New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-24
Netpalprk Daily Gtiba,Ge
NEW PUBLICATIONS
MRS. UOWF'S CUBA.

TRIP TO CUBA. BY Mrs JULIA WARD HowE. Rmo
pp. ISL TiekDor Fields.
The tragic element, in which the author OF this
Volume has been chiefly wont to exercise her genius,
ia here exchanged for almost undiluted comedy.
The dark problems of life and passion, around
which she has cast the illusions of such vigorous
poetry as rarely proceeds from feminine pen, give
place to a vein Of keen observation, the mer-
ries. enjoyment Of the ludcrous, shrewd and
bitpg wit which spares neither friend nor foe, and
an audacious criticism which makes up in vivacity
what il lacks in reverence. No one can mistake
the brilliancy of her descriptions Of tropical life,
the failing acuteness with which she passes
judgment on manifold forms Of society and chsfac-
ter, and the dramatic force of her language, al
though the tone is often pitched on too sharp key
for the low voice, 80 excellent in woman +"
The experience of the travelling party on landing
at Havana gives rather dscouraging fOretaste of
the delights of Cuba, and calls forth an eusion OF
not i'll ustured cynicsm, of which the volume con-
taiDs frequent equally charming specimens.
The next morning allowed us 10 accomplish our
transit 10 the desired land of Havana. We pass the
Custon House, where official 10 cage, with eyes
of mott oily sweetness and toDge no DOUBT 10 match,
pocl cts our gold and mparts in governmental
eImssion inbabit the leland Of Caba for the space
Of one calendar monb We 60 trailing through the
market where we buy peeled oranges, and through
The streets where we eat them, seen and recognized
altar az Yankees by bats bonnete and other fea-
tues. We stop at the Cafe Dominica, and refresh
with coffee an0 buttered rolls for we have still
drive of three miles to accomplish before breakfast
All the hotels in Havana full, and more than full
Woocut of the Cerro three miles from the gates, ID
the only landlord who will ase us in 80 he seizes us
fairly nv the neck bundles us into an omnibus swears
ZIG
when we find the two miles long, brngs ne where ne
wants TO have "a the Spaniaros in the omnibus puff
ing and staring at the ladies all the way Finally we
arrive at his hotel, glad to he somewhere, bat hot,
iirtd hungry, and not IN raPtues Win our list eAPe
rienee Of tropical life.
1t mutt be confessed that our long.tred energies
fall somewhat fat on the quiet OF Wooleuts
We look round and behold one long room with
marble floor, with two large doors, not win
dows, opening in front upon the piazza and the
street, and other openings into large court be-
hind surrounded by small, dark bedrooms. The large
room is furnished with two dilapidaed cane sota,,
few chairs small table, and three or four indifferent
pInts, which we have ample time to study For com
Iany we see a stray New-iork or Philadelphia
family, suPeranuated Mexican who smiles and bows
TO every body and tome dozen Of those undtina nsh
able individuals whom we class together as Yankees,
and who, taking the map from Maine TO Georgia,
might as well come from one place as another, the
SoutberDer being Ike the Northerner as q
dried pea is TO a green pea. The ladies begin
10 hang their 1e306, ana question w uab
sTe we 10 do bere7 and where is the perfectly de-
lightful Hav sDa you told us Oft" Answer; Il iere
is thing whatever 10 do here at tn hour OF the day.
but ubdress and 60 10 Sleep the heat Will not let
Won site the glare will not LEI you write or read Go
10 bed; dinner is fonr and after that will make
an effort 10 find the Havana OF the poetlcal and Gan
Eden people, praying Heaven 1t may no! have lie
only existence in their brains"
Still the pretty ones do not brighten. They walk
ND and down, cycling askance the quiet boarders who
lock 70 con,ented over their ciidren aad worsed-
ok, sbd wondering IN what pat OF the world t. ey
have taken the precautl0n TO leave their souls On'
packing lie then begun, with rather infiDg OF the
things about interpreted with little peppery hints as
10 discomfort and dullness and detected stage signs,
intended for hearing. But this cannot go on-the
thermometer IL at 7S in the shade-an intense aud con
taeious stlnets IegDs through the house-some good
genius bunch Of peoples near thoee little fret
full faces for which frown Is rather heavy art llery
The bamy breath of sleep blows OF the Lightly traced
furrows and after dreamy hour two all If bright,
emoUh and freshly dressed, husbaI conld wish
it, The dinner proves not IL tolerab G, and after we
iii on the piazza ref eshiDg breeze springs up, and
urelel y The tide of the afternoon Cfve sets IN IRON
The city, The pOlantes dash by, with silver stndded
haI1 esses and positions lack and booted within Ell.
the pretty Atnortas n twos and tbrees lney are al
tired mostly 10 nutllns, with bare necks ana arms
bounets they know Dottheir heads sre dressed with
flowers or with jewelled pins. Their faces are
wbitened we bDow, with powder, but In the distance
the effect is pleasing Their dark eyes are Viz liant
thew know lover when they see him Bot there 10 no
upon the suddenly the 5creeD OF the theater
upon the denouement Of the tragedy. Then comes q
cup Of truly internal tea the mastcaion OF stale roll
with butter, also stsle--ben, more sitting on the
piazza-theD retirement, aud wild hunt after mus
ketoes-and ends the first day at Wooicuts on the
Ceno.
The description Of the Dominica, which, be it
known 10 our stay.at- home readers, is the great
cafe of Havana, has certain HOmeric freshness.
All the day long is foil of people Of all nations,
sippipg ces chocolate, and on and al night long,
ALEC, up 10 the 10 very questionable hour when its
psirons 90 home and its gareonS 20 TO bed. We often
found Il q welcome refuge AZ neon, when the doHche
Of sunlight on ones bewiders tho faculties and
confuees one principles of graviioD liberation, etc.
Yon enter from the Tophe OF the street. and the int
cradle glare il at one sofened 10 sort Of golden
shadow The floor IL of stones ia the midst trickles
h ay fountain with giIced network all other available
space IL crowded with marble tsoes sqasre or round
blsck.c9ais that gather round them. The smoke Of
innumersbe cigars gives Rembrandhc unge TO the
depths Of the picture, and the rows and groups OF
poddipg Panama hsts are like very dull hower-beds