Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-03-10
Letter from Cuba.


MARIEL, CUBA, Feb. Is, w.
Editor Sentinel Taking advantage OF a
short period of leisure, it is with pleasure
that pen you a briet letter descriptive of
this section of country, which | hope may
be of interest to your readers.
From the place where am sitting, look
ing to the north and west, can see, be-
yond the clear blue waters of the Bay OF
Mariel, the whte.capped breakers of the
Gulf of Mexico as they dash against the low
and rocky northern shore of Cuba. In the
same line of vision, near the entrance to the
bay, lies the Spanish transport, "Alfonso IL, y
reduced to hopeless ruin by the American
gunboat scorpion" To the left | see a
deserted Spanish hospital, where thousands
persisted of disease or hunger during the
late instruction. Further to the LETT, on
commanding elevation, stands Spanish
fort, also deserted, from which few grim
and rusty cannons still point in sullen
silence toward the restless sea. 1t is peace
full, pretty scene. White sails skim the sun
lit waters of the bay; pelican floats leisure
ly aloft, as If searching for some secreted OBJ
ject in the deep. Now, like an arrow, he
dives into the water, and quickly rises with
a luckless minnow held firmly in his capa-
cious beak.
Looking away to the right | see broad
expanse of sloping land, freely sprinked
with royal palms and clothed in vegetation
of various kinds. There are cocoanut groves,
banana orchards, patches OF growing to-
bacco, hedges of prickly cactus, fields OF
grass waist high, and brilliant wild flowers
of many hues. see yoke of oxen draw
ing wooden plough-one man leading,
another driving-all moving 50 slowly that
they seem to be standing still. Agriculture
is slow In this country. Everything is
slow-everything behind time--here, ex
cept the work of Nature. The soil will, in
due time, bring forth its bounty, even
though poorly cultivated. But the Cuban
sun is warm, the atmosphere is enervating
Both have tendency TO superinduce
"chronc indispostion to exertion." 1t is
therefore but natural that many of the
Cubans would rather play than work,
They like to celebrate-to eat, drink and
make merry-to sit in the breezy shade and
tell funny stories-to harbor vague day
dreams OF an independent and glorious ma
tional future. They are fond of dancing,
too--slowly, OF course and at night time,
when the atmosphere is cool.
Notwithstanding the extreme poverty in
which the war has left many Of the people
here, there has been great deal of dancing
and celebrating during the past two weeks.
On the 22nd inst. there was grand demon
stration in the pueblo of Mariel, not in honor
OF George Washington, but TO gloriiy more
modern herO-one who is yet in the land OF
the living. AT Z o'clock in the morning a
colored man of small stature-clad in the
habiliments of war, buried in gumboots al
most to his arm pits, wearing pair OF spurs
OF most prOdiglous size, and attended by his
"staH, brass band and patriotic order
composed in part Of temales-rode gaily into
Marlel. Dismounting at the head Ol the
principal street, the visitors were met by the
mayor and his cotorie, who bade them a
hearty welcome Forming in procession
they paraded throughout the town, which
was resplendent with Cuban flags and ban
ners. Then there were services at the church
and exercises at the town hall, the chief tea
ture of which was the presentation OF a
yellow paper bouquet To the general by a
young lady whose very dark complexion
was masked in snowy powder Then came
an excursion to the mouth of Marie Bay.
Returning, breakfast was served at L. NJ =,
which continued nearly three hours, fol
lowed by tournament in which nobody
took ring until time was called on account
oil darkness. Dinner began at 8 i. M, al
the conclusion of which grand ball held
the boards till 8 O'Clock the next morning
After twenty. three hours OF solid and un
interrupted festivities the general and his
crowd rode gaily out OF town at O'Clock
in the morning
IL Is not strange, however, that the Cuban
masses are now in happy mood. Looking
back upon their sad condition for the pas
lew years, il is but natural that they SHOULD
celebrate their deliverance upon every oc.
casion and the slightest proVOcation.
The style of dancing popular In these
parts partakes of the nature of steady Job
The music proceeds on the principal OF an
endless chain, but of course is more harmo-
Nous. A single tune is all that seems to be
necessary, being of simple construction and
very stout and durable. IL is an easy trick
for Cuban country girl TO dance inces-
sanity for any length of time, and never
strain a spoke or slip a cog.
Begging pardon for this DEPRESSION, have
only time to return long enough 10 the
original subject TO give the reader cursory
glimpse OF the country lying TO the south
and east of the town of Mariel In the dim
distance, 10 that direction, dark looking hills
look down upon us and mountains "bow
their tall heads 10 the plains" Intervening
lies broad expanse of undulating, fertile
fields, partly covered with waving sugar
cane and partly with the wild, rank vege-
tation which abounds in neglected soil.
These thousands of acres have been made
TO yield no profit during the past three
years, yet In their bosom sleeps mine OF
wealth for the industrious husbandman.