New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-22
Matters at Havana.


HAVANA, Saturday, March IL, 1881
On the sth inst, we were visited by
ably severe storm of rain lightning and thun-
der. Several houses were struck BY the electric
fuid. ard the lion. head of the handsome marble
column, erected Iii the " Alameda de Paula" by
O,Donnel, was completely shiveTed and destroyed
however, no lives have been lost that have heard
OF. On the day following we had another storm,
DURING which an immense quantity OF hail fell some
of the pieces OF ice measuring upward OF three-
quarters OF inch in length. Ii continued to fall
for at least twenty minutes, and impaired quite
chiliness the atmosphere, and a. it IL rare phe-
nomenon in this place, it drew forth considerable
wonder and surprise.
Some four or 1--WE weeks since, there was much
conversation here abou. preparations, 1t Is SAID thas
are going on in the United States for another expe-
diton to this Island, which it is expected will DO
ready in a few months time to push Oh from your
shores Where the report nae us onsin cssnot
low, that another attempt Will De maze against the
Island. Perhaps you are aware that there aret*o
parties at work IN the States, the one being the
southern clique, which advocates annex alton and
the perpeNatiOn of slavery. This party lost lts
osteIsibe chief in the execution OF Lopez, and
now the enterprise is under Inc dlrecuon OF the
Lone Star association. The other body goes for the
indept ndence of the Iiland and the abolition OF
slavery, without annexation. This party has few
CuOsns al head, who reside in the north, and Its
favoTeIs here belong to the non siaVenoldlng ln-
terest.
Durng the last two weeks however, have not
heard single breath about invasion, and now, IN
stead OF getting ready for war, great preparations
are gong to celebrate the birth OF the Infants Of
Spain III proper style The illumination Ofsthe pal
ace alone. with gas, will cost $4,000. Las f.stas
reales, as the celebration Is called will take place
during Easter, and Will last three days To attend
the fsstivity, shall have visitors from different
parts of the United States and Mexico, &c, and
rom all parts OF the island so that the city Will pre-
sent very animated appearance, and be well worth
visit from the curious the United States. How
ever the Americans always find Havana delight
full place. and Notwithstanding the naughty tricks Of
some of their country men, are kindly received by
beth Creoles and Spaniards.
The news from the other extremity OF the Island
10 uDimpOrtant, and unneresting to your readers In
general The papers OF Santiago de Cuba are full OF
descriptions OF the feJoclDgs IN the eastern part OF
the island, and thofe from Puerto Principe, In the
Central Department, only mention that several de-
ttTuctye fires have taken place, and thatthe railroad
first months OF this year $ls,0ls, against $l0,02S in
the same period last year and in consequence of
deficiency of freight cars and engines the company
has been obliged to refuse freight
TIE vital statistics of Port Principe for the month
OF February, show that there were l44 births and
llo deaths In that city. Among the whites there
95 births and &c deaths, and among the colored
people 40 births and so deaths. may here mention
that in Havana, during the same month there were
2s9 births and 2Sl deaths OF the former, l3e were
whites and 40 colored, aad Of the latter l5l be-
lOnged to the white population and $50 to the col
Ored.
By the present number Of deaths in Havana, l am
led TO suppose that Havana must have declined
very much In population during the last ten years,
or that 1t mus, have become much moro healthy
than II was few years back, or that there must be
some carelessness in the keeping Of the registers.
However, = majoriy OF the twelve monthly state
meats show an excess OF deaths over beTths, it is
probable that the population has decreased. Far
ther, 1t is very likely that in consequence of the
scarcity OF hands on the sugar estates that many
slaves have been seat into the country to supply the
deficiency Ii is certain that the CHOLERA swept off
a great many persons, and great numbers have re-
tired to Spain during the last few years
The news relative to the theatrical world Is, that
Mile. Parodi has arrived route 20 California,
where she is engaged for ten performances, for
which she is to $50 eco for herself and
pany She gives her first concert here, on Tuesday,
tie 10th inst and undoubtedly great success will at
tend her, for besides her merits artist every
thing has been dore to prepare the public to appre-
cia,e her talents, and biographies OF herself and
troupe have been freely circulated. The Ravels
have Just cuce ed brilliant and highly prosper
Gus season never has success so we'll attend cd the
operations of the magic wand in making the doub-
Icons fly nom the pockets Of the Habsaeros their
owD. Our large thsateT, which could contain anT
OF your playhouses, together with Trinity Church
without the steeple has been literally crammed
every night, and now after being surfeited with ap
pause and gold, they depart for New-Orleaps
FAITHFUL