, 1855-12-07
Cubau Ladies.


er stir abroad except in the national vo
lante, and whatever their domestic habit,
may be, they are recertninly in this respect
good h0GSekeepeyS. A Cuban belle would
never we fancy, be made TO understand
the pleasures Of that most prOGtess of all
employment, spinning street yarn.-While
our ladies are busily engaged in sweeping
the sidewalks Of Chestnut and Broadway
with their silk aounces, she wisely leaves
that business TO the gangs of criminals
who perform the Office with their limbs
chained. and ball attached 10 preserve
their equilibrium. 1t is, perhaps, in part
owing to these habits that the feet of the
Cdban senorta are such marvel of small
tess and delicacy, seemingly made rather
for Nprnament than use. She knows the
charms Of the petit pied bien ehaEse that
delights the Parissian, and accordingly, as
you catch glimpse Of it, as she steps into
the volante, you perceive that it is daintly
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 roundness Of figure that leaves no.
thing to be desired in symmetry of form,
yet they are light as a sylph, clad in mus
lin and lace, so languid and light that it
would seem as if breeze might watt them
away like summer cloud. They are pas
sionately fond of dancing, and tax the en-
durance Of the gentlemen in their heroic
worship of Terpsichore. Inspired by the
thrilling strains Of those Cuban airs, which
are at once so sweet and brilliant, they
glide and whirl through the mazes of the
dance houtl after hour, until daylight
breaks upon the scene of fairy revel. Then,
exhausted but not satiated, they betake
themselves to sleep, to dream Of the ca
dences Of some Cuban Strauss, and to beat
time in Imagination to the lively notes,
and 10 dream over the soft words aud win
ming glanccs they have exchanged. .s
Beautiful as eastern houris, there is a
striking aud cndearng charm about the
Cuban ladies, their very motion being re-
plete with native grace; every limb elias
tic and.suple. Their voices are sweet and
low, Fan excellent thing in woman," and
the subdued tone Of their complexions is
relieved by the arch vivacily Of night-black
eyes, that alternately swim 10 mclinr lus.
ire or sparkle 10 expressive glances. Their
costume is never ostentatlous, though cost
ly; the most delicate muslin, the finest lin
en-, the richest silk, he most esqu;sitely
made satin shoes, these, Of course, render
their chast. attire exceedingly expensive
There are no strong-mnded women
among them, nor is it hardly possible to
conceive Of any extremity that could in
duce, them to get up woman's right con
vendonAa suspension Of volantes aud fans
might produce such phenomenon, but we
very much doubt it. ..f-- I'D.
The creole ladies lead life of decided
ease and pleasure. What little work they
do is very light and lady-like, little sewing
aud embroidery; the bath and siesta divide
the sultry hours of the day. They wait
until nearly sunset for the drive in the dear
volante, and then go to respond by sweet
smiles to 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 mazy dance. Yet they are Gu
pable Of deep and high feeling, and when
there was prospect of the liberation Of
the island, these fair patriots, it will be re-
membered, give their most precious jewels
and ornaments as contribution to the glo-
rions cause of Observation-Disclosures History
Of CnJ-. ..