The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-18
Women In the
City of Havana.

scape is by no means imposing or
grand. though IL is bright and charm-
ing and the equable condition of its cl-
mate is shown by the fact that glass
windows are very rarely seen. and there
is hut little desire for fireplaces. Hardly
anywhere else are palm trees SO abun-
dant They gracefully adorn all the
chalk hills and serpentine rocks which
lie round the port and along the shors
and stretch far into the island. The va
rous forms OF cactus the mangoes. or
ange and lemon trees. the sago and
breadfruit trees, the pomegranate and
Oleander bushes. all unite in giving the
enVirons of Havana peculiarly gay
appearance. which is increased by the
mild atmosphere. Thus the splendid
port with it's forests OF masts. the cita-
dels and forts perched on every Hill near
the harbor and over all the deep blue
arch OF the tropical sky, recked with
neecy clouds, make a picture which Is
beyond doubt the most charming to be
found in the West Indies.
Havana Is divided into two great
halves by it's broad paseos, or prome-
nades. The outer town is more modern
and airy, having wider streets and bet
| ter pavements. The inner town is old
! er and more animated, for IL is the CEN
! ter Of business. Here. as elsewhere.
money is power. Every one aims at
having his own comfortable house and.
| above all, his private "volante. or
] small two wheeled gig, which has no
| drivers seat, but negro bestrides the
| horse. The ladies OF the better classes
| appear in public only in carriages, and
| il is said that many OF them have never Z
| set foot i'm the streets. They never en-
! ter a shop. but sit placidly in their
4 ok.. .lran Trir,
his wares across the pavement for THEM
| inspection.
The array OF well dressed ladies to be
seen in the paseos on Sundays and feast
| days is gay and brilliant in the ex-
| treme. These Sunday promenades are
| the great rendezvous of all pretty and
well to do women. Money, fashion and
love OF finery are then displayed in the
most gorgeous toilets. Even in winter
| the beautiful climate permits the wear
ing OF the thinnest costumes. The mar
ried ladies of Havana wear out OF doors
what would be deemed ball dresses in
the north.
The "volantes" go by in two long
lines. The gentlemen on foot lounge in
the broad allees and contentedly watch
them. The long, light and somewhat
uncomfortable "volante" looks pictur-
esoue with its silvered fittings. The
negro position wears his finest jacket
| richly trimmed with gold and silver
lace. His high riding boots. tipped with
| silver are picturesque survivals OF the
fashions of medieval Spain. the Ia
dies form trios in the carriages, and
the Youngest and most beautiful seno-
rita is the center OF each group, and as
they can proceed plly at walking
pace the bystaM> have the fuliesc
opportunity OF observing and compar-
ing the Cuban beauties who pass De-
fore them i'm a continual stream.
The ladies of Havana have for the
most mart an abundance of beautiful
black shining hair. fine black eyes, no.
bile foreheads, small mouths and com
nloxions generally rendered dazzlingly
white Inv means of cosmetics. III the
| climate affects the complexion and
| gives IL a yellowish tint, cosmetic ~
used in large quantities to restore IN"
natural hIie. Their profiles are not al
uavs nerfect. but they bespeak i'm q
marked degree Castilian or Andalusiar
descent.
; Cuban girls receive but the scantiesc
education Household duties are heid
TO be unworthy OF ladies in good CIR
cumstances and are left almost entireiy
~ colored female servants. Reading ana
|
and less French are taught and rasely
: does this system of education awaken
anv desire Ia study the great poets ana
novelists The reading OF even useful
] | hooks forms no part of the daily lire,
for they are regarded in Havana as
: Injuries that can be dispensed with.
I, though I'm one miserably supported
: bookstore at least 200 fashion magazines
: can be bought.
The lack of intelligence and fancy IS
|. | plainly seen i'm the women or HAVANA
l and a certain outward grace supplies
i this want i'm some measure. In cnurcn
? or i'm the thcater. i'm the ballroom or AT
j tho bull6rhts IN the circus the ladies'
t are cmspicuous by their imposing de-
y meauor and majestic carriage But this
y graceful department is artificial and ac-
70 at,ired Their conversation IS as duH IN
form as il is trivial i'm matter, and theirs
c Is no play of fancy or sprightly Wit 10
$ give a charm TO words. How such u
monotonous existence can be passed
without any occupation beyond that OK
e the toilet. the table and strumming up
q on a piano is only TO be exp~ined by
the force OF habit. Perhaps the climate
8 is to blame for making the inhabitants
n veritable lotus eaters.
p II is a popularity OF house construc-
|
of most families can be observed by
passers along the street. In conse-
: auence OF the frequent earthquakes
: people dwell chiefly on the ground
g floors. The huge latticed balconies
Ie stretch out almost TO the pavements
a and are always open to catch the fresh
4 air Thus. IL the pedestrian does not
J. wish TO be run down by a "voiante.
k he must hug the wall on the narrow
footnath. and in doing so his glance
N will at once take I'm the interior OF the
M lighted room plainly visible through
le the widely opened lattice. There ne
2 viii see gayly dressed ladies and ca
q baneros eravelv reclining In rocking
10 chairs and rarely breaking silence.
I. Mrs. David Jayne Hin. wife OF the re-
70 Gently appointed assistant secretary Of
!. state. is said To be one OF the beoo
1 .,,Ysav.,pisn in Washiug gtOp~