EQUATORIAL AMERICA

DESCRIPTIVE OF A VISIT TO ST. THOMAS
MARTINIQUE, BARBADOES, AND
THE PRINCIPAL CAPITALS
OF SOUTH AMERICA

BY

MATURIN M. BALLOU

BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
The Riverside Press, Cambridge
1892

Copyright, 1892,
By MATURIN M. BALLOU.

All rights reserved.

The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S.A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Company.

DEDICATED
TO
CAPTAIN E. C. BAKER
OF THE
STEAMSHIP VIGILANCIA
WITH WARM APPRECIATION OF HIS QUALITIES
AS A GENTLEMAN
AND AN ACCOMPLISHED SEAMAN

PREFACE.

"I am a part of all that I have seen," says Tennyson, asentiment which every one of large experience will heartily indorse.With the extraordinary facilities for travel available in modern times,it is a serious mistake in those who possess the means, not to becomefamiliar with the various sections of the globe. Vivid descriptions andexcellent photographs give us a certain knowledge of the great monumentsof the world, both natural and artificial, but the traveler always findsthe reality a new revelation, whether it be the marvels of a YellowstonePark, a vast oriental temple, Alaskan glaciers, or the Pyramids ofGhiza. The latter, for instance, do not differ from the statistics whichwe have so often seen recorded, their great, dominating outlines are thesame as pictorially delineated, but when we actually stand before them,they are touched by the wand of enchantment, and spring into visiblelife. Heretofore they have been shadows, henceforth they are tangibleand real. The best descriptions fail to inspire us, experience alone cando that. What words can adequately depict the confused grandeur of theFalls of Schaffhausen; the magnificence of the Himalayanrange,—roof-tree of the world; the thrilling beauty of theYosemite Valley; the architectural loveliness of the Taj Mahal, ofIndia; the starry splendor of equatorial nights; the maritime charms ofthe Bay of Naples; or the marvel of the Midnight Sun at the North Cape?It is personal observation alone which truly satisfies, educating theeye and enriching the understanding. If we can succeed in imparting, aportion of our enjoyment to others, we enhance our own pleasure, andtherefore these notes of travel are given to the public.

M. M. B.