New-York tribune., 1873-12-10
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF HAVANA.

THB ENTRANCE TO THE CITY-APPEARANCE OF MoRRo
CAsTLR-PERsoNAL APPEARANCE OF GIN. BUR
HIEI-M -MERCURIAL CHARACTER OF THE INHABIT-
ANTS.
lFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuSR.l
HAVANA Dec. 2-As was standing by the gang
way of the MORO Castle Just then i'll the last throes
of departure from the wharf, my attention was
drawn TO two Cubans taking leave of each other
with all the effusve embracing and kissing of the
Latin race. Then heard one of them say to the
other with strong Spanish rotundo, Good-by
Fraternity and Petroleum. That was the
first warlike speech of the many / heard
upon the good ship. There was, however, con-
cliatory lip-deep ferocity in the talk after we had
got well at sea. The malevolence Of both elements
human and watery were smoothed away in
our pleasant lapse southwark Cubans, Spaniards
and Americans took off their iron-plating, so to
speak with their overcoats, and finally in Summer
clothes and thin shoes stood a complete peace
footing The third or fourth morning out we
passed the Powhattan towing the monitor Manhat-
tan. That was the only other warlike sign we
met until we came in sight of the Moro Castle
We made the lighthouse about l o'clock III the
morning and, of course, had to wait outside until
sunrise Thus had the much-waDted beauty
of the entrancei TO Havana at It's best
First, the Moro reminding one OF the I'M
possible architecture of the pictures OF old
fashioned LADIES' keepsakes and albums, bristling
with guns and tow ering perhaps little out of use
fulness in the warfare of these times of low fOrt-
fcations Then came the high walls of the Cabaflas,
and then the whole city and the shipping outlined
against the hills. crimson with sunrise, with the
memory of the blood of Lopez and of the countless
executions of which they have been the scene.
We cast anchor opposite the verysship which has
IL. .,.a1
There before us, peacefully drying her sails, the
Tornado, which captured the virginius and not far
from her lay the immense frgate Gerona which
captured the Tornado from the Chilians. The Vir-
ginius, being up at the arsenalsor navy-yard, was
not in sight. The captors are turning
her into a gunboat The Tornado is a
small iron steamer, and has certain fine
points about her that indicate leetness. We had
plenty of time to contemplate her before we were
allowed to land The first Assistant Chief of Police
had been ND late talking politics the night before,
vapd we had to wait long time for him. Then the
Health Officer had not had his coffee, and we had to
wait for him. Then the whole dozen or less custom
house officials had gone to breakfast, and we had to
wait for them. There were innumerable other
causes of delay. to which l can give no technical
narne But we finally went ashore and through the
custom house. In paying for permission to land,
was boldly defrauded ont of So so in change 1 re-
minded the official of it, who acknowledged the
swindle. but did not offer to make restitution. This
seemed to me to rise way beyond mere crime into
the hi gh atmosphere of subtle bumor and smiled.
looked at him in amazement, but he smiled on In
short he smiled and smiled, and was villain still,
and have seen the last of my 81 So
At my hotel have had the honor of several inter
views with Gen Burriel-interviews that is, at one
remove, having dined and breakfasted at a table
uute near TO him. He is a man of medium size, and
not apparently over 35 years old His face is rather
that usually met in staff officer than that of a
great warrior. He is not "A homely man, and in no
way a striking one to look at. One might attribute
firmness to him, and perhaps prOmptness of action
but really fcannot see any marked indication Of
cruelty in his face Neither does il express any
thing Jcheerful or companonable. have not yet
seen him laugh. He talks very little. Yesterday
morning he bad his ordeflies and certain colonels
with him TO breakfast and Gen. Bnriel, lAnoticed,
was not the only one of them who ate with knife.
II yould be hard 10 give any idea OF the state in
which | found this picturesque old city when l
arrived Yesterday. 1t has been excited almost to
the pitch of bloodshed. and calmed down again
twice since nv arrival. Last night was of terri
ble talk and buster. This morning opened calm /;
but now As write il has become worse than ever.
The SpaDsh party of the Casino de Espaha have
reared up for themselves a power which they cannot
control. They have an armed mob III the Volun-
tetrs who now refuse let the VirgiBius be given
I'D AIlsorts of wild rumors are lying The last il
that the Captain General and most VI tho Spanish