PORTO RICO AND THE PORTO RICANS.
By Ida M. Fischer
PORTO RICO is the smallest in size of the four principal islands of the Greater Antilles, and lies farthest out in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti. It is about one thousand four hundred and fifty miles from New York and over four hundred miles from the east coast of Cuba. It is about ninety-five miles long by thirty-five in width. Tho only three-fourths the size of the State of Connecticut it resembles it much in shape. Its meaning is “rich harbor;” but in good harbors it is sadly deficient, the island being able to boast of only six good harbors, most of the cargoes being transported to land by large flat boats called “lighters.” This island was discovered by Christopher Columbus, Nov. 17, 1493. He landed at a bay where he found many springs of pure water, and named the place “Aguadilla,” “watering-place.” Now the Presbyterians have a church company there and are planning to build a $7,000 church. The island was inhabited at this time by the Caribbean Indians, who were hospitable, kind, harmless, and happy; and when Ponce de Leon, a Spanish navigator, visited the island in 1508 and founded several of its cities, including the capital, San Juan (St. John), the Indians received him with delight. They gave him many presents, and showed him and his soldiers gold which was found in the river beds. Altho treated so kindly by the natives, the Spaniards killed the most of them and subjected the rest to cruel slavery and compelled them to work in mines. A revolution followed this, and as a result the Indian race was nearly exterminated. Only a few of their descendants are now living. After Ponce de Leon sailed on his voyage of discovery of Florida, Porto Rico was left alone for a long time. Some years later Spain sent peasants to colonize the island. Slaves were then introduced from the west coast of Africa. In 1870 the island became a province of Spain and remained so until 1898, when it became a part of the United States. Slavery was abolished in 1873. Nature has done all she could to beautify the island of Porto Rico. Flowers bloom constantly and foliage is ever green. While the bleak winds and cold rains of the fall and winter are felt in other countries, we are enjoying warm, pleasant days, the temperature ranging from 80° to 85°. This is our winter. We have only two seasons, the rainy and the dry, the rainy season beginning about July and lasting until December; the dry continues from January until June. During the rainy season we have rain not only every day but two and three times a day, and it is rain, too—it simply pours. In a few hours, however, the ground is dry in many places. Sometimes we have heavy winds with these rains, especially during the13hurricane season, between the months of July and October. The houses are built with heavy doors and windows heavily barred, many of them having only holes seven inches in diameter above the windows and doors for ventilation. During these storms the people go into their houses, shut everything up tight and wait for the storm to abate or blow them over. During one of these storms the house in which we lived rocked like a cradle. The storm lasted about twenty-four hours. We stood at our windows and watched the great coconut trees bend almost to the ground. We could not help thinking of the great and terrible day of the Lord, when everything earthly will be shaken out of its place. One of the most interesting places to the visitor to Porto Rico is the “Mercado,” or market. People from every race and nation seem to be here, and what a busy, noisy place it is; all kinds of people, big, little, and medium sized, all in a hurry and bustle; babies, roosters, dogs, donkeys, horses, pigs, alive and dead, vegetables and fruits of all description. At first sight, everything seems a jumble and confusion,—such talking, shouting, laughing, crowing, crying, barking, and braying that you can scarcely hear yourself talk. Most every one seems to be in good humor, even to the naked little babies tumbling about on the ground. This is a careless, happy, and contented people. Just as long as they have enough to satisfy hunger they ask for nothing more; I am speaking of the masses in general. The Americans find it difficult to trade with this people, for they always ask us four times the value of an article; but we have learned to offer them just about what the articles are worth. They usually take it with a “Thank you;” it is all they expect. Every one buys his bread, and we can not vouch for its cleanliness. Most of the stoves in the houses are without ovens. A loaf of bread weighs about eight ounces and sells for two cents. Nothing but white flour is used. In many of the homes from one to five servants are employed, these receiving small wages, many of them getting only their board and clothes. Some of these are true and faithful, but many are not. The “better class” consider any kind of work degrading, hence their need of so many servants. Many of the young ladies busy themselves with lace-making and other fancy work. The climate is not conducive to the performance of a great amount of work. The towns are full of beggars, and it is an interesting sight on a Sabbath morning to see them streaming in from the country in companies of eight and ten. Many of these beggars have plenty to eat of the common food, but they are anxious for a change. As a result from one day’s begging they go home at night with enough food to last several days. Ignorance and superstition abound everywhere, and we still find rites and ceremonies that partake of the former heathenism of the aborigines. Many curious relics are found that reveal the nature of their former religion. One of the most interesting of these is a stone collar, shaped like a horse collar, nicely carved, showing their great skill in such lines of work. This collar was placed by the friends and relatives upon the breast of the dead person, the supposition being that it would protect him from harm. Some of these relics represent the island as resting upon the backs of two animals, partly human in features. When the island was visited by earthquakes, it was an evidence that these gods were angry, and to appease their wrath the people must be good. The message is marching right on even in this darkened corner of the earth. Souls are hungering for salvation. Every day we have evidence of the workings of God’s Spirit among this people. They are anxious for reading matter; many of them want Bibles, and as we talk to them of the evils prevalent here and elsewhere, and hold out to them the free gift of Jesus Christ, they drink it in gladly. What the result of the work here will be eternity alone will reveal; but this we do know, that God has a people here anxious for the Gospel. Pray for the work here. IDA M. FISCHER.