The Dolores star., 1905-09-15

MUCH n8o oo0o Wt1tt00 about the
picturesQueness of Ccbaas capital, it,
climate. its attractions a. . winter
resort, but little has beea said about
Its social life, and that u rather an
Important feature In . city oe $50 900
Inhabitants. Tourists who come to
Havana for . few days, unless they
bring lettes Of introduction, see
Eothing Of the social life Of the city.
and many complain that the women
there are neither beautiful NOR well
dressed. But that IL from lack Of op-
portunity for seeing at close range
the members Of Havana's best society.
In New York would foreigner be apt
to meet the best people while climbing
the statue Of Liberty. or In . hasty
visit to the city hall. the stock ex-
change or various amusement halls
which strangers In town are won't to
frequent? Then neither can the sight
seer in Havana expect to run across
the carefully guarded Cuban beauties
in his pilgrimage through the old and
interesting parts OF the city.
But II he comes with q letter Of in
PRODUCTION to some prominent family
he will be entertained In SO charm
ing q manner that he will have NO
cause for complaint about Cuban hos
pitality, and he will see more pretty
women in a shorter space Of time than
he could see elsewhere. Cuba has
been republic for only three years;
the yoke of Spain, always 4 CALLING
one, was especially severe on women,
but it is surprising to see how quickly
the Cubans have responded to Ameri-
can influence and how much the ed
ucated Cuban women copies her Amer
ican sister.
Mode Of Entertaining.
The most common mode Of enter
taining is the afternoon or evening
day at home. These occur every
week, twice month or once a month.
In the latter case the evening recep-
ton usually means dance, for the
Cuban Is very fond of dancing, and
seizes with avidity upon each oppor-
tunity to indulge in the favorite pas
time. The large salas. with their mar
BILE floors. ceilings from Is to 20 feet
In height. with full length windows
opening upon little balconies or wide
verandas. make excellent bathrooms.
and IL 1t is understood that there will
be dancing at certain house the
hosts will not lack for guests.
In the Vedado the American influ-
eIce is very strong. Here you see
women and girls alone visiting at the
weekly progressive euchres, bridge
parties or at the tennis club. This
club is quite an institution. Its men,
besship including all the young men
Of social prominence. who generously
offer the freedom of the club to their
women friends on Mondays and Fri
days. This winter the club went in
for football. and the games we're tre.
mendously popular.
The presence of so many foreign
ministers gives a diplomatic flavor to
society, which is very pleasant. Our
minister, Mr.. Herbert G. Squiers, who
came to Cuba from China, where he
was first secretary Of the legation at
Pe..in, has his residence at Maria
mao. The legation Is at Prado 13.
ditOS, UT tnc upper HOoT Ot Two
storied house on the Prado, where all
the business is transacted.
Minister squlers' House.
Mr. Sauiers' house was formerly the
summer home of rich Cuban family.
It is one story in height, with patio
in the center and magnificent garden
at the rear. The sala extends across
the front Of the house and opens on a
wide piazza. 1t is beautifully furnish