The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-01-26
A Trip 10 Havana

We have been handed the "log- book"
of passenger, on board the Steamer
Falcon, during trip to Havana. 1t is
addressed to friendin this place. We
cannot make room for the whole and will
select some of the most interesting passa-
ges, some which are doubtless new to
many of our readers. The first few days
of course was devoted to that indispensa-
bic companion, a-sickness," and after
that due attendance was had upon the
provision chest" Speaking of land
birds, the writer says: ......
"My sympathy was not little excited
to observe land-birds, that had been
blown from the coast, lose their timdity,
and light upon the mast head, quite ex-
hausted, where they would remain for n
while, then take to wing again, the next
time to light, perhaps, upon the wave top,
| fiom which they never rise. When once
their wings become wet. in their exhaus.
TED state, it is impossible to remount Ia
their native element. and thus they die
ofhunger. or what is more probable they
fall a prey to the ravenous monsters Of the
deep. aa -.' i.t-r ." .H.I.s
The communication closes with lie
scription of Havana, its customs, &c.
1--WE arrived at Havana, at 4 o'clock
yesterday, making just six Gays from por,
top port, to an hour.-I am agreeably dis.
appointed with the appearance of this
Spanish town-lt is so unlike anything
ever saw before-to me, an unambitiuu,
advcnturer, |. presented many novelties
of which | took due attention. The har
Dor is perhaps one of the best in The
wrcld. The entrance is narrow, bu
gradually wi1ens as you enter, until i
Expands into broad hay, A or 5 miles il
circumference. On the ieit IS the castle
of Moro. on a rocky point, 100 lee; above
the sea-noted for the unsuccessful com
bardment of the English in the wars o.
Napoleon.
This is twin brother to the castle O
San Juan de Ulloa. in strength, but re
sisted The balls ofthe English more sue
cessfully, than did the latter the shells O
yankee DOODLE" In the attempt to re
duce the town, many English vessel
were sunk in the harbor, where they re
main as when sent down, with buoy
placed over them, to mark the spot q
English presumption.
In fact the harbor is surrounded b.
forts and castles-these, with her wall
render Havana a very formidable town
have said that it affords safe harbol
this will only apply to the ordinary cours
of marine events-as the city and harbo
is visited by tornadoes, which sweep owe
carrying devastation and destruction il
their path and against which, the bes
harbor in the world could afford no pro
} lection.
The low decorated buildings struc
my fancy with strong desire to kno,
} more of the manners and customs of tn
, people; and with prospect of shol
stay, made the best of my time in whic
by dint ofpersonal inquiry and studied in
formation, | gained many facts, that to m
friends of the north may hot be who'll
, devoid of interest. 'a
A few of Us joined for "weal or woe
{, determined to "see the elephant" an
; out of the multitude of boatmen tha
, surrounded the steamer, we found. on
> who spoke our native tongue, and by hir
} we were taken ashore when we me
7 with some difficulty in m liking change q
, our American coin was unknown To tn
j natives, or at least, il was "no go."H
S only one Hotel would our "eagle" pas
/, and that was rather an exchange hot,
. than any thing else.-People of all ut
2 tons resort here to spit which has gail
. ed for it the cognomen of "spit-box,"
+. term given to those who drink or smok
$ alone.-They have a ruinous custom her
in pecdniary point, but in all else,
: may be blessing in not multiplying tn
= calender of inebrates. If one meets
b friend and wishes TO extend his frient
: ship over the social glass, he does it
g his perile, for it would be deemed an il
D suit to decline extending his hospitalit
: to the multitude Of loungers that migl
s be inside-ln the spit-bo which is MOI
= American, this custom is not acknowlede
3 ed; hcnce, all who would avoid this ia
+ on their purse aud may say too the
ii Ifeelings--resort here. ia of sg.u ga
5 We met fellow countryman. a res
o dent of Havana, of whom we game
Q much valuable information, 'respectin
. the people and their habits. U AIT
,- The houses are all Of stucco work, on
0 story and half high, to offer better pr
y lection during the hurricane Season, al
9 painted red, white, green or yellow,