HAVANNAII. 255 



forty-five minutes before its passage over the meridian, ciiap.xxi. 

 a great arc suddenly appeared, having the prismatic y,,,~]~, 

 colours, but of a gloomy aspect. It seemed higher than nomonon."'' 

 tlie moon, had a breadth of nearly two degrees, and 

 remained stationary for several minutes ; after which it 

 gradually descended, and sank below the horizon. The 

 sailors were filled with astonishment at this moving 

 arch, which they supposed to announce wind. Next 

 night M. Bonpland and several passengers saw, at the 

 distance of a quarter of a mile, a small Hame, which ran 

 on the surface of the sea towards the south-west, and 

 illuminated the atmosphere. On the 4th and 6th they 

 encountered rough weather, with heavy rain accompanied 

 by thunder, and were in considerable danger on the bank 

 of Vibora. At length, on the 19th, they anchored in 

 the port of Havannah, after a boisterous passage of 

 twenty -five days. 



Cuba is the largest of the West India Islands, and on cnba. 

 account of its great fertility, its naval establishments, 

 the nature of its population, — of which three-fifths are 

 composed of free men, — and its geographical position, is 

 of great political importance. Of all the Spanish colonies 

 it is that which has most prospered ; insomuch, that not 

 only has its revenue sufficed 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 Havannah presents at the Havannah. 

 entrance of the port is exceedingly beautiful and pic- 

 turesque. 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 from, the walls, the in- 

 termediate space being occupied by the suburbs. The 

 public edifices are less remarkable for their beauty than 



