Year: 1872

HAVANA, Dec. "a, 1872


It is rather novel sensation for the native OF q
northern cline to sit down on Christmas Eve with
che thermometer among the eighties to record
some few OF Ills impressions de r0ga0e for the ben
ent and amusement OF his less fortunate fellow
citizens who are doomed to freeze and shiver
through q checrless Winter. So much atten-
tion has been lately called to Cuba that every
thing relating to the "Ever Faithful Isle "
has deep interest for the American
public and, in order to begin at the
beginning your Special Commissioner win en-
deav~ to hastily conduct in imagination, the
public from the pier on the North River into the
very Businesses where Cuba ltbre deies the arms
Of CASTLE. For the present the political and moral
aspect of the struggle that now agitates this
island will be passed over, to be taken up at q
future day, when the opinions hopes and aims OF
the various parties win be laid before the public
5ee from all traces Of passion prejudice but for
the moment shall


NEITHER MoRALIzE NOR DISCUSS


but endeavor to give the readers some faint notion
OF the trials and tribulations Of . special corre-
spondent. The City Of Havana, advertised to sail
precisely ut three P. NJ swung out into the river
s0me half hour later amid the waving OF handker-
chiefs and kissing Of hands that usually accompany
temporary separations. There were some tears





people, who either could not help 1t or thought
that 1t the proper thing to do, but the most
part the scene was gay and lively enough. A
fellow who has no one to see him on generally
feels cynical and inclined to sneer at those who
have Some Of the scenes were, however, touch
ing enough, for among the passengerse were


INvALIDs GOING SOUTH


as last resort, and as their anxious friends bade
them goodby, with words Of encouragement and
cheer, it was only too evident that there existed
an underlying sentiment that they were taking an
eternal adieu. 1t was curious to notice the
neeting expression Of pain and sorrow
passing over the faces Of the assistants
in those scenes, and the brave endeavors
made to conceal the truth from the sufferers. By
far the greater number Of the passengers were,
however, Of different typc-people who looked
forward to the trip as q means OF pleasure or
profit. These chatted gaily enough, and seemed
rather to enjoy the fuss that their friends were
making about them. Some OF them were ungrate-
fui enough to look upon their friends as bores


While was making these mental notes my eye
suddenly lighted on George, the colored boy whose
face was radiant with smiles. He had just caught
sight OF me and was advancing towards me with Q
letter. glanced over It, 1t contained instructions
to interview Mr.. Delano, the Secretary, should he
a. was expected, be among the passengers. AS





sank below freezing point, and I almost wished
that would be sea sick during the whole voyage.
After few moments, however, my spirits rallied,
and forgot all about Delano until dinner time,
when carefully, and with some msgiving, scanned
all the cards In my neighborheod to see If the
Secretary OF the Interior was placed in position
In which could interview him at Q disad vantage.


HE WAS NOT IN VIEW, 1.
however, and again / felt somewhat relieved.
The dinner which was a very plain joke, consist
ed Of little bits OF cold ham, some Enthusiastically
salt butter, one or two chops, very hard and ex-
tremely small, which were to appease the hunger
of ABOUT dozen famished adults. After waiting
some time politely asked the waiter when dinner
would be served. He opened his eyes, then smiled
In ghastly manner and informed me that 1t was
already served. Being interested In the matter
asked him "Where" The wretch coolly pointed to
the bits ofhsm the rank butter the mahogany chops
and finally, In triumphant manner to o platter
OF potatoes, that were In reality about the most
respectable and acceptable dish on the table. /
looked at the man reprovingly, but he was made OF
brass, SO took refuge in bottle OF wine and
some crusts. While he was nliing my glass the
fellow sardonically suggested that the mornings
breakfast would be much better, and that he
hoped would enjoy 1t. Hooked ct him again in
quirngly, but he was . perfect sphinx. Dinner
over, wandered about the deck, as the night was
beautiful moonlight one. II is impossible to find
anything more delightful thaa New York
Bay on such night. We had left
Sandy Hook behind MS. When steam was
let on and the speed Of the vessel began 70 iacken
all knew that the pilot was about to leave us. We
crowded the sides OF the vessel to see him descend
into his mysterious little boat, and charge him
with final adieus to native land 10 is the work
OF . moment-.he drops over the vessels side,
sliding down by rope into the frail-looking boat
that is waiting to receive him, and rowed away
into the ever-dcepening shadows until he becomes
aspeck, and finally Is lost to our sight. Just at this
moment We pass pilot boat No. J, looking like
fairy craft in the moonlight. Her lines sweep
ing and graceful, and the cordage ard rigging
are 80 clearly defined In the silver bright light Of
The cold moon they seem ike delicate web. 1t
was just one Of those pictures that nature makes
fun OF admirably combined eTectsbroad, yet dell
cate and suggestive. During the evening re-
maned In the saloon reading Dickens, american
Notes" and consong myself for my dinner by pic
turing his sufferings. Bus even this harmless