, 1888-04-15
CLUB LIFE IN CUBA.
Their Influence Socially and on Contem-
pOraneous Politics.

AN'fF' DNl
HAVANA. Cuba, April 9.-High life in
Cuba is more pitiable to earnest contem-
plation than are the pathetically hopeless
existences sustained by the lowly. Not
that the aristocracy of birth and wealth
in the splendid island are very wicked. |
do not believe any large number OF them
are. But when the most earnest observa-
ton and study only result in a revelation
that, almost without exception, the most
sacred product of civilization, the home,
is eliminated from experience, and in
deed holds no place in the mind of, the
wealthier classes of Cuba, not ever uni
versal social %brilliancy, or Individual in
stances of boundless hospitality, can blind
recognition of an impressive and sadden-
ing fact.
The trouble is that while the Spanish,
or native Cuban, aIistocrat has his fine,
and often splendid habitation. he lives at
the club. If he have a business he sell
dom arrives where it is before noon, or in
time to breakfast at his establishment, the
grand cafe or the club. He may return
for an hour or SO, but he never fails Of
dining at his club. And here he remains
at cards, at wine, at politics, or at all
three, until nearly morning; is then
driven to his own house; sleeps until 10;
is served with coffee" in his bed or while
dressing; and sees his family probably
with sufficient frequency to be able to rec.
ognize its m~embersif an unexpected meet
ing should at any time occur.
There seems to be no heartache or
social scandal arising from this sort of
| lrI... - H. n1,I, a., IL, .r,s1r Il ia no
universally and irrevocably as one church
is the religious shrine of this people.
The wife and the children have little else
than the one aspiration-to shine at the
brilliant fetes and feasts of the club; and
as these affairs and the balls given in
honor of countless this and that's, provide
sufficient stimulus for social conquests, in
termediate seasons, which are passed in
shopping, sleep and siesta, sustain little
loss in the absence OF so much OF a
stranger as the head of the house, be he
merchant or marquis. Because as this Is
even a more marked feature of Cuban
high life than in metropolitan cities of the
most gaiety loving Latin countries, the
clubs or centros, %circulos and casinos as
they are variously called, sustain an unus-
ual and important relation to Cuban soci-
Ology and affairs.
The first great club established in Cuba
was founded in 1888. 1t was known as
the 'Socledad Filarmonica. The best,
noblest, most talented as well as wealth.
est of Cubans, formed its membership,
and from 1t grew the highest develop
ment known to Cuba in art. music and
literature. The Santa Cecilia" society
followed with the same civilizing tenden-
eies; and soon came the 'Liceo," with
still higher musical and literary aims and
results. During this period the noted
pirate chieftain, Francisco MaTti, had be-
come n tremendous power in Cuba.
In the first quarter of the century he
had come, n poor Barcelonian fisherman,
to Havana; piled his vocation here; mar
ried a negress, Tomassa; suddenly disap-
peared; and in time came to be the most
daring and dreaded contrabandist and
freebooter ever known in the West In
dies. Governor General Tacon, having
exhausted all means to his capture. finally
offered $50, 900 in gold, and full pardon
to any of his followers who would de-
liver TO him the live or dead body of the
pirate. Upon this, Marti himself sud.
denly appeared in the palace in the guise
of his own betrayer; and, before making
himself known, secured not only the re-
ward, which he made a gift to Tacon, but
a monopoly for life of the fish privileges
of Havana. His millions. diplomacy and
great abilities made him during his later
life the most hated. fawned after and yet
powerful citizen the island ever knew.
And on his career to kinghood-for he be-
came Chevalier de Francisco Marti, and
secured for his negress wife and mulatto
daughters, La Bunda de Marie Lsuise, F"
the highest honor comfortable by Spanish
royalty upon woman, through the gift OF
one million in gold to Ferdinand Win
order to honor the friendship of Tacor
and placate the Havanese aristocracy, he
built here one of the largest and fines
theatres in the world, naming it theatr
Tacon. Under the influence and patron
age of these powerful societies, for a pc
riod, art and music were given extraordi
nary development, particularly the latter
1 and at this very TAcon theatre the pre-
duction Of great oratorios and gran,
operas were attended with a splendOr an
impressivencss never outrivaled in an,
European city.
f Naturally the capital had its imitators
and similar societies were established a
Matanzas. Cienfuegos. Santiago de Cuba
) and all other large cities OF the island
> The period of their greatest influence anC
, splendor was during the ten years between
1855 aud '65, this period also undoubtedl,
covering Cuba's most marvellous materia
gain and wealth. But it was also tina
period in which the a~varice ana spoliatioI
of Spain grew into such murderous pro
portions that the revolution of 1868, anC
the subsequent years Of horror we're mad,
inevitable. These great civilizing anc
ennobling associations we're annihilatec
by war. Spain and Spanish supremacy
controlling the cities under the military
and political regime which followed, al
talent in social organization was directed
to the formation of societies among al
classes which should foster, emphasize
and force into universal predominance
Spanish patriotism. Each of these asso.
Citations, wherever formed-and Spanish
diplomacy and force planted them in
every city, and every insignificant pueblo
of Cuba-was given the name of IF,
Casino Espanol de-" this or that, thus
boldly enforcing the influence, tendencie.
and expected purpose of all. The at.
tachment and supposed obligations to the