VISIT A TEETULIA. 197 



a frigate, Don Jose del Rio, who had long resided on that 

 epot; but that he marked the latitude of the town at 

 21 42* 40*. 



The Lieutenant - Governor (Teniente Governadore) of 

 Trinidad, whose jurisdiction then extended to Villa Clara, 

 Principe, and Santo Espiritu, was nephew to the celebrated 

 astronomer Don Antonio Ulloa. He gave us a grand enter- 

 tainment, at which we met some French emigrants from San 

 Domingo, who had brought their talents and industry to 

 Spanish America. The exportation of the sugar of Trinidad, 

 by the registers of the custom-house, did not then exceed 

 4000 chests. 



The advantage of having two ports is often discussed at 

 Trinidad. The distance of the town from Puerto de Casilda 

 and Puerto Guaurabo is nearly equal; yet the expense of 

 transport is greatest in the former port. The Boca del Hio 

 Guaurabo, defended by a new battery, furnishes safe 

 anchorage, although less sheltered than that of Puerto 

 Casilda. Vessels that draw little water, or are lightened to 

 pass the bar, can go up the river and approach the town 

 within a mile. The packet-boats (correos) that touch at 

 Trinidad de Cuba, prefer, in general, the Bio Guaurabo, 

 where they find safe anchorage without needing a pilot. The 

 Puerto Casilda is more inclosed, and goes further back 

 in-land ; but cannot be entered without a pilot, on account 

 of the breakers (arrecifes) and the Mulas and Mulattas. 

 The great mole, constructed with wood, and very useful to 

 commerce, was damaged in discharging pieces of artillery. 

 It is entirely destroyed, and it was undecided whether it 

 would be best to reconstruct it with masonry, according to 

 the project of Don Luis de Bassecourt, or to open the bar 

 of Guaurabo by dredging it. The great disadvantage of 

 Puerto de Casilda is the want of fresh water, which vessels 

 have to procure at the distance of a league. 



We passed a very agreeable evening in the house of one 

 of the richest inhabitants, Don Antonio Padron, where we 

 f<umJ assembled at a tertulia all the good company of Trini- 

 dud We were again struck with the gaiety and vivacity that 

 distinguish the women of Cuba. These are happy gifts of 

 nature, to which the refinements of European civilization 

 might lend additional char ins, but which, nevertheless, please 



