The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-11-18
Cuban Ladies.

We have said that the Creole ladies never
stir abroad except in the national vOlante,
and whatever their domestic habits may be,
they are certainly, in this respect good
house -heeper8. A Cuban belle would never,
we fancy, be made 10 understand the pleas
ures of that most profitess of all employ
ment, spinning street yarn. While our la
dies are busily engaged in sweeping the side
walks of Chestnut and Broadway with their
tilk founces, she wisely leaves that business
to the gangs of criminals who perform the
office with their limbs chained and ball
attached to preserve their equilibrium. 1t
is, perhaps, in part owing to these habits
that the feet of the Cuban SenOrlta are such
a marvel Of smallness and delicaCy, seeming
ly made rather TO: ornament than use. She
knows the charms of the petit pied blen
chauSsc that delights the Partisan, and ac-
cordinglv, as you catch glimpse OF 1t, as
she steps into the volante, you perceive that
it is danliIy shod in a French slipper, the
sole of which is scarcely more substantial IN
appearance than writing paper.
The feet Of the Havana ladies are made
for ornament and for dancing. Though with
IA roundnesS of figure that leaves nothing to
b. desired in symmetry of form, yet they
are light as ii syph, clad in muslin and lace,
so langud and light that it would seem as
if breeze might watt them away like a
summer cloud They are passionately fond
OF dancing, and tax the endurance OF the
gentlemen in their heroic worship of Terpsi-
chore. Inspired by the thrilling strains OF
those Cuban airs, which are at once so sweet
aud brilliant, they glide and whlrl through
the mazes OF the dance hour after hour, until
daylight breaks upon the scene OF tilry revel
Then exhausted but not satlated, they be-
take themselves TO sleep, TO dream OF the
cadences OF some Cuban Strauss, and to beat
time in Imagination to the lively notes, and
20 dream over the soft words and winning
glances they have exchanged
Beautiful as eastern huurlS, there is a
striking and endearing charm about the Gu
ban ladies, their very motion being repete
with q native grace every limb elastic and
supple. Their voices are sweet and low, " an
excellent thing in woman" and the subdued
tone of their compilations is relieved by the
arch vivacity of night-black eyes. that
alternately swim in melting lustre orsparkle
i'll expressive glances. Their costume is
never ostentaiious, though costly; the most
delicate muslin, the finest linen, the richest
silk, the most eXquisitely made satin shoes,
these, of course, render their chaste attire
exceedingly expensive. There are no 'strong-
minded" women among them, nor is it hard
" possible to conceive of any extremity
that could induce them to get up woman's
right conventional suspension of fans and
volantcs might produce such phenomenon,
but we very much doubt it.
The creole ladies lead life of decided ease
and pleasure. What little work they do is
very light and lady-like, little sewing and
embroidery; the bath and siesta divide the
sultry hours of the day. They wait until
nearly sunset for the drive in the dear vo-
lante, and then go to respond by sweet smiles
10 the salutations OF the cabaleroS on the
Pasecos, and after the long twilight to the
Plaza de Armas. to listen to the Governors
military band, and then perhaps to join the
may dance. Yet they are capable of deep
and high feeling, and when there was pros
pect OF the liberation of the island, these
fair patriots, it will be remembered, gave
their most precious Jewels and ornaments as
a contribution to the glorious cause of lib
erty.-I Ballous History of Cuba.
AnoOnu tho ladiec 1vhO have aChieyed the