66 Xatlkai. IIis'|-()u^- J^rLLiriiN. 



occup\' aii\' otherwise \acaiU chair, and to cliani;"e xour seat 

 as often as \"ou may desire durinj^ the evening". 



Here we had a chance to see the better classes of Ilaxana. 

 and found them very much like other htdies and gentlemen 

 the world over. Many of the men and some of the \\omen 

 w ere strikingly handsome, and seemed to abandon themsehcs 

 entirely to the enjo\ment of the hour. 



The handsomest drive in Havana is along the •• Prado." or 

 '• Paseo Isabel." which is probably one of the most pretentious 

 boulevards in Cuba, having a long line of park-like strips in 

 the centre and well paved carriage-ways on either side. Cabs 

 there are everywhere. \'ictorias and •■ volantes '* being always 

 within call. The latter accommodate two or three persons each, 

 and will take two. and perhaps three. ]:)assengers anywhere 

 within the city limits for twent\' cents. Besides these, there 

 are street-cars and numerous omnibuses which run toward the 

 suburbs. The drivers seem utterly reckless as the\' dash 

 along the narrow streets and whirl around the corners. The 

 citizens must be educated io keep out of the way of these 

 vehicles, as they are evidentU' expected to look out for them- 

 selves, the cabmen being apparently indifferent as to whether 

 people are run over or not. 



Out west of the city are the Botanical Gardens, the most 

 beautiful grounds near Ha\ana. Here tropical \'egetation 

 ma}' be seen in its luxuriance, and the trees, especially the 

 date-palms, are well kept and induced to attain their complete 

 development. A small stream and miniatvu-e lake, bordered 

 by a profusion of aquatic plants, suggested to the biological 

 mind that here was an excellent place for a \vell e(.[uipped 

 biological laboratory in which splendid work could be done, 

 with both salt and fresh water within easy reach. We foimd 

 little evidence, however, that modern liiology occupied any 

 considerable share of the attention of the Cuban atithorities. 

 Tiie Gardens, being beautiful, will always receive the sup- 

 port of this beaut}' -loving people; but piu'e science has not as 

 }et obtruded itself upon the otlicial mind. 



Mr. Wickham visited the museum in the •* lulesias de 



