, 1884-08-01
KEEPING COOL.
How the Cubans Live During the
Hot Season.
Lessons Learned From Life In a Hot
Country-How TO Dress, Dine,
Drink and Avoid
Overhead.

1t may seem surprising, yet it is none the
less true, that the art of keeping cool is I'M
derstood in Cuba u hundred times better than
here. The very first thing that strikes us
when VIC get to Cuba is that all humanity
seems to be bent upon keeping cool, and every
thing is directed to that end.
The Cubans ave a hot weather way of
managing their business affairs. Let no one
run away with the idea that business in Ha-
vana does not amount to much. Havana has
long been one of the great seaports and COM
mercinl centers of the world, the head of the
sugar and tobacco trades, and the seat of an
immense miscellaneous shipping industry.
There are many men and firms as busily en-
gagged in making fortunes there as every
where else. To begin with, the business
houses are built to provide GOODNESS by means
OF shade and air. They are more open than
what We call an 'open car" yet can be closed
as tight as any Wal street bank. 1t is de-
lightful to visit them. 1t is amazing to see
how cool the men at work in them all keep
themselves. The merchants and clerks quit
their beds ut $3.50 o'clock. perhaps earlier, en-
JOY a bath, dress in a leisurely way, take cof-
fee, and reach their counters and desks by
$3.50 o'clock. 1t is cool ct that time in the
streets, and they are not half as exhausted
when they begin work as we are. At 1880
or II o'clock, under a sunshnde or in a cab,
thel go nome again TO breakfast
Nothing short of tho explosion of a powder
magazine, which made them forget them
selves a few weeks ago, could induce man
or boy amons them to hurry. The only two
hasty or excited movements l saw In Cuba
were on the part Of a young woman and n
boy. The young woman was a ballet dancer
In a cool, oPen-air theater, and was engaged
in tee-tum movements, lasting only a few
minutes each night, for a high salary. The
boy actually ran in the open sunshine-but
then he had stolen n sugar cant in the market
and was afraid he would be caught Nobody
ran after him, you may be sure.
On the way to breakfast the Havana mer.
chant and clerk do not drink three beers and
a cocktail, and at breakfast they do not de-
molish n heavy beefsteak or plate OF chops,
or of liver and bacon, as we do the year
round. On the contrary, they are very par.
tial to fruit; fish. boiled, broiled, or baked;
broiled poultry or small birds, salads, ONE
lets. oatmeal or rice, wine thinned down with
~seltzer; coffee or tea. They take it easy at
the table.
At $50 or 5 O'Clock, when the heat Of the
day is past and the delightful, cool hours of
evening are at hand, the merchant and the
clerk close the business places (all but the
little retail storps). and go home, or to the
restaurant for dinner. And 10 they cat the
solid meats, thS stews, tho 5ravies, the pud
dings and pies OF our hills of fare in July in
New York; Oh, moi They wish to be cool
and Lealthy and comfortable. They suck
the juice OF an orange oc two and take a lit
Tie thin broth or consomme soup, a little wine
thlaned down with cold ~seltzer or water,
some nice fresh, broiled bird of some kind,
and salad, or a slice OF some sort Of meat.
well done, and then guava paste, or Jelly, or
fruit and cheese and coffee. u admit that
the sweetmeats and cheese are bad and there
is too much cotree-but no one is perfect.
At night comes the recreation; the bill
lizards, cards, cigars, theatres, parties, car
riage rides, promenades, idle hours in the
parks listening to thu music OF a band,
co~urtship, -companionship, ~sociability. AT 10
o'clock, coffee and bed for some, bed without
coffee for others But do they not drink,
you ask Yes, indeed. They are addicted to
soda water, lemonade. cocoanut water. lime
onade, tamarind water. mineral waters and
all other beverages that cool the body by
cooling the blood. and that are slightly laxa-
tive. Among strong drinks, Vermouth is
popular, Spanish wines and French ~clarets
are In demand, and the laboring people drink
gin. Note the nature OF these drinks, you
who understand the subject There Is reason
In ali OF them. All except brandy, 1 forgot
Tat At night, in the cafes, I saw several
persons drink brandy. That Is contrary to
anything else they do. Il is most unwise.
There are many hints In the above general
observations of lis5 under a burning sun.
Dress for tho season 1t can be done here as
well as there aud as safely, for the nights
are cooler there. Besides, one can put on IA
heavier coat ut night, IL need be. Keep out
Of the sun. Carry II sun umbrella. Don't
hurrt. Nothing is gained By it.