Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-04

methods OF disinfection I'm the camps and
hospitals. General Wilson has shown
me every courtesy and his staff are I'M
RENTING to all OF the correspondents,
nurses, and inspectors in their attentions,
| pV'h al this town and at Ponce.
| BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
IL seems little strange TO live in a
| military town. under military rule, where
the conquered are in the throes OF the
| greatest happiness OF their lives. The
scenery Is beautiful here. Plantations
are very well Kept, the vegetation is rich
ana luxuriant. and the roads are unusu-
ally good. The handsome homes and
quaint parks combine to make a fasci-
mating picture.
In camp here this morning I ran
across some books and magazines sent by
Mrs. Donald Mclean. regent Of the New
YORK city Chapter OF the Daughters OF
the American Revolution. Both officers
and soldiers are eloquent in their thank
fulness. This body has certainly scored
grand success in their branch of its
work.
A GARDEN OF EDEN.
In my work 1 have TO ride from five to
eight hours day, both by carriage and
muleback, wherever the roads allow. /
md novel and enjoyable surroundings
al
Garden Of Eden, and the people are de-
liciously odd and curious. The women
are exceptionally pretty. graceful, mo-
dest, and artistic. They follow the
styles of Paris and Madrid but preserve
much OF the picturesque effect of ye
olden time. / have seen bolerOs a mass
OF lace stripes and ribbons, mantillas Of
ancient Gothic lace, and evening cloaks
OF royal velvet The Spanish slipper.
with the arched instep. is much in evil
dence among the wealthy women, and
the wearers are famous for their pretty
feet and ankles. Sometimes the slipper
covers silk or embroidered hose and
sometimes, though 1 may not be believed
white. rosy. or olive cuticle. On the
other hand, middle-aged or old womcl
Of the better classes, and all the women
OF the lower classes, go about with run
down or heelless slippers, and look as
sOvenly as can be. Some have a shut
fling gait from long use of this lazy wo-
mans footwear.
THE WOMEN NOT INTELLIGENT.
The women are not far advanced intel
lectually, according to our standards, but
they make good wives and housekeepers
L took a trip up to MayueeZ, which is
our latest possession, and of all the places
] have visited yet this is the prettiest and
most congenial. Imagine the landscape OF
Georgia. the luxuriant vegetation Of South
ern California and the queer architecture
in which the Spaniards keep alive the
Middle Age, and you have this delightful
place. Most of the houses are of brick or
stone, whitewashed, or partly covered
with moss or vines, with small windows.
n fiat roof, a gloomy doorway and a pic
tUresque interior. The arrangement Is
strange, but proves very agreeable in tor
rid weather. Floors Of stone, brick, or
hard wood permit the use of enough water
to satisfy a knickerbocker housewife.
Windows, small. but open, facilitate ven
tilation, and the thick roof keeps out much
of the suns heat In the interior is
quadrangle court, or vestibule, which
seems the favorite spot in each house.
THE PICTURES.
I enclose three photographs, which be
sure 10 use with the article as photo
graphs Of army life in Porto Rico are
scarce. The large one shows the natives
OF Ponce, who are still rejoicing at tho
downfall of Spain, and their good fortune
which placed them under the Stars and |
Stripes. The other two scenes were taken |
at the front and given me by an English |
who had secured some fine
views before news Of peace arrived.
MARGHERITA ARLINA HAAfM