such, for
instance, as good beds, strict cleanliness, good milk, and sweet
butter. The climatic advantages must suffice for such deprivations.
During the greater portion of the year it is dry and hot, the rainy
season commencing in June and ending in September. The northeast
trade-winds blow over the island from March to October, and though it
is especially important to avoid all draughts in the tropics, still
one can always find a sufficiently cool and comfortable temperature
somewhere, when the trade-wind prevails. To persons in the early
stages of consumption this region holds forth great promise of relief;
the author can bear witness of remarkable benefit having been realized
in many instances. At the period of the year when New England invalids
most require to avoid the rigors of the prevailing east winds, namely,
in February, March, April, and early May, the island of Cuba is in the
glory of high summer, and enjoying the healthiest period of its annual
returns. When consumption originates in the island,--as was also found
to be the case at Nassau,--it runs its course to a fatal end with such
rapidity that the natives consider it to be a contagious disease.
Early in May the unacclimated would do well to leave, taking passage
up the Gulf to New Orleans, or across the Gulf Stream, which here runs
thirty-two miles in width, to Key West, Florida, thence by boat to
Tampa Bay, and by railroad to Sanford, and by the St. John's River to
St. Augustine, enjoying a brief stay at the latter places, where every
requisite convenience can be enjoyed. Jacksonville should not be
missed, and by coming north thus slowly and pleasantly, the change of
climate is not realized, and June weather will greet the returning
traveler with genial warmth.

Owing to the proximity of the northwestern part of Cuba to our own
continent, the climate is somewhat variable, and at a height of five
hundred feet above the level of the sea, ice is sometimes, though
rarely formed; but, as has already been said in these notes, snow
never falls upon the island. At long intervals Cuba has been visited
by brief hailstorms, and persons who tell you this will add, "but we
never have known it in our day." In the cities and near the swamps,
the yellow fever, that scourge of all hot climates, prevails from the
middle of June to the last of October; but in the interior of the
island, where the visitor is at a wholesome distance from humidity and
stagnant water, it