Kingston

Kingston, the commercial and political capital of Jamaica (q.v.), stands on the north side of a landlocked harbour, the best in the island, and, for its size, one of the best in the world. Pop. (1891) 46,542. It was founded in 1693-1703, after the neighbouring town of Port Royal had been destroyed by an earthquake. From this place, afterwards rebuilt, Kingston is distant 6 miles, the breadth of its noble haven; while with Spanish Town, towards the interior, it has since 1846 been connected by railway. In 1758 Spanish Town was made the capital of Jamaica, but in 1872 the seat of government was removed to Kingston. Kingston was visited in 1880 by a violent hurricane, and in December 1882 well-nigh consumed by fire. The city, having a slope to the sea of 1 in 60, is well drained, but the harbour is filthy. With a gravel soil and a dry and temperate climate—maximum 93° in hot season, minimum 56° in cold—it is a healthy place. The most interesting public building is the Old Church, where Benbow the 'old sea-dog' is buried. There are tram-cars, and the water-supply is good. The imports have an annual value of from £1,300,000 to £1,500,000, the imports from £500,000 to £700,000. See the annual Handbook of Jamaica and Jamaica in 1896, published by the Institute of Jamaica.