THE CUBA REVIEW 



17 



of Turtoquilla, the first habitation to l)e found on the coast is at the mouth of the Tacre 

 River, about 35 miles east. Five miles still further east of the Tacre, at the mouth of 

 the Tojo River, there are a few houses, but the coast can be said to be desolate of 

 habitation. When people trayel along the coast trail they never take time to investigate 

 conditions, for no water is td be obtained, nor food for horses, making it necessary to 

 push on as fast as possible to the little towns which lie in fertile picturesque valleys 

 back of the hills which front the coast. The entire coast line, when one does not gaze 

 seaward, gives the impression of a panorama of the inferno. 



Back from the coast the scene is different. The rich valleys and mountain sides are 

 covered with the most valuable hardwood timber, mineral wealth untouched by the hands 

 of man lies dormant there, while nature awaits the energy of man to make of that ne- 

 glected region fields and gardens of production or to devefop its mines and the hydraulic 

 power of the mountain streams. Coffee and cacao were first planted by the French 

 refugees from Hayti. and much of it is still grown on the mountains and hills, while 

 as for honey, there is no end of it. Sometimes the bees fill large crevices in the rocks 

 with it. In the interior produce of all kinds will grow luxuriantly, even on the slopes 

 of the high mountains, which are plentiful in the entire section of Eastern Cuba. No 

 matter how hot the day may be, the nights are always pleasant, and from 2 to 5 o'clock 

 it is exceedingly chilly in the summer time and quite cold in winter. 



With the exception of those who live in that mountainous section, there are very few 

 persons who know the mountain passes and trails. 



The new provincial governors' palace in Sanla Clara, opened with appropriate ceremonies 



on Angnst 24th last. 



Santa Clara. — I'ista del nucvo Palacio Proiiiicial. rccicntcmentc inaiiginado. 



SANTA CLARA S PROVINCIAL PALACE 



The lower floors will be occupied by the 

 governor's suite, provincial council cham- 

 bers and offices. The stairway leading to 

 the upper floor is of carrara marble, and 

 the floors are of the same material with 

 the exception of the offices which is of mo- 

 saic. The departments of public works. 

 agriculture, library, etc., will have space 

 in the new building and an astronomical 

 observatory will shortly be added. The in- 

 terior decorations have excited the admira- 

 tion of experts. The governor of the prov- 

 ince is Alanuel Villalon y Verdaguer. 



ENGLISH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 



Secretary of Public Instruction Garcia 

 Kohly has issued a general order provid- 

 ing that the teaching of English at the 

 public schools be limited only to the large 

 cities owing to the fact that the present 

 number of teachers authorized is too small. 



Work on the construction of the second 

 of the three new wharves on Havana har- 

 bor front, known as the Scovel concession, 

 was begun September 7 when the first piles 

 were driven. The first wharf is nearly 

 readv for service. 



