Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-02-10
TEIE QUEEN OF THE ANTILLES.
A Louisville MANS SIid.winteF
Visit 10 the Tropics.
10 tho EdItor Of tbe courier.Journnl !

Although Louisvillians may not be
aware of the fact, a mid-winter visit
to Cuba is a most enjoyable one. HAY
ing just returned from a flying trip Of
two weeks to that land of sunshine
and fine cigars, l know whereof l
speak. l lett Louisville on January
Il, spent one day in Montgomery and
arrived at Pensacola on the evening Of
the 18th AS the train makes direct
connection with the steamers plying
between that place and Havana, ] en-
oountered no vexatious lay overs, but
went Immediately aboard the steamer
Admiral, which socn weighed anchor
and headed for Cuban soil. Stopping
at Key West for a few hours, to take
on some freight and passengers, we
steamed right ahead, and reached
Havana on the morning of the 18th.
Passengers are required to obtain
passports at Key West, for which pur-
pose the mayors Office has been visit
ed, and upon payment of$2 he certi-
fed to the fact that ] was an Ameri-
can citizen, then the Spanish consul
certified that the mayors signature
was correct, for which official act
he demanded 81. Parties going
to Florid1 to spend the win.
ter should by all means take
this trip-as well as my advice con-
corning the American consul at
Havana, even if they stay only a
week; and for invalids it is sure to
prove beneficial. Captain Coakscy, of
the steamer Admiral, is not only "a
right good captain, too but he does
all in his power for the comfort and
pleasure of his passengers. The Ad-
miral is a new steamer and neat and
clean as a pin, although it is not as
large asIthey should have, or possibly
will have when the tide Of travel
flows that way instead of via New
York. The Pensacola ioute is by far
the best, and consumes only half the
time. Although residents Of Havana
say their city has but few places Of in.
tercst, | was there eight days and
failed to see one-fourth Of the sights,
and could have passed a month there
very pleasantly. There ere quite a
number of good hotels in Havana, but
by far the best one is the Quinta
Avenide, or, in English, the Fifth
avenue hotel. This hotel has only
been opened about. two months, and
therefore everything is clean and the
guests comfort watched very care
fully. The proprietor, who speaks
English quite well, is very attentive,
and his charming wife does all in her
power to make the lady guests feel at
home, although, n%otspeaking English,
she has rather hard work making her
self understood. | would advise
all parties, who intend visiting Cuba
to obtain letters to the French, Eng
lish. German or any other consul in
preference to the American consul,
for | must say he is about as unac
commodating an individual as [ ever
had the misfortune to meet, and | sin
cerely hope to never meet him again,
certainly nOg on spanish SOIL. Our
party desired to take a trip to Moro
Castle, but when we reached the little
boat plying between the main land
and the castle, the Spanish officer
very politely told US that they required
a letter from the American consul.
and when we visited that inflated of T.
cial, one Hall by name, he said he
must have one days notice before he
could Issue one, although there Is no
law or necessity requiring any such
notification. Thanks 10 a friend Of
the governor Of the fort, we made the
trip without waiting, and were thank
full that We we're under no obligations
to this hireling Of Hayes administra
ton. Greenbacks and gold are the
best kind Of money to take on a trip to
Cuba, and you receive 1920 in Span
ish paper for a 81 greenback. By next
season | hope TO see all who visit
Florida take this enjoyable trip, for /
know it will become popular as soon
as its pleasures become known.
u A Y