, 1888-04-15

Win tue laCI IN mllO t0at, as Things are,
the Spaniard and Cuban in Cuba, are
socially an entity.
The Casino Espanol OF Havana, whose
membership of about 5000 was obtained
during and since the revolution, is I'M
dcubtedly the most important club in
Cuba in point of numbers, wealth of
members and significance attaching to the
fact that its board of control is invariably
composed of those in a position to voice,
in a quasi-oficial manner, the Spanish
governmental politics in Cuba.
1t represents the Tory or Conservative
element and its power is shown and influ
ence largely felt not only through its Sc
cret adjustment of the current ideas
throughout the island, but in its frequent
open political maneuvers; its sobriscritos
to the Madrid government; and Its ad-
dresses to new ministers, governor gen
erals and other high officials. 1t is alertly
and aggressively Spanish in all things;
e%nforces its political supremacy by all
manner of entertainments and affairs that
appeal to public pride such as receptions
TO civic and military officials and Spanish
grandees; while its grand balls, tets and
banduets are regarded as the acme OF So
cial dignity and splendor. The interior
of its building, contains, IN addition to
the usual conveniences OF the best clubs
of America or Europe, spacious orchestra
and ball rooms, and a complete theatre
for its own performances.
The floors are of marble; the columns
are mirrored; its decorations in embossed
and colored glass are oriental in rare de-
sign and brilliancy; its walls are hung
with portraits of Spanish loyalty and he
roes of Spanish wars, intermingled with
notable scenes from Spanish history; its
cuisine is not excelled in Paris; and on
occasions within its sumptuous walls,
where the concentred sweetness and beau
ty of tropical flowers and birds are never
absent, may be seen the most ravishingly
beautiful women in the world.
The changed condition of society
brought about by the patched up peace
of Zanjon, made possible a club where
either and neither party might meet
without ceaseless promptings to the ran
cor OF political feeling or natural pride.
The Union club thus had its origin. 1t
is wealthy, aristocratic, exclusive, and its
members and privileges are confined
wholly to men. So far as | am informed
this is the single instance in Cuba where
women are thus denied. Neither politics
nor religion are discussed by its members,
only such games OF cards as are permitted
by law are allowed; the most eminent of
Cubans in the professions and mercantile
life, as well as the highest Spanish Off
cials, here meet daily in mock friendship;
the consul generals of France. Great
Britain, Germany and the United States
are members, and it is absolutely the only
spot among men in all Cuba which may
be regarded as strictly neutral ground.
Among other clubs Of unusual promi-
nence in Cuba are the "Cercle Francois"
at one time also the resort for wealthy
Cubans who could not tolerate any man
ner of social relations with their Spanish
masters, and at which many of the most
noted fetes during the past decade have
been given; the "Circulo de Axedorez, p"
devoted to lovers Of chequers and chess,
and resultant from which are the noted
Carboyal; the "Circulo Taurino, " an out
come of last years craze for the king of
matadors, Mazzantini, and the consequent
sport Of bull batting, the members of
which comprise a small band of "oficio-
nados." who have given amateur bull
fights, and the front of the building a
blood red color; a near neighbor, the
''Circulo Autonomista, y a political as well
as social club which is doing effective
work in promulgating 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 Gimuastico' whose efforts are to
preserve the athletic glories Of the Cir.
culo de Tiradoes," the famous Cuban
sporting club which went down before The
destroying breath of the revolution; tn,
"Circulo Habanero,' the natural sue
cessor of the early and glorious "Filar
monica" and "Liceo," undoubtedly tn,
most popular club in the island; aud tn,
"Circulo Militar," or army and nav
club, on the Prado, entirely Spanish i
its membership and purposes, whicl
gives annually undoubtedly the mos
magnificent ball in christendom.
) Altogether fully fifty of these aristo
: cratic clubs exist. Their importance Il
! aristocratic life is seen when it is remem
1 bered that the total population Of Havani
? does not exceed $50, 600, and of this no
more than one third, all told, are whites
During carnival season from 100 to 20t
t balls are given, exclusive OF all othe
forms of entertainment, and while tn
present condition of affairs in CuDa re.
strlcts old time lavish expenditure, nj
city in the world can o%utrival the splen
dor and brilliancy of these club affairs
Indeed, all ambition and effort seem t
center in the social empressomcnt thu
possible to secure and all else attainablt
through wealth, leisure, accomplishment
intellectually, and ever in countless little
pleasures here so easy to secure, are ig
nored in a shabby. sodden. slip shod in,
difference, which, at least in spirit, the
active and aspiring American cannot but
holly resent.
In former times the great wealth o.
Cuban aristocracy permitted its member,
the widest privileges in foreign travel and
astounding lavishness in expense. Thous,
ands of Americans have come in contact
with this at our own most noted summer
resorts, during the last half century.
Now, however, leading Cuban familiesiu
their metropolis perforce content them
selves with brief stately drives on the
Prado or along Gale Anche del Norte by
the sea, in gorgeous equipage BY occa-
sional appearances in Parque Central in
bewildering displays of finery and diam