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[[preprinted] 74 [[/preprinted]] The food is not so bad altho' a trifle heavy -- lots of meats and starches. One day the water tasted a little peculiar, as if vegetables had been washed in it, but they assured us it was boiled, so we continued on faith (Excuse partial repetition). Up until now I have made only one reference to Dr E.W. Taylor's writings. He was the father of the present Mr Taylor. He had a degree in Medicine, from Chicago. I believe he got it in order to show the Danish doctors that he could have as many degrees as they. It seems they had objected to his dispensing simple home remedies. In a way he was the first Homeopath on the island. In order to show his medical ability he went to Chicago and received a [[strikethrough]] Dr's [[/strikethrough]] M.D. degree and later did the same in London. Strange to say, he was averse to vaccination, and he says it is because of danger of infection, because [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] the arm to arm method is used (look this up some day!) Anyway, he claims that numerous skin diseases are hereby acquired, as [[end page]] [[start page]] [[preprinted]] 75 [[/preprinted]] well as venereal diseases and leprosy. Therefore, he paid a yearly fine of what approximated 50 cents a head for each member of his family so that they could escape vaccination. Dr Taylor wrote several books, of which I have read "An Island of the Sea" and "Leaflets of the Danish West Indies." The former is the most interesting. It contains some interesting short stories of Bluebeard's Castle, and Blackbeards Castle, as well as other legends of pirates and their doings. In order not to forget general plot I shall outline one or two which would make excellent short stories. Bluebeard's Castle -- Mercedita A. Bluebeard goes to sea leaving a casket in his wife's care. 1. Dont open it unless I am gone longer than a year. B. Before year is up Mercedita is overcome with curiosity. 1. Opens box 2. Finds love letters to B.B from several ladies in town