This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. FKOM GKEYTOWN TO THE LAKE. Although much has been said about the harbor of Greytown, the town itself has so far claimed only an occasional reference. In appearance it differs widely from Spanish-American towns, the only point of resemblance being the plaza or public square. Except for the palms and other tropical trees about the houses and open places', it could readily be taken for a town in the southern part of the United States. The buildings are all of wood, one or two stories in height, painted white, with green blinds and brown roofs. Many of the residences are embowered by palms and tropical fruit trees, among which are the large-leaved bread-fruit, the orange and the mango. Others have around, or in front of them, pretty flower gardens, of which a conspicuous feature is a lovely creeper (Antigonon leptopus), with clusters of pink and rose-colored flowers. It is called by the natives lavegessima, "the beautiful." The public square is covered with a fine greensward, and in it are many lofty cocoanut palms, which at the time of my visit, April, 1891, were loaded with ripening fruit. There are numerous stores, some of them large and well stocked, and prices are surprisingly low, which is explained by the fact that Greytown is a free port. There are two hotels, the Victoria and the San Juan. The former has better rooms, but the latter is preferred for its table. Other features of the town are a wellappointed club house and a horse railroad through the principal street. The town is healthy, but not so cool as America, because there is a strip of woods between it and the beach, while the latter is open to the ocean. The population is about 1,500, including a considerable element cf North Americans and Europeans, in addition...