← Table of contents
Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers

PART I. ——— CUBA.

Reading edition

line drawing of a duck
line drawing of a duck

CUBAN SKETCHES.

———

Sick Transit. The Spanish Tongue.

Two Boobies. An Unwelcome Visitor.

A Colored Hercules. An Agreeable Bath.

The Cuban Jehu. A Celestial Maid.

Iglesia San Francisco. A Statue on a Bust.

A Cuban Motive. A Tail Unfolded.

An Influenza. Money in thy Purse.

Flee for Shelter. Sugar and Water.

The Ride. Green Fields.

A Cock-fight. A Segar well-lighted.

Rather Cool. Shall Rest be Found.

Take your Pick. All Aboard.

A Spanish Retreat. The Matanzas Cave.

Spiders and Rats. Hard Road to Travel.

Belligerents. A Shady Retreat.

Materfamilias. A Spanish Grocer.

Culinary Department. Colored Help.

A Bundle of Clothes. Very Moorish.

A Button-Smasher. Chacun a Son Gout.

White Pantaloons. Nature's Restorer.

Carnival Acquaintance. Agricultural.

Beauty at the Ball. A Cot in the Valley.

A Disappointment. A Colored Beauty.

Dolce far Niente. Corner Stones.

Locomotion. A Sudden Departure.

THE START.—THE STEAMSHIP COLUMBIA. AT SEA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

First day out.—The wind freshens up a trifle as we get outside Sandy Hook; but our artist says he is'nt sea-sick, for he never felt better in his life.

IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A "Booby"—as seen from the ship's deck.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A "Booby"—as seen on the ship's deck.

ARRIVAL AT HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A side elevation of the colored gentleman who carried our luggage from the small boat to the Custom House.

STREETS OF HAVANA.—CALLE MERCADERES.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The first volante driver that our artist saw in Havana.

VIEW FROM OUR WINDOW AT THE HOTEL ALMY.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The old Convent and Bell Tower of the Church of San Francisco,—now used as a Custom House.

STREETS OF HAVANA.—CALLE TENIENTE RE.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A Cuban Cart and its Motive Power.—Ye patient Donkey.

AT THE CAFE LOUVRE.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Manners and Customs of a Cuban with a Cold in his Head.

THE [WICKED] FLEA OF HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

PART I.—The beast in a torpid condition. PART II.—When he "smells the blood of an Englishmun."

THE NATIONAL VEHICLE OF HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Manner and Custom of Harnessing ye Animiles to ye Cuban Volante.

A COCK-FIGHT IN CUBA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

I.—Chanticleer as he goes in.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

II.—Chanticleer considerably "played out."

STREETS OF HAVANA.—CALLE LAMPARILLA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The cool and airy style in which they dress the rising colored generation of Havana.

THE CUBAN TOOTH-PICK.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Two ways of carrying it—behind the ear, and in the back-hair.

THE CAPTAIN GENERAL'S QUINTA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

View of the Canal and Cocoa Tree; looking East from the Grotto.

THE DOMESTIC INSECTS OF HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Agitation of the Better-Half of Our Artist, upon entering her chamber and making their acquaintance.

A LITTLE EPISODE IN THE CALLE BARRATILLO.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A slight difference arises between the housekeeper's cat and the butcher's dog, who has just come out in his summer costume.

STREETS OF HAVANA.—CALLE COMPOSTELLA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The Free Negro.—An every-day scene, when the weather is fine.

AN INTERIOR IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Kitchen, chief-cook and bottle-washer in the establishment of Mrs. Franke, out on the "Cerro."

HEADS OF THE PEOPLE.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A portrait of the young lady, whose family (after considerable urging) consents to take in our washing.

PRIMITIVE HABITS OF THE NATIVES.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Washing in Havana.—$4 00 a dozen in gold.

WASHING IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

I.—My pantaloons as they went in. II.—My pantaloons as they came out.

CARNIVAL IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A Masquerade at the Tacon Theatre.—Types of Costume, with a glimpse of the "Cuban Dance" in the background.

A MASK BALL AT THE TACON.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our artist mixes in the giddy dance, and falls desperately in love with this sweet creature—but

LATER IN THE EVENING,

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

When the "sweet creature" unmasks, our Artist suddenly recovers from his fit of admiration. Alas! beauty is but mask deep.

STREETS OF HAVANA—CALLE OBRAPIA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The Cuban Wheelbarrow—In Repose.

STREETS OF HAVANA—CALLE O'REILLY.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The Cuban Wheelbarrow—In action.

FIRST HOUR! SECOND HOUR!! THIRD HOUR!!!

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist forms the praiseworthy determination of studying the Spanish language, and devotes three hours to the enterprise.

BED-ROOMS IN CUBA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The Scorpion of Havana,—encountered in his native jungle.

SEA-BATHS IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist having prepared himself for a jolly plunge, inadvertently observes an insect peculiar to the water, and rather thinks he won't go in just now.

HOTELS IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A cheerful Chinese Chambermaid (?) at the Fonda de Ingleterra, outside the walls.

HIGH ART IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A gay (but slightly mutilated) old plaster-of-Paris girl, that I found in one of the avenues of the Bishop's Garden, on the "Cerro."

LOCOMOTION IN THE COUNTRY.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A Cuban Planter going into town with his plunder.

SHOPPING IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist just steps around the corner, to look at a "sweet thing in fans" that his wife has found. RESULT!

THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE OF HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist indulges in a panale frio (a sort of lime-ade), at the Café Dominica, and gets so "set up," that he vows he won't go home till morning.

THE LIZARDS OF CUBA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist, on an entomological expedition in the Bishop's Garden, is disagreeably surprised to find such sprightly specimens.

SMOKING IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

An English acquaintance of Our Artist wants a light for his paper segar; whereupon the waiter, according to custom, brings a live coal.

THE MUSQUITOS OF HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A midsummer's night dream.—Our Artist is just the least bit disturbed in his rest, and gently remonstrates.

PUBLIC SERVANTS IN CUBA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A gay and festive Chinese brakeman, on the railroad near Guines.—The shirt-collar-and-pair-of-spurs style of costume.

ONE OF THE SENSATIONS IN CUBA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

The Great Cave near Matanzas.—Picturesque House over the Entrance.

THE GREAT CAVE NEAR MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A section of the interior—showing the comfortable manner in which our artist followed the guide, inspected the stalactites, and comported himself generally.

THE OUTSKIRTS OF MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

One of the Fortifications.—Sketched from the end of the Paseo, on a day hot enough to give anything but a donkey the brain fever.

ARCHITECTURE IN MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A romantic little tienda mista (grocery store) on a corner, in the Calle Ona.

A CAFFETAL NEAR MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist becomes dumb with admiration, at the ingenious manner of toting little niggers.

THE PICTURESQUE IN MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A singular little bit, out of the Calle Manzana.

A SUGAR PLANTATION, NEAR THE YUMORI.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Our Artist essays to drink the milk from a green Cocoa: Fatal effect.—An uncomfortable sensation!

A BED-CHAMBER IN MATANZAS.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

First night at the "Gran Hotel Leon de Oro."—Our artist is accommodated with quarters on the ground-floor, convenient to the court-yard, and is lulled to sleep by a little domestic concert of cats, dogs, donkeys, parrots and game-cocks.

ECONOMY IS WEALTH.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Showing the manner in which one ox accomplishes the labor of two, in San Felipe.

THE SUBURBS OF CALABAZAR.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A Planter's Hut, and three scraggly Palm Trees in the dim distance.

PLANTATIONS NEAR MARIANAO.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A Colored Beauty toting Sugar Cane from the field to the grinding mill.

ARCHITECTURE IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

A conglomerate Esquina, on the corner of Calle Obispo and Monserate.

LAST NIGHT IN HAVANA.

Illustration from Our Artist in Cuba, Peru, Spain and Algiers Leaves from The Sketch-Book of a Traveller, 1864-1868

Alarm of Our Artist and Wife, upon going to their room to pack, and discovering that a Tarantula has taken possession of their trunk.

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings