102 CUBA AND PORTO RICO 



New York, Mexico, and the neigboring West Indies, where 

 they hold honorable positions in society; and even the 

 exiles of the lower classes, with their superior agricultural 

 arts, have been eagerly welcomed in places like Jamaica, 

 Mexico, and Florida, which hope to share with Cuba the 

 benefits of tobacco-culture. 



The Cubans, however, as a class, high and low, are a 

 simple-hearted people, hospitable to all strangers, especially 

 Americans. The men of the better classes are well bred 

 and educated, and even the peasantry have a kindliness and 

 courtesy of manner that might put to blush the boorish 

 manners of some of our own people ; and while the young 

 men of the cities do not seem to attain to a very full size 

 or robust development, some of the finest-formed and best- 

 developed men, particularly on the Isle of Pines, are to be 

 seen among the peasantry. Owing to the influence of the 

 climate and also the peculiarities of their government, 

 which offers no paths of ambition to the aspiring youth, the 

 men are generally listless, indifferent, and lacking in the 

 energy peculiar to people farther north. 



Hazard has correctly said that a more kind-hearted, 

 hospitable people than the Cubans, particularly to los 

 Americanos, it would be difficult to find. No trouble is 

 too great for them if you can make them understand what 

 you desire. Many of them speak English, more speak 

 French, which in fact is the household language of the 

 island, and many of the young men have been educated in 

 the United States. 



The Cuban woman to the manner born is a very fascinat- 

 ing creature. She is elegant, walks gracefully, has pretty 

 features, beautiful eyes and hair, and fine teeth. Coquettish 

 as a young girl, she is generally both devoted and blame- 

 less as a wife and mother. 



Family ties are stronger among the Cubans than with us, 

 and the affection and pride of relationship please every 

 stranger who gains admission to the households of the 

 people. The marriage rite is encouraged and observed on 



