Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-19

| 'AS AHoio huiCTlCuuo EtctutnV mere LnAn
at any other part of the Island, except Carde-
mas, small " Yankee town." as it is called.
from being the principal resort for Yankee su-
gar traders; about whom the natives relate
some hard stories, of what they say Americans
call sharpness and shrewdness. The visitor to
cuba should not miss visit to Matanzas, the
cave, and the Yumon valley. This valley is the
most lovely spot we ever beheld 1t is separated
from the ocean, on one side, by range Of high
lands, and the same ridge extends for miles
around its basin, forming separation from the
city, save an outlet of a few rods wide, and
some hundred feet deep, with perpendicular,
rocky sides, through which the Yumon river
passes.
We rode along the summit of the highlands
In view of the ocean on one hand, and the val
ley on the other-in near contemplation of q
scene fit for the pencil Of any artist On tho
right extended, as far as she eye could reach,
the broken, rugged brow of the mountain; on
the left, succession of prominent hills and
deep recesses, with the uneven growth of palm
and wild trees, over succeeding swells, until lost
in continued wave. Before us was the broad,
green valley at the farther side single estate
sent up its smoke; while between waved altern-
ately the extended cane field and the lofty palm.
Turning away, conscious of not comprehend
ing it--as we are now Of not describing tive
continued tho zigzag course of our path along
some of those dreamed of Paradises, amid groves
of the classic palm and the sweet SAVIOR of the
orange. We were forcibly reminded of the
banks of the Hudson; but never, in mid Spring
or Summer, was seen such profusion of green
groves and shaded walks All former pictures
Of the tropical cline were surpassed In vain
we studied for the imaginative scene of old ro-
nance to equal it. Here voluptuous ease and
dainty luxury, mixed with sloth and lack o
ambition, were too apparent. Werode on, aud
opening tho gate entered vista of palms inter
sperscd with full hanging orange trees, passed
the gorgeous mansion, and turned down thu
chalky road toward the valley. Save couple
of saucy dogs, we had seen no signs of life.
little farther, and narrow walk, shaded s,
low that we could scarcely see it's outlet, open
ed to us, in reality one of those scene
described by the pens of the old trav
elers There, on moss cushions, sheltered b,
the long; branches from the setting sun, re
clined young and beautiful lady, while a gal
liant Spaniard-tall, erect, his brow shaded wit
dark hair, with thick, jet-black moustachc
and features unequalled save by the luxury
loving, dormant and passionless foreigncr-wa
fondl,ng his bridc--perhaps his betrothed.
Finer forms and better developed heads, wit
a more patient, unambitious temperament, v
never met than belong to the aristocracy of G.
ba Noneof that sallow, nervous look that b
trays the Americau, 40 restless motion is aI
parent; and probably there is little true EMO.
ment and but little pain experienced by the ma
portion. The ladies are the reverse-warm pa
sions, sensitive and in earnest, no coquetting
flirting, modest, and extremely reserved !; br
drink wine, smoke segarettes, ride horseback
and sing songs. They have small feet, sma
waists, black eyes, dark hair, and quick ten
pers. They never walk, never go to bed. new
get up, never wear bonnets-a milliner sho
being unknown in Cuba-never talk about the
neighbors, and hate tattlers. But we did NJ
see all this in our visit to Yumon.
The sun was bidding us good night, and aft
a stroll up one of these long hermit recesse
that stud the borders of the valley-sometim
running for miles into the mountain, with col
tiguous foliage overhead and lofty hills on eth
side-we gallopped away towards Matanza
For hours we rode, and, guideless, searched f
an outlet while at each turn new beauties we
presented. The moon had risen high above Il
palms, and the evening star journeyed in
, company. Above US looked down the owe
hanging rocks, and far away stretched t
changing valley. We had seen the last rays
y the setting-sun drop off, and, unconscious of 0
distance from the city, still watched the fai
gliding of the moon.
Coming upon the stream. We wended alo
Its course, and nearing the city, we eheard
watch hallooing the hour and what of the w
ther.' Soon gruff Spanish voice saluted
with. " Senior" which we returned amid
dozen unintelligble Spanish phrases, with
remark, ablu listed Englese," and reoeivi
"na," /" for an answer, we inquired for the He
Del Comercio. 1t was twelve o'clock, and
S. we entered, and tho servant explained our d
le Guilty, he walked off muttering g. ''Fillibnst
W Americana" strongly accenting the ter.