Evening star., 1898-10-08

troops begin to receive 1heir,pay and silver
obtains a large circulation the difficulties
are likely to be increased rather than di-
minished for no one supposes that the
Spanish silver will be driven out of cir
culation at once, and the relative values
of the American and the Spanish coins viii.
be apt to cause haggiing. There will prob
ably be less of this in Havana than in the
country, but the Traveller will do well be-
fore leaving to ascertain whether to sup
ply himself with American or with Spanish
"Weylers script will be orphaned, If not
outlawed, so there will be no other means
of making change
Proper Clothing.
The matter of looking after comfort and
health begins with the clothing. The
chance to wear out summer garments in
stead of casting them off can be improved.
A light overcoat will be sufficient for the
severest wes ther that will be encountered.
AS matter of fact, most Americans would
not miss an overcoat at all IL thew I.ft If
oehind them, although Cubans and Span
lards don extra coats when the northern
winds sweep over the island in January
Summer underwear with a cha,ge or two
OF medium weight will answer for the en-
tire season. Americans as a rule have
trouble in adapting themselves to the un-
derWear which suits the natives of the is
iahd, and Tor single season it is not worth
while for them to bother to make the
change. Pajanas are, of course, handy
garments as in all tropical countries. A
light mackintCsch. or, if in the country. a
poncho, will not come amiss, while an UNI
brella is also useful While the rainy seq
son ends with october, there are occasional
heavy showers during the winter months.
Quinine and Brandy.
While physicians and medical experts
may quarrel about the qunine habit the
verdict OF those who have spent many
months In Cuba will unquestionabIy be In
favor of quinine. The drug need not be
taken as diet, but few grains of it at
night or in the morning are useful both as
tonic and as preventive of ma
laria. In travelling throughout the
country, cognac brandy is also a good
thing to have along, but to be taken
as medicine rather than a bev-
erage. Everyone can make the distinction
for himself. The night air is to be avoided
as much as possible, but the common ex-
perience is that the early morning air is
worse. General Fitzhugh Lee had theory
that malaria in Cuba did not differ from
malaria in Virginia, and in both places. he
declared. the worst hours for it were be-
tween and o'clock in the morning. So
he advised everybody who came to Ha-
vana to stay in bed till o'clock in the
morning, taking the additional hour as an
extra precaution. The generals advice,
however, can not always be followed, es-
pecially in travelling, and for those who
nave to rise early quinine is an excellent
substitute for lying in bed. With the care
that Is being taken in locating the camps
for the American military garrison, and
with the freedom from the heavy rains
and the burning sun, 1t is a safe assump-
ton that the sickness which was incident
to the Santiago campaign will not be re-
peated In central and western Cuba. Yet
with all the safeguards that are established
and Notwithstanding the difference in sea-
son. after a few months it will probably
IA foo nf ~
In the garrisons are sick with fever. Civil
1ans, or certain proportion of them, will
come under the same rule. Nevertheless
they need not on this account fear that
their lives are in danger. Ordinary medi-
cal attendance will be- sufficient for their
wants The Cuban fever is fearfulIy de-
pressing during its first stage, but it is
not likely to prove fatal
What to Eat.
What to eat is one Of the problems which
confronts every American who visits Cuba
A simple solution is to eat what the people
there eat. Nevertheless tits not always
possible within a few months to change
the habits of lifetime~or to accustom the
palate to strange tastes. 1t is not an alb
solute necessity to fall in with the Spanish
and Cuban custom of taking coffee in the
early morning and nothing else till toward
midday, when a heavy meal is eaten. In
addition to rolls, with coffee 1t is always
possible to procure fresh eggs and fruit
The virtues of the Cuban coffee are great
but the American business men can hardly
do as the Havana business man does He
takes small cup of black coffee and
cigar early in the morning, then goes to his
office and conducts his business for half
day. Nor are the American soldiers likely
to adopt the custom which both the insur-
gents and Spaniards followed of taking a
little coffee at daybreak and then marching
III noon without further sustenance
Whether in Havana or elsewhere the
American. by a little persistence and by
stipulating in advance can secure eggs and
fruit and toasted rolls with his morning
coffee. Meat, however, will not be supplied
him. Instead of taking all the courses in
the regular breakfast which is served any
time after 10 o'clock he will finI 1t to
advantage to confne himself to fish and
rice and the simpler dishes unless he has
been accustomed to a heavy midday meal
Wisdom of Temperance.
The matter Of drinking is even more seri-
Gus than that of eating The life insur-
ance companies, in giving permission for
temporary residence or travel In the West
Indies, quite generally require a stipulation
not to indulge in alcoholic beverages, 1t
takes a mfddle-aged topper several seasons
10 learn that the people of the tropics are
wise IN their temperance, and by that time
his liver is sure to be hopelessly diseased
But younger men who can get along without
an eye-opener or a night-cap will not find
1t difficult to adapt themselves to the Gus
toms OF the country. Moreover 1t is not
easy to get good whisky in Cuba Scotch
or Canadian is given the preference over
kentucky brands, possibly because the
kentucky whisky, which is imported is
not the real article. Englishmen in Cuba
commonly take their brandy and soda but
with moderation. The native cane rum and
the aguardiente, or native brandy, are safe
drinks when taken moderately but to the
american palate they are almost tasteless.
Ihe gin hzz is a popular drink and Is not
harmful - '-o'
II IS largely ordered by newcomers for
tne sake OF hearing the wonderful pronun-
clatlon which the Cuban and Spanish bar
keepers give it. When this novelty is
worn on, they content themselves with
in'es, tamarinos, refrescos and other mild
drlhks Usually these have acid enough in
them 10 be beneficial, though the complaint
Is mat they are too sweet. The refresco is
concoction of pure water and the whites
OF eggs and sugar beaten together into a
klhd OF honeycomb which is called pan
ale. AT first every American despises the
relresco, but after time h, finds that it is
feaiy refreshing. There is a large beer
brewery In Havana and beer is also Import
ed from New Orleans. 1t is not, however
Eood beverage in the tropics especially
10 tnoSe or a bilious temperament English