cane nowadays, and there is an increase in tobacco,
cacao, indigo, ginger, fruits, and other things which
might as well be raised. T h e exports in recent
years have averaged about $4,500,000 in annual
value and the imports $5,500,000.
The population of Martinique is reckoned at about
175,000, of whom 10,000 are whites, 15,000 of A s ia tic
origin, and 150,000 black, or coloured in various
shades. I t is not an idle or thriftless population,
but lively and generally in comfortable case. I t is
rather careless of the marriage relation and of the
conventionalities of civilised society, and two thirds
of the births are said to be illegitimate. The strain
of French seems to give a peculiar g a y e ty and a
charm of sensuous beauty to the variegated populace,
which is fond of bright colours and gaudy
ornaments in their light attire, and of frolicsome
diversions mingled with a formal observance of the
rites of the Romish Church. In the streets and
market-places it makes a fascinating crowd, and in
the highways and byways it exerts an idyllic charm
on the beholder.
Fort de France on the north side of the deep inlet
is the capital and fortified place of the island, the
centre of military and naval activity, the point of
departure for transatlantic steamers, and of connection
with all the world by submarine telegraph. I t
is built on a flat shore, with the mangroves stretching
away inland and ranks of tall palms shading its
well kept streets. It was awfully shaken by earthquake
in 1839, and almost destroyed by fire in 1890.
Not far away on the same bay is Lamentin, farther