Palm of the low grounds near Trinidad, 

 •with the flower stalks. 



onr own pontinont. But, affain, is it not true, tliat the eternal war ajrainst climate, 

 prolonged winters, &c., consnines as lar^'^e a portion of man's laljor as an annual 



conflajTration ? and may wo not hope that, while 

 the Ang'lo-Saxon in the tropics, thonf^h he mif^ht 

 work less in such an atmosphere, would enjoy more, 

 and with the untirinj^ enerj^ies of his mind devote 

 more time to his improvement, and as nearly as 

 he could, realize the greatest happiness he is capa- 

 ble of? The problem has never been fairly tried: 

 it is destined to be, however, and, so far as sucn 

 an experiment is dcsiral)le, we are inclined to be 

 a fillibuster, thouf^h no further. 



The rapid strides of our steamship as she glided 

 past the Moro, the I'unta, and Cabanas batteries, 

 again found all hands on deck, at early sunrise ; 

 the realization of all our anticipations was quite 

 equal to the scene our excited imaginations had 

 conjured up, but words fail to convey such impres- 

 sions, and we pass on to the full view of Havana. 

 Its antique architecture — its mixture of grandeur 

 and poverty — its cathedrals and churches, gloomy, 

 and worn by time — its Moorish arches and peculiar roofs — contrasted finely with 

 the trim shipping of all nations lying at anchor in great numbers in its noble and 

 safe bay. The opposite villages of Casa Blanca and Kegla (the sugar depots), had 

 more of a home look, and we felt the American spirit near us when the several 

 new steam ferry boats, exactly like our own, came paddling along. 



We were soon surrounded by anxious but good looking faces, desirous to con- 

 vey us on shore, but the irregulars were commanded to vamos, and we were soon 

 grouped into parties, descending into large boats under the wings of the various 

 hotel keepers whom we had solicited to take charge of us, all such establishments 

 being well filled. A dollar for an indorsement of our passports, which allowed us 

 as a favor to reside on the island for a month, discovered the fact that our money 

 was at a discount of ten per cent, with these officials, and, in regular commercial 

 dealings, of five; our own dimes, however (the latter being the general currency for 

 small transactions), pass for a ride in a volante, &c., as well as a quarter of a dollar. 

 Our party patronized Wolcott's Hotel, where we were very uncomfortable, at a 

 nominal charge of three dollars and a half a day, but which, with etceteras, was 

 generally nearly double that sum. The other houses are not much better, except 

 ]Mrs. Almy's, where Dr. Kane expired, and which, though rather low in the front 

 elevation, is a most comfortable hotel, well conducted, and, consequently, difficult 

 to get access to by the new-comer, who finds all the rooms occupied. The Uavana 

 table presents some novelties that are striking ; bananas and plantains, fried in 

 sweet oil, take the place of potatoes, and for desert, oranges, bananas, and other 

 fruits, with guava jelly. The winter vegetables are those of our midsummer, 

 including tomatoes, peas, egg-plants, &c. &c. 



The Plaza cJe Armas, in front of the Governor-General's palace, is well planted 

 with flowering shrubs, and in the centre, are four Royal Palms, of considerable 

 height. When this scene is lighted up of a moonlight evening — the bands play- 

 ing, and the whole population assembled (the ladies in full dress, in their volantes, 

 and the gentlemen stopping to smoke, admire, and chat with them) — the entire 

 scene is one of those Oriental, and yet European pictures that can only be seen 

 under the tropics, and alone would pay for a trip to this far away and fairy island. 



