The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-05-04
THE STATE PRESS.
IN ANNUAL SESSION AT KEY
WEST.
The BanEeT'S Editar-in.l hIsf on His
Travels.
Where He Went, What He Saw How
He was Impressed Told for the
Edifcation and Pl.asure Of the
Many Banner Readers,
Many Banner Readers.

Leaving Key West at night time
the next morning you arrive in Ha-
vana. It's said to be the most beauti-
full harbor in the world, and is almost
completely landlocked. It has frown-
ing forts on either side, the famous
MORO Castle being one of them.. This
fort is hewn out of solid rock, and be-
fore our naval armamentshad reached
their present state of perfection af-
forded complete protection to the
city.
Ships are not allowed entrance into
the harbor during the night time,
hence the Key West steamers time
themselves to reach there after the
morning gun has sounded. There are
no wharfs and each ship has pier out
in the harbor to which it anchors.
Here it is met by wherries, which
transport passengers and luggage
ashore. All of which seem very queer
to persons not accustomed to such
sights.
Reaching shore you are met by q
strange people; houses of curious but
substantial architecture narrow
streets, so narrow that they are COM
| pletely spanned by awnings; sidewalks
so miniature in width as to have the
appearance of having been made for
doll carriages; and a molly gang of
vendors and quadrupeds fantastic in
appearance and carrying packs that
would dazzle the eyes of Florida ne
gro farmer. The oxen are large and
strong, the carts cumbersome, but
carry heavy loads, the entire weight
] resting on the head of the animal, and
he pushes rather than pulls the load.
1t seems cruel mode, and the s'mild-
eyedn Junos tug along as if dergreat
strain and tortue. The houses are
never more than three stories, but are
massiyely constructed. The floors
and steps of hotels and private resi-
dences and the larger stores are of
marble, and the roofs are all tiled.
This style of roofing should be adopted
in Florida. 1t is cheap, cool and last
ing. There are no chimneys in Cuba.
The tourist travel, especially in vim
fer, being large, the hotels are well
kept. The rooms are large but not ele-
gantly furnished. The bedsteads are
all iron, and the mattresses sag in the
| middle, which, with two in a bed,
makes sleeping most affectionate, but
rather warm for comfort in hot eli
mate. Breakfast is from 1890 to II
M and dinner from 80 to 8 p. M.
But before the breakfast hour bread
and coffee and fruit are served. The
exactions of government are very
great in the manner of taxation, but
personal liberty is greater than in the
United States. You can have your
shoes shined in the parlors of the ho-
tells if you like, and before proceeding
to his work the bootblack leisurely
seats himself on the floor, carelessIy
wraps cigarette, lights it, and begins
putting before polishing. The whole
population, that doesn't run to cigars,
seems to run to cigarettes. Boys and
senoritas alike use the weed. 1t is not
unusual to see the table waiter smoke
at intervals as well as the guest he is
serving. But strange to say chewing
tobacco is not used and much of the
vileness of the habit is thereby avoid
1 ed.
Cuba is the richest island in the
world. There is not a foot of poor
land on it, but with the exception of
the royal palm, the most beautiful and
graceful of all trees, there are not
many trees on the island, and at sea
presents rather barren appearance.
The pasture lands are most luxuriant; !;
guinea grass grows perennially and
makes a most excellent pasture and
forage plant. The cows are large and
fat and the bulls ought to be ferocious,
but not staying over Sunday we were
denied the vitiated pleasure of wit
Messing bull fight which is still the
national rage.
! We visited the botanical garden at
tached to the summer residence of the
Captain General and the ladies of the
party went into ecstacies over the
beauties it presented. The whole
world could be searched to find a
granyier view than that presented by
the avenue of royal palms. We were
admitted into the palace. (which is
now vacant) and shown through the
various apartments. Royalty, it
seems, has no concealinents and is
more easily approached than the insti-
tutions of democracy. The palace
hasn't disappearance of magnifieence,
and indeed we were surprised at its
austere and rugged simplicity. We
also happened upon the winter palace
of the Captain General in the city by
accident, and although having no in
terpreter was admitted into the beau
tiful court and shown everything the
same as if the house belonged to US,
from parlor to stable. The carriage of
! state was uncovered and each member
of our party made to occupy seats in
it for a moment as we were also made
to sit in the chair of state. We have
visited the White House with letter
from our representatives to show us
| special courtesies hut no such pri il
eges were allowed us.
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