Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-02-10
Letter from Cuba.
HAVANA, CUBA, Jan. 30, 1900.
Editor Sentinel:

Editor Sentinel:
1t is 10 O'Clock In the morning In the an.
cient capital city of "The Pearl of the An.
titles" A little while ago strolled along
the busy dock of picturesque Havana Bay.
The dazzling tropical sunlight ilumIned the
scene before me gentle breezes from the sea
chased dancing ripples over the murky
pool; water craft of various kinds plowed
momentary burrows to and fro.
From point at which l stood for a mo.
ment, l could see protruding from their
watery resting place portion OF the moldy
ruins OF the i'll fated battle ship "Maine;"
not far distant could also see the rugged
and romantic hills which skirt the western
border OF the bay; little to the left, the
aged and irowning walls of the fortress OF
Cabanas; still further to the left, the watch.
tower OF old Moro Castle-posing like a
giant sentinel, bearing alott the Stars and
Stripes, or like some grim monitor giving
silent warning to the wandering mariner or
pensivey brooding over the mysteries of the
deep-unshaken by the millions of pillows
that have dashed against It's rocky base, and
undisturhed by all the stormy scenes which
it has witnessed on land and sea during
more than three hundred years.
Now, then, Mr. Editor, having given you
glimpse of Havana Harder as | saw it only
moment ago, II you will go with me, in
fancy, for about an hours walk, we will
take cursory glance AT the central portion
of the city.
First, we will enter the Plaza de Armas,
a small park ornamented with verdant
plants, fragrant flowers, and pretty shade
trees, always in full foliage. Here are com
Portable benches, on which the weary may
sit and rest. The small box-lke marble
structure on the west, enclosed by tall iron
fence, stands on the spot where Columbus
and his party assembled when the first mass
was celebrated on Cuban soil. This spot
has been guarded for centuries as a sacred
place. Facing the plaza from the opposite
direction is the massive palace OF the Gov
ernor. General, covering an entire square,
1t has never been occupied by the American
Governor. and is now being used US the City
Hall.
Let us now cross the plaza and enter
Obispo street.-The most popular business
thoroughfare in the city. Here, you see, are
many handsome stores of various descrp-
tons. People are squeezing past each other
along the narrow sidewalks; some are gaz-
ing admiringly into the gaudy show win
dows. Ii is sometimes necessary To step
into the street in order to get by them
Great heavy carts, drawn by heroic little
mules, and passenger coaches attached TO
jaded little horses, rattle over the rough
paving stones as fast AZ the poor little ami
mails can carry them. Look sharp, there,
or one of them will run over you Who
ever saw such noisy little street, with so
many fine establishments and 80 much bus.
tie and businessp
Emerging from under the shady awnings
which in places entirely span Obispo street,
we pass to Gomez Block, which has avenues
running diagonally through it, lined with
business stalls of many kinds, arranged after
the fashion of a market house. Having ira
versed the "block," we find ourselves in
Central Park-a very pretty reservation
covering four OF five acres OF space. Here,
too, are flowers, shrubs and trees, always
fresh and green and grateful 10 the sight, es
pecially so when we recall the naked groves
and bowling winter winds of the northern
cline at this season of the year.
Upon yonder pedestal, in the centre OF
the park, once stood the statue OF Queen
Isabella the Second, which, being out OF
harmony with the spirit Of the present era,
was taken down and is now stored away in
a Junk room in one of the public buildings.
On platform at the base Of the pedestal
the city band, on certain evenings, renders
with spirit "rhe Battle Hymn Of Bayamo,"
"Ihe Star Spangled Banner" and other pat
rlotic anthems appropriate to the new re-
gime.
II you know of any one who wishes TO buy
the statue ola queen (almost az good AZ new,)
Isabella the Second is now for sale at bar.
gain.
Fine buildings face Central Park on every
side--hotels, theatres, saloons and stores
and on fine evenings large crowds assemble
about the park, to promenade, to exchange
greetings, 10 enjoy the fresh air, and TO listen
TO the music OF the band.
Now let us leave the park, and traverse
the Prado down to the edge OF the sea.
What Pennsylvania avenue is to Washing
ton the Prado il TO Havana. 1t is the widest
street Ia the city, and most popular promen-
ade There IL an elevated iootway In the CEN
tire and a very good driveway on either side
Not many people are here at this hour OF
the day, but during afternoons, when the
weather is good, the PradO presents an ami
mated scene. The fashionable set drive up
and down, with their fancy riggs aud bob
tailed, sway backed, high headed nags, Ca
parisoned in CANDY equpage, some OF them
girdled with gingling sleigh bells. The
queeny bells and gallant cavaliers make
the Prado lively from o'clock I'LL dark
Some gay young blOods make their appear
ance on horseback, and ride as il they were
under the impression that all the world was
admlring them. But the poor little horses
Just trifle larger than their rlders-weight'
ed down with enormous saddles, breast |
straps, martlngales and breechlng--with the |
ends OF their plated tails securely anchored |
TO the rear OF the saddles-gOaded by two |
great spurs almost AZ big saucers, by tire
mendOus riding whip and cruel curb
these poor little creatures are almost pitilul |
10 see Often the rders look as II they were |
about % tumble TO the ground, and II you |
should see them you would probably not be
sorry If they did.
We have now reached the seashore, at the |
northern terminus Of the Prado, near the |
entrance TO the harbor, and Immediately OPP |
poeiLe Moro Castle. There is u stiff breeze |
blowing from the north, and great waves |
are dashing on the rocky shore For a |
moment we watch the spray that leaps |
against the gray old walls Of the ancient |
wondering how long "Old GLORY" |
will be kept floating above the tOwer-wOn'
dering il MORO will stand as firmly mt the |
end Of three hundred years 10 come-when
we hear the town clock strike eleven, and |
our hour has expired
IL Ia early breakfast time in Havana. We
must postpone our sight seeing until an
other day
diitOs, anltg0 min. A. A. Il.
Supposed Thieves Arrested VIM.
Magruder and Walter Owens, young ne