The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-25
Hints to Travellers and Invalids visiting
Cuba.
Correspondence Of the N. Y Journal of Commerce.


Correspondence of the NJ Y. Journal of Commerce
HAVANA, October 3, 1850.
few hints to travellers and invalids who resort
to CUBA, particularly Havana, during the winter.
| Take passport from the Spanish Consul at the
port OF departure, or If one has been already OBJ
| tained from other authorities, then it should be
| countersigncd by the consul aforesaid. In this
passport the head OF the family, the female rela-
lives, and the servants, may be included, but no
sons over age. Such is the difficulty in landing
colored servants that ii would be best to
bring them.
| The superb mail steamers Falcon, Ohio, and
Georgia, ply between New York, New Orleans,
and Havana, leaving the former port the lth and
10th, and New Orleans the 18th and 2Sth of each
month. Passage from New Orleans s 80, and from
New York, $40 The beautiful mail steamer Isa
bel leaves Charleston the let and 18th of each
month, passage $40. lnvalids often prefer going
to Charleston by land, there TO embark in the Isa-
bel and thus avoid the winter passage round Hat
teras The British mail steamers arrive and de-
part twice month, conveying passengers to Vera
Cruz, all the Wet India Islands, and To Europe.
American money, although not current can, to
any reasonable amount, be exchanged at par; but
if pillarcd quarters head pstareens can be pro-
cured, better to bring them, as silver here bears
premium OF three per cent. over gold. In pur
chasing Spanish gold, be cautious against the nu-
merous light pieces in circulation Invalids should
| bring only winter clothing, with, perhaps, sin
| gle suit of drill. Other travellers should bring
chiefly summer clothing, cloth pants being seldom
required.
At Havana there are no regular hotels, but there
are boarding houses at 50 TO 81 80 per day, and
less per month. Steamers and railroads convey
you far Sagua la Grande on the north and
st. Jago de Cuba the south side and Intermediate
porte At Guines, forty five mies from Havana by
rail- and at Matauzas and vicinity there are board
ing houses; but in other parts of the leland it is diff
hcut 10 find accommodations. DR.. Wilson,
American, has recently opened house the bay,
opposite the city, for the reception Of those inyads
whose condition requires extra attention.
The northern side of the city of Havana extends
to the ocean, and the regular trade winds circulat
ing through the lines of tall stone houses, which
form its narrow streets, make IL comparatively
cool, the thermometer rarely going above go in the
shade in summer Its genei al health is rcmarlSa-
bic, aside from the yellow fever, which disappears
in September and returns in May, and the inhabit-
ants are almost entirely exempt from the numerous
diseases of a cold climate, viz consumption, pou-
risy, quincy, asthma, &c. IL is popular error to
suppose yellow fever countries to be scky places,
for, whilst the acclinated strangers and the natives
from taking the disease as a North
erner would be against catching bad cold from
his neighbor, il is remarkable that those very
tries known for their general health.
The proximity OF Havana TO the ocean has been
objected TO for consumptive patients, for the hui
nudity OF the air; but this depends, in a degree,
upon how far the disease has progressed. In truth
IL the case be bad one, the lungs deeply affected
have rarely known benefit TO be derived from anu
change Of climate; but IL it be incipient case,
and the patient will act with any ordinary pru-
dence, certain good will be the result Unhappily
they here with the belief that the climate IL to
do every thing for them, whilst, in fact, murh
more depends upon their attention TO diet, and
avoiding exposure to bad weather, &c, particu-
larly to those who, when getting ca little better"
iatter themselves that convaiesccncc is estab-
lished and indulge in those points TO the height of
imprudence. Others who find immediate re-
lief move about from place TO place in search Of it,
thus exposing themselves to the ills of travelling,
and cxhausting very often the means which, IL ia
dciously used n fixed spot would insure at least
their comfort and give them a chance for recovery
rrrpd, rif hoo Of frutr
from their own physician, which in most cases are
Of service, but not to the entire rejection of the I'D
vice Of medical men acquainted with the workings
OF the disease here. Many Of them indulge inordi-
naely in the rich fruits Of the island, which units
their stomachs for the digestion of n proper nour-
ishment; and come of them to whom milk has been
prescribed as n sustendnce, eat hearty meal of
solids, and then drink glass or two of milk, as if
1t were panocea for all the ills of the body But
the most fatal error Of the invalid is in leaving the
island too early.
In March the weather becomes quite warm, and
the invalid, fancying that his improved condition
and the apparent approach of spring warrant his
return home, encounters, on the coast of the Uni
ted states, keen winds, that in one hour may undo
all tho benefit that he has acquired at 80 much OK
pense, and TO business men, loes of time. Their |
object IN seeking warm climate is 10 be enabled
TO live in the open air; mere warmth can be i'm |
closed in ones own room at home but the conse
quence would be injurious TO health Ifthe invalid |
therefore, quits the winter climate have described
the thermometer rarely falling to Coz, and rang
riable weather you have in the States up To the |
middle OF May, he will seldom escape the fatal
sequences of the sudden change. These hasty re- |
marks are founded upon an experience Of twenty |
five years, and ] would add, that have never |
known case Of threatened consumption that was
not checked by timely resort 10 Cuba, aided By |
the judicious aud prudent conduct Of the patient.
The mere travellers and seekers for Amusement |
will find ample remuneration for the "fatigues"
(from three 20 five days in floating steam chstlcs)
OF the voyage, in this city, the third only in popu-
lation and commerce in the western world, with |
railroads and steamers TO convey them over the :
best parts Of the country. The opera, in all its |
iorco, opens in about ten days, and continues five
months, and will be succeeded by Jenny Lind's |
concerts The national sport Of 6ull-hghting Is |
again coming into favor, and IL il said that large
sum has been subscribed 10 build new ampbiiho- |
atte Tor the purpose. One sight of this barbarous |
exhibiton generally satisfies nm American.
during The recent political difficulties here, but |
one American citizen was subjected 20 molcsiaton
and he was released upon discovering that his ar
rest was made ON false information. Yet there |