Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-04-29

sula terminated by o great fortress
and enclosed within high walls. En-
trance Is only to be obtained through
we'll guarded gateways, from the lower
batteries and the mole, while senti.
nels stand vigilant on every parapet.
1t is only by stealth that photographs
can be taken of these grim gray walls,
the Spanish officials seeming to think
that they are as effective for defense
as in the days they were first built,
two or three hundred years ago. But
from that fine harbor, if entrance could
could once be gained, modern iron
clad could knock those old stone tow.
ers and sentry boxes into smithereens
oreeyen from the sea outside the bar.
San Jua6ls.a 9 sickly city in the sum,
mer season, as it eSpessts. and invaria,
bly, receives, visit from Yellowlaek,
who takes his victims mainly from the
unacclimated classes. The houses of
the city, too, are crowded together,
after the manner of those in the older
portion Of Havana, while the narrow
and filthy streets are reeking reser-
voirs of corruption and disease. Not
withstanding this, however, there is
fine residential class here, composed
of native and Spanish stock, and it the
stranger brings good letters of intro
duction he will be Hospitality received.
That is, according to Spanish ideas OF
hospitality, which consist of an invi.
tation to cafe zone invitation), and
perhaps, as q great favor, another to
The cock pit.
The island is governed by Cover
nor-G General, with numerous officials,
oil Spanish, and, although Spanish
island, one Of the very few yet remain.
ing to the mother country here, yet
there is the same discomfort with re-
gard to the home government as is
manifest in Cuba. Excessive taxation
and an alien soldiery, together with
high.salaried positions, filled with for
eignerp, are among the causes con.
tributing to weanipg this loyal island
from its allegiance to the Spanish
crown.
Aside from the forts and the GENE.
terry where the dead are mainly de-
posted in "columbariae the market
place and cockpit are the only objects
ofinterest within the confines of the
city. The cockpit is not SO elaborate
as that Of Havana, being an arena
thirty or forty feet in diameter, Gov
cred with wire, corrugated iron roof,
and with floor of hardened earth,
around which wooden seats are placed,
within a fence three feet high. A cock
fight takes place here every Sunday.
One of the curious sights of the city
is the "rooster district, where the
sidewalks are monopolized by the aris.
tocratic fowl, tied to posts three OF
four feet apart. They are jealously
guarded, their keepers handling
them frequently, and continually civ
ing them "refreshers" by filling their
own mouths with water and squirting
it in their eyes and under their wings.
The fighting cocks may be seen here
every morning, taking their matuti,
nal airings. strutting to the length oi
their strings and making the air re-
sound with their crows of defiance.
Like Havana and every other Span
ish city, San Juan has its "Alorro," tt
visit which permission must be on
tanned from the commandante. With
in the massive walls of this vast castle
| fortress there is a small foreign tow
by itself. with houses, barracks .ant
even chapel, while deep beneath it
walls are dismal dungeons, fometime