The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-23

vances in popular estimation here; and, accus-
TONED as have been lately to the most bois,erous
tokens of admiration, there sstill something pleas
ing and exciting in the frantic applause that halls
me nightly from this new people. Their compll-
mentary homage has taken a very fanciful flight
indeed but TO me really charming one. As fin
lshed plrouete last night with singular felicity,
imagine my surprise to see lighting at my very feet
two beautiful doves bearing assnowy ath Outvy-
ing even theirustrious whteness accepted the Of
fering from my winged messengers. but was so bar
barous as TO detaln them as a lawful prize. | took
them up, and carried them away TO my dressing
room: the house cared nothing for the interruption;
au contraiye, / found my acknowledgment of the
compliment gave them infinite satisfaction. Had
neglected 1t, they would have been greatly NORTH
ed They like coquettng with an artistic. and il is
agreeable enough 10 rae to humour them in such
way. II is amusing the interest AIKEN in these play
full manifestations of regard; but they serve see,
stmulaIts to enthusiasm, that goes in a stea-
dy, deep current, increasing, till am puzzled to
know where it will end. am always half startled
at such excessive excitement | tremble lest in
gddy moment should do something TO turn the
tide, and when the sea is in such violent agitation,
change Of wind is certain destruction: may the
fairies protect me! Would you were here, The
reese to d have Spp peep lat the word w g
sounds! you would fancy its inhabitants all painted
brown for gypsy piece and, then, the strange, I'M
ntelisible gable they carry on. But you: sense
and patience both would be sorely tried mine is,
by the horrid, suAocating fumes Of tobacco Every
body smokes here -man, woman, boy, and girl,
almost down to the baby just escaped from the era
die but still was not prepared for the novel spec
about with huge, undlsgused, vertable cigars in
their mouths, putting and smoking like so many
yellow chlmney-pots, that they resemble much both
of the most insufferabe and nanseous tolIies of the
day Strange that men should persist in this often
sive habit that all women wthpretenslons to d
has Injured men to this. But a wOman's smoking
was barbarism hardly supposed myself destined
ever to see and, certainly, the first time came
plump upon one OF my whlty-bro attendants,
with her wreath on one side, her wings all aWry,
sucking, for dear life, at the end Of flaming cigar,
my astonishment and the tobacco smoke together
quite took my breath away that was an impression
neither time no. distance will either dim remove.
ll-dressed sylphlde sitting on painted bank Of
flowers, where first spled her. cxhallng the smoke
of colossal cigar, and of a horse killing strength
with all the nonchalance of a veteran smoker, was
an outrageous novelty that absorbed me quite and
whilst stood gazing there, call summoned the
volcanic troupe to the stage, and each deposited
with jealous care her precious weed on bench and
chair, with growing menaces neither to touch nor
taste, and then they betOOk themselves to their
mystic gambols, meant to charm the love-lorn
8 Reuben" to their fairy hamnts. 1t requires faith
IN ones art TO preserve illusions amid such scenes.
Surely nasafes are strange things; and who can
hear of such marvels, and believe them true, sans
exaggeration, sans distortion? l must redeem,
however, the ladies of Havanah from the charge of
any proneness to this odious habit ii is confined to
tHc WOLIcu VI Tie lower Classes. Inc men OF all
degrees smoke, and smoke everywhere in
the houses, in the streets, in the theatres, in the
cafes. in the counting room eating, drinking and
truly, [ suspect, sleeping, they smokc-smoke-
smoke 1t Is odd that strangers don't scent
Havanah far out a; sea; the gentlemen,
however, are addicted to small paper cigar,
called "cigarito," containing a small quantity of
pulversed tobacco, Of the best flavor, which is by
no means offensive. No true HavanecO even moves
foot without his portable armory of cigartos-as
indispensable to him as shis culver to the wild In
dian. He may get along comfortably without his
could neither walk, talk, not even think The first
thing that follows salutation of friends, meeting
no matter where's is TO pull out their pacquets, light
the sociabe weed-another talk 1t gives life to the
Havaneco, he opens his heart and mouth at the same
time, and fills up the gaps of conversation cigar
ought to be the national emblem of Cuba certain
iy,nothlng is more completely Unidentified with them
In my mind, and | shall never recall friend to
memory who will not be developed in a soft haze of
tobacco smoke.