Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-19
special Correspondence of TIE EVENING STAR.
rCnnNrlyhted. 1sSS

O3GutcV ushJcfS
THE OLD HOMESTEAD OF Mt HOST
was OF the average pattern OF hundreds OF Others
In tAis portion OF Cuba So far as one could see.
the structure itself, and daily life within and
around II, could not have been more disturbed by
the uprisangs and revolutions which have 80 long
rent the unfortunate island, than by the present
state OF seige which the tyrant, Marin, recently
declared upon four OF the most important cuban
PROVINCES one fancies 1t could have been seen
Just as II now Is centuries ago. and that centuries
can bring II no change. This one and all others OF
pretensOn hereaOout are built OF the porous Cuban
stone, which hardens from exposure. They are
lmIne nSey large n ground area, and but lofty
story In height. though under the center OF the
IOoi there Is guardlla or garnet which the great
equal set up a Few feet from the ground on
large square stone pillars, permitting free passage
VI the air underneath, as with many olden South
erh plantation houses, huge beams OF guabrahaca
wood rest upon these, and upon this foundation
the walls are laid. From the high peak the roof
S g., In long concave sweep not only TO the
sde-waIls, but 20 feet beyond for the covering OF
porehes SO broad that, enclosed as they are, at
VII, Dy immense reed-woyen bilombos or screens,
ny placucaIly become spacious additions TO the
nSlng rooms OF the house Al the two OF her sides
the same sort OF oelly1ng roofs curve Downward
anu outwaru, covering other immense verandas,
- tnat the already large house is entirely sur
rounded by these extraordinary porches From a
instance me structure seems all roof; and this
ruoi, winch Is laid with alternate convex and CON
cave uling, Is the Quantest thing YOU ever saw IN
rs MOsSes, puces and browns fecked here and
thers oy dapples OF sunlight occasionally break.
Ing through the laarels and palms
In THESE CHEAT COUNTRY DWELLINGS
the city patio or court Is seldom seen But ex
tending from 'front.' 70 rear through the center o,
the whole house, often a distance OF an HUNDRED
feet. Is such hall or Interior as would nut SONS
OF Old Englands most famous manor konss.s ~
shame. ] ne outer doors leading to these are mas.
sive as cathedral doors. AT either side are iarvt
ungiaze yentanas or windows, guarded by iron.
WORK OF the most fanciful foliations. and ms
broad, low edges 10 these winsome retreats 10,
observations or languorous siesta. The walls n,
this great hall are set at frequent Intervals with
immense mahogany pillars, across from the plaiI
eappings OF which extend huge beams, Supporting
the door above. These pillars and beams are nm
ornamented save with occasional high relief cary
ings upon the latter OF the heads OF wild animal.
and the nercer faces OF ancient spanish cheyaliers
and between these, at intervals, are hung the still
more ferocious machetes, sabres and century-old
firearms comprising the portentous family arsenal
ENTRANCES TO LIVING ROOMS
TO the hight and left are lofty screen-coveret
entrances 10 the score or more spacious living
rooms. and between these are broad divans oveI
which rawhide or cane is Enthusiastically stretched
from the center OF the ceiling hangs huge can.
oeiaora. below which depends an ancient and
enormous lamp In brass, and underneath this Is q
circular diyan, upon which q dozen may rest
Dcllt around great bronze urn used as O recepl
tacie .or potpourris Of tropic flowers Every room