El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-12-21
STATUES IN HAVANA.
MONUMENTS THAT COMMEMORATE
MEN AND HISTORICAL EVENTS.


Statuary In the Small Square at the
Head of the Prado-Havana's Mon
ument That Deserves to Remain
Forever-The Cfty's Parks.
Landscape gardening cannot be said
to have reached high state of perfec-
ton in Havana, or, if it was once I'M
derstood, the art fell into the disuse and
decay which marked everything that
was subject to Spanish control. There
are many little parks in the city, espe-
cially in the old town, which one comes
upon unexpectedly. If they were kept
in order and if they were cared for with
an eye to the landscape that is shut in
by low walls, they would be delight
to the discoverer. Some day not far dis
tant this will be done.
The Campo de Marie, or Field of
Mars, cannot properly be called re-
tired corner, for from it radiate the
streets which lead to the most populous
part of the city. Nevertheless it is little
frequented by the Inhabitants. They
seem to prefer taking their recreation
in the Parque Central, or Isabella park.
The park is divided by two broad av-
enues, which cross each other at right
angles. In the center is fountain with
out a statue. Other avenues cross the
park, SO that it becomes divided into
parterres. These also have their statue
less fountains. A few statues are hidden
in the shrubbery. They are not works
of art, and, though their obscurity is
not by design, it serves good purpose.
The foliage plants are of both tropical
and temperate climates There are rose
bushes in abundance. Yet the roses
have not the rich colors Of those which
do not bloom all the year. The palms
are not all royals. The three royal
palms which tower like giant sentinels
and which are visible from all parts of
Havana do not belong to the Field of
Mars. They are in the railroad freight
yard close by, but in the perspective
they are of the park.
Though the fountains in the Field of
Mars lack the adornment of statuary-
possibly through the forgetfulness Of the
magnificent Captain General Tacon,
who had to supply so many statues to
mark his rule that in founding this park
he overlooked the matter-yet the def
cheney is supplied in the "glarieta, or
small square, which is at the head Of
the Prado. 1t might also be considered
q corner Of the Marian field. The Condo
de Villa Nueva sought to perpetuate his
own name and add to the beauty Of Ha-
vana by presenting the statue Of India
by Canova, which rarely fails to evoke
admiration. The counts fame is per-
petuated not so much by the statue as
by the neighboring railroad station
which was named after him. A thou
sand persons hear Of Villa Nueva
through the medium Of railroad travel
where one discovers the fountain and
the beautiful statue carved out of Car
rara marble. The figure of India is SYM
bolical, and the effect is heightened by
the royal palms, symbolioal, too, of all
the Indias.
From the symbolical marble India of
classic art to the image Of flesh and
blood parsonage, a historical character,
is a short walk along the Prado. It
might be descent from Carrara to the
quarries of commerce. The statue of Is
abel II is not work of art. During the
Ten Years. war the Cuban patriots sew
eral times overturned her majesty, but
the Spanish authorities, none of whom
were artists or soulptors, were grieved
at the vandalism and restored Isabella
to her pedestal. The park has ceased to
bear her name and is now universally
known as the Parque Central. Much of
the history of Havana is conferred in
this park. Less than a year ago the
Spanish troops bivouacked there several
days and nights, holding it against the
mob which had been melted to the riots
against autonomy by officers who were
in command of those troops.
From time without memory the mill
tary band has given public concerts in
this park on Thursday and Sunday even
ings. 1t played during the reooncentra-
ton, when of the thousands of starving
country people who crowded into the
dying in the streets within sound of the
strains of music. 1t played during the
blockade, when the major portion of
the Havana population was praying
that the American feet might begin the
bonn bardment, which they would have
welcomed as deIiverance from greater
sufferings. The deliveranoe has come,
and when the Spanish military band is
gone it may be that the national air Of
America will be heard, for music the
people of Havana will always have
The statue of Isabella may remain for
awhile. 1t was erected in 1857 to honor
the memory Of Lieutenant General Ena
and his valiant comrades who died de-
Tending their queen and their country
in 1851. So reads the inscription. After
time 1T will give way to some worthy
monument.
Havana has one monument that de-
serves to remain forever. 1t is fitting
tribute to one whose services benefit
posterity. The statue is that of Fran