10 



NARRATIVE OF A 



the lurking bandit or the rebel guerilla ; and where the 

 eruptions of the volcano and the earthquake spread less 

 affright and desolation, than the political convulsions 

 which have shaken the whole frame of society into 

 ruins. 



It was on the 4th of April, 1838, that I embarked at New 

 York on board of a packet bound for Havana. We had 

 fair winds and pleasant weather, and on the tenth day 

 reached the Bahama Banks. Here the perfect transpa- 

 rency of the water enabled us to see the bottom at a con- 

 siderable depth, consisting of fine white sand, checquered 

 by patches of sea-weed. The weather was delightful ; 

 there was a soft and balmy temperature in the air ; the 

 horizon was clear and cloudless ; and the vessel glided 

 smoothly on her way, like a swan sailing on a lake. The 

 sea was of a beautiful light azure, and formed a curious 

 contrast with the sky, which was tinged with purple. The 

 foam made by the gentle motion of the vessel partook of 

 the colour of the sky, and as it lay on the almost unruffled 

 surface of the deep, looked like a richly embroidered 

 veil of purple lace, spread upon a ground of blue. In 

 three days more the cry of " land ho !" was heard from a 

 sailor in the main-top, and we descried the faint outline 

 of the bold coast of Cuba on the horizon. In a few hours 

 more, the white ramparts of the fortifications of Havana 

 glistened in the sun : then, the towers and steeples of con- 

 vents and churches became apparent, until a great part of 

 the city and shipping unfolded itself to view, with a gran- 

 deur of effect far beyond my anticipations. 



Passing under the guns of the Moro Castle, which 

 guards the entrance of the harbor, we were hailed from 

 the battlements in good English, through a hoarse speak- 

 ing trumpet : our captain promptly replied, and we glided 

 on. Opposite to this castle is another, of inferior force and 

 magnitude, called La Puntella. There are other fortifica- 

 tions for the defence of the place, the principal of which 

 are El Principe and Cabinas. 



