Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-12


to that degree, that one who had not the fea |
Or. johnson before his eyes, might find in
fact reason for calling Cuba the queen Of
AntnllS Here we have the small tarantula !
another spider almost equally venomous, viii
huge and hideous body is about two inches
diameter; and although the body of the scorpl
is larger than pigeons egg, and its bite
rarely fatal, still they have an unpleasant VI
OF seeking with spirit any interference with ttI
domclliary arrangements. As to other inse
OF more domestic haracter-househod MI
beths, who murder sleep-I can say nothing
was my good fortune to rest with undisturtI
slumbers. One room escaped our attention
we passed from the staircase to the drawing rooI
TOR our backs were toward it. 1t is small oil
tory, which opens upon the platform at the be
OF the stairs. The door is richly carved and eli
as IS the little altar over which is well caryI
virgin and child by some imitator of Muri
But the house is in the hands of heretics mol
and the oratory is made place for the safe kee|
ing of valuable articles; among which, lies !
of harness loaded down with silver
The houses in Havana are never more tbl
two stories high, and, as we before remarke|
| some OF the finest are but one. The intern
| arrangements OF these correspond very nearly
those OF their loftier companions; the single flo
IN these being divided as the second is in thos
AS the drawing room is always upon the sired
and as that is always so narrow, the ponderoj
gratings which in these single storied houses a
necessary for the protection, NOT of the W Undo
sashes, for there are none, but of the inmates,
seem to be made for their safe keeping, rathI
than their comfort. The effect of these hu !
bars of iron bowed before windows which pier
massive walls, is very strange and somewhat u
pleasant They seem very inconsistent with I'll
llght color and otherwise gay appearance of IL
buildings they protect. In passing through OF
narrow street, the houses in which are chiefly
this structure, ic seemed to me as if were walk
ing in city of pea-green prisons. But the per
ltentlary look of these houses is not the mo
remarkable aspect which they present to I'll
European or American visitor. Their inLab
tants, when occupying the front rooms, seem !
be living in the very street; and far as privac
is concerned, they might as well do so. 1t mu
be remembered that the causeway is not wild
enough for two persons to stand up on it abreas
that the wall of the house is invariably fus
with the street, and that two, or three or fou
huge windows open to the ground from tt
drawing room. Fancy yourself, then, taking
evening stroll through the city. You come
every step upon an open window, through whic
it is impossible that you fail to see the innermos
recesses of the lighted room. There is the littI
slipper, which the dark-eyed daughter OF tt
house let lazily drop from her pretty foot as 81
lay upon the cane bottomed sofa eating dulcd
after dinner. Upon the table in yonder corne
is a small package of paper c,garatos in mos
annoying proximity to fan and black mantill
The senorita who dropped the slipper, sits no
in one of the double rows of rocking. chairs whic
stretch away from the window, her little foo
bare of stocking as well as shoe; and the seno,
who will take up the c1earitos sits oopostd
Both are rocking as if they were paid at so muc
the vibration, while they gaze listessy tut stea
Oily into the street If you are fresh from tn
North and reasonably modest about intrudin
upon other peoples privacy, you will be some
what startled at thus finding yourself made on
of the family, whether you will or no.
But if you show your surprise, you wi
be looked upon as ignorant or low bred; an
should you turn away your head, the ladies' wi
think you mean to slight them. If you wish
appear but civil, you should look re spec fully bu
admringly upon the senorita, as long as you
pace leaves her within your sight. If you woul
be gallant, you may stop, lift your hat, and tie
her in your very best Castilian that you cas-
yourself at her adorable little feet; and she vii
look pleased, and the sonora will thank you AM
forgive the omission of listed in your speech
The least you can do is to go ON about your bu
siness. as if your walk were by the side of dea
wall 1t seems. indeed, very droll, to pass hous
after house, and looking into all as if you stoo
in the very room, See the family, more or less nu
bottomed Boston rockers in two rows whic
stretch at right angles with the street, from eac
side of the window far into the apartment, an
all rocking as if vibratory motion were pen
ance enjolned for original sin. This is the wa
IN which the Habaneros pass their evenings But
it you venture on compliment, although the lad
should have no watchtul duenna near. do not pre
sumo upon the gracious manner in which you
gallantry is received, or even acknowledged; lse
some fine evening as you pass the Cam DO Marte
you may feel the point of stiletto between you
ribs. If the lady wait or you to address her,
circumspect, let her manner be as gracious as
may; out if she begin the conversation, you ma
step in and finish it, and the manner of your re
ceptlon will depend upon your tact, the reasona
bleness of your expectations, and the kindness
her disposition.
You live at Havana, thus: You rise at o.
clock; to remain longer in bed would be to sacr
flee the pleasanest part of the day. While 20
are dressing, slave brings YOU Coffee which
drunk here three times day. Drink it, even
you never drink at home. Here it is in fact not tn
beverage it is there, for you are not the same man
1t is always safe, and generally agreeable, to as
sumo the habits of life of the country in whic
you find yourself. Your coffee will be delicious
with but one drawback: its delicate aromat
flavor is deteriorated. vulgarized by the sugar.
Refined sugar is unknown in Cuba where tn
best that is used has coarse, impure taste, whic
you. would gladly exchange for the favo
of the syrup in which, at home, you di
your double slice of buttered buckwhea
cake. You wonder that the Habaneros d
not refine their sugar. IF you begin tn
day thus wondering, you will go through
in state of amazement. The Habaneroes id
nothing that they do without doing. You
coffee and your toilet finished, you have you
time till nine O'Clock before you. All Havan
breakfasts at nine o'clock. Before that hour,
good portion of the days business is done, and
the Habanero, who was probably in his office by
SIX O'Clock, goes home to breakfast as we go
dinner. The ladies go to Mass about half pas
seven o'clock. AT any of the numerous churches
you may always. at this hour, find a score
them upon their knees near the altar As YOU
walk around and look at the vile daubs of pic