The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-30
ports-Curious Customs.
Especial Correspondence

tho Sports-Curious Customs.
Especial Correspondence
HAVANA, June 1o.-The American who
sets foot for the first time on the dock
at Havana is apt to exclaim, "Where am
atS" The people around are strange,
the buildings strange, and even the dogs
bark in strange language What is
not Spanish is Italian, and everything
smacks of the warm sun of the old world.
The most noticeable objects that pre-
sent themselves in all localities are uni
formed men. A marine stands sentry at
the entrance to the government dock.
He is very neat in his suit of grayish
blue. with dark blue, broad stripe
down tho trouser leg He has q white
cap, with visor and rounded top. He is
armed with rife and pistol. Just beyond
him and in striking contrast are two
soldiers. The soldiery acts as a police
force. The uniform is of the same light
blue, but scarlet band is along the
trousers seam, aud the blouse is orna-
mented with scarlet.
The cap is trimmed in red, with the
blue background, and is higher than
that of the marines. A broad brimmed
straw hat, Topped up Mt one side with
cockade. is also worn. A broad belt
supports great pistol holster in front
and n little box containing cigarettes
and other necessary articles. Acartridge
box is placed behind. A sword com
pletes the equipment, with sometimes a
rif1e. These soldier police stand in pairs
ON every corner. Intermingled with
these uniforms are many others-officers
in army and navy, cavalry, artillery.
Government officials are distinguished
by suits of the prevailing cool blue and
the straw hats.
The uniforms used in Cuba appear
very sensible. They look cheap beside
those of the United States army or navy.
The cloth resembles cambria and is light
and porous Although the soldiery are
not straight and fiat backed, as are the
Americans, their uniforms fit we'll are
clean. and their shoes are nicely BACKED.
The men stationed in Havana are said to
be volunteers and loyal to the govern
ment.
The gate that leads from the wharf to
the street is n wonderful place. All sorts
and conditions of men pass through it
half naked sailors and foreigners in
loose, bright colored jerseys and little
round caps and wearing no shoes or
stockings; graceful and handsome Gre
oles, negroes of all ages and in all stages
of dilapidation, rotund Spanish officials
full Of wine and good meats, beggars.
gunboat officers fastening in conscious
dignity to the dock, jack tars in blue
trousers, wide at the bottom, and white
shirt with rolling blue collar. others in
white duck and once in awhile come sorie
women with fan and lace shawl China
men and coolies and many IL nondescript
complete the motley procession.
The streets Of Havana are said to be
narrow. A person does not appreciate
this until he traverses them. Iii the older
portions of the city one vehicle has diff
Guilty in passing another. The sidewalks
are about feet wide. and the pedes-
trian is continually being crowded of
by people whom he meets. These Hal
vanans do not always go to the right. MS
we do. They sauntcr along regardless
of any one else. With true Spanish eifu-
siveness the young men walk with their
arms around each others shoulders. as
do schoolgirls in the United States.
a Havana street is Il most bcwildering
sight. Here is countrynan asride of IL
mule and with Il pannier on each side
of it. He has the machete at his hin.
There is Il yoke of oxen harncssed in IL
most peculiar fashion to IL 2-wheelcd
cart. and here are three mules loaded
down with harness and tassels and
driven bya swarthy red capped STRIPPING
perched on the cart behind them Naked
children stand in doorways. and almond
eyed wenches jabber i'll groups. The
houses form one continuous line and
have gratings instead of doors and wiz
dows, so the interiors arc visible to
every one. The structures arc cool. but
much resemble e Jail. The streets are
paved with round stones, and the vehicles
raise great din. The smells are awful.
Rotten fruit. stagnant water, filth of all
kinds, contribute to make one grand
frangipani.
I'll