New-York tribune., 1905-01-01

each with baskets filled with crisp, green lettuce.
tender Young radishes the whitest of young onions
and the purple of eggplant The last IS greatly
in evidence upon the Cuban bill of fare
The wise housewife viii make careful study oi
the currency problem, should she happen to live In
any other province than Santiago Here American
money is the only egal-tender We are not span
iarcls Why should we use their money! the mcr-
chant will tell vou In the other provinces mOngrel
currency prevails Both Spanish and American
money are received The rate of exchange varies, and
as the purchaser may pay in American money and
receive his change in Spanish some nice calculation
is necessary One however is often told that IL IS so
and So Spanish" or $50 much American money
In Havana money-changers frequently have booths IN
the street and after has mastered the simple table
of Spanish money all WELL except for the fact that
much of Uncle Sans money in use IN Cuba IS not so
clean as could wish.
AT first the interior arrangements of Cuban house
are a source of wonder to the American woman, and
indeed there are inconvenience although they are
admirably suited to the climate Most OF these
houses are only story in height, though IN the
cities one finds them of Few OF them have rear
entrances hence the guest the cook with her mar
keting and the laundTess with the family washing.
done outside must come through the front door
The arrival of the 1aundress, by the way IS apt 70
rrove movable feast She Is likely 70 arrive
on Sunday than Saturday morning, and more likely
on Monday than either. The washing IS carried IN
long flat trays poised the head, with perhaps few
skirts depending therefrom. The washing IS well done
and the garments never are folded by the aundress.
The Cuban woman of the lower classes has peculiarly
graceful carriage and addicted to the most brilliant
colors. In consequence. the streets gain mucn IN
picturesqueness Sunday mornings from the pro-
cessons of weekly washing. In some places the
washing is still done in convenient stream and dried
upon the bank, all among much cheerful chatter1ng
The tiled stone or marble floors of the Cuban houses
and the prevalence of Venetian shutters place of
glass are cause of surprise to American women
Both however conducive to COOness, important
effect The floors washed daily Many OF the
houses are beautiful with their walls decorated IN
species of watercoor high ceilings, doors and win
dows and delicate wrought-irOn and bars fOr
doors and windows opening the street. All Of the
open into each other and the patio, and the
effect is artistic and pleasing to the American eye
Outside the gayest COlOring prevails. Many of the
houses painted soft, vet vivid, blue, much more
pleasing than it sounds under the vivid blue
of the Cuban sky. Pink orange. violet red and green
houses also seen; but white IS eschewed wisely
some towns forbidden because of the binding glare
upon 1t at MONDAY.
Entertaining Cuba is done after the hour of FIVE
of doors during the early morning hours and nvisi-
BILE except to intimate friends during the later hours
of the morning and early afternoon. Many pleasant
little circle of cOngenal friends Is located
hamlet and many COzy afternoon tea dinner Is
enjoyed by the members. Driving parties and the
social life of the clubs. which most of the men
belong. add to the gaieties and while every American
looks forward to her annual visit home few
fail find life in the Pearl of the Antilles pleasant