The New York herald., 1850-12-30

Two Wxxs LArxn PROM CUBA-SocKrY IN
HAvAsA.-Our intelligence from Havana includes
incidents to the twenty-second instant. TO
which dates we have Our files Of the Faro EsdSs-
trial de Ia Habana, D,arto, and Gaesta. The
miscelaneo Gus news Of public interest will be found
in our columns, together with an interesting ac-
count of ball given by the distinguished Count
Penalver, at his palace, which is 30 well known
TO every one who has visited the capital Of Cuba,
for its richness and the extent of its grounds.
There has been so much said of the exclusive
ness of society, and of the tyranny of those in
power, in Havana, that there is reason to notice
the fact, that families from this country-frem
which has proceeded quite recently an armed and
lawless invading expedition-have been treated
with courteous hospitality quite at variance with
current reports made on the condition of society in
Cuba. We are aware that it has never been the
custom for ladies' to be invited to the dinner parties
of the Captain General of Cuba; but even this
social REGULARITY, we have learned, has been
laid aside lately, in compliment to an American
lady, who has visited the island in the company of
her husband. Though the population of Havana
includes only about one hundred and fifty thousand
souls, yet there is, probably, no city in the world
where there is more refined society TO be found,
The taste for literature and science is very great
and the refining influences of music, painting, and
of the opera, are so well understood to be sup
ported with lavish expenditure that surprises the
foreigner. The great balls of the fashionable sea-
son equal in quality and brlliancy, though not so
extensively attended, those of Paris or of London.
The recent fete, given by the Conde de Penalver,
was one of those great entertainments, carried out,
Il. ~..lu II af Iann xat.ar
and at an expense such as the nobility of old coun-
Tries alone have the means of producing. On these
occasions, wealth alone cannot procure a passport
to an enjoyment of the scenes-but, as has been
known among the old aristocracy of France, lite
rary artistic merit is placed on an equality with
rank and titles. The paramount popularity of the
Spanish nobility is 10 pay due homage TO any USE
ful or refining talent that may have distinguished
itself; and the foreigner in Havana, when intro
duced TO the delightful society of the higher circles,
is at struck by the perfect absence of all pre-
tension, and by the ruling spirit of good taste, that
mark alike his reception and the various ciyilities
which attend his intercourse. republican citizen
who has travelled, Of course anticipates much that
s elegant in all called Iristocratic society but
where refinement is guided by reason and good
judgment, as in Havana, he is at once sur
priktd al d ttyie ol m3nners quite equdl, moi, IN
respects, superior, to that visible in European
courts The Ca plain General Of Cuba, being the
representative Of majesty at the court of Madrid, is
always selected with reference to the emineat So
oiety over which he is called upon to preside and,
hence IL is that from the highest officer TO the ut
most limit Of the highest circle Of society, the man.
OF the Spanish court reflected, with all the
brilliancy Of the original in Spain, without that
variety Of character that sometimes includes the
ludcrous and eccentric.
Since public attention has been directed 80
strongly towards Cuba, by the expedition Of
Lopez-who il now on trial at New Orleans,
before the United States authorities-anything
interesting or peculiar from this beautiful island
will be read with even a more vivid interest than
formerly. The opera Of "Marti," of which we
had delicious experience, last season, is still
hourishing, everything must flourish. in so
refined a community; and the other items of
intelligence, with respect TO the interest of the
mother country, and the progress Of the govern
ment generally, will be examined with avisity by
every refined and intelligent reader.