Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/227

Rh and Queen Christina—and after a residence of little more than a week, I am become as a sister and a friend of the family. This relationship, which has renewed itself for me in various homes of Cuba, has given me the happy feeling of kindredship of soul, which, whenever it makes itself availing, becomes a much stronger bond of union than any mere outward ones. I have seldom ever felt myself more at home in a stranger's house than I have done in this. Madame C. is one of those persons to whom I could become cordially attached, and with whom I could live happily in daily and quiet communion. I could right earnestly quarrel with her son on certain subjects; but I should, nevertheless, become attached to him, and interested in him, as in a young giant-character, richly gifted by nature, and capable of being kindled by great and noble thoughts. These sweet children too—yes, I am fairly in love with them, especially with the youngest little amor, Edwardo. One cannot imagine to oneself more beautiful or more graceful children! It is a grief to me to part from them all.

Flowers and fruits too, which are now beginning to come forth in yet greater abundance! I have here become acquainted with many which were hitherto unknown to me. These islands of the Southern Sea, favourites of the sun, abound in rich fruits and spices. None of the many savoury dishes at Madame C.'s table have pleased me more than the favourite dish of the negro slaves, foufou, a kind of pulpy but very savoury pudding, which is made of mashed bananas or plantains, and eaten with a sauce of tomatoes or other vegetables. It is a remarkably good and wholesome dish, which we have had many times at breakfast since I expressed my great liking for it; and next to our potatoes, which in Cuba are a rarity, I know no vegetable root so excellent, so savoury and delicate at the same time, as that noble root yuca, which is eaten like potatoes with fresh