Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/191

Rh &emsp; morning once more, my little heart, in Havannah, where I am excellently lodged in Mr. Woolcott's good hotel, Havannah House, and where I am now able to live cheaper than at first, because the flood of travellers has now somewhat withdrawn, and there is plenty of room. I have again my former little room with its outlet on the roof, and the clever, good-tempered Mrs. Mary to look after me, and a black Rosetta with splendid eyes and a cheerful smile to wait upon me as a second servant. The good F.'s have also again invited me to take up my former quarters in their house; but the house is full of children and guests, and I will not abuse their hospitality; besides, I so infinitely enjoy my solitude and my liberty.

This is Maunday-Thursday, a great holiday in the Christian Church, and I have this morning visited two churches in the city. There was great pomp in them. Ladies, dressed as for a ball, knelt upon splendid mats in silk attire, and satin shoes, jewels, gold ornaments, and flowers, with bare neck and arms, and everywhere the transparent black mantillas, and everywhere glittering, waving fans. Quite young girls even were so tricked out. And all around them stood gentlemen contemplating the ladies through their lorgnettes. The sight of all these adorned, only half-veiled women of all colours—for mulattoes also, very splendidly attired and with magnificent figures, were among them—prostrated in crowds on their knees in the centre aisle of the church from the very end to the altar, is really beautiful, especially as the eyes and busts of the Spanish women are generally remarkably lovely. But the want of earnestness in everything, excepting in vanity and the wish to be admired, was very striking,