Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-14

'Circulo Militar." or army and navy club, on the
p do. entirely Spanish In its membership anu
pun, oses which gives annually undoubtedly the
most magnificent ball IN chnstendom.
BRILLIANT cLrB BALLS.
Altogether fully nifty OF these aristocrafic clubs
exist Their importance TO arstocratic life Is seen
| when IL is remembered that the total population
OF Havana does not exceed 100000, and of this
During the carnival season from 100 TO 200 balls
are given, exclusive OF all other forms Of enter
m and while t9s Present cSndr on q
Iure city In the world can out-rtval the spendoF
and briIliancy Of these club affairA Indeed, all
empressnent thus possible to secure; and ali else
attainable through wealth, leisure, accomplish
ment, intellectually and even In countless little
pleasures here so easy to secur and ignored In a
shabby, sodden, slipshod Indifference which, at
least in spirit, the active and aspiring American
cannot but holly resent.
GAY ARIsroCRAcY
In former times the great wealth of Cuban aris-
tocracy permitted its members the widest prtvt-
leges In foreign travel and astounding hvlshneas
In expense. Thousands Of Americans have come
IN contact with this at our own most noted
summer resorts during the last half century.
Now, however, leading cuban families In
their metropolis perforce content themselves
with brief stately drives on the Prado or along
equipage; by occasional appearances In ParQue
Central In bewfldering displays Of nnery and dla-
monds; with brilliant groupings on pOrticos and
and the never-ending military pageants pass In
review; and In languid lollinos In the orentally
SOUND OF music the song OF birds and the fragrance
Oh matcnless flowers have never an end.
HIGH CARNIVAL AT SUGAR PLANTATIONS.
TINS is or course occasionally varied by visits TO
such cuban resorts at Banos de Santiago though
the older families still cling to the pleasant custom
OF holding high carnival In the magnificent houses
at tne great sugar plantations. Iewas not SO long
ago that entertainment was here given positively
prncely In It's character; and even at the present
time the hospitality and gaety are without equal
in any portion OF our own country So too, the
aristocracy set great store by the vlla-iving Gus
TOM sustained by the especially favored rich and
out the island, many of the most noted OF these
oelng Within easy reach or Havana
TYPICAL coUNTRY-sEAr.
One, "Las Delictas," built In 1884, by Don
Domingo Sanchez Toledo, a rich young Cuban,
now studying medicine In Paris, Is typical OF them
all IL is but two leagues distant from the Prado.
An avenue, half mile long, bordered by royal
palms fully 100 feet high, leads to the massive
iron gates. strong enough to Withstand almost any
manner OF assault The grounds are simply a
tropical paradise, and the structure and out
buildings 1T TO be ranked with the best
Cuban l srons nGo fSe v hSesy
profusion upon the grounds; poinsiana trees
glow In blossom; purple dracsenas wave In flaming
scarlet hibiscus and blooming cacti are as common
as lilacs I'm New England farm-y ard; at every
turn one conrrontS noble statuary, set like contem-
plative gods and goddesses In some radiant
Cipango; while the lull Of murmurlng fount ,1ns
and tue low tw1tter OF brOOding birds blend with
the whispertngs OF 1ower-laden zephyrs among
the buds and blooms and leaves above
OF lies DeliciaS" itself, It Is rightly named. It
Is q dream OF beauty and luxurious ease And It Is
In such retreats these that the restraints OF high
life IN Cuban cities are removed. and In the mar
cote hours OF Dever-ending thyme and bloom and
balm, such goOdly company as that OF Pamphilus
Philostrstus, and Dioneus and their fair compan-
ions OF Boccacc.o's glowing fancy. re-lIve in as
glowing AntLlian hours al-winsome Decamero-
Alan days. EDGAR L WAKEMAN