A TKIP TO TRINIDAD. 



393 



of the Mulas and Mulatto reefs. The great wharf 

 which was built of wood, and was formerly very 

 useful to commerce, was injured while landing some 

 large pieces of artillery, and is now entirely de- 

 stroyed ; doubtless it would be better to rebuild it 

 of stone, as proposed by Don Luis de Bassecourt, or 

 to deepen the bar of the Guaurabo by dredging. 

 The great fault of the port of Casilda, is the want of 

 fresh water, which shipping must procure on the 

 other side of its western point, exposing them to 

 capture by privateers in time of war. We were 

 assured that the population of Trinidad, and the 

 plantations around it within a radius of one league, 

 amounted to nineteen thousand souls. The cultiva- 

 tion of sugar and coffee has increased greatly, but 

 the cereals of Europe are grown only further north 

 toward Yilla Clara. 



We passed the evening very agreeably at the 

 residence of Don Antonio Padron, one of the most 

 wealthy inhabitants, where we met nearly all the 

 principal residents of Trinidad. We again were 

 surprised, as we had been at the capital, with the 

 mirthfulness and quick intelligence of the Cuban 

 ladies. These are happy, natural gifts, which the 

 refinement of European civilization may make more 

 attractive, but which are extremely pleasing in their 

 primitive simplicity. 



17* 



