Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-10
FAN FILTRATION.
As II Is Carried ON In the Ever
Faithful Isle"

As IL Is Carried ON In the Ever
Faithful Isle"
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July Sat
ten o'clock, mounting the steps of
an enormous sub-structure, en-
tered the Cathedral of Santiago
with Don Antonio. We advanced
Immediately toward the nave. 1t
lis Of great extent. Numerous col
umns, somewhat massive, support
the colossal vault. The sides are
adorned with chapels, which all
contain great riches. Mahogany
benches with backs are placed in
the nave by the columns. They
form two long rows and are reserved
for men who come to sit there
gratis. A good many persons were
in the church. The benches were
almost empty, and we leaned
against the back of one so as to
have a good view. Every moment
there would enter some lady in full
dress, followed by a little negro or
negress carrying chair, a carpet
and prayer book. The slave
spread carefully the carpet, placed
the chair, presented the book and
then squatted humbly behind the
chair. His mistress knelt down,
murmured a short prayer, then sat
down and adjusted her large, black
veil on her uncovered head, fan
ned herself and looked around her.
AS soon as her black eyes perceived
the face of an acquaintance, she
bowed slightly with a smile.
The women Of different classes
mingled together, provided that
they were richly clothed, aud fol-
lowed by little negroes, carrying
chairs and carpets. The more
humble women, who came to pray,
did not place themselves in the
nave, button the sides. Ladies gen.
orally come to be seen and to be
admired; hence, it is not surprising
that they should show themselves
in their very best attire. They are
consequently restless and preoccu-
pied. They regard those who en-
ter, and fan themselves with a re-
markable art. The management of
the fan is Il curious thing in this
country. In the hands Of coquettes,
this elegant little instrument serves
less to fan them than to express
sheir sentiments. 1t has u COM
pleto language, more varied than
that Of flowers, more eloquent than
that Of the eyes. The different
modes Of opening and closing it,
with more or less rapidity and
noise, have a thousand signilica-
tions. During the course of the
grand mass, sung in "a slow and
monotonous voice, accompanied by
the organ and by violins, my atten-
tion was attracted by a very pretty
person, who appeared to occupy
herself much more in contemplat-
ing a young man than in regarding
the altar or her prayer book. Her
face, somewhat long in form, had a
mellow paleness that well became
her style of beauty. She darted at
him The dazzling glances of two
large eyes, capable Of inhaming
many heart. Her hair, Of mag
uiiicent black, framed well her fore
head. Her nose spread itself a
little toward the base, as if to let
pass easily the strong breath of pas
sion. Her little mouth, with its
lips of coral, opened partly from
time to time to show two rows of
dazzling pearls. Soon the young
man, who was near, saw her, smiled
at her, made her a sign with his
head, and kept his eyes upon her.
Then she began to maneuyer her
fan with charming readiness and
grace. With her small, white hand
she seemed to send to this happy
young man all sorts Of pleasant
messages with her little instrument,
adorned with precious stones. |
was very much puzzled; but, for
tunately, l had with me Don An
tonia, who undertook to explain to
me this mysterious language.
lie knew the young man, who
had revealed to him the secret Of