The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11

uehi oi trouble IN Oroer 10 look on rather IN
distinct map. Bot the Cumbre is not distress
| ingly high, and the world seen from its tor
does not appear ridiculously small There il
fine seunidero too, near the city--s cave
that is-down which river PUSHES in the rainy
season, to join subterranean stream which
roars underground ell the year through These
openings in the earth are very common in the
island, which, in fact would seem to be com
pletely undermined by them. The occasion
giving way of an arch in this mighty cellar.
age, here and there, | should think, might
make the inhabitants above-stairs rather ner
vous everywhere. But the tax,gatherer and the
police officer, suppose, have cheated the earth
quake of its terrors.
A pleasant trip from Matsnsas may be made
to the beautiful little river Caminar-the Hud
| son river of Cuba-a sinuous, silent stream
gliding through mimic georges, and widening
| often into mimic seas Its steep and lofty
banks show scarcely any traces Of the pres.
ence of civilized man, and this secluded river
bears no more witness to the changes Of human
| dominion il has known, than 10 the sunrises
| and sunsets of yesterday or three centuries ago
Hardly in our newest Ststos will you End such
tracts Of unredeemed wilderness as constant
intervene in Cuba between populous districts
The country has the air of having been settled
in detail
The Paseo of Matansas though less exten.
sive, is even more delightful than that OF Ha.
vana-the trees being finer, the views ampler
and the ladies lovelier. But why do draw
comparisons in this ways Like sweet music
stirring the fragrant air of moonlit September
nights upon the sacred Rhine-like songs watt
ed softly over the calm waters Of Leman, while
the Alps of Savoy glowed like molten gold in
the red, evening light--like these, and all de
lights that immortalize for us some fortunate
hour, the memories of these brilliant evening
shows in the tropics are sufficient each to itself
ambrosial each, and not to be put in rivalry one
with the other. The Paseo is the poetry Of
professions In our northern world a process
sion on foot is a sad sight, for the eye instinct
lively wanders from the gay trappings of the
wretched pedestrians down to the weary mud
bespattered legs--a procession on wheels is a
stupid sight for, whether the dull glass coach
or In the vulgar barouche, men planted pss-d-
vis in motionless pairs cannot look intelligent
or interesting A procession in the north mus,
be either meaningless or disagreeable to the
lookers-on But the Paseo--the Paseo has ali
the brilliancy of the ball room, without its con.
finement the splendid movements of the
Champs Eiysees, without their defiant exclu.
siveness. Those beautiful, gaily- dressed ladies
pass continually in review before you, and no
body whisks them away into the whirlpool Of
the dance those coetly vehicles are all open to
your gaze those glittering liyeries do not al
once suggest to you the degradation of the
wearers, for red jacket in the saddle is moi
such plain proclamation Of funkeyism Is a
red Jacket on the coach-box. And you lounge
under the stately palms, dreamily watching
this "vision Of fair women" so gracefully Sci
forth, and scarcely understand its chief pecu.
liar charm, till the chance appearance in that
dainty throng of some irrational male creature
(probably Fsnqu, or outside barbarian like
yourself) strikes a sudden discord into that
luxurious harmony, and reveals the secret to
you. The effect upon your mind of man, in
dress coat, and with hat upon his head, has
explained it all. The Pasco will live in your
memory, for it is the apotheosis Of beautiful
women, exquisitely dressed, and .cithosit bon
nets
that finer fans caa y ]. ssS ss
in any other place In Cuba; and certainly The
prettiest fan have seen in tho island was
bought here, and cost only $54, It was very
tastefully painted, and Inount&d upon exqpisitc
| ly carved sticks in mOzhcr- OfpeAri the borla
or tassel, might have adorned the smokng-ca
of an emperor. have seen very pretty one'
too, Of an inferior quality. These and all othe
frail elegances of civilized life can be purchase
in Cuba at lower rates than in the Unite
States; for the Spanish tariff which is merci
loss to American -four, and compcls the creole
to live on the wheat of Estremadura and o.,
CASTLE, imported to Cuba in Fenol ships tina
make the voyage from the Bay of Bscay to tn
Caribbean Sea in three or four months will
fair winds-the Spanish tariff is very mcrcifu
to all luxuries The wines and muslins O
France, the linens and cutlery of England, cal
be found here, of excellent quality and at mod
crate prices. The Spanish fan, Manufacture,
in Paris, is in very great demand with the ere
ole ladies, and forms no small item in the ex
penses of large female household You ma,
judge land in this case the example is q fai
one) Of the morale of the pleasant shopmen o
Matanxas and Havana, from the fact that il
the first shop in town, lady friend of min,
this morning bought for $40 fro fans, for on,
of which $50, and for the other Sl7, had beer
previously asked w. II. H.