24 



THE CUBA REVI E W. 



Their hoofs are often silvered or gilded and rosettes of flowers or ribbons gayly adorn 

 their ears and the various parts of their harness. On the spokes of the carriage 

 wheels are wound garlands of flowers or ribbons, and the body of the carriage itself 

 is often embedded in palms and ferns. Vehicles there are of every class — open vic- 

 torias predominating, from the old-fashioned volante, relic of the days of Spanish 

 grandeur, to the most modern of four-in-hands, swagger tea carts, and high power 

 automobiles. Everybody is out in his bravest attire and handsome uniformed officers 

 vie with duck-clad cavaliers on horseback in pelting the languishing senoritas or sprightly 

 American girls as they drive past. Throwing serpentinas so that they hit the desired 

 victoria is a fine art and your arm will ache with the eflfort long before you've mas- 

 tered it. By dusk the ground is inches deep with confetti, and sepentina trails from the 

 hundred balconies along the route for the floral battle is waged not only on the 

 ground, but those on the balconies pelt those in the carriages who in turn throw their 

 missiles aloft. 



Suddenly w-ith the growing darkness and as if at a concerted signal thousands 

 of lights spring into being on the moving vehicles. The effect is magical ; witchery 

 is in the soft southern air; the President drives by, his carriage filled with distinguished 

 guests — you cheer — and suddenly all is over, and you. fatigued and voracious, are more 

 than ready for dinner in one of the fascinating little cafes for which Havana is 

 famous. A masked ball at the Spanish or Cuban club follows and it is daylight before 

 you seek refuge in your casa. 



BEAUTIFUL SANTA CLARA VALLEY BY MOONLIGHT. (See page opposite.) 



