The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1899-02-11

similar, the route taken the same;
hence, by adding this. it will save
me great deal Of writing, but 1
think 1t will be interesting to your
readers.
There Is much activity in business
and hundreds of Americans, those
from Florida and other southern
States predOminating, are embarking
in trade. The use of both Ameri AN
and Spanish money creates some
confusion. The rate of exchange
fuctuates from day to day. For an
American IS gold piece or an Amer
lean IS bill the money changers will
give SDanish silver ut the rate of
$l.4O or more on the dollar. Imme-
diately on landing tourists should
provide themselves with Spanish
money, although even at this early
day many places Of business trade
altogether In American money.
CUBA ON A BOOM.
! Trade at present il unsettled, 80 far
a. stability IL concerned. No one
doubts that Havana and the entire
island is on boom. 1t is but natural
that the time shall come when II will
settle down t. a normal condition,
after which business will become
settled and safe. American mer-
with the financial status of men in
street or Dunn to refer tn for rating.
Then again, 1t has been learned that
many houses here trade on long
credit, after the European plan, and
this is not the method which Amer
leans follow in business. Yet many
OF the firms are well-knOwn. There
are some who make it habit to dis
count their bills, and with some of
these the Jacksonville merchants
have already opened up trade rela-
tiOns.
Judging from the experience of
Americans who come to Havana for
business or pleasure, the general idea
of the place is quite different from
what it really is. 1t is not quite so
slow as one might imagine. Then
there is substantial appearance that
is calculated to amaze. 1t would be
almost impossible to find a building,
either store or residence, that is con-
structI d entirely of wood. Nearly
all the structures are of a cOraline and
cement substance, as solid and as
durable as concrete, though not quite
so dark and heavy. The style of
architecture is purely Spanish. First
narrow streets and sidewalks pre-
dominate, yet there are a number OF
open parks and boulevards. The .
sidewalks are covered, the second
story of the buildings being supported
by arches and columns flush with
the street. DOOrways and windows,
like the ceilings inside, are high and
" ide. Window sashes and glass are :
nalmost unknOw. The front door
opens, in nearly every case, into
court, and the windows are of iron
grating. The hest residences have
inside blinds. Much has been writ
ten about the disadvantages under
which the Cuban young man labors
i'm counting his lady love, but his
hardship should not be so great rs it
is pictured. for the reason that the
bars are rather wide apart, and there
is room for a squeeze Or kiss under
the moonlight.
a DAY OF SIGHTSEEING.
There is much sightseeing TO be-
done in and about the quaint old
town. In this the Jacksonville con-
tingent of business will 90 home
with Il record to boast Of. What fol-
lows is but the work OF part OF one
day. In the Office of the Grand Hotel
Pasaje, at which the Jacksonville ag-
gregation Is staying, was posted a
notice that at 1880 p. IN. an excursion
in .hap NJ m 10 L. In
guideSWOuld leave The hotel on three
hours tour. +. j. TRAY, Henry
FritOt, Mr.. Huau and other friends
Of the visitors guaranteed ii as being
a first-class trip for the sum OF two
American dollars, and at the APP
pointed hour dozen or more three
seated victorias left the hotel with
the party. A drive Of half an hour
took the crowd through the western
part of the city, and the first point ,
visited WAS the botanical gardens and
summer residence of the Cuban Cap
tain-General. The grounds were
revelation. The tropical growth is SUI
perb, great, tall royal palms being the
most conspicuous. The Jackson D
williams went all through the palace,
now vacant, and which was last Oc-
cupied by Captain General Weyler.
The drive from the botanical gar
dens to the cemetery Christopher
Colon was over Il splendid turnpike
road and through II fertile country. 4
To the Americans the chief point of <
interest was the little plot of grass <
under which the victims Of the bat
tleship Maine lay. Not one hundred
yards away stands an elaborate mar I
BILE monument, carved by noted :
Italian scnlntors and erpcted NV the