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 Early History of the Bermuda Islands.

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��EARLY HISTORY OF THE BERMUDA ISLANDS.

By James H. Stark.

��The singular collection of islands known as the Bermudas are situated about seven hundred miles from Boston, in a southeast directionj and about the same distance from Halifax, or Florida. The nearest land to Bermuda is Cape Hatteras, distant 625 miles. ■ Within sixty-five hours' sail from New York it is hardly possible to find so complete a change in government, cli- mate, scenery and vegetation, as Ber- muda offers ; and yet these islands are strangely unfamiliar to most well-in- formed Americans.

Speaking our own language, having the same origin, with manners, which in

��room, is fifty dollars. During the crop season, in the months of April, May and June, steamers are run weekly.

The Cunard Company also have a monthly service between Halifax, Ber- muda, Turks Island and Jamaica, under contract with the Admiralty.

The Bermudas were first discovered in 1 5 1 5 by a Spanish vessel, called La Garza, on a voyage from Spain to Cuba, with a cargo of hogs, and commanded by Juan Bermudez, and having on board Gonzalez Oviedo, the historian of the Indies, to whom we are indebted for the first account of these islands. They approached near to the islands,.

��many ways illustrate those prevalent in and from 'the appearance of the place

��New England a century ago, the people are bound to us by many natural ties ; and it is only now that these islands, having come to the front as a winter re- sort, have led us to in- quire into their history and resources. Settled in J 61 2, Virginia only of the English colonies

���INSCRIPTION ON SPANISH ROCK.

��concluded that it was uninhabited. They re- solved to send a boat ashore to make ob- servations, and leave a few hogs, which might breed and be afterwards useful. When, however, they were preparing to debark a strong contrary gale arose, which obliged them to sheer off and be

��outdating it, life in Bermuda has been as content with the view already obtained.

��placid as its lovely waters on a summer day ; no agitation of sufficient occurrence having occurred to attract the attention of the outside world, from which it is so absolutely isolated.

The only communication with the

��The islands were named by the Spaniards indifferently, La Garza from the ship and Bermuda from the captain, but the former term is long since disused.

It does not appear that the Spaniards made any attempt to settle there, al-

��mainland is by the Quebec Steamship though Philip II. granted the islands to Company, who dispatch a steamer every one Ferdinand Camelo, a Portuguese, alternate Thursday between New York who never improved his gift, beyond and Hamilton, Bermuda, the fare for the taking possession by the form of land- round trip, including meals and state- ing in 1543, and carving on a promi-

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