The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-05-28

L afiSlan HES Hotn the SnufcH 10 tne railway
station, 10 take pleasure excursion into the
rouuIry, or pass with careless levity from ST.
Genevieve TO the Jordan Mabie. In New
Orleans, the creole, who has just bent his
knee before the altar, repairs TO The French
opera; and the Cuban, from the blessing OF
the priest, to the parade in the plaza. Even
the Sunday ceremonial of The church is a
pageant; the splendid robe of The officiating
like the costumes of actors in a drama; the
music, to Protestant ears, operatc and excl.
ting; The clouds of incense that scatter their
intoxicating perfumes; the chants in strange
tongue, unknown to the mass OF worshippers
all these give the services holiday and car
nival character.
"Far be it from us 10 charge these congre-
cations with an undue levity; many lovely
creole kness upon the marble floor, entirely
estfanged from the brilliant groups around
her, and unconscious for the time of The ad-
miration she excites; many caballero bows
in reverence, forgetful, for the time being, of
the bright eyes that are too often the load.
stone of attraction to the church and there
are very many who look beyond the glitter
ing symbols 20 the great truths and the great
Being they are intended to lypify. But we
fear that large portion of the community
who thus worship, attach more importance
to the representation than 10 the principles or
things represented. The impression made
by the Sabbath ceremonies of The church
strikes us as evanescent, and of such char
acter as 10 be at once obteraled by the ex.
element OF worldly pleasures that follow
Still, if the Sabbath, in Catholic countries, be
not wholly devoleato religious observances,
neither are The week days wholly absorbed
by business or pleasure. The churches and
chapels are always open, silently but elo-
quently inviting TO devotion; and il is much
TO be able to step aside, at any moment, from
the temptations, business and cares of life,
into an atmosphere of seclusion and religion.
The solemn quiet of an old cathedral on a
week day is impressive from its very contrast
with the lumult outside"
ence of large military force increases the
discomfort and Indignation of the creoles.-
They know perfectly well its object, and re-
gard it as perpetual insult, bitter, ironical
commentary on the eplhet of 'ever faithful
with which the home government always
addresses ills western vassai. The loyalty of
Cuba is, indeed, royal fiction. AS well
might the hishwayman praise the generosity
of a rich traveller who surrenders his purse,
watch and diamonds al The muzzle of the pis.
tol. Cuban loyalty ls evinced in an annual
tribute OF some twenty. four millions of hard
money; the freedom of The gift is proved by
the perpetual presence of twenty-five 10 thirty
Thousand men, armed 10 the teeth"
The BRIGHT AND THE DARK SDE.-"Cuba
has been justly styled The garden of the
world, perpetual summer smiling upon its
favored shores. and its natural wealth almost
battling the capacity Of estimation. The wa.
ters which surround i, as we have already
rimated, abound with variety of fishes,
whose bright colors, emulaling the tints OF
precious stones and the prsmac hues of the
rainbow, astonish the eye of the slranger.-
Stately trees, of various species, the most
conspicuous being the royal palm, rear their
luxuriant foliage against the azure heavens,
along the sheltered bay, by The way si1e, on
the swes of the haciendas, delighting the
eye OF the traveller, and diversifyng the ever,
charming face of the tropical landscape
Through the woods and groves fit variety
of birds, whose dazzling colors defy the pal
lette of the artist. Here the loquacious par
rol utters his harsh nalura! note. There the
red flamingo stands patiently BY the shore of
the lagoon, watching in the waters-dyed by
the reflection of its plumage-for his uncon.
scious prey. 1t would require volume 10
describe the vegetable, animal and mineral
kingdoms of Cuba. Among the most famil-
lar birds, and these the names of which, even
the casual observe, is apt TO learn, are The
Cnban robin, The blue bird, the cat bird, the
Spanish woodpecker, the saudy-pume1 par
rot, the pedoreva, with it's red throat and
breast and Its pea-green head and body
There is also great variety of wild pigeons,
blue, gray and white the English lady y-bird,
as it is called, with blue head and scarlet
breast, and green and white back; the ind-
go bird, the golden-winged woodpecker, The
ibis, The aamingo, and many smaller species,
like The humming bird. Parrots settle on the
sour orange trees when The fruit is ripe, and
fifty may be secured, by net at time.
The cfeoles stew and eat them as we do the
pigeon; the flesh is rather tough, and as
there are plenty of fine water and marsh
birds, about the lagoons, which are most ten
der and palatable, one is at loss 10 accoun,
for the taste that leads the people 10 eat the
parrot The brown pelican is very plenty on
the sea coast, like the gull Of our own shores
and may be seen at all times sailing lazily
over The sea, and occasionally dipping for
fish. Here, as among other tropical regions,
and even in some southern sections of this
country, the lazy-looking bald-headed vul
lure is protected by law, being sort of nat.
ural scavenger or remover of oarrion. ~
| s'Ths agricul,utisls of the island confne
their attention almost solely 10 the raising Of