Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-08-20

those VINO sent him. knowing Ills TopuGa
ton, as personally responsible; but, then,
they but sent representative OF the dom
inant party, and Dan. Sickles, it seems, is
one of them and hence fitting person &c
send abroad. s...
SOMETHING ABOUT CUBA.
Under the above caption Appleton
Journal gives the first of what promises tt
be timely series of sketches relating tC
Cuba. Tho ono before us is pleasantly
written, and full of useful information
We make two or three extracts:
THE SIZE OF CUaA.
The Island of Cuba in size is nearly
equal to England proper, without thu
principally of Wales,) being seven hun
bred aid eighty miles in length and about
lifty-two miles in medal breadth, contain
ing a superficial area of forty-three thou
sand five hundred square miles, being
nearly equal in extent to all the Other
West India Islands united Columbus
supposed Cuba lat the time he visited the
Isle of Pine, associated with Cuba) to be
continent, and it was SO regarded unit
circumnavigated by Ocampo, in the yeal
1908.
In the early times of tho settlement OF
the West India Islands, San Domingo was
the most known and received the largest
share of attention. Cuba attracted but
little notice in Europe, until Corte2
made it a base of operations In his con
templated and consummated attack OF!
Mexico. 1t will be perceived its first ap-
preci alton was for its military command OF
the surrounding coasts. Subsequently. in
necessary imitation of Cortez, tho Prince
de Joinville concentrated his fleet at Ha
vana, preparatory to his attack on Vera
Cruz, and to Havana he returned after
capturing San Juan de Ulloa.
IT'S MILITARY POSITION.
It's Importance, as the "key to the gulf, -
will be still more perfectly understood when
We recollect that Cubh is ninety-fvc miles
from the nearest point of Jamaica fifty
miles from Hayti ; one hundred and twenty
miles from the coast of Tobasco and Yucca
tan, in Mexico and one hundred and fifty
miles from the coast of Florida.
JEFFEEsoN's OPINION OF CUBA.
The Importance of Cuba does not, there
fore, arise solely from its great productive
wealth, nor from the demand it's inhabi-
tants make upon the productions Of other
peoples, but it is largely founded upon its
admirable position in commanding the on
trance to the Mexican Gnlf. Havana be-
ing situated exactly where tho carriers Of
commercial enterprises mnst cross each
others paths III their intercourse with Mex
leo and the Southern United States. 1t is
Il wonderful instance Of the sagncity and
craftsmanship of Thomas Jefferson that he
should have written nearly fifty years ago
s. candidly confess that / have ever look
! Il (',,l>
dition that can be made to our system
of States, the possession of which with
Florida Point would give us control over
the Gulf OF Mexico and the countries and
isthmus bordering it, and would fill up the
measure of our political well-being.
.. TROPICAL MIDNIGHT.
The atmosphere of Cuba, as everywhere
within the tropics, is so unpolluted 80
experience so inconceivably transparent
that every star and planet in the heavens
seemed to be boldly defined; you can see
around aud behind then. they actually
stand ont iii the clear blne, while tho hcn-
venly consultations are moro brilliant
than in the temperate latitudcs. In this
night watch we saw the north star and the
great polar bear skirting along the horizon.
And there were consultations unknown to
northern skies, with the myrinds of stars
| forming the milky-way, making not q dim
jnst-perccived light, hnt absolutely flaming
through eternal space.
! THE VAIN PURSUIT OF HEALTH
We have said "reminiscences of the truth
fitness OF the following sketch, treating OF
people who ihconsidcrately rush into
foreign chimes to recupcrate Oh already
destroyed constitutions:
Here it is perhaps necessary to say that
the saddest chapters of suffering that could
be written would be the histories of con-
tirmed invalids coming from the Northern
States, seeking health in 1.-The balmy air
OF these tropical climes." Accustomed to
the careful housekeeping and domestic
arrangements of their northern homo, and
sustained by an invi9Orating climate, they
find themselves suddenly in Havana, de-
lrived of even comfortable retiring room,
and without the necessary convenience of
even bed to lie upon. Every dish, ex-
cept otherwise ordered is rocking with
red pepper, onions or garlic ; the language
and habits Of the common people are
strange and repnlsive ; and meantime, the
climate encrvating and cxhausting to the
most vigorous constitutions completes the
disaster, aud the poor, disappointed seeker
of health learns, when it is too late, the
sad mistake TINT has been made by the
consumptive searching a warm latitude for
health.
| We saw one Of these wretched people
hoisted by the aid of mattress upon the
deck of our departing steamer. There was
apparent death in the eye, and in the
emaciated frame. It was desperate effort
to reach homo and die among friends and
kindred. Presently the steamer moved
out of the harbor. that was literally as hot
as an oven. The cool ea-breeze famed
the brow of the sinking one; the pure fresh
air acted as an elixir; the eye frightened,
the voice returned, the hand had the pow
er to give an affectionate return for the
friendly grasp. The cool night air set in,
and the invalid, like one escaping from an
exhausted receiver, wept and sighed over
the suffering endured in the sad climate
and surroundings for invalids, common to
all Cuban resorts.
Tennessee y. 8. senator.
Advices from a trustworthy source in
Tennessee state that the Legislature elect
has been carefully canvassed with view
to obtaining information regarding the
election of United States Senator. The