.bashrc question

[Debian Ghost <debian@ghost.net.cfw.com>]

Hello All,
Ghost here. Recently switched from ksh to bash and have a question.
When I open up an Eterm, it does not seem to be reading my .bashrc
properly. For one, I have the lines:

    eval `dircolors`
    alias ls='ls --color'

    # set a fancy prompt

    PS1='\u@\h:\w\'>

Basically all I want to do is set the prompt from user@ghost:~$ to
user@ghost:~> (I prefer to see > to $)

Also, wish to have my ls = ls --color. Both of these things are not
working. It almost seems as if my .bashrc is ignored.

Can anyone give bash advice?

Thank$ a lot!

Debian Ghost

'space ghost with a drop of water'