Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-03-08
LETTER FROM CUBA.
Delightful CIimafe-Ineidents of the
Voyags-Sharks. POrPOises and Sea-
Sickness
From a Lady Correspondent.
HOTEL SANTA ISABEL.

From a Lady Correspondent.
HOTEL SANTA ISABEL,
HABANA, February, 1866.
L wish I could send you this
glorious sunshine and these warm
airs, or could give you an idea of all the
beauty that surrounds me, but as it is out
of the question 1 can only, in my poor
way, try to tell you a little of what has
befallen since 1 left the frozen North.
Came by the way Of Niagara, where We
had e sleigh-ride, saw the river filed with
ice, said to be from eighty to one hundred
and twenty feet thick, and the American
Fall apparently half CONCEALED. Even
the mist from the Horseshoe seemed
thick and heavy, as if filed with solid
particles, and around The Falls everything
was covered with the frozen breath of the
cataract, each smallest twig had its coat of
ice, and from the sides of the gorge hung
enormous %icicles. In this lovely land the
Naturalization of the bells was never
heard.
At noon, It'll of February, went on
board the MORO Castle, Captain Adams,
bound for Havana direct. The day was
bitterly cold, as had been all those of our
stay in New York. Many CAME to bid
their friends good bye, and as, at three
o'clock, we steamed of, the wharf was
filed with people, cheering, waving
hats and handkerchief, and bidding those
they loved, God speed.
Stayed upon deck till we were below
the forts, although the keen wind was
anything but agreeable. Even New
York Bay has not the charms at this sea-
son that in the month of JSne have seemed
to me peerless.
Our Captain is a stout, jolly locking
man, and perfectly realizes ones ideal Of
a sailor. The ship is large and excellent
in all its appointments. At four o'clock
went to dinner. The table was bounti-
fully spread, and l began a sumptuous
repast, but with every dispesi-
ton to conduct myself well and
make a good fight was forced to beat an
inglorious retreat to my berth. My other
self had preceded me and was apparently
locked in the srms of Morpheus. l prayed
to all the gods but none were near save
Neptune, whose waves were surging round
me, and the tribute he demanded must be
paid. For thirty-six hours 1 kept my
room, was sick tw~enty-four, but suffered
little and never reached the point I have
more than once on Lake Erie, that of fear
ing I shouldn't die.
The morning of Friday 1 went upon
deck to find a perfectly cloudless sky
overhead and the warmth of a July day
streaming down upon US. The sea was Of
the color Of verd antique, the crests of
the wave like emeralds. 1t was delight
full to sit and gaze upon the waste of
waters; a one vessel no sign of human
ity was visible. Saw a shark leap out of
the water. The huge creature displayed
his whole length, and made one glad that
stout oak was between US and him. Beau
tiful gulls were about US constantly. 1t
was a study TO watch their graceful curves
as their white bodies rose and fell with
the rapid dip of their black-pointed wings.
Towards sunset the most lovely belt of
rose color came above the horizon, around
the whole heaven, except in immediate
proximity to the sun. There was a golden
glory too bright for mortal eyes. Stayed
Gpon deck till dark, for the night brought
no chill.
Saturday began to lay aside clothing.
Weather very warm klanketshawls have
disappeared and the provident ones are
out in summer hats. Lunch at "eight
bells To my amazement found the
troublesome stomach asserting itself after
another fashion than that of the first two
days. Even ventured a little of the.
luscious guaVa.
Saw a shOal of porpoises gambling in
the water ike children-the enlv " excl
ting thing that CHANGED in the whole
day but it was luxury enough to be alive
and breathe the delicious air. The sea was
smooth as glass; yet those waves had
come thousands Of miles to break on the
coral reefs, and cur huge ship rose and fell
on them like a babe Graded on its
mothers bosom. Gentle rocking It was
now; on Thursday twas like the impa-
tient shaking of a stepdame.
FEB. 1.-THE glory of yesterday has
departed with its gold and crimson clouds,
and We are shaking and pitching about in
the most outrageous fashion. With Difficult
" dressed after e fashion and staggered on
deck. Found the awnings removed, the
decks covered with water, not a woman
and scarcely a man visible. Was compli-
mented upon my courage" with white
lips essayed to reply; have been in more
brilliant moods.
The Florida shore was in sight, low and
uninteresting, a strip of white sand and
stunted bushes. A lighthouse was upon
n of the keys. A solitary vessel was in
sightffteen miles off in the Gulf stream. At
night made my way upon deck and stead
ying myself in the pilot house passed sew
eral very comfortable hours. The Som
brero lighthouse was visible, an open iron
structure with a sort of cage in the centre
for the keeper. 1t is sbuilt upon a coral
reef, eight miles from shore.
We have rounded Cape Florida, and
seem sailing straight into the sunset. From
my post I look down upon dozen poor,
patient horses, over whom the sea was
breaking, yesterday, as they stand with
tightly braided names and tails, trying to
eat, and wonder if there be ne hereafter
of compensation for such abused crea-
lures. They tell me our humane captain
changed the vessels course on their ac-
count, frightening our voyage, but spar
ing them discomfort that might have re-
suited in death before reaching Cuba.
Twas like what l had fancied from his
face. K. n. D.