New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-28
HOLIDAYS IN SAN DOMINGO
EGG THROWING AND HORSE PLAY IN
CELEBRATION of ST ANDREWS.

y
the American Halloween. only more SO. It is cele-
brated all day and all night The origin OF the cus-
toms OF the day is uncertain. The day itself marks
the end of the fast days and sadder saints days,
and the beginning Of the winter festivities which
continue until Lent The prevailing idea seems to
be to have much fun as possible al some ones
expense. Custom prescrbes that the jokes shall be
comparatively harmless. Thus IL a pedestrian
walking along secluded street finds a bucket OF
water emptied upon him from a housetop he has
every assurance that the water is clean and must
smile and otherwise look pleasant This feature Of
the day is participated in only by the women and
view from some elevated spot discoses hundreds
OF women the housetops with vessels Of water
watching for passersby.
But the day, like Easter. largely to eggs.
Fortunately, there is tendency toward Anticipated
numbers. Eggs smashed your door post,
your clothing your carriage. Much ingenuity IS
displayed in preparing the eggs Often, probably
matter Of economy the contents Of a shell
removed through small openings at the ends The
shell is then filed with mixture of red clay and
water and sealed up missile Of this has
striking effect on white duck suit. Other in
gradients are used 70 produce different coors, but
nothing Is thrown that will permanently damage
the fabrics There is touch OF sentiment in the
observance. and the young men fill the shells with
cologne and smash them on the balconies at the
feet Of their favorite sehoritas All day long the
peltng continues. At the cafes II IS fast and
furious. and the streets about look If there had
been shower of shells. As with American ceIebra-
tons, the humor Of it is sometimes lost sight of
and fights are frequent On this account the
administration sought to prevent the celebration
this year by proclamation. but it was not obeyed
NOTICE SERVED ORALLY
The method Of issuing these proclamations among
a people only small per cent of whom can read
and write is peculiar. The Mayor. on horseback.
escorted by a band and a company Of infantry,
traverses the streets Every three blocks
/ at street corner the procession halts. The in
fantry is drawn up in line, the band plays tune
vT-pfl &c
loud voice reads the proclamation or edict
The navy involves a waste of resources. Two Of
the three gunboats purchased by the late Presi-
dent lie at anchor in the river fully They
are useless practically in case Of war and unser-
viceabe in time Of peace. One of them Heureaux
kept ready to convey him away in time of danger.
The others were purchased no doubt with a view
to the conquest Of the republic OF Hayti for that
was of the ambitions OF the late President.
/ Prior to their purchase the navy even
OF a burlesque. There were threa small sailing
vessels each with gun with enough recou to
upset the vessel II it been fired of. There
admiral however, and full complement Of
officers. II is said that English man-of-war
was saluted by this strange feet at time, and
! failed to recognize in the outfit the navy Of
hoard win the Following characteristics message:
! No doubt YOU can blow me out Of the water In
a few seconds, but il you do not return my salute
my duty compels me to open fire on you" The
English officer gave the salute ana also an aPoiosg'
sells were put 10 more ignoble use afterwaTd, and
/
number Of political prisoners was considerably re-
/ duced.
| Saint Andrews Day is not the only holiday OBJ
served In San Domingo: on the contrary, life seems
to be one continual holiday. There are twelve
holidays in succession in February, all duly OBJ
served. Most of the stores close on these occa-
sions and laborers refuse to work Vessels arriv-
ing must endure with patience what cannot De
helped for either the Custom House Is closed or
the wharfmen refuse to work. There have been
two holidays in the last week They come unan-
nounced, apparently. When It Is desired to make
a purchase the information comes that il Is a hoH-
day and the stores closed. An occasional flag
the jangling OF bells and hrecracker or two tell
the rest
On the holidays there certain religious cere-
monies The men here as in Cuba, take little part
! in church observances. The women, on the other
hand are faithful IN their religious duties So too
IN mourning the women are more marked wearing
black sometimes for three years The men wear
a narrow band Of black around the arm for a time
and refrain from social festivities for longer
time but largely leave such observances 70 the
The women do most Of the work as well most
of the mourning. They attend 10 their ho9sehold
immense burdens on their heads The men ride
the burros oxen or mules laden with sugar Zane, zane.
charcoal fodder. and consider this work There
are no societies for the prevention OF cruelty 10
are not Wei treated With shouts IF ''Moola!' or
Bur-T-r-ro! with ABOUT sixteen h "a ~ Ss
Usually the load is so considerable that only the
mead OF the Durro visible ana lll4S ASCl'S HOSl
Of the blows delivered with q snort, tnlck cIuD
The burro anticipates many OF the blows and
lodges successfully. The peculiar feature OF this
punishment is that Il largely a matter Of
habit and results in no Increase Of speed in the
animal The ingenuity in balancing the loads IS
rkable. Trunks, barrels cakes OF artificial Ice
household furniture, anything movable, are piled
high. yet well adjusted that load is never dis
burro sells for from SO So American gold and is
the life OF the smaller trade Of the island.
STATE LOTTERY
with all the poverty the people find means to
gamble. There is official lottery, the drawing
being had every Sunday morning the porch OF
the Hall OF Congress. 1t is held publicly and to all
appearances fairly, although the system is
what confusing The earnings go to the orphan
asylum Of the city and support il. The lame and
the blind and the halt allowed to collect
small commission on the tickets, and many earn
their livelihood in this way. The largest prize is
g 900 Dominican silver, about 800 in gold. No
tickets sold after Saturday night. and the lot
terry has probably by that time absorbed all the
surplus earnings of the poorer classes.
There night WaCChmen, mostly boys, and IN
shru voices they call out the hours and announce
the condition Of the weather. This custom seems
particularly OdiOus in a country where no one
cares what time II is whether II IS raining or
not
There is an entire absence OF intoxication at all
hours and all occasions. This Is not because
the people do not drink. The idea IS general, but
erroneous. that there Is drinking because II Is
dangerous drink intoxicating liquors in a rop-
and it is sold low . cents a gallon II Is
practically pure alcohol. and the natives drink
great quantities Of it. Why il does not intoxicate
is a question Possibly II is because the even
quickly overcome the effect OF the stimulant.