The Bahamas : a Sketch. By Surgeon-Major Bacot. (Longmans.) — These
hundred pages are very readable and interesting. They give a, sketch of the history of the islands from the day when Columbus
discovered them down to the event which lately brought them into a notoriety which they had never enjoyed before—the American Civil War. Nassau, the capital of the group, is within easy distance of Charleston, and Dr. Bacot gives some curious details about the blockade-running. One vessel, the Syren, made eighteen successful voyages, and fell at last into the enemy's hands by running into Charleston after that city had been captured by the Federate. It seems to have been a profitable business. Captains were paid sometimes as much as £1,000 for one trip, besides having the privilege of carrying ten bales of cotton on their own account. As a ship could run from Naafi= to Charleston, be unloaded and reloaded, and run back in about a week, this was pretty well. Our author, however, is strongly of opinion that it was ill-gotten gain, which profited no one. Nassau certainly mint have been demoralized by it. We have, besides, information, which is well and clearly put, about the climate of the place, manner of life, productions, &c. There is something, it would seem, rather strange about the climate. It grows wild fruits which are of very considerable value, but it will not repay the cost of regular cultivation. And it is found useful as a sanitarium for consumptive people from New York, though it is apt to produce consumption in the negro race.
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