The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-09

foreign news, and struts about in cavdHere,
while his dark coloured attendants remain
in the boat, and direct significant glances to
the Captain of the ship, until he orders them
their usual gratuity. The health officer next
makes his appearance. and inquiries IT there
are any sick persons on board, and examines
the passports, and finally declares that the
whole ships company are at liberty to so on
shore.
The wharves at Havana, are very extern
siye and commodous. Vessels lay with their
bows toward them, and are so numerous
and SO close together, that small boat can
scarcely find room to make landing. The
moment person steps on the quay, he IS
beseged with crowds Of watermen, who OF
fer their services to all who pass along; and
with the greater facility, as it is impossible
to walk fast, on account OF the piles Of box
es bales and casks that every where obstruct
the way. Large vessels are daily loading
and unloading; and this labour is performed
chiefly by blacks, who, covered with perspl-
ration, hurry through their work shouting
and singing all the while. The heat OF the
sun, and the reflection from the harbour, are
nearly insupportable, and the hubbub that
prevails and the figures that create it, make
the scene altogether Internal in its charac-
| ter.
| AS one advances into the town, the pustie
gradually diminishes; but the streets exhlo-
it sufficient number of objects to attrack
the individual attention Of a stranger HIS
eye is first caught by the carriages called
voiantos, which dash across his path wher-
ever he goes. A volanto resembles low
English gig, only the wheels are placed en-
trely behind the centre of gravity, by which
!, arrangement the motion of the body OF the
carriage is rendered very moderate and a.
greeable.
. A curtain of blue cloth covers its front, and
excludes the dust and the glare OF the sun.
J A negro man rides upon the horse, which is
generally small, mean-ieoking animal, al
most sinking under the weight OF its driver,
T whose legs, eased in wide hussar boots, dan
. gle in the mud, large patches OF which may
often be seen ON the embroidered coat and
r cooked hat that envelope the upper part OF
his figure. The persons that frequent the
S streets are generally slaves who wander a.
S bout in groups, speaking horrible jargon,
! and filling the air with fumes OF tobacco.
4 However, one may sometimes see Spanish
! Don, in figured silk coat, parading conse-
: ouentially along, and pushing the negroes oft
: the pavement with his gold-headed cane, or
! have the pleasure of giving the wall to an
8 elegant woman in long veil, followed by a
e servant boy, carrying cushion and prayer
t book, to be used at mass. Ferhaps stout,
d overgrown priest, painting with heat and ia
a tigue, will next brush forward, on his way
d to the convent, while the person who sue
' ceeds him may be a Spanish officer in tar
: nished uniform, stalking dejectedly along, and
: casting wistful gances under the curtains OF
C the fashionable volantos that pass and re-
i pass. whirling his beautiful country women
i from one part of the city to the other
The streets of Havana are narrow, and
ii during the rainy season excessively dirty; for
: some of them remain in state of nature hav-
It ing no pavement of any kind, either for car
d riages or foot passengers. The houses are
d plain in their architecture, and never exceed
IL two stories, and are usually painted blue, OF
d some other bright colour. All the good nous
: es are built upon the same plan, namely,
: that of hollow quadrangle, which is the
h form best calculated for promoting the free
y circulation Of air. In general, gallery SUR
le rounded bv pazzas, extends around the up
N pcr fat, and forms, along with the court, be
is low. place of recreation in the evening,
$ and shelter from the heat during the day
The public apartments are usually spacious
ID and tastefuly furnished; no carpets are used
e and in most houses, the floor consists OF
1T composition, which is as hard as tree-stone
at and admits of being washed several times 6
day: bu! some of the nobility have their rooms
~ paved WIN Dlal.h dtd WullS eablGto Va iHni
of Bile. placed alternately, and this has ver,
T, beautiful effect. The shops in Havana arr
n small and meanly furnished. Instead of the
s, names of the occupants being placed above
ce the doors, as is common in some countries
$; each has some fgurative appellation, to dis
us tinguish it from others Of the Same descrip
is ton, such as the shop Of victory of humility
ly of pearls, Of happiness, of good fortune, &c
aS