52 
THE STANDARD GUIDE. 
masses of bright crimson blooms, which glow in the electric light with a 
richness of color intensified by contrast with the foliage of the royal 
palm and the deep blue of the sky; for the Havana heaven at night is blue, 
not black. Music is given here, or on the Malecon, on Tuesday, 
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings and Sunday afternoon. During 
the concert a charge of five cents is made for the chairs; formerly these 
seats in the parks were a private concession; they now belong to the city. 
The Municipal Band, under the direction of Sehor G. M. Tomas, enjoys a 
high reputation; it was one of the musical organizations that took honors 
at the Buffalo Exposition of 1902. This is a typical programme of a 
Havana park concert: 
PROGRAMA DEL CONCIERTO DE LA BANDA MUNICIPAL 
En la noche del Domingo, 15 de Mayo de 1914, en el Parque Central 
de 8 a 10 P. M. 
1. Paso doble “Oportunidad” Schremser 
2. Fantasia “L’Asedio de Arbem” Verdi 
3. “Polonesa” Chopin 
4. Seleccion de “Lohengrin” Wagner 
5. Poema Sinfonico “Phaeton” Saint Saens 
G. Two Step “Bedelia” Schwartz 
7. Danzon “Alquizar” Cisneros 
El Director, G. M. Tomas. 
In former times Spanish soldiers were everywhere, in the parks, on the 
promenades and drives and at the evening concerts. They were present 
in force to do police duty, but the policeman is not now in evidence at 
Havana park concerts, nor does there appear to be any need of him. 
One is likely to note the quiet, orderly and courteous bearing of the gather¬ 
ing, and to compare it not unfavorably with other night crowds he has 
seep in other cities. 
On the west of the park are the new home of the Centro Gallego, and 
the Inglaterra and Telegrafo hotels. On the east is the club house of 
the Centro Asturiano and the Albisu Theatre. 
In Monserrate Plaza, just off from Central Park, at the head of 
Obispo and O’Reilly streets, and thus in the very heart of the city life, 
stands the monument of General Francisco de Albear, the distinguished 
Cuban engineer whom Havana holds in grateful memory as the author of 
the Vento water system. Albear was born in Havana in 1811, and was 
graduated as civil engineer at Madrid. He served in the Spanish army 
and was made commandant in recognition of his mastery of coast de¬ 
fense; but he has left a more beneficent work as his crowning achieve¬ 
ment and title to fame, the celebrated Vento aqueduct which bears his 
name. He died in Havana in 1889. The justly admired monument is the work 
of the Cuban sculptor Saavedra. The life-size statue is supported upon a 
pedestal which is carved with fasces, wreath and engineering emblems, and 
b^ars the dedication, in Spanish: “The City of Havana has erected this 
