188
THE SEASONS AT ANTIGUA.
But to conclude our adventures; we rapidly passed through the grass-market and the town, heard the jingle of many a piano and the squeak of many a flute, (I mean no disparagement to the performers,) almost ran over a pig or two, who, spite of a late prohibition, were walking out to enjoy the cool of the evening ; and at length safely alighted at our residence in " Spring Gardens."
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In the course of an hour or two, I willingly resigned myself to the dominion of sleep, and dreamt of mountains and thunder-storms, springs" and fairies, precipices and lime-trees. . ;? ,
CHAPTER XVII. The seasons at Antigua—Heavy rains—Long droughts—The watermerchant—A fortunate shower—Drought in 1837—Desolate appearance of the country—Famishing cattle—Definition of " fine rains"— Anecdote — Heavy shower—Joy—Earthquakes—1835—Meteors — Dressing for the ball—The alarm—The ball-room—Hurricanes— Devastations. THE seasons at Antigua may be divided into the wet and dry. The wet season generally commences in July, and continues, with intermissions, until October ; and in February we look for it again. The rains in England are but summer
dews, comparatively speaking, to the torrents which the overcharged clouds pour down upon these " Isles of the West." No one but an actual observer can form any idea of the violence of these storms. In a moment the streets are inundated, and the falling of the large drops upon the shingled roofs of the houses is quite deafening.,, j£~^L_ But at the same time these rains constitute the Antiguan's greatest blessing, for not only do they revive the parched and thirsty earth, cool the atmosphere, promote the growth of the sugar cane, and dress nature in her loveliest garb ; but from having (as before mentioned) only two or three