258 HAVANA. 



the Spanish colonies it is that which has most pros- 

 pered; insomuch, that not only has its revenue suf- 

 ficed for its own wants, but during the struggle 

 between the mother-country and her continental 

 provinces, it furnished considerable sums to the 

 former. 



The appearance which Havana presents at the 

 entrance of the port is exceedingly beautiful and 

 picturesque. The opening is only about 426 yards 

 wide, defended by fortifications ; after which a basin, 

 upwards of two miles in its greatest diameter, and 

 communicating with three creeks, expands to the 

 view. The city is built on a promontory, bounded 

 on the north by the fort of La Punta, and on the 

 south by the arsenals. On the western side it is 

 protected by two castles, placed at the distance of 

 1407 and 2643 yards, the intermediate space being 

 occupied by the suburbs. The pubhc edifices are 

 less remarkable for their beauty than for the solidity 

 of their construction, and the streets are in general 

 narrow and unpaved, in consequence of which they 

 are extremely dirty and disagreeable. But there 

 are two fine public walks to which the inhabitants 

 resort. 



Although the town of Havana, properly so called, 

 is only 1918 yards long and 1066 broad, it con- 

 tains more than 44,000 inhabitants. The two great 

 suburbs of Jesu-Maria and the Salud accommodate 

 nearly an equal population. In 1810 the amount 

 was as follows : — 



Whites 41,227 



Free Pardos, or copper-coloured men . . 9,743 ( q- ,.„ 



Free Blacks 16,606 i *''^*'' 



PardosSlaves 2,297) 00700 



Black Slaves 26,431 \ ••••-».'^» 



96,304 



There are two hospitals in the town, the number 

 of sick admitted into which is considerable. Owing 



