The climate has been long celebrated for its mildness and salubrity. The annual rainfall is about 60 inches, evenly distributed throughout the year. There is no winter, the thermometer never falling below 40 deg. of Fahr., and the summers are never very hot, the thermometer rarely rising above 85 deg. The summer heat too is generally tempered by a pleasant sea breeze. Trade and Agriculture. In former days the inhabitants of Bermuda gave themselves up almost entirely to maritime pursuits. Numerous small vessels, of from 200 to 300 tons burden, built by the islanders themselves, of their native cedar, traded between the West Indies and Demerara, and the United States, and the British colonies of North America. Later they extended their voyages, carrying the salt fish of Newfoundland to Italy and Portugal, and taking back the Port wine for which Newfoundland became celebrated, or running down to Madeira or Ascension to meet the homeward bound Indian fleet, and taking back cargoes of tea or other Indian and Chinese products to be distributed along the American seaboard. But the repeal of the British navigation laws, the introduction of steam, and the very general substitution of iron for wooden ships, gradually destroyed the carrying trade which had been so profitable to Bermuda, and now the maritime fleet may be said to have ceased to exist, and the industry of the islanders is entirely confined to turning to account the small quantity of agricultural land which they possess. Hamilton is however still a port of registry, having on 31st December, 1888, 25 vessels, of 5,026 tons. The soil of Bermuda may be described generally as being poor in quality, and three-fourths of the area is quite unfit for cultivation. But the climate combined with the geographical position of these islands, in some measure compensates for the smallness of the area of fertile ground. There being nothing to fear from winter frosts, the ground can be sown and planted at any time from the end of August to the end of March, and the crops can be gathered and shipped off to New York in the months of March, April, May, and June, when the corresponding American produce has as yet scarcely shown itself above ground, and the Bermudians, taking advantage of this peculiarity of their climate, raise large crops of early potatoes, onions, tomatoes and beetroot, with which they keep the New York market supplied at a time when those vegetables cannot be obtained from any other quarter. Practically the whole of the exports go to the United States, which also supplies two-thirds of the imports, the remainder coming from the United Kingdom and Canada. Very little use is made of the soil in Bermuda after the spring crops have been grown; a few melons, pumpkins, or sweet potatoes may be raised here and there, but by far the greater part of the ground is allowed to remain idle during the hot summer months; anything that could then be grown in Bermuda can be imported so much more cheaply from America, that it never pays a Bermudian agriculturist to produce it. Very little also of the spring produce of the islands is consumed by the inhabitants: it is too costly; nearly all the early vegetables raised in Bermuda are exported, and the whole population, civil and military, depends for its subsistence upon food supplies obtained from abroad. All the bread and meat, and nearly all the vegetables consumed in the islands, are imported from New York, and all the food, furniture, clothing, horses, and cattle are brought from that or other quarters. Of late years the Islands of Bermuda have become a favourite winter resort for Americans and Canadians seeking to escape the rigours of the climate of the continent. Large hotels have sprung up, and a considerable amount of money is expended by the visitors. Currency and Banking. The coins in circulation are British currency, which is legal tender, and some Spanish and Mexican gold doubloons. There is no limit to the legal tender of British silver. The Bermuda Banking Company has recently established a bank at Hamilton. Messrs. N. T. Butterfield and Son have also a banking establishment at Hamilton, and several of the leading merchants do a considerable amount of business as private bankers and agents. A Government savings bank was established in 1871, and there are branches at Hamilton, St. George's, and Sandy's Parish. The number of depositors at the end of 1888 was 733; the total amount of deposits 14,5287. There are no railways in the Colony. There are 94 miles of colonial and 15 miles of military roads. The telegraphs are worked by the military authorities, and comprise 15 miles of cable and 32 miles of land line. The total cost of construction was 3,5491., the receipts in 1888 were 691., and the expenditure was 321. There is also a private telephone company, which has over 120 subscribers and upwards of 300 miles of wire in line. Government and Constitution. Representative government was introduced into the colony in 1620, but the charter of the Bermudian Company of London was annulled in 1684, and since then the Governors have always been appointed by the Crown, and the laws of the colony have been enacted by a local legislature consisting of the Governor, the Legislative Council, and the House of Assembly. The session lasts usually from May to November. The Governor is assisted by a Privy Council, consisting at present of four official and two unofficial members. The Legislative Council consists of nine members, three of whom are official and six unofficial. The House of Assembly consists of thirty-six members, four of whom are elected by each of the nine parishes. There are 1,044 electors, the electoral qualifications being the possession of freehold property of not less than 601. value. The qualification for a member of the House of Assembly is the possession of freehold property rated at 2407. The Naval Station. The importance of the Bermudas as a naval station began to be felt towards the end of the last century. The position of the islands, situated in mid-ocean, at almost equal distances from the West Indies, the eastern seaboard of the United States, and the Dominion of Canada, including our great naval station at Halifax, presents many advantages for the establishment of a Naval Station in the Western Atlantic, and the peculiar conformation of the group affords special facilities for the creation of a naval depôt and fortress of the first class. A broad and almost continuous barrier, formed of a succession of islands and sunken coral reefs, and measuring about 50 miles in circuit, encloses an internal oval area of about 120 square miles of water, access to which from the outer ocean can only be gained through a few long narrow tortuous channels in which are interspersed not a few clusters of sunken coral rocks. Ireland Islandwhich contains Her Majesty's dockyard and the other naval establishments-occupies a central position in the midst of this enclosed sea. The tortuous channel giving access to it is commanded throughout its whole length, as are also the approaches to it from either side, by numerous batteries mounting very heavy guns behind casemated iron shields. There is a permanent garrison of Imperial troops, numbering 1,400 men, and the mean number of the Admiralty establishment is 1,200. Irrespective of the foregoing duty on spirits, there is levied on each cask or other package containing alcohol, arrack, brandy, cordials, gin, peppermint water, rum, shrub, or whiskey, landed pence, and in the islands in bulk, the sum of six no drawback of this tax is allowed. On all goods imported, except articles subject to specific duties, and those enumerated in the following table of exemptions, and such copyright books as are subject to an import duty of 15 per cent.five per cent. ad valorem. There are no export duties. Table of Exemptions. Animals and goods imported on account of the public of these islands by any public officer of committee; baggage, consisting of apparel and professional apparatus of passengers; books, not reprints of British publications; bullion, coals, coin, diamonds; fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, excepting potatoes; horses and other beasts and provisions and stores of every description, imported for the use of Her Majesty's land and sea forces, ice, paintings, engravings, photographs, and sculpture (whether monumental or otherwise); personal effects of inhabitants of these islands dying abroad and not intended for sale; specimens of natural history; trees, plants, and shrubs for planting; uniforms and accoutrements imported by naval or military officers for their own personal use. The revenue from customs in 1888 was 24,8067. Table of Customs Duties (Act No. 1 of 1889). Arrowroot, unmanufactured, the 100 £ s. d. pounds Arrowroot, manufactured, the pound Alcohol, Arrack, Brandy, Gin, Peppermint Water, Shrub, Whiskey, Rum, the gallon 1861. Col. H. St. George Ord, R.E., C.B. 1888. 1867. Colonel Sir F. E. Chapman, K.C.B. Lionel John Galwey, R.E. Lieut. Gen. E. Clerk, D. E. Seon, 1207. Civil Establishment. Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Lieut.-General Colonial Secretary's Department. Newdigate-New-Colonial Secretary and Registrar-General, A. Alison, 4001. and fees. degate, C. B. In the absence of the Governor the Senior Mili-Clerk, Allan F. Smith, 1551. tary Officer administers the Government. District Registrars, J. M. Hayward, C. Peniston, Colonial Surveyor, W. C. Hallett, 3507. Superintendent of Lunatic Asylum, H. J. Hinson, Health Officers, C. H. Butterfield, M.D., and J. S. Provost-Marshal, Clarence Peniston, 250l. and fees. whole district is about 162,000 square miles. The country to the northward, as far as the Zambesi River, has been declared to be within the sphere of exclusively British influence and protection. A Royal Charter has been granted to the British Coroners, T. J. Lightbourn and J. M. Hayward, South Africa Company, which will operate in fees. this district. (See p. 300.) History. As a consequence of the Convention of London concluded on the 27th February, 1884, between Her Majesty and the South African Republic, it was decided by Her Majesty's Government to establish a protectorate in Bechuanaland, with the special object of protecting two chiefs named Mankoroane (chief of the Batlapins), and Montsioa (chief of the Barolongs), whose misfortunes had excited much sympathy in this country, and who were believed to have established special claims upon the gratitude of Great Britain. The cases of the chiefs were very similar. Mankoroane had a rival named Massouw, who was supported by certain Boers; whilst Montsioa had a rival, similarly supported, named Moshette. In each case the native supported by the Boers had been victorious in the hostilities which had taken place, and in the peace agreements which followed it was provided that the European volunteers should receive grants of land chiefly out of the former possession of the defeated chiefs. The allies of Massouw had constituted themselves into a Republic styled STELLALAND, and the allies of Moshette into one styled LAND GOOSEN, or the LAND OF GOSHEN. The Stellalanders succeeded to a great extent in occupying the lands thus carved out for them, and in organising a government. The Goshenites had not been so successful, and hostilities between them and Montsioa were still proceeding. In pursuance of the resolution to establish a protectorate, Mr. John Mackenzie, who had long lived with Mankoroane as a missionary, was appointed Deputy to the High Commissioner for Bechuanaland, and proceeded to Mankoroane's town of Taungs, where, on the 3rd May, 1884, he accepted from that chief on behalf of the Queen, a cession of his rights of government, and on reaching Vryburg, the capital of Stellaland, on the 12th May, he entered into negotiations with certain persons whom he believed to represent the white inhabitants at large, but no agreement was concluded. He then proceeded to Mafeking, where, on the 22nd May, he negotiated a treaty with Montsioa similar to that obtained from Mankoroane. On his way back he visited the western chiefs and obtained treaties from them. All this time a police force had been in course of organisation at Kimberley and Taungs, but the work proceeded slowly, chiefly from the difficulty of obtaining good horses; and there were no men available to keep the peace between Montsioa and the Goshenites. On the 12th May, that is a few days before Mr. Mackenzie's arrival at Mafeking, Mr. Bethell, a white adviser of Montsioa, had led the tribe to burn part of the Goshenites' town, and although there appear to have been no reprisals during Mr. Mackenzie's brief stay, the Goshenites had determined to renew hostilities, and in June proceeded to make forays on Montsioa's cattle and crops, and to seek to bring on a general engagement. This they succeeded in doing on the 31st July, when Montsioa's forces were completely routed, 100 tribesmen being killed, and also Mr. Bethell and a Mr. Walker. The Goshenites thus obtained for the first time possession of the lands which they C 2 had long been watching an opportunity to scize; whilst Montsioa had to take refuge in his stockade at Mafeking. At this point the South African Republic intervened; Commandant-General Joubert, who had been sent to meet Mr. Rhodes, who was appointed to act as Deputy Commissioner on the resignation of Mr. Mackenzie, brought about a so-called peace and settlement of the country, which included the destruction of Montsioa's laager and the absorption of all his country by the freebooters, except ten farms, or say about 60,000 acres. This agreement was immediately repudiated by Mr. Rhodes, and was never recognised in any way. Montsioa was also induced to offer to place himself and his tribe under the South African Republic; and the President, with the assent of the Volksraad, issued a proclamation, dated the 16th September, taking Montsioa, and also Moshette, under the protection of the Republic, subject to the approval of Her Majesty the Queen, under Article IV. of the Convention of London. Her Majesty's Government, in a telegram of the 7th October, disapproved the proclamation, and called on the South African Republic to annul it; which was done by another proclamation of the 13th of that month. At the same time the Government decided to take steps to extricate Montsioa from the state in which he had been left by the attacks of the freebooters. For this purpose arrangements were made for collecting and despatching to Bechuanaland a force of about 4,000 men of all arms, including 2,000 irregular cavalry. The force was placed under the immediate command of Sir Charles Warren, R.E. (now G.C.M.G.), with the local military rank of Major-General, and having also a civil commission as Special Commissioner for Bechuanaland. Whilst the military preparations were proceeding the Cape Premier and the Treasurer visited the country with a view of arranging a peaceful settlement. On the 22nd November, 1884 these gentlemen concluded an arrangement with the Goshenites, the details of which need not be given, as they were regarded by Her Majesty's Government as unsatisfactory, and Sir Charles Warren was consequently directed to proceed and occupy the country, which he did without meeting with any armed opposition. He remained in military occupation of the country until August, 1885, completely restoring tranquillity, and engaging in many useful labours for the permanent pacification of the country. These labours included the marking off of the Transvaal and Bechuanaland boundary, as laid down by the London Convention of 1884, and visiting the chiefs of Northern Bechuanaland, Gasitsive, Sechele, and Khama, over whom Her Majesty's Government had declared a protectorate in March, 1885. To return to the affairs of the settlers in land, it may be mentioned that after leaving Montsioa at the end of May, Mr. Mackenzie arrived at a settlement of the affairs of Stellaland In the meantime Mr. Rhodes had been sent to replace him in Bechuanaland, assisted by Commander Graham Bower, R.N., Sir Hercules Robinson's secretary. These gentlemen arrived at an agreement with the Stellalanders on the 8th September, rescinding Mr. Mackenzie's arrangement of the affairs of Stellaland, and restoring the temporary administration of its affairs to the white inhabitants, under the supervision of the British Government pending a final settlement of affairs and the annexation of Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony, which was the end generally kept in view by all parties. Sir Charles Warren and the Bestuur, or Conncil, which existed in Stellaland during his presence in the country, were opposed to the Rhodes agreement on technical and general grounds, into which it is unnecessary to enter, as the whole land question in British Bechuanaland was relegated to a judicial commission consisting of the present administrator, Sir Sidney Shippard, and two officers. On the 30th September, 1885, the territory south of the Molopo River and of the Ramathilabama Spruit was declared to be British territory under the name of British Bechuanaland. A commission was issued to the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope to be its governor, with power to legislate by proclamation, and the actual duties of administrator were entrusted to Mr. (now Sir) Sidney Shippard, formerly attorney-general of Griqualand West, and subsequently a judge in the Cape Colony Sir Charles Warren's force having been withdrawn, a mounted police force was formed for service in British Bechuanaland, and also to patrol and protect the country of the three protected chiefs of Northern Bechuanaland already mentioned, Gasitsive, Sechele, and Khama. Mankoroane and Montsioa now receive a yearly stipend of 300l. each from H.M. Government. Climate, Water Supply, &c. healthy. The dryness of the atmosphere neutraThe climate of Bechuanaland is remarkably lises to a great extent the effects of the heat in summer, while in winter the days are bright and tolerably warm, though between sunset and sunrise the cold is often intense owing to the elevation of the country, which may be roughly stated to vary from 4,000 to 4,500 feet above sea-level The annual rainfall is about 25 inches. During the rainy season, from November to April, the rainfall is often very considerable, and many parts present for a time the appearance of extensive marshes, but the water soon disappears, and in summer most of the rivers or torrent-beds are dry. The Molopo generally flows in winter; excellent water is however easily procurable at all times by Stella-digging in or near the river beds and by sinking wells in any part of the country. Thunderstorms are frequent in the summer, and dust storms from August to November. with some of the persons with whom he had previously been treating, which involved a recognition to a great extent of the land claims of the Stellalanders, and of the money obligations of the Stellaland Government, and the assumption by the British Government of the administration of the country. This settlement was finally concluded on the 4th July. In August Mr. Mackenzie was recalled to Cape Town by Sir Hercules Robinson, and whilst there, in view of the disfavour with which his appointment and proceedings were regarded by the Cape Ministry, he, on the 19th August, tendered his resignation. prevalent from December to May, and disappears The rate of mortality is low. Horse sickness is when frost first sets in. Horses however become acclimatised, and with due precautions there is reason to believe that horse sickness may eventually disappear. Industries. The chief industry is agriculture, and the country is well adapted for the breeding and fattening of cattle. The soil is excellent, especially to the north of the Setlagoli River, and with irrigation and slight culture will produce |