The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-23
FlNNY ELSSLER In HAVANA.
WRITTEN BY
CHEVALIER WIKI OF + ~.
[PRoM FnAsER's JOURNAL

learned through other channels, OF my coipiete
success here, that goes on still increasing: Inc
peope seem Jealous OF the Sclat acquired In the nj
ted States and anxious that good report should
be made at Paris of the cordial recegtOn they have
given 10 a truant danseIse. have feariui mlsgiv-
iags, at times that have lastingly forfeited Pan,
alan favor. stand in greater need, then, OF all
the consolation my wonderful career onght 10 al
ford me. Notwithstanding ysur deep dlsappolnt-
uent at nv non-retun to Europe, yet am persua-
ded ysu are gratiied at the continued good fortune
that follows me, emptyins ITS verlest treasures In
my lap with prodgal hands: am delighted that
I have coaie hiher not for the extension of my
Yrnowm5e merely, but rather for the charm | find
n every thing that surrounds me. The sky, the
olime its luscious plants,-the people, their gene
resity:-thelr hospltality-and scenes and sights
that are so novel and pleasipg,-all COM
bine to make my residence here indescrib-
ably pleasant, and will furnish my memory with
some of its most brilliant retrospecions.-
had you accompanied me to the opera 1t was
for the benefit of Mdle Obee, a very charming
person, greatly esteemed here; and popularity is
here, above all other places, profitable to an artistic
II is the singular custom tor the benefCaire to SIT at
the public door of entrance behind table, sup
porting some silver dishes, into which are thrown
by the comers-in such sums their generosity
prompts them to give The sound OF this Is very
offensive to us, totally hab,tuated 10 another
method and this public display Of ones self on
such an occasion, and for such purpose, seems
quite intolerable think could never support the
rude gaze OF the crowd, and would shrink from
such an ordeal; but how the sight OF thing alters
preconceived opinions! Mdle. Obee sat there,
smiling and bowling to her friends as they entered,
without regarding the gold they deposited, and
chatting easily with others, apparently unconscious
Of any awkwardness or oddly in her position, and
il appears far less so TO me now. The truth is,
public attention is more pointedly directed towards
those who expected to display their generosity;
70 these am sure the expose must be the most try
ing, for hum murmur of appreciation or dis
appointment usually follows any mark ct llberality
or niggardllness believe this usage is familiar to
Havana; never heard Of it elsewhere. There
are other features that are equally distinctive. -
Visits are paid to all your distinguished acqualn-
tances, who are esseciay invited to the festival;
boxes arc retained for them. unless they SIGNIFY
their inability to come tickets are sent, also, to all
the influential persons, who retain or return them
with excuses; but no charge whatever is made on
and all is left the discretion of the conner; tickets
at the usual prices, are sold for those parts OF
the threatre where the promlscuous part OF the
audience go, the upper galleries, but for neither the
Mnettdr, boxes and the eye is, therefore, rarely
offended by the sight OF vulgar siitce. Pieces OF
gold Of various amounts display the quality and
muniscence Of the artiae's aristocratic PATRONS
The currency 10 quite treat here, after the dirty
and doubtful paper money of the "Staes.' 1t is all
solid coin Of gold and silver, Of various and
values, fractionzlns from the " onsa," or doubeon
"a beautiful coin ct very pure gold); into halves,
quarters, and eighths, also in gold, and easily dis
Hnguished. The coin of silver most in is call
cd "paseta," and is about the value of franc. 1
am glad to say have had opportunities. of becom-
Marie presents himself per agreement. every
morning succeeding the performance, with the
said 1000 dollars that were agreed on. The benc-
hts in Havana of the more distinguished artisfes
are profitable, yielding average of 250o to 1000
dollars, with very small deduction for expenses
There is another source that enhances the amount
and more agreeable to a fine artistic than the
pecuniary ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS presents" that 1t
s usual to make IN private tokens Of friendly
esteem. These depend, for their value and num-
Der, alogethsron the popularity of the artistic so
there IS a constant stmulusto good behaviour and
amable department, that exercises favorable IN
Huencr on the conduct and manners OF the drtiaes
nj the Havana. Mdlle Obee was very twell
sustained by her numerous friends and, besides a
golden harvest at the door, she reapcd whole fields
OF flowers and complimentary verses on the stage.
II appears there is a deal Of poetic fire among
saese glowing OF the tropics; if such heat did
not hatch poets, one might despair of the brood in
have great reason to be f1attered at the high
Gown illusions of torrd poesy, of which ! am the
favoured subject, in the papers here; poetic gar
lands, of bright and varied hue, are daily woven
for me. They wreathe my heart from the graceful
gardens of their fancy, while they heap on my
head the choicest gatherings, OF their nch and
variegated soil. | am hardly well enough
qualn.ed with their ponPous, but ardent language,
TO Judge OF the merit of the former; but my deep
and long love of the latter fills me with delight as
contemplate their endless varieties and their ex-
quisite beauty Oh how | adore flowers! My
eyes surfeit Them and their delicious odours in
toxcate my other senses. My fancy is enslaved
BY their very purity, and musings the most agree
able, reveries the most exhilarating, take posses
non OF me in regarding these emblems of inno-
sence, these carnations OF earth's poetry. | like
TO woman fond of flowers, she must have
redeemng qualities about her while she can tend
and foster them,-at least | must have some
saeory TO deirnd my avowed love of them, and,
certcs, have had lavish share of them. Would
that had numbered the splendid wreaths alone
that have been showered upon me so profusely, the
figures would surprise. ] have cautiously put aside
n az ara aYsoc ate1 w liar
easions, or affecting events, and guard them with
Jealous care. Now and then take them out
and gaze on their withered leaves and faded ri
bands, TIL my eyes fill at the recollection Of the
enthusiasm that prompted these gentle gifts How
Ruch value them, how kindly | shall ever trea-
cure them | wish, my dear Therese, that you
were here to get with we into one Of these
grotesque, yet comfortable swinging poiantes, and
To take drive on one of the most charming
promenades have any where seen, hardly ex-
septing the magnificent ramparts of Vienna. But
this IS totally Indifferent thing Imagine yourself
vast without the city walls, moving gently along on
the aforesaid Uotdnte smooth road ofupwards
Of mile In length, planted on either side with
double rows OF young but thriving trees, adorned
with graceful fountains in marble, whose trickIng
waters fall gratefully the ears At one end OF
che road we are just turning, you see a very noble
edhce; you mistake II for nobeman's palace -
Imposing as is It's exterior, it is devoted to darkness
and crime within 1t is the TaCon Prison. In
ascending you observed that this part Of the road is
But newly opened and as yet incomplete. A foun-
ram is erecting here, the grounds adjoining are
beng LAID out tor ornamental purposes, and there
some pretty houses are in process of erection On
reaching the middle part Of the promenade we find
ourselves opposite the main entrance to the town
with a very striking building of great dimensions
rearing Its coonnade on the right. look upon
chat, you see, with familiar glance of recognition
that is the Tscon Theatre. We pass On and fad
ourselves in the most beautiful portion Of the Paseo
N is the tavourite resort, evidently of the crowd
1t six o'clock, the witching hour; and now that
the scorchDg sun OF MONDAY has passed on his
&ery course, casting back the mild radiance of his
declining rays, softenlng the beauty OF earth and
she ddng glory upon the southern skies that il is
delight to look upon. At this lovely hour behold
every ctygate pouring forth its daily frequenters of
The Paseo the walks are crowded with gay pedes-
TRANS in socIsble converse while the stone bench
e. Literally provided for the loungers, are occupied
by others, who calmly gaze on the panorama before
tnem, luxuriaiins IN the passionate enjoyment of
their c,garitos.