Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-03-07
Correspondence the Ne,cark Daily Advertiser
A Glimpse at Havana--Society,
Customs, etc.
HAVANA. Ian 18th. I850

Entering Havana from the sea. the appearance
of the port and fortifcaton is quite Malta like =
Facing the GClfo Mexico to the north, and its
coral bound shores washed by the current of the
gulf-stream, the narrow entrance to the harbor is
defended, its eastern side by the strong foriif
cation called the Moro, whilst the opposite point
is crowned by the castle of la Punta. The Moro
stands upon high bluff, fronting both sea-ward
island and the city, and with its strong batteries
commands the entrance to the port A long line
OF solid Qualifications, the Cabana, also extends
from the land side of the Moro. far up and paral-
lei to the harbor, reaching point nearly opposite
the centre of the city. The harbor here expands
into bay Of considerable size, shaped like ire
tof, with from four to six lahoms of water. and of
sufficient! capacity to float the navies of the world.
OF course it is perfectly secure in all wea,hers.
Steamers come to anchor beyond the sailing ves-
sells, and after the visits of the health and CUSTOM
house officers, and the regulation of pass ports,
passengers are permitted to land on the quays Of
the city, being the west or right hand side of the
harbor.
Havana proper is walled town, but, beyond
the barriers, stretches in westerly direction; the
suburbs being far more extensive than the interior
city. To an American, the appearance of the
streets and houses IS singular. The former are
narrow, of width nearly sufficient for the passage
of two carriages, whilst the side walks are scarce
ly broad enough for pedestrians in single life.
The houses are of all shapes, sizes and heights
from the low, e-story, scolluped eaved bodego,
with its dirty front, up to the four-story morsco
palace of the conde Universally, the lower win
dows are heavily barred with lattice work of
iron, whilst the upper stories lead out upon pro-
jecting balconies.
AS to color, light blue seems the predominant,
taste, but many fronts painted white, yellow
or brown, with crimson cornces, sills and archi-
traves. Tiles are mostly used for roofing. All
this, together with the deep windows and huge
gateways, Gnstead Of doors,) you may imagine
strikes an American strangely.
The larger houses are built in the form Of a
hollow square, with the stairways fronting on the
court; the parlors and bed rooms, to procure tha,
great desideratum of a tropical climate-venta-
ton, have windows running from the ceiling to the
floor (some 18 or 26 feet) both on the street and
court, and floored with marble or stone cooler
than one would suppose. Carpets are not in com.
mon use; crates unnecessary. The ladies seldom
! if ever, walk the streets. They remain in their
iron cages the greater part Of the day, seated on
sofa arm chair, gazing indolenty at the passers
/ by. Firtations are sometimes carried on with the
lover in the street, the mistress behind the lattice
and a watchful mamma asleep in her chair; OF
if ali accepted suitor, the balcony proves conve-
nient place. for sweet recitals of anticipated joys
Foldnta! Yes, they ride in machine which
goes by that name, and also goes on two high
wheels, propelled by one, two, or three horses
with postillion-and such postllion Figure
to yourself jet-back shining negro, with a com
cal cap, short jacket of blue, embroidered with
silver lace and red worsted, white panaloons, anG
boots that out-rival the seven leagued ones o.
nursery tales, projecting far up above the knees
and laced tight fit, to shins as spindey as those
of Cuban negro-the black polish quite throwing
the negro's face into dark comparson--ths fig
uge, armed with long whip, and heavily spurred
is seated astride dimnuive pony, whose heavy
harness alone seems burthen enough for his puny
frame Then comes the uolanta-23 feet in length
from stem to stern, with wheels six feet in diane
ter-a gig it is in general shape, placed upon two
long poles, the wheels some distance behind the
body, and the ends of the shafts resting upon the
pony.
You enter, pair of you, palanquin fashion, the
blue triangular curtain in front drawn up, and lean
ing back in Spanish Incidence, away go position
blue jacket and jack boots, in sort of swaying,
rocking motion, quite easy in ITSELF but particular
ly hard TO describe, especially that of turning a
corner WE'LL the Senoras and Senoritas, and
Creoles, and Negresses, ride in these volana-ve-
hicles and having seat only for two, would be
very convenient for pair of lovers, (only they
are never allowed to ride together) but are deci-
dedly inconvenient for a travelling party, or a
family.
At the Plaza de Armas, each evening, from eight
to nine, the band plays in front Of the captain gen.
erals (Alcoy) palace, and the fair Habaneros
seated in their lengthy" carriages, veied, fan in
hand. dressed in white, and unbOnneted, (tls jan
uary oo) kill an hour in listlessly listening to the
wild aires of old Spain. The custom here does
not admit OF giving evening parties; such enter
tainmenls are unknown, and the opera, ride on
the Pasco, call on friend, or the music at the
Plaza, are the acknowledged modes OF " killing
the enemy" The gentlemen are remarkably neat
in their dress-white pantaloons, white waistcoats'
! 1. 81, \ a