torical glance at the political story of Cuba, that
may not be unworthy of preservation. The fact that the subject-matter
was penned in the hurry of observation upon the spot, and that it is
thus a simple record of what would be most likely to engage and interest
a stranger, is his excuse for the desultory character of the work. So
critically is the island now situated, in a political point of view,
that ere this book shall have passed through an edition, it may be no
longer a dependency of Spain, or may have become the theatre of scenes
to which its former convulsions shall bear no parallel.

In preparing the volume for the press, the author has felt the want of
books of reference, bearing a late date. Indeed, there are none; and the
only very modern records are those written in the desultory manner of
hurried travellers. To the admirable work of the learned Ramon de la
Sagra,--a monument of industry and intelligence,--the author of the
following pages has been indebted for historical suggestions and data.
For the privilege of consulting this, and other Spanish books and
pamphlets, relative to the interests and history of the island, the
author is indebted to the Hon. Edward Everett, who kindly placed them at
his disposal. Where statistics were concerned, the several authorities
have been carefully collated, and the most responsible given. The writer
has preferred to offer the fresh memories of a pleasant trip to the
tropics, to attempting a labored volume abounding in figures and
statistics; and trusts that this summer book of a summer clime may float
lightly upon the sea of public favor.

M.M.B.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Island of Cuba--Early colonists--Island aborigines--First
importation of slaves--Cortez and his followers--Aztecs--The law of
races--Mexican aborigines--Valley of Mexico--Pizarro--The end of
heroes--Retributive justice--Decadence of Spanish power--History of
Cuba--The rovers of the gulf--Havana fortified--The tyrant
Velasquez--Office of Captain-general--Loyalty of the Cubans--Power of
the captain-general--Cupidity of the government--The slave-trade--The
British take Havana--General Don Luis de las Casas--Don Francisco de
Arranjo--Improvement, moral and physical, of Cuba, 9

CHAPTER II.

The constitution of 1812--Revolution of La Granja--Political aspect of
the island--Discontent among the Cubans--The example be