The American tropics; . The American Tropics race comprises a large majority, yet the in-habitants seemed more cosmopolitan thanthose of Bridgetown. English, Hindus, SouthAmericans, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanishand a few French were seen. It is said thatthe two latter fraternize but to a limited ex-tent with those of other nationalities. TheEast Indians, or coolies, as they are called,live by themselves and apparently withinthemselves. It is computed that as many as50,000 or more find employment in are more industrious and frugal thanthe African, although not able to perform thefe
The American tropics; . The American Tropics race comprises a large majority, yet the in-habitants seemed more cosmopolitan thanthose of Bridgetown. English, Hindus, SouthAmericans, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanishand a few French were seen. It is said thatthe two latter fraternize but to a limited ex-tent with those of other nationalities. TheEast Indians, or coolies, as they are called,live by themselves and apparently withinthemselves. It is computed that as many as50,000 or more find employment in are more industrious and frugal thanthe African, although not able to perform thefeats of strength which the negro occasion-ally exhibits. The coolies are procured bygovernment agents in India and contract toremain for five years. I was told they receiveabout a shilling a day, and most of them inthe course of four or ^Ye years amass acompetency which enables them to returnto their native land (at the company*s ex-pense) and live in comparative affluencethereafter. They are expert gold- and silver-[74]. AVENUE OF PALMS, PORT OF SPAIN. A Midwinter Cruise smiths and their earnings are put into curi-ously wrought ornaments such as bracelets,which are worn by the Hindoo women ontheir arms, wrists and ankles. Necklaces,ear-rings and nose-rings are also worn, to-gether with a button-like stud or rosettewhich is fastened on the side of the nose. Inshort the Hindoo lavishes all his wealth onhis wife, constituting her his savings bank todraw on should occasion arise. Some large shops and stores are found inPort of Spain. Here began the first seriousoutbreak of the Panama hat fever; sporadiccases had been seen at previous ports of call,but not until we reached Trinidad did itamount to an epidemic. At first immunitywas conferred by former attacks, but finallyit mattered little how many Panama hats onealready possessed, he had a desire to possessmore, which in some of the more susceptibletook on a mild form of delirium. Had quar-antine been established early and the af-fe
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidamericantrop, bookyear1908
