Evening star., 1899-07-29

made that the red, white and blue flashes
out at every twist of her ivory wrist. You
can see that the better class of Porto
Ricans are very patriotic. They are glad
they are Americans, and will be good citi-
ZenS.
Let Our Summer Girls Beware.
AS 1 looked at these pretty Porto Rican
girls l thought of the sensation they would
create among our young men when they
visit the fashionable watering places of
the United States. They will be formid-
able rivals of the American summer girls.
Heretofore many of them have taken their
outings in Europe but now thev are talk
ing OF coming to the United States. They
are taking lessons in English. and already
several of them have found husbands
among our army officers. 1 understand
that they like Yankee beauX better than
Porto Ricans. and that they will prefer
American husbands because American
wives have more freedom and better times
Speaking of customs. our young men will
have great advantage over the Spanish
beaux. According to the etiquette of Spain
which prevails in Porto Rico. young man
cannot engage in converse ton with his
sweetheart upon the street. He dare not
call upon her expecting to find her alone
and in case there is another man paying
attention to her he is not supposed to in
terfere. The Americans will not regard the
rules of Spanish etiquette. and at present
the chances seem to be all in their favor.
Social Life in San Juan.
I was surprised to see so many women
at this ball. l did not think there were so
many pretty girls on the island. 1t is only
at such times we see the better classes of
Porto Rico women. They seldom go upon
the streets. They do not hang out of the
windows or over the balconies, as the
South American girls do. and in short they
are very exclusive. 1t is only a few of
them that go out to walk in the plaza
VI hands nd
might be for months in Porto Rico and not
know that it had -four hundred"
1 believe the better-class Porto Ricans
very friendly toward the Americans.
This feeling has been materially bettered
by the conduct of some of our army off,
cials. and especially by Gen. Fred Grant
and his wife Mrs Grant is accustomed
to ente, tanning, and during her stay here
she gave receptions and dinners every
week. To her receptions the Porto Ricans
were glad to come, and here they met the
wives of the officers of our army and navy
and the officers themselves. Other Ameri
cans who were in San Juan were invited,
and in his way pleasant relations have
been eSta bliShed.
The White House of San Juan.
1t might pay Uncle Sam to allow our gov
arnor general al Porto Rico a for en-
tertaining. 1t would do much to teach the
Porto Ricans American ways and to bring
them into accord with us. Gen. Henry did
not entertain much during his stay, but
this was probably because his wife was not
very well.
The government palace is well ada apted
to receptions. 1t is, you know, the home
of the captain general, which came into
our hands through the war. 1t is an i'm
mense building of two stories, having, /
judge, at least two score rooms. A number
of these are now devoted to Offices but
there is left almost much room as in the
White House, and Gen. Davis has several
magnificent parloTs.
Entering the palace. you go in between
two of our soldiers and walk up wide
staircase, by stack Of rifles, past mirror
draped with two American flags. to the
second floor. This is the living part of the
palace. Turning to the left, you first en-
ter the reception ROOM which is as large
the ordinary parlor. and thence pass
on into the drawing room. which is about
fifty feet long. twenty-five feet wide and
twanty feet high. 1t is fioored with white
and black marble. Its walls are frescoed
in lilac and gilt, and the room is almost
covered with large mirrors.
The drawing room, like the rest Of the
palace. is furnished just it was when
the Spanish left it. Uncle Sam bought the
furniture. including the piano. the billiard
table and the carriage and horses, which
our governor general drives. The palace
in fact. looks more like Spanish dwelling
house than an American one. The chairs
are of Austrian bentwOod. and they are
arranged about marble tables in Spanish
style. Upon some of the walls are pic
lures OF spanish scenery painted IN OILS,
and as you go out of the drawing room
into the music room you pass bronze stat
ueS of Spanish knights in armOr on pedes-
tails OF black marble
| particularly examined the piano 1t
was made In Barcelona, and 1t is said that
il originally cost 81 eco.
Beyond the music room is the billiard
room, where the Spanish officials cracked
the ivory balls which our officials crack
now. This room has windows looking out
upon the palace gardens, the bay and Nor
70 Castle. From it you can see the Casa
Blanca, another government building which
sta nds upon the foundations of house in
which Ponce de Leon lived several hundred
years ago. The palace itself was begun in
| the sixteenth century, although 1t was NOT
finished until 1S4S.
How the Porto Ricans Live.
1t seems strange to Americans to have
the parlors and reception rooms on the sec
ord floor. This is the custom in most of
the towns of Porto Rico. The rich people
of San Juan all live in the second stories
| of their houses, the lower floors being Civ
| en- up to the poor. Out in the country the
| houses of the richest farmers have store.
| houses, granaries or stables beneath them
| and you have to go up lohg steps to get to
| the front door.
The average country house has no glass
| In Its windows. but only shutters which
| open and close. 1t is built with a large
| living room in the center and bed rooms
opening INTO this on each side. There is
| often wing containing kitchen with a
water closet adjoining It, Bath rooms are
almost unknown and the sanitary condi
! tons of even the best houses are bad
The furniture is commonly of benfwood
the chairs being arranged stiff1y about a