The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-07
FREDERICKSBURG VA. THURSDAY

lived at Casa Blanca (the white
house) 10 San Juan, Porto Rico. at
that time made of wood, but now Of
stone and brick, still preserving the
same white color which gave 1t lis
distintive name, aud commanding.
from the eminence Ou which II Is SIT
usted, a fiue view of the ocean and
the entrance to the harbor.
LUIS Ponce de Leon had his
fathers remains brought from HA-
vana to San Juan, where they were
inferred in the church Of San Jose,
as it is now called, but which was
then known as the church of Santo
Tomas de Aquino. aud belonged to
the Dominican Convent, which was
located next TO it.
In the Plaza de San Jose in front
of this venerable church, still well
preserved, after the lapse of
more than four centuries, aud visited
daily by dovout worshippers, there
stands q bronze statute Of Ponce de
Leon, of life size and martial attitude
aud bearing, having on its pedestal
the Spanish inscription, which, 10
Elglish, reads; Erected to Juan
Ponce de Leon, the COnqueror and
FIRST Governor of this Island, June
"a, 1882" " O.ber inscriptions on the
pedestal Of this monument refer to
the fact that Ponce de Leon accomp
anied Coum bus on his second voyage
TO the New World that he reached
the Island Of Porto Rico in 1905 and
terminated the conquest thereof in
l5il; and after reference TO his visit
to Florida, tell the story of his death
in these words: "Herido Ell la Florida
en- 1921. Murio de resultss POGO de
llegar E Cubs" which, freely trans.
lated, are Wounded in Florida in
1921. Died from tbs effects thereof
soon after his arrival in Cuba"
Another statue in San Juan, in the
Plszt de Cristobal Colon, erected 10
Columbus, is 3 work OF art which re.
fleets credit upon Porto Rico, and
which would be gu ornament and
honor to any city. TIE pedestal is
lofty with FIVE sides, each beaiiug 8
bronze tablet Of large size, let into
the stone, elaborstely aud exquisi,ely
carved with artistic, historical de-
signs, descriptive of the departure of
the great discoverer with the cara
wells, the voyage, discovery and land.
ing. The pedestal is surmounted
by an exquisite, huted Corintbisn
column, on the top Of which stands
the life size statue of white
marble, representing c, lumbus as
richly clad, head barred, nst in hand,
gszing into the distance as if looking
for the longed.for.lsn1. The coun-
tensnee is noble and ma jestic, and
the whole figure tends to inspire
reverence and admiration for the
man whose genius and courage
doubled the known world. The
pedestal bears the simple inscription:
puerto Rico q Cristobal Colon"
with the name of the artist, as fol
lows: "Achille Csnessa, Geneva,
1903"
la the matter Of social entertain
ments and amusements, while San
Juan is not up to the standard Of
Washington, it is by no means devoid
of interest. The Monday evening re-
ceptions at the Fortaleza Palace, the
residence of the Governor General,
are very popular and largely attended
by fair ladies Of the American con
tipgent of San Juan, with others, who
are native and to the manor born,
military officers, officials Of the mill
tsry government and citizens. The
GovernorGenersl and his wife re-
ceiye their guests with cordiality, and
their accomplished daughters grace
the occasion with their presence.
The one theatre of San Juan is
constantly open, and occasionally
the performances are excellent.
The Concha Martinez opera com
pany, when here some weeks ago,
drew large crowds. Musical enter
tsinments are frequently given at the
rooms of different clubs, at the Cas-
inc Espsgnol they occur weekly.
Summer still reigns in Porto Rico
in fact it reigns here eternally, and
white linen suits are in vogue the
year round. 1t is hard to realize
that Thanksgiving Day is near 81
hand, and before this letter shall ap-
pear in The Free Lance, the Thanks
giving turkey and plum pudding will
have been dispensed throughout the
States in dining rooms made cheer
full with glowing fires. FIre-plsces
and stoves Except for cooking pur.
poses) are unknown here.
John r Garrison.
San Juan, Porto Rico.
November q, 1899.