178 CUBA AND POKTO KICO 



The physical aspect of Ponce is the most picturesque on 



tlif island, on account of the beautiful plains which sur- 

 round it, and the elegant and ornate structures of the 

 inhabitants. 



The plaza known as Las Delicias has pretty gardens and 

 an ornate Arabian kiosk. There is a cathedral at Ponce, 

 and a Protestant church. White-gypsum quarries are 

 worked, and there are medicinal baths, the warm waters 

 of which are recommended for cutaneous diseases. The 

 city is regularly built, the central part almost exclusively 

 of brick houses, and the suburbs of wood. The houses, all 

 built of stone, are very similar to those in San Juan. It 

 is the residence of the military commander, and pos- 

 sesses a chamber of commerce. There is an appellate 

 criminal court, besides other courts ; two hospitals besides 

 the military hospital; a home of refuge for the old and 

 poor, a perfectly equipped fire department, a bank, a thea- 

 ter, three first-class hotels, and gas-works. The city has an 

 ice-machine ; also establishments for hulling coffee, distill- 

 ing rum, and manufacturing carriages, and a large sugar- 

 grinding plant. There are one hundred and fifteen vehicles 

 for public conveyance. The inhabitants are principally 

 occupied in mercantile pursuits; but carpenters, brick- 

 layers, joiners, tailors, shoemakers, and barbers find good 

 employment. The chief occupations of the country people 

 are the cultivation of sugar, cocoa, tobacco, and oranges, 

 and the breeding of cattle. 



The climate, on account of the sea-breezes during the 

 day and land-breezes at night, is not oppressive, though 

 warm ; and as water for all purposes, including the fire 

 department, is amply supplied by an aqueduct, Ponce is 

 perhaps the most healthful city on the island. 



The commercial city of Mayaguez, the third in impor- 

 tance, was founded in 1752. It is situated in the western 

 part, facing the Mona Passage. The population is nearly 

 twenty thousand, the majority white. Of industries there 

 is little to be said, except that there are three manufac- 



