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Two Years in the French West Indies is one of two books Lafcadio Hearn produced during his two-year stay in Martinque and other Caribbean islands, where he fell under their tropical spell. Published in 1890, this enchanting collection details his sojourn with its loving "sketches" of the day-to-day life of the island people.
ENDNOTES
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List of Illustrations
La Place Bertin (the Sugar Landing), St. Pierre, Martinique.
Itinerant Pastry-seller. "tourjours Content, Toujours Joyeux."
In the Cimetère Du Mouillage, St. Pierre.
In the Jardin Des Plantes, St. Pierre.
Cascade in the Jardin Des Plantes.
Departure of Steamer for Fort-de-france.
Statue of Josephine.
Inner Basin, Bridgetown, Barbadoes.
Trafalgar Square, Bridgetown, Barbadoes.
Street in Georgetown, Demerara.
Avenue in Georgetown, Demerara.
Victoria Regia in the Canal at Georgetown
Demerara Coolie Girl.
St. James Avenue, Port-of-spain, Trinidad.
Coolies of Trinidad.
Coolie Servant.
Coolie Merchant.
Church Street, St. George, Grenada.
Castries, St. Lucia.
'ti Marie (on the Route from St. Pierre To Basse-pointe.)
Fort-de-france, Martinique-(formerly Fort Royal.)
A Creole Capre in Working Garb.
A Confirmation Procession.
Manner of Playing the Ka
A Wayside Shrine, Or Chapelle.
Rue Victor Hugo (formerly Grande Rue), St. Pierre
Quarter of the Fort, St. Pierre (overlooking The Rivière Roxelane).
Rivière Des Blanchisseuses.
Foot of Pelée, Behind the Quarter Of The Fort.
Village of Morne Rouge, Martinique
La Montagne Pelée, As Seen from Grande Anse.
Arborescent Ferns on a Mountain Road.
'ti Canot.
The Martinique Turban, Or Madras Calende.
The Guadeloupe Head-dress.
Young Mulattress.
Plantation Coolie Woman in Martinique Costume.
Coolie Half-breed
Country-girl-pure Negro Race.
Capresse.
Old Market-place of the Fort, St. Pierre.-(removed In 1888).
Bread-fruit Tree.
Basse-terre St. Kitts.
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NOTAIRE à SAINT PIERRE, MARTINIQUE
Souvenir de nos promenades,-de nos voyages,-de nos causeries,-des sympathies échangées,-de tout le charme d'une amitié inaltérable et inoubliable,-de tout ce qui parle à l'ame au doux Pay des Revenants.
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PREFACE
During a trip to the Lesser Antilles in the summer of 1887, the writer of the following pages, landing at Martinique, fell under the influence of that singular spell which the island has always exercised upon strangers, and by which it has earned its poetic name,-Le Pays des Revenants. Even as many another before him, he left its charmed shores only to know himself haunted by that irresistible regret,-unlike any other,-which is the enchantment of the land upon all who wander away from it. So he returned, intending to remain some months; but the bewitchment prevailed, and he remained two years.
Some of the literary results of that sojourn form the bulk of the present volume. Several, or portions of several, papers have been published in HARPER'S MAGAZINE; but the majority of the sketches now appear in print for the first time.
The introductory paper, entitled "A Midsummer Trip to the Tropics," consists for the most part of notes taken upon a voyage of nearly three thousand miles, accomplished in less than two months. During such hasty journeying it is scarcely possible for a writer to attempt anything more serious than a mere reflection of the personal experiences undergone; and, in spite of sundry justifiable departures from simple note-making, this paper is offered only as an effort to record the visual and emotional impressions of the moment.
My thanks are due to Mr. William Lawless, British Consul at St. Pierre, for several beautiful photographs, taken by himself, which have been used in the preparation of the illustrations.
Books and Habits from the Lectures of Lafcadio Hearn by Lafcadio Hearn
Published posthumously in 1905, this book contains some of Hearn's uncollected workand is a charming interpretation of Japanese culture. In "The Romance of the Milky Way," Hearn examines the stories behind the age-old Tanabata festival. "Goblins" discusses poetry and some supernatural subjects particular to Japanese literature. "Ultimate Questions," is a lyrical response to Herbert Spencer's philosophy. Other essays include "Stranger than Fiction" and "A Letter from Japan," written in 1904, describing how Japanese society dealt with its war with Russia.
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.