110 humboldt's cuba. 



From the Punta to San Lazaro, from the Cabana 

 to Regla, and from thence to Atares, the land is 

 filled with habitations; those which surround the 

 bay being of light and elegant construction. The 

 plan of these houses is drawn, and they are ordered 

 from the United States, as one would order any piece 

 of furniture. "When the yellow fever prevails at 

 Havana, the inhabitants retire to these country- 

 houses, and to the hills between Regla and Guana- 

 bacoa, where they breathe a purer air. In the cool 

 nights, when the boats crossing the bay leave behind 

 them a long track of phosphorescent light, the in- 

 habitants, who abandon the populous city, find in 

 these rustic abodes a peaceful and enchanting pri- 

 vacy. Travellers who wish to judge truly of the 

 progress of agriculture, should examine the small 

 patches of maize and other alimentary plants, the 

 pine-apples in long files in the fields of the Cruz de 

 Piedra, and the vegetation of the bishop's garden, 

 w^ich has lately been converted into a most delight- 

 ful place. 



The city of Havana proper is surrounded by walls, 

 and is about 1,900 yards long by 1060 yards wide ; 

 and yet there are piled in this narrow space 44,000 

 people, of which 26,000 are blacks and mulattos. A 

 nearly equal population is gathered in the two 

 suburbs, Jesus Maria and Salud; but the latter 



