The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-04
HAVANA. ian. q 1872.

III inc long lnteIVal since the suspension OF my
correspondence, from the cause already explained
to you, events have occurred which would have fill
ed volumes, in extent Of paper at least, if not with
| interesting matterto your readers First in mpor
lance is the edict for the suppression Of certain mo-
nasteries, the details Of which you will have gather
ed from the papers sent you by the Crstoval Colon.
II is rather consolidation of Is into establishments
throughout the Island, reducing at the same time the
rank ofthe different resident fLnctonaries in con-
formity herewith So much for the present; for il
is very evident that still further consolidation must
soon be effected for four establishments, must
be quite sufficient for the proper and indeed luxu-
rious accommodation of something less than 300
brethren, including all ranks and degrees, who have
hitherto occupied the nneteen But it is evidently
also the policy OF the government, determined how
ever they may be, to effect this long contemplated
object, TO use measures more or less concatory or
soothing towards class of people whose power
and influence have been recently of such para
mount weight and importance that even now there
still lett sufficient Of devotees, and still greater
number Of adherents to the old system, to create
strong party in their favor But the deed is done.
and will scarcely be revoked 1t is not question.
at least1 at present, of religion 1t is simply the
conversion Of vast accumulation of property to the
public uses-or rather the attempt to do So for it is
yet doubtful whether any one will be found bold
enough to risk the means of making purchase
which may SAVIOUR of 'sacrilege" whilst its tenure
would not be too in the possible event of the
futsre dominance ofthe high church party in Spain.
Every one who has visited the Havana must recol-
lectthe great monastery of San Francisco, rising al
most from the water at the termination of the long
wharf, which runs laterally with the bay-its mere
vastness and tme-worn appearance creating admira-
ton and respect in despite its uncouh and mssha-
pen exterior construcion.-This has been evacua.
ted, and the ''fathers" have taken up their abode
with the broners of the same order at Guiana.
bacoa. Whether it viii [can1] be sold, and
VII Their its too churches, the larger one Of
surprising grandeur in its style Of architec-
ture, will be demolished, remai ns 10 be seen
Already the wall which separated it, froE,
the bay has been removed. and wharf con-
structed in its place. The government profess to be
goods
volve fresh expenditure Of m oney, thing not like
ly to be authorised unless absolutely indispensable
Aud what is to be done with the nuns ! The
in proportion. to their number, than those of the
monks-the single nunnery of Santa Clara, occu
plying four squares of ground, ia a very valuable
part Of the city, would comfortably accommodate
bolts work, 30 far backias 1898 or %. d..laF
As my object is to communicate the simple facts
as they occur, all reasoning upon the moral poll
teal effect Of these measures may be left to the mind
of the readers. Yet il is subject fraught with great
interest TO those who have watched the progress
of the vast reform OF the last century in that
influence which the church formerly possess.
ed in, all the ramificarons OF Spanish socie
ty and customs, from the meanest cottage To
the very throne itself-and now, what is it
In private society it is scarcely recognized be-
yond the pastoral which the priests Of all demo-
limitations and in all countries, exercise over their
"Aocks;" and in public, rather political affairs they
have long ceased have the slightest nuence-irue
there still grand ceremonies and professions.
Of old, on some very great 'east" days, lestes1 in
which the high officers Of the government mngle
with those Of the church, that its connection with
the State probably, may still be apparent TO the null
ttude; but these ceremonies and displays are
populace with feeling scarcely amounting
10 respect, and certainly with no approach to the
reverence with which these gaudy spectacles were
wont to be greeted as they passed the crowded
streets asd the equally crowded windows and bal
comics of this populous city. well remember, so
far back az 1854, happened to be riding directly
following Governor .Tacon's carriages through the
Gale O'Reilly, and AS we neared the Gale Cuba,
which crossesi one Of these professions was pro.
ceeding with its slow and solemn step along the lat.
ter, and ! presumed that the Governors carriage
| would, Of course, halt until It had passed Not at
all-his guards very civlly desired them TO open,
| and we passed on, for certainly not slow to
avail myself Of the opening, in preference to vast
ing halt hour OF The best part OF the evening.
Now Governor Tacon had no want OF respect Tor
the clergy-he simply differed from them in the
right TO Obstruct his path, and thus consume his In
valuable time BY their ceremonies.
But enough Of the church. Let US jump at once
from grave to gsy"1lhe opera: Wei. the long
former has appeared twice only, IN the character Of
the Master OF Ravenswood, in the beautiful opera of
Lucia de Lamnermoor, and with brilliant success.
l.
Icy of the manager to bring them at time
but Mrs. Sutten has appeared, and TO some ef ct
her first appearance was IN The Sonambula-h~r Sc
cond in Lucia, where, with the able support of An
| tognini, she played with more confidence than on
her first appea IN which almost the whole bur-
den Of the piece rested with hersef. No candid
! critic has spoken sufficiently in praise Of this
| lady Her enemies--and che has iheni-have used
all sorts of inure her; and where they could
not censure, they attempted 10 rdlcue her appe ar
ance, her birth, her figure, .&c and on the other
hand, some partial friends have, by njudicious
praise raised expectation beyond the power of the
| lady to realize-she has not the power or the full
strength of voice and force Of Ooer but The 9th
| er hand, she exces IN the delivery and hdeliry OF
executon-in the rich toness and sweetness {" dull
c como miel, cay an Havana crtc,) OF her voice,
| and whilst she abs'ains from all attempts at any
thing be yond what she s conscious Of the power 10
| execute, she goes through with what she does at
ty that has delighted The liabaneros, ,hat is no
| small praise. Her reception on the first night was
cordial and heary--,he pit, where gentlemen prefer
sitting when not atte ndance upon ladies, fill
ed, and at the conclusion of the piece, instead Of
huuyng off, as usual, to escape the crowd of car
riages; there seemed TO be general desire TO re-
| main, and call tor Mrs. Sutton Shs came forth and
was greeted with long aad loud maniicsi ions OF sp-
probation aad good feeling. Male Borghese came
passenger ia the same vessel with Mrs. Sutton,
| from New York ; but the difficulty between her
| and the manager, the merits Of which | do
not pretend to understand, is no. yet adjusted, nor
is there any prospect for IL in time for Borghese 8
| appearan This season. The manager has gone TO
| New Orleans in the British steamer Forth, Captain
Fsyrer to make arrangements for his company ap-
pearing there in March, not earlier. The Ravels
are playing with great success at Daltons Theatre
| (Diorams) outside the walls, which has been gre at
ly improved, and is in fact well adapted TO those
arnusements, partaking of the theatrical character
without belonging TO the actual drama. II Of
zen used by the opera company before the erection
ofihe ereat"Teatro TAcop," where by the by, great