Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-08
ALEXANDRIA, GAZETTE.
HAVANA.
Eatraci Of letter to the Editors Of the N. r
G0xeffe.

00<Itcs
The houses in this city are constructed to con-
tend against ages. They have walls Of stone
from two to three feet in thickness, which cannot
be erected, as yours are. in five or six ~eeks.--
This, of course, would be considered disad-
vsntage in New York; as there would be some
luss in interest, they could not be blown down
by smart gale to make new job, and when the
lapse Of ten or dozen years had rendered them
questionable, il would even be diff cult to take
them down to give place to the newest and most
approved mode. The house in which I at pre-
sent quarter. is a century old-a curiosity which
New York, believe, does not contain. Al all
events, If there are any. their name is not /" Lee
gon."
The streets here are narrow and dirty. and the
side. walks hardly deserving the name-a strip or
two Of tagging without curb. Walking out.
consequently, is not an agreeable ope, alton.
Hence no ladies appear on foot in the streets
certainly they never walk for pleasure. To CON-
pensate for this privation, all who can afford il
keep vehicles, called "voiantes' or s.quitrines,"
for riding around the city in the day time; or for
the promenade on the Pasao, OH Sundays and bo-
lidays, in the evening.
A Spanish lady would almost as lief be with.
out house. as without her riding establishment.
II is her pride. her glory. Whit, she ia every
tnluu--WItUOut w uOuitHS- uC odtuC 6uudutC
which admits The family, aslmits the yolante-
aud the family and the vehicle share the honUrs
Of the principal pariur between them. Let me
endeayor TO give YOU an idea Of this carriage
H. is two. wheeled. The body is shaped like our
gig, though larger, and it is hung low. The axle
of the wheels, which are heavy and Of very large
diameter. is twa or three feet behind the body,
and not Immediately under it. as with gig
The shafts consequently are very long, say eish-
teen or twenty feet. aud the carriage hangs be.
f,cee,r the bIgb wheels and the animal drawing
them. A profusIon Of slver-plate. frequently
snl,d silver. is bestowed upon the carriage and
the harness. The horse ar mule, with his long
tail, invariably plated aud dubbed. is attached
in tie common way and has large saddle for
the Csiesero, or negro rider, who drives. This
latter parsonage is no contemplate part Of the
exhibition. He wears band Of silver lace on his
hat. an embroidered jacket, white trowscrs, long
bnnls, which reach mary inches above his knees,
aud is equipped with long, clinking, silver or
plated spurs.
lwas a witness on Sunday evening last OF the
display OF this elegant spot Al five O'Clock the
city was alive Nth volantes on their way thithsr
with ihei, fair fregits. Soon the place IS tbrong-
ed The volantes lnnve along alta moderate
pace, carefully keeping TO the left. so that those
passing along OF one side. pass in foil review OF
those upon the other. The fountain at one end.
and the statue at the other, form pivots, as it
we're. around which the yolanies revolve. The
succession Of vehicles is endlesss, end every
thing is conducted without the least disorder
Being very little versed in the extensive vocabu.
larry of terms expressive Of the VARIETY Of articles
comprising lady's full dress, am incompetent
to give an ineligible description of the parapher-
malta Of the ladies On this occasion. They seem.
ed, however, 10 be appareIled much after the
fashion Of our ladies, when decked out for ball
! elegantly worked muslin dresses, high turtle
shell combs, hair put a-la.Manuel, feathers. rib
bons, flowers, and all that sor, uf thing
The difference between The volante and the
ouitrine is. that the top Of the Turner is perma.
neutly fixed up. while that Of the latter may be
| lie. down at pleasure. These are the only vehi-
cles to be seen. They cannot easily be upset,
and the bad condition Of the roads permits no
other kinds to be used. Their motion is perfect.
| ~ easy.
The Pasao pronounced Pa-say-o) is the great
promenade on the evening ot Sundays and hol
days. This grand rendezvous Of the fashion
and beauty of the city on these occasions, IS q
straight avenue Of mile and quarter IN length,
situate Just without the wall Of the city. The
breadth Of the carriage way IS about sixty ieet.
I 1herc are TWO pdWWdys 'O' peucsuio"s "s eae"
/ side, each twenty FIVE feet vide. Sn that the
width Of the whole grouHt 1sabaut 100 feet. =
Along the pathways, aud parallel with The main
avenue. are six rows (,hree on each side) Of a
variety Of beautiful treas--amoug them are ma
Inv large orange.trees. almost ready to brrak
down with the weight Of their golden fruit. At
one extremity Of the Pssao is a jes d'ean, epre-
sentiny Neptune with his trident; at the Other
stands marble statute of Carlos III Of Spain,
which was erected by the eitizensof Havana in
l1803.
The fan. asit is Indispensable mus, not be
overlooked. II is the organ Of saiu,ation A
slight shake oft. is . token OF recosei'ioo 10
fair friend passine on the other side, or return
| for the wase Of tue hand Of some gaian, Casais
|Iero, Now the voIaDte contains aIady and her
eaysIier. now lady With her two children. nos
two officers 10 full ueifoem. and NOW u ~ las,raus
ALI il eaie,y and enjoyment, Atsix o'clock. the
| scene S further etilisened BY the music OF the
fiue bands attached 10 the regiments stationed