grave concern. “One of the most important products of some of the islands is chocolate seed (theobroma cacao). This seed is found in a mass of white, viscous fluid, is taken therefrom, the seed dried and exported. Many persons are engaged in growing the trees, as the production of chocolate is a relatively new enter- prise. The scenery of most of the islands is now mountainous, and, of course, full of tropical vegetation, with botanieal gardens, to which, I be- lieve, all aspire to give an outlet for the*taste of the botanist and those aesthetically inclined. “The ship gets her bill of health from island to island. This fact was made very clear to us when we stop- ped opposite Martinique, where we dared not land on account of the yel- low fever, which was becoming slight- ly epidemic. We lay by a few hours off the principal town and smelled— the wind was offshore—the burning of refuse material which drifted out to sea with a pungent odor. It was night and the imagination had free scope. : “At Santa Lucia, which is one of the principal coaling ports in these is- lands, a curious spectacle was that of the process of coaling, in which both men and women, the larger portion in the majority, were engaged. These poor priests showed sufficient recovery from the long voyage and the natural improvement of active life these mis- begotten Caribs roasted them and ate them. A year or so after the same ship visited the island again to ascer- tain the condition of the brethren. It is related that the natives went glee- fully to the shore to meet the Span- iards, anticipating another gift of the same kind. But the ship sailed away this time with an undiminished pas- senger list. There is now no cannibal tendency in Curacao, and even the liquor to which the island gave its name is no longer manufactured there, but in Amsterdam. “The residents are now said to be all smugglers. The tempting proximity of high tariffed Venezuela, less than 4 score of miles away, 5 ie rare oppor- tunities for earning an honest living. Great cargoes of merchandise will be found on the docks here one evening and the next morning will have gone, nobody, knowing whither and nobody inquiring. -It is free port, and follow- ing Amsterdam and Rotterdam in this too a man can buy fine Havana cigars at a very low price, a fact which he who smokes will appreciate. “A reflection forced on me by a tour of these islands is the extraor- dinary absence of any special indus- tries among the natives. In most other lands with large native populations, especially in the southern seas, you will find certain unique artistic crea- tions, dexterously made, which indi- cate industry. But here the general laziness of the populations and their lack of inventive faculty, content to live as they are from hand to mouth, preclude the idea of specially attract- ive artistic creations. So we zigzag through this segment of a circle from north to south without carrying away a single souvenir.” The trip as Mr. Shortall describes it involves every one of the three groups of islands worth visiting. Trinidad, Waarre iN Curacao’ ® poor people were employed in carry- ing coal in baskets perched on their heads up the steep gangways of the steamer. They were glad enough to get the few pennies that could be thus earned, in spite of the laborious work, begrimed with coal dust and swelter- ing in the torrid sun. “The island of Barbados has a fine harbor and a line of railroad built from the harbor town to the side op- posite, But the first-class carriages, cushionless because of the temptations such conveniences would offer to travelers who pay no fare, are any- thing but luxurious. The opposite shore presents a beautiful appearance with its cocoanut palms and long line of surf peculiarly tropical. The in- terior of this island has many sugar plantations and perfect roads, English built and for the most part practically level. The bamboo grows in Barbados in great profusion and where planted along the roadway furnishes a de- lightful shade. But the natives have not yet learned the art of utilizing the canes as the Japanese have. ““Curacoa is the most uniquely built of any of the group. One would think that he had been dropped down in a corner of Holland as he viewed its water ways, gabled houses and stone streets, so entirely different from the buildings or roads of any of the others. The word Curacoa is from Cura, 4a priest and assao, a Carib word signify- ing roasting. The story goes that ear- ly in the sixteenth century Jesuits of Spain sent out some missionaries to these islands, which were then canni- bal. They landed a couple of their brethren on this island and the natives received them with a hearty welcome. “The shjp sailed away and when the Beaca Scene AT BaRBanoes with its unfathomable and inexhaust- ible lake of asphaltum, was visited; Antigua, with its pretty rural village scenes, and many other interesting points were touched. In the end the party visited Venezuela and passed over the spur of the Andes from La Guayra to Caracas and thence to Porto Cabello, Here the steamer was met and the party steamed for home, well content to leave the Lesser Antilles and the Spanish main for a more agreeable clime. Some English Authors Compared. Mr. Thomas Henry Hall Caine, te give him all the name he is entitled to, is a man of strange appearance, says a New York writer who has sized up the Britisher. He could make a marvelous difference in his looks were he to have his hair trimmed and his face shaved. He is not a whit better looking than Zangwill, who is less handsome than Gen. Pryor. Caine is less hairy than Zangwill, who is not a hirsutochineous patch on Mr. Richard Le Gallienne. DANCING TO CURE DISEASE Dancing is not a violent exercise as practiced to day, yet it brings in play all the muscles. Ancient doctors rec- ommended it as a cure for “spleen, va- pors and melancholic affectations, as well as agues, jaundice and rheuma- tism. It is a mild form of exercise, which if indulged in moderately can not but do one good as well as make one graceful. In the earliest ages dancing was ad- vocated as a cure for sickness, Ly- curgus brought back from India and Egypt to Lacedemonia notions of med- ico-religious dances and enacted that the Spartan youth should be brought up gracefully and symmetrically. In Greece Socrates commended dancing with a view to educating the mind and body, for he looked on it as a health- giving device. A recent writer on the subject says: “As for dancing, to persons in health, I shall just take leave to observe that we by no means ought to make a toil of our diversion, by making it one continued scene of action, lest we ex- haust the spirits and enervate the body, but to sweeten and relieve the active pleasure by frequent intervals of re- freshment, by which not only the bad effects which must of necessity be the consequence of a long, uninterrupted succession of motion will be entirely prevented, but the body, by such agree- able exercise, will gain strength and vigor in the action and be more en- abled to persevere and keep up its economy.” An interesting test has just been made by a Frenchwoman. With a view to testing the sustaining powers , waste away from disuse. SCIENTIFIC TOPICS, CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOV- ERY AND INVENTION. A St. Louis Inventor Has a Wheel That Will Expedite Ocean Travel— How Bicycle Tires May Be Inflated by an Automatic Device. Burrowing Insects. The study of the homes of burrow- Ing insects is attended with great dit- ficulties. Digging down destroys them, while any preparation employed to render them more firm or solid by har- dening the earth has not given satis- factory results. Plaster of paris, made into a thin paste, and poured into the burrows, hardens and forms casts. Some of these have extended six feet below the surface and have included branches to the main burrow with various chambers and byways, for which some of these underground dwellings are notable. It was neces- sary to make the plaster thin and liquid, and, as a consequence, difficul- ties are experienced in taking the casts out. Peculiarly interesting are the homes of bees that live underground. They dig into the earth almost verti- cally for about eighteen inches, and, in some cases, get much farther—25 and 30 inches have been measured. To- ward the end of the vertical section, horizontal hjghways and byways are thrown out. Cells are made in the ends of these branches and these are filled with pollen and honey. In some of these branches the young bees are hatched. The use of plaster enables us, for the first time, thoroughly to un- derstand the manners and methods of many of our underground neighbors. With a little practice, almost any one can make cast of these undergroufd dwellings. The plaster is sifted through the finest obtainable sfeve, then made into a paste of the consistency of thin gruel. This is to be poured quite slow- ly into the burrow, care being taken that it does not become clogged by any outside substance falling into the aper- ture. A sufficient amount must be mixed at one time to finish the job, or, if this is not done, no time must be lost in preparing more, in order that the line may be continuous, When it has remained long enough to harden, the earth can be very carefully removed. The fingers are the best scrapers. Those who expect to succeed as scien- tists may as well learn at the outset that the hands must often be sacrificed in the interest of science. Six Varieties of Asbestos. There is probably no product of in- organic nature about which there is so much popular mystery and miscon- ception as asbestos. It is vaguely un- derstood that the principal claim of this remarkable product is that it can- not be consumed by fire. There are, however, no less than six varieties of asbestos, each of which possesses qual- ities peculiar to itself, They may be classified as follows: Amanthus, in which the fibres are so exceedingly long, flexible and elastic that they may be woven into cloth. Common asbes- tos, with the fibres much less flexible; it is heavier than the first variety, a dull green in color, sometimes pearly in lustre and oily to the touch. Moun- tain cork, light enough to float on wa- ter. Mountain leather, also very light, but thinner and more flexible than the last. Mountain paper or blue asbestos. Mountain wood, which in external ap- pearance resembles dry wood. As a matter of fact, nearly all varieties have more or less the appearance of fossil- ized wood. Asbestos has been found in nearly all parts of the globe. Keeps the Tires Inflated, Pneumatic tires are kept inflated by a new automatic pump which has been patented by a Canadian. The valve of the tire is connected at B with the piston of a pump, to which is attached the strap of an eceentric fixed to the axle of the wheel. A safety valve is provided, or a spring may be fixed on the piston to render it inactive when the pressure inside the tire is strong enough to stretch the spring instead of moving the piston. How to Keep Young. The ever-youthfal appearance of the members of the dramatic profession is a constant source of surprise to the public at large. The reason for this is not so much the grease-paint necessary in making-up, which obliterates to a certain extent the natural wrinkles of the skin, while it lubricates and nour- ishes it; but it is due to the change irf the expression of the various emotions which every part demands. This causes the actress to bring into play all the muscles of the face. By using them equally, they all maintain their firm consistency and strength, and none The result of chocolate she lived upon that alone is that.the skin is kept stretched and for sixty days and lost but 15 pounds in the interval. tense over the face, and does not fall into hollows. A blow of fresh air, a glimpse of fresh scenes and fresh | faces, are worth quarts of doctors’ ton- ics to an over-tired and nervous man or woman, and give a prettier glow to the cheeks than the finest manufactur- ed rouge in existence. It is indolence and lazy habits that allow obesity to gain the ascendency over elasticity. One who keeps mind and body on the alert will seldom need to have recourse to science or diet to decrease size and weight. If you have a thin face, and the flesh seems unwill- ing to become plump and round in re- sponse to massage, build up the sys- tem by taking a half-pint or more of Sweet cream every day, eat of cereals which have been cooked for several hours, a raw egg beaten up in milk once a day, warm drinks of milk di- luted with hot water, and baked sweet apples or ripe fruit at each meal. A New Finish for Fabrics. The importance and value of water- proof materials is so clearly under- stood that every attempt to produce a new material which is impervious to moisture is a subject of deep interest to scientists and incidentally to almost every one. By the use of a material made from alkali-cellulose and known as viscose, fabrics of various sorts, lin- en, cotton or wool, are made elastic and waterproof. It is said to be un- affected by moisture and may be wash- ed, bleached and even boiled with soap without injury. The fabric is thought to be specially desirable for book cov- ers, carriage tops and other places where leather is now used. Nothing that has been devised seems to prom- ise such excellent results as this new substitute for leather. To Expedite Ocean Travel. Michael Day, a machinist and mol- der of St. Louis, Mo., is exhibiting a device of his invention which he be- lieves will be of immense value. The device is a shield or collar, to be plac- ed over the propeller of vessels for the purpose of confining the water immediately above the flukes and preventing the whirling motion of the water which renders its displacement by the whir- ring wheel so easy that there is a con- siderable waste of power. Experi- ments with models have shown that a hooded propeller exerts more push upon a ship than an uncovered one re- volved by the same amount of power as the former. United States Naval Observatory. The work of winding and keeping in order the chronometers at the Naval Observatory is in the hands of an ex- pert, and is unquestionably the most perfect specimen of this kind of service in the world. Among the duties of this official are the keeping in accurate time and condition the chronometers for the use of the navy. It takes months to adjust some of these time- keepers. Every day between 11 o’clock and twenty minutes to 12, noon, comparisons are made and tests. This portion of the work is carried on in a temperature room, which is heated by hot water by means of gas, then cooled by refrigerating pipes, so that during the year around the temperature is not allowed to vary over two degrees. After the daily tests are made, the ap- paratus is put in order and everything is subordinated to the noontime ser- vice. For a certain number of seconds at midday the government controls the entire telegraph service of the country and time balls are dropped in most of the large cities, Counterfeit Ivory. Large quantities of articles made of ivory having been put upon the mar- ket at extremely reasonable prices, led to an investigation as to their source. The supply of ivory is so limited that the prices can scarcely be varied, there- fore there was evidence that something uncommercial was being done. It was found that the fruit of a variety of palm was being utilized. This fruit has a very hard and white kernel. It can be worked in a lathe and is of such fine quality that experts may be puzzled to distinguish it from the gen- uine article. It is susceptible to al- most all uses to which genuine ivory is put. To detect the difference apply a small quantity: of concentrated sul- phuric acid. This causes the imitation | article to assume a shade of pink,while on genuine ivory it produces no change | whatever. The Value of Skim Milk, Every dairy woman and milk expert has observed the peculiar effect occa- sionally produced by milk on various fabrics. Sometimes they become so completely waterproof that they are - thrown away because they cannot be washed. This fact has led to the util- ization of skim milk as a basis for a product for glazing paper and other articles. The skim milk is put into a bath, treated with chemicals and freed | from its superfluous liquid. It is then dried and sent to market in large sacks. The usefulness of skim milk, which for many years was considered | next to a waste product, is just becom- ing appreciated. Glass is not used for the windows of houses in Manila. They are glazed _with translucent oyster shells, 3 Pure Blood Good Digestion ‘These are the essentials of health. Hood’s Sarsaparilla is the great blood purifier and ¢ stomach tonic. It promptly expels the impurities which cause pimples, sores and eruptions and by giving healthy ac- tion to the stomach and digestive organs it keeps the system in perfect order. Hood’s Sarsaparifta Is America’s Greatest Medicine. $1; six for $5. Prepared only by C. I. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass. Hood’s Pills cure Sick Headache. 25¢- Read the Advertisements, You will enjoy this publication much better if you will get into the habit of reading the advertisements; they will afford a most interesting study, and will put you in the way of getting some excellent bargains. Our advertisers are reliabl; they send what they adver- tise. Athletic Exercise. Bowles—Did you climb the Alps while you were abroad? Cupps—No; just ran up a bill, that was all—Indianapolis Journal. I have fallen among thieves,” said ihe stolen thermometer during a cool svell. PATENTS, List of Patents Issued Last Week to Northwestern Inventors. Daniel A. Cheney, Central Park, Mont., wrench; Jesse M. Miner, Can- ton, Minn., rotary engine; Eli S. Mor- kre, Wanamingo, Minn., wire winding machine; Nils Syenson, Minneapolis, Minn., horseshoe with removable calks; Henry A. Thexton, St. Thomas, N. D., envelope moistner and sealer; Henry Wirth, Maiden, Mont., button; Griggs, Cooper & Co., St. Paul, Minn., sewing machine and bicycle oil (trademark;) Joseph Sindelar, Ipswich, S. D., prairie burner and extinguisher. Merwin, Lothrop & Johnson, Patent Attore neys, 910 Pioneer Press Building, St. Paul. The Savage Bachelor. “They say,” said the scientific board- er, “that microbes are the cause of baldness.” “I’ve said a good many mean things about wives,” said the Savage Bache- lor, “but I never called them mi- crobes.”—Cincinnati Enquirer. Don’t Tobacco Spit and Smoke Your Life Away. ~> To quit tobacco easily and forever, be mag- netic, full qf lite, nerve and vigor, take No-To- Bac, the wonder-worker, that makes week men strong. Alldruggists, 50c. or $1. Cure guaran- teed. Booklet and ‘sample free. Address Sterling Remedy Co.. Chicago or New York. A bargain drive does not always some from a livery stable. Sometimes a promising man never fulfills so much as he fills full. The detective who cannot engineer his own case is decidedly off the track. THE EXCELLENCE OF SYRUP OF FIGS is due not only to the originality and simplicity of the combination, but also to the care and skill with which it is manufactured by scientific processes known to the CatirorniA Fie Syrup Co. only, and we wish to impress u»on all the importance of purchasing the true and original remedy. As the genuine Syrup of Figs is manufactured by the Catirornta Fia Syrup Co. only, a knowledge of that fact will assist one in avoiding the worthless imitations manufactured by other par- ties. The high standing of the Caui- FORNIA Fie Syxup Co. with the medi- eal profession, and the satisfaction which the genuine Syrup of Figs has given to millions of families, makes the name of the Company a guaranty of the excellence of its remedy. It is far in advance of all other laxatives, as it acts on the kidneys, liver and bowels without irritating or weaken- ing them, and it does not. gripe nor nauseate. In order to get its beneficial effects, please remember the name of the Company — CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. LOUISVILLE, Ky. NEW YORK, N. ¥. hI Don't be fooled with a mackintosh fg hi or rubber coat. If you wantacoat| ‘that will keep you dry in the hard- est storm buy the Fish Brand If notfor sale in your town, write for catalogue to A. J. TOWER, Boston, Mass. DROPSY iii ristarenctort quick relief and cures. gases. send for book of testimonials and 10 day treatment Free. Dr. & GREAW’S WANTED—Case of bad health that R-I-P-A-N-& will not benefit. Send 5 cents t Rij Chemical Co., New York, for 10 samples and 1.000 testimonials NW. ON. U. No. 43-— 1898. }