Morning journal and courier., 1888-04-14

clubs of America or Europe, spacious orches- tra and ball rooms and a complete theater for it's own performances. The floors are of marble; the columns are mirrored: it's deco rations in embossed and eolored glass are Oriental in rare, design and brilliancy; it's walls are hung with portraits of Spanish royalty and heroes of Spanish wars internin- gled with notable scenes from Spanish histo- ry; it's cuisine is not excelled in Paris; and on occasions, within its sumptuous walls where the concentrated sweetness and beauty of tropical flowers and birds are never ab- sent, may be seen the most rsvishinely beau tiful woBaen in the world.
 The changed conditions of society brought about by the patched-up peace of Zanjon made possible club where men of either and neither party might meet without cease less promptings to the raneor of political feeling or national pride. The Union club thus had it's origin. It Is wealthy, aristo- cratic, exclusive, and its membership and privileges are confined wholly to men. So far as am informed this is the single in- stance in Cuba where women are thus de- nied. Neither politics nor religion are dis- cussed by it's members; only such games of cards as are permitted by law are allowed; the most eminent or Cubans in the profes- sions and mercantile life, as well as the high est Spanish officials, here meet daily in mock friendship; the oonsal-gsnerals of France, Great Britain, Germany and the United Otht6S are u6MUGTS, duO lb 1S 6USOluI61y LU0 only spet among men in all Cuba which may be regarded as strictly neutral ground.
 THE CIRCLE -FRANcAIs, ETC.
 Among other clubs of unusual prominence in Cuba are the "Cercle Francais," at one time also the resort for wealthy Cubans who could not tolerate any manner of social rela- tions with their Spanish masters, and at which many of the most noted fetes during the past decade have been given; the "Cireu- To de Axedorez," devoted to lovers of che- quers and chess, and resultant from which are tke noted names of Golmayo, Vasquez, Molmer and Carboyal; the "Cireulo Tauri- no, an outcome of last years craze for the king of matadors, Mazzantini, and the eoa- sequent revived interest in the ancient Moor ish sport of bull-baiting, the members of which comprise a small band of E'e6ciona- dos," who have given amateur bull-fghts, and the front of the building blood-red color; near neighbor, the "Circulo Auton- omista," 6 political as well as social club which is doing effective work in promulgs- ting ideas Of Cuban autonomy, proof of which was had the other day in the inspired plea of the deputy from Matanzas, to which the whole world listened; the "Club Gimnas- tico," whose efforts are to preserve the ath- 1etio glories of the ''Circulo de Tiradores,' D the famous Cuban sporting club which went down before the destroying breath of the revolution; the "Cireule Habanero," the 1at- ural successor or the early anu gloIlouS T II" arnonica" and "Liceo," undoubtedly the most popular club in the island; and the "Circulo Militar," or army and navy club, on the Prado, entirely Spanish in it's member- ship and purposes, which gives annually ua- doubtedly the most magnificent ball in chris tendon.
 Altogether fully fifty of these aristocratic clubs exist. Their importance to aristoeratic life is seen when it is remembered that the total population of Havana does not exceed two hundred and fifty thousand, and of this not more than one~third all told are whites. During carnival season from one hundred to two hundred balls are given, exclusive of all other forms of entertainment; and while the present condition of affairs in Cuba restricts old-time lavish expenditure, no city in the world can outriva1 the splendor and bril- liancy of these club affairs. Indeed, all ann bition and effort seem to center in the social smpressement thus possible to secure; and all else attainabls through wealth, leisure, accomplishment, intellectually, and even in countless little pleasures here so easy to se- cure, are ignored in a shabby, sodden, slip shod indifference which at least in spirit, the active and aspiring American cannot but hot ly resent.