^6 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [VoL Vli. 



Both it and the hall are open to the roof, and it has usually two 

 large windows opening to the street, secured by longitudinal iron 

 bars and heavy wooden shutters. In a climate so warm as that 

 of Cuba, one principal aim in the construction of houses is to 

 make them as cool as possible. The windows and doors opening 

 upon the court are accordingly closed only with Venetian shut- 

 ters, and there are open spaces just beneath the eaves. The 

 floors are of brick, stone-flagging, or marble, carefully laid, in 

 order that no harbor may be afi"orded to the reptiles and vermin 

 which abound in a warm climate. 



In passing such a house in the day time, one finds the shutters 

 closed, the great gate-like doorway fastened, and can see in it 

 only the aspect of a prison. After nightfall, however, when the 

 sea-breeze dies away, and the cool evening air settles around the 

 town, Cienfuegos appears to wake up. The heavy shutters 

 which hide the interior of the houses from view are thrown open, 

 the rooms brilliantly lighted, and the passer-by is made acquainted 

 with one phase in the social life of the Cubans. Within the 

 parlour will be seen two rows of rocking-chairs arranged vis-a-vis. 

 One row will be occupied by the ladies of the family, fan in hand, 

 and in full dress ; the other, reserved for any friends who may 

 "" drop in." These still, cool, balmy evenings are sure to find 

 numbers of strollers and promenaders of both sexes in the streets. 

 •On Sundays and Thursdays there are gatherings of the towns- 

 people in the evening on the jy^iza, or public square, to listen to 

 operatic music from the band, and give opportunity for more 

 general intercourse than is aff'orded by the more select meetings 

 in private solas. On such occasions both ladies and gentlemen 

 -appear in full dress, the former with uncovered heads. Sunday 

 is the gala-day of the week in this Island, and is chosen for public 

 exhibitions and processions, theatrical entertainments and cock- 

 fights, as well as for public and private balls. 



While the evening hours bring into view the sociable and 

 fcishionable phase of Cuban life, a stroll through the streets in 

 the early morning gives an insight into its devotional and domes- 

 ^•tic aspect. When the dew is scarcely ofi" the ground, groups 

 of females with their attendants may be observed wending their 

 way toward the large double-gabled church on the side of the 

 ]3laza. Such a group will consist of the signora and some of her 

 daughters, accompanied by a black slave, who carries one or two 

 •stools for the ladies and a mat to kneel upon in church ; for 



