The times., 1898-10-31
NECESSITIES I'm CUBA.

means 10 entertain strangers, however
strong may be their desire In the pres
ent conditions there will be no opportu-
nifty for the man who has knack of
turning his hand to anything to turn ii
To account in Cuba. That may come
within two or three years. but at pres
ent II will be fooihardy for anybody to
go to the island with the notion that he
can work his way after he gets there.
The matter of looking after comfort
and health begins with the clothing. The
chance to wear out Summer garments
instead of casting them off can be i'm
proved. A light overcoat will be suffi-
cient for the severest weather that viii
be encountered. AS a matter of fact.
most Americans would not miss an over
coat at all il they left il behind them. al
though Cubans and Spaniards don ex-
ira coats when the northern winds sweep
over the island in January. Summer un-
derwear with a change or two of me-
dunn weight, will answer for the entire
season. Americans as a rule have trou-
BILE in adapting themselves to the under
wear which suits tn natives of the island,
and for a single season II is not worth
while for them to bother to make the
change LAS In all tropical countries. a
light macintosh, or, If in the country,
a poncho. will not come amiss, while an
umbrella is also useful. While the rainy
season ends with October, there are oc-
casional heavy showers during the Win
ter months.
While physicians and medical experts
may quarrel about the qufnine habit. the
verdict of those who have spent many
months in Cuba will unquestionably be in
nh
taken as diet. but few grains of it at
night or in the morning are useful both
as tonic and as a preventive of malaria.
In travelling throughout the country cog
nae brandy is also a good thing to have
along, but TO be taken as a medicine
rather than as beverage. Everyone can
make the distinction for himself. The
night air is to be avoided as much as
possible, but the common experience is
that the early morning air is worse
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee had a theory that ma
iaria in Cuba did not differ from malaria
in Virginia, and in both places, he de-
clared, the worst hours for it were be-
tween and 7 o'clock in the morning. So
he advised everybody who came to Ha-
vana to stay in bed until o'clock in the
morning. taking the additional hour as an
extra precaution. The generals advice
however, cannot always be followed, espe-
cially in travelling. and for those who have
TO rise early quinine is an excellent sub
stitute for lying in bed. With the care
that is being taken in locating the camps
for the American military garrisons, and
with the freedom from the heavy rains
and the burning sun, it is a safe assump-
tion that the sickness which was incident
10 the Santiago campaign will not be re-
peated in central and western Cuba. Yet
uyifh all m hot h
lished, and Notwithstanding the difference
in season. after a few months il Will prob
ably be found that percentage of the
soldiers in the garrisons are sick with
fever. Civilians, or 4 certain portion of
them, will come under the same rule.
Nevertheless, they need not on this ac-
count fear that heir lives are in danger.
Ordinary medical attendance will be suf-
ficient for their wants The Cuban fever
is fearfully depressing during its first
stage, but ii Is not likely to prove fatal
What to eat is one of the problems
which confront every American who Wis
its Cuba A simple solution is to eat
what the people there eat. Nevertheless,
it is not always possible within a few
months to change the habits of a life
time. or TO accustom the palate to strange
tastes. II is not an absolute necessity to
fan in with the Spanish and Cuban Gus
]
ing and nothing else till toward midday,
when heavy meal is eaten. In addi-
tion 10 rolls, with coffee it is always pos
sible to procure fresh eggs and fruit. The
virtues of the Cuban coffee are great.
The Cuban business man takes a small
cup of black coffee and a cigar early in
the morning, then goes to his office and
conducts his business for half day
Whether in Havana or elsewhere the
t,H-a 1iffl ay,I
stipulating in advance. can secure eggs
and fruit and toasted rolls with his morn
ing 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 viii
find it to advantage to confine himself
to fish and rice and the simpler dishes.
unless he has been accustomed to
heavy midday meal
The matter of drinking is even more Sc
rious than that of eating. The life in
surance 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 middle-aged topper
several seasons to learn that the people
of the tropics are wise in their temper
ance and by that time his liver is sure
to be hopelessly diseased. But for
younger men, who can get along without
an eye-opener or a nightcap. it is not
difficult to adapt themselves TO the Gus
toms of the country.
Moreover. it 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. The gin fizz is a popular drink
and is not harmful 1t is-largeIy ordered
by newcomers for the sake of hearing the
wonderful pronunciation which the. Gu
ban and Spanish barkeepers give it.
When this novelty is worn off they con-
tent themselves with lines, tamarinos, re-
frescos and other mild drinks. Usually
these have acid enough in them to be
beneficial. though the complaint is that
they are too sweet. The refresco is a
concoction of pure water and the whites
of eggs and sugar beaten together into a
kind of honeycomb. which is called a
'.pasale.' AT first ecers.' American de-
SpiseS the refreSco. hut after a while
he finds that it is really refreshing There
is lager beer brewery in Havana and
beer is also imported from New Orleans.
1t is not. however a good beverage in
the tropics, especially to those of a bill
ious temperament. English ales can al
ways be had. The water drinker can get
along all right in Havana, which has a
supply of pure water not excelled by any
city in the world. Most of the larger