The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
FAMILIAR LETTERS FROM CUBA.
MATAEzAs,

"iAiANAAn1
TO the Editor of the National Era.
remember to have seen, somewhere. an ole
bill of the Haymarket, of the DAYS when tn,
" beauty Of the science Of defence used TO b,
displayed on those boards, in which, after tn,
usual setting forth of the names of the perform
ers and the feats to be performed, follows Thu
notice I: Frenchmen are requested TO brin,
smelling bottles ~ This considerable advertise
ment ought to be extended to all persons wht
venture upon spending day at the chief bote
Of Matanzas. The very frames of the window
in this loathly house are odorous of bad cook
ing, and the stone floors are foul as unwashet
plateJ. The fresh air, circulating freely
through the open architecture peculiar to thes,
Southern lands cannot chase away the ancient
mouldy smells that futter all about the house
and, sitting in the open verandab, one has bu
TO close his eyes on the scene without to fancy
himself in the rec de chaussee of one of thos'
ignoble bourgeoise houses Of Paris, the fra
GRANGE Of which had heretofore supposed t
be quite unlike anything beyond the walls O
the capital of civilization Beneath the hote
windows runs quay lively with sailors and
merchants; over the shallow waters Of thu
inner harbor small craft of all sizes and sort,
are forever bnsily plying, and in the ample bay
beyond lie the stately ships that link this tropit
port with all the regions of the North. How
degrading is the thought that the misdoings o.
shabby lord of misrule within the house have
power to mar the pleasant impressions of this
gay and beautiful scene!
My friends in divers parts Of the island
have assisted me to such quiet, satisfactory
enjoyment of my exile, that my plans of spend
ing much time in Matanzas and in Limonai
have been completely deranged, and my short
experience of this hotel has quite put to rest
any regrets on that score which had not been
lulled before by my conviction that an invalid
could not do better than give himself up to the
reviving influences of pleasant society in a
kindly atmosphere. Yet | should have been
sorry to quit Cuba without paying the tribute
of visit to the romantic valley of Yumun,
whereof had read so much in the verses Of
my old friends, the Cuban poets, and to the
birthplace and scene of msrtyrdom Of the gift
ed and unfortunate Placido. The theory that
picturesque scenery is the heaven-appointed
nurse of poets is hardly borne out by facts, and
we might, perhaps, come nearer the truth by
saying that the poets of all lands have made
the scenery of their homes picturesque. How
ever this may be, there can be no doubt that
the picturesque beauty of Matanzas and its en-
virons is particularly pleasant thing to those
who have learned to associate its name with
the best fruits of intellectual effort that Cube
has yet produced. Commerce is always trans
figured to us in foreign land, where, knowing
little of its agents, and being brought into con
tact with none of its petty details and more be
lifting influences, we contemplate it in il
grand reality, and can feel the full majesty o
It's wondrous workings. Sugars are invested
with q singular dignity, and even molasses be
comes romantic in the tropics. Still, one i
glad that another interest beside that which
attaches to sugars and to molasses breathe
like the south wind over this delicious town
stealing and giving odors.
As sat last night at my hotel window, my
too keen sense of the denominations within
doors slowly gave way to luxurious revcrie
tranquil as the motionless waters of the bay or
which gaxed, and liz up by thoughts serenely
bright a. the countless stars that 90 shone in the
clear sky a. almost 70 mako enc ErgeA or for
give, at least the absence Of the moon. ad
NIT that my placid enjoyment of this reverit
was most miserably disturbed by brawl be
meath my windows, between the crews of twt
boats at the quay. The spear.bearing police
men came running up; but high and lone
above the din of thwacks and kicks rose tn
profane war-cries Of the Anglo-Saxon race
and the guardians Of the city's peace forthwith
resolved themselves into an audience, and stoo
by to watch the sport, which they appeared t
enjoy as intensely as if they were Romans an
the belligercnt tars Dacian barbarians import
ed to make them holydsy. The battle, though
fierce, was brief; and when it ceased, the com
bstants, like true dorurenoi" departed al
together to drink the draught of peace Th'
bruit of this vulgar quarrel passed over TIT
holy silence of the night, if rs foully yet al
swiftly as puff of pitchy smoke disappear
under the blue heaven OF summers day, anc
left no trace behind The far-off ships grew
dim on the bay; tho lines of light along the
ourvng city faded, light by light; and in the
dead hush of the night thought again Of the
brave Placido in the solemn yigils of his last
night on earth. The manly farewell taken by
Juan de Padilla of his wife, when he consented
to die with the liberties Of Spain, is famous in
the history Of human nobleness but the moi
less manly death of placido has no place in the
calendar of heroism. The Pariah, who may
not sit with his Caucasian lords when living
must not be remembered with them when dead
No thoughtful man can wish for the triumph
of barbarlsm over civilization, or even Of An in
ferior civilization over higher; but the heart
cannot the less grant it's tribute of admiration
to hero, that the head must decide against
the cause he espouses. Hereward the Saxon
must be glorious figure, even in the eyes Of
those who see most clearly the superiority Of
the Norman society over the Saxon and pity
the man whose philosophy Of history makes
him Indifferent to the fate of the self.tanghi
and high hearted slave whose farewell to life
breathed only flial love and the conscious
sense of right think you will forgive me il
repubsh here this farewell, in q translation
which, though irregular, is yet verbally faith.
full:
" The appointed let has come upon me, mother
The mournful ending Of my years ofstrife.
This changing world leave, and to another,
Through blood and terror, reascends my life
And thou, grief smitten, cease thy mortal weeping
And let thy soul her wonted peace regain.
fall for right and thoughts Of thee ARE sweeping
Across my Tyre, to wake its dying strain
A strain mot cad, but free and high--unfailing
Most glorious and holy--pure, divine,
And sniaocs4iiy natural az he ludfitng
~ IBtfered at my 5irfh Yes; i resign,
Even, now, my life Even now, descending slowly
Faiths mantle folds me TO my slumbers holy
Mother farewell God keep thee, and forever. y
MATANzAs, -.
To-day made hurried exclusion about the
city and neighborhood, finding many things to
make me regret the loss Of my proposed visit
in this quarter. Matanzss, as you know, is
the second city in Importance in Cuba contain
ing about %, 900 inbabitant and its commerce,
particularly with the United States is very
considerable The quay has busy aspect,
though the city in general is much less lively
and animated than Havana. One sees wooden
houses, too, once in while; and as the proper
ton Of foreigners to the population s generally
larger here than in the capital, one hears more
English spoken. Mstsnxas has its forts, snfi-
GENTLY formidable 10 serve rs eyebrows on the
the face Of scene that, without them, would
be in the strongest possible contrast with the
ferocious name which it bears - Matanzas
meaning nothing milder than massaeres and
attaching 10 the place, say the legends an q
terrible memorial Of the last great slaughter Of
Al a l.. a