Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-19

must not be forgotten, tie Cathedral Is the
principal one, but not the oldest. San Angus
tine was formerly Monastery, and was built
| in lGOS, and the Nunnery of SAINT Clara in
1914, while the Cathedral was not commenced
till l7j6 and completed in 1924. One OF the
numerous tombs of Columbus is in the Ca
thedral here the ashes of the great discoverer
| lie beneath bust of himself, the tablet bear
ing an inscription in Spanish, "0hl Remains
an image of the great Columbus. A thous-
and ages ended preserved in tais u'n and
in the remembrance of our nation" The
fashionable church "La Merced," built in
1746, is attended by the elite of the city, and
is place of special interest to tourists. The
decorations and paintings are supurb. High
mass may be heard at the Cathedral or any
of the churches on Sundays. and feast days
at 8 10 9 O'Clock, but they are always open
and visitors cordially welcomed. At Catalina,
on O'Reilly street, repose the bodies
of the martyrs Celestino and Lucida, brought
from Rome as relics. Nunnery of Santa
Clara and the Monastery of Belen are places
of interest. There are no pews or seats in
Cuban churches. The people kneel on the
floor while prayers are said, there being no
long, tedious sermons to listen to.
It is permitted to visit the different forts
and Notifications; the principal one is Nor
row Castle and the next Cabana. Visitors are
permitted only by permit from the military
authorities, which is easily obtained through
the hotel agents, or the American Counsul
can put you in the way to get the necessary
and take boat to the east side of the bay,
less than mile, present your papers to the
very civil military gentleman in charge,
who will. courteously send an orderly with
you. and you will be glad you came. The
tower of Morrow Castle is lighthouse
showing a fash light of exceeding brilliance
fifteen leagues to seaward. The view from
the ramparts is q magnificent one; to the
west the city of Havana lies spread out, to
the southwest the palm covered hills extend
away to the mountains: to the north the
boundless ocean lies. Morrow Castleis con-
nected with the other forts on the same hill
by q tunnel under ground. All the forts and
castles may be visited and there is no word
of particular advice to give except to bear
the necessary papers, and while in the forts
avoid making any notes, as it is not permit
ted. as / soon found out. Don't fail to visit
the Jacon market. There is every thing for
sale-fsh, flesh and fowls, fruits and vege-
tables, dry goods. boots and shoes; chickens
are cut up and sold in pieces, if,a whole one
is not wanted you buy drum stick or
wing-anything from piano to banana.
| In driving about the city one will not be
impressed with the exterior of the Cuban
in Havana belonging to Spanish noblemen
which, if you are fortunate enough to gain
the entrie, will prove a most interesting
feature of yo1r visit. The Cuban residence
does not make much display on the exterior,
and many are not particular as to who their
neighbors are, or where the location is. The
line is drawn between their homes and the
world by the street wall, and whatever may
] be outside that wall has nothing to do with
| the inside; the outside may be a dirty and
squalid street; peep through an archway
will show court white and clean, with mar
Dle floors and stairs, playing fountains,
growing plants and flowers. Cane and will
low furniture are used exclusively; they have
no carpets, only rugs laid on the marble
tiles; the entrance is through a wide, high
archway, which closes both by iron gratings
and heavy doors. An attendant sits in the
archway at all times combining the services
of guard and porter. Their homes are
magnifcently furnished; the family car
riage and coupe are kept in the archway that
leads from tho street, but the horses in the
rear of the Court. In the center of the court
was playing fountain with rich flowers
blooming under its sprinkling waters; all
around this court were wide galleries whence
came the song of birds, and into these gal
leries opened the family rooms-marble
floors everywhere. The grand saloon parlor
walls were hung with rich paintings; on the
marble tiles were oriental rugs, in the center
large one about which the light fancy wood
chairs we're placed in hollow square. There
was every evidence of luxurious ease within,
but outside the low walls might be taken for
such as encloses warehouse or cotton yard,
but when one comes to the suburbs of Ha-
vanah then does the ideal tropic home come
to view in all its luxurious loveliness. The
Captain General has summer residence in
the suburbs where he resides from May to
December, and the drives there are especial
ly fine. While you are inspecting these villas
drive to Vedado. the Cerro and Tulipan, the
fashionable residence districts, and after
these, extend the ride to the beautiful City of
the Dead. The cemetery is usually the last
place you drive to, but I will bring it in here
as one of pleasure, the entrance to the ceme-
terry and chapel within are the most exquisite
pieces of architecture of the kind to be
found anywhere and the whole cemetery is
filled with tombs. Monuments and statues
that would adorn Greenwood or Spring
Grove. The grounds are located on the hills
west of the city, and besides the local beauty
of the place command fine view of the
island and sea.
When one has seen Havanah it is not a II by
any means. The tourist in justice to his
own pleasure, must do Cuba by rail. First
the suburban railways, dummy" train
leaves from the sea front near La Panta and
runs along the shore to the suburbs and ex-
tends to the cemetery. The Mareano Rail
way extends west from Havanah fifteen miles