p24
We spent the rest of the day looking out the window and dressing for dinner at four o’clock.
It was very French I thought, in fact precisely the way Professor Blot served his dinner -- soup-- entrements, entrees etc. We then took a carriage for since Bob was here they have become much more civilized and I suppose have “broughams” (?) would have been still a greater change.
Drove out the “Cerro”, saw the Governor General’s Palace, such a lovely drive, but odd enough to see the boys try to make the driver drive slow.
Henry made all the motions of pulling up the horses, and at last made him understand. We have since heard that “Prio, Prio” meant slower. We came home to hear about fifty musicians, etc. perform in the Pasio, and it perfectly encircles with a line of “Galantis” filled with elegantly dressed ladies, about fifteen hundred people So you can judge if it was not exciting to us. Went to bed tired out.
Wednesday - Was awakened this morning about half past eight by a Negro woman - Nancy- bringing a cup of coffee to us at the bedside. Quite Oriental is it not. We breakfasted at ten o’clock. Everything new and strange. Music playing while we are eating. It is so hunlding (?) it seems like painted scenes in a theater which will be shifted aside soon. We went out shopping about two o'clock, all four of us, such fun had trying to get our things. I can not quite adopt the Spanish style of wearing only a “vail” (sp). At night is it quite cool. Bob mustered up “Spanish “ enough to buy me a very pretty hat. p 26
We dined at five and at night went to the circus, a Boston gentleman, Mr. Yorke, accompanying us. Think of going to an Opera in full dress, low neck and short sleeves, diamonds etc.
The circus is arranged like our theater, built of wood, but just an ordinary performance such as we have in the summer months at home ---.
Robinson the (man) Jock knows rides, and his son Clarence are fun. We took a delicious ice cream and crackers after the performance, came home to sleep soundly, I assure you.
This morning we have deserted the letter writing and have just returned from a ride to a new Hotel called “El Telegrafo” which is kept better and furnished more ___ than this, private meals, but the situation not near as pleasant. Truth is -- we should think for a while -- a “in situ” in this place for we are followed almost continuously. It don’t seem to make any difference, whether Bob is around or not -- The proprietor told Bob it was not considered out of the way in this country. I rather imagine that is one reason my Bob thinks of changing, as he would unlike to lease one situated so alone. He has not delivered his letters from home to Dr. Frums as yet. Mrs. Frums is dead, died almost a year ago and as try him in the city did not think their house as healthy or pleasant as here. They have the small pox badly at Matanzas so we cannot go there at present.
---My dear ones I have given you a faithful account of what has happened to us since we left in a sort of journal form - otherwise I should not be able to remember all that might be interesting to you. __Pencil is inevitable this time Mother, for my letter is so long I never should be able to get through with a pen ---p29
We are all very well, and much pleased with Havana. It seems very long until we hear from home, and I earnestly hope Mollie keeps well, dear darling little girl - did she like her dolly? I dreamed of her last night. Elizabeth wants her sister’s address from her mother, she (has not mentioned) her child ____ in a while, so she seems to be contented. She has met an Englishman here. Tell Aunt Charlotte Henry is a real good boy. I never half appreciated his good qualities until thrown in with him so intimately as he is the very life of the party.
Everything is strange to us here--think of roses in January. I have some here in my room. Clara has on her green muslin, Bob in a white suit. p30
I think I ought to have been better provided with thin clothes. I am sure I don’t see what Sue Williams meant by cool weather. Clara says I have written everything, and she don’t see that anything is left for her to say, but that she is glad she came. We cannot (post)_our letters for our government has its own postal arrangements with Spain. Rather unpleasant if we wish to correspond with other than our own families, and we feel in duty bound to write a letter worth paying for.
Everyone of our dear precious people, I think of you often and if I had my dear little Mollie and you all here, would be quite content. I am afraid I shall never be able to let the folks come away without me. Remember me to Auntie Birt and family. I am getting a collection of curious leaves for Lottie -- Love and kisses to all of you from
Affectionately
Sara
Hotel Telegrafo -- p31
We moved here last night -- We have now a lovely suite of rooms - three deep, opening into one another, ours first, then Clara’s, then Elizabeth’s. Henry and another gentleman room opposite. We use one’s for a sitting room. They all open upon a large inside court where we dine. Upon each floor there is a private bath for each family. It is an entire (new) house since the rooms never have been furnished, furniture being just put in. The picture Bob has drawn for Mother is a pretty correct representation. The ceilings are very high, as are the doors and
( _ ) being of wood, with lattice. Doors (are of) shot glass, here is stained furniture, mahogany, bedstead of brass, toilet set - red and gilt china - all quite modern.
(_____ ) you as for comforts, but very foreign the style and way of living.
It is in every way a cleaner and more comfortable Hotel than the other, but the location not quite as beautiful, it being on the Campus Marti the troops (parade) on it about seven every morning - sometimes at least two thousand.
Now when you write just direct to Robert’s care - Havana, Cuba - that is all the direction necessary. He can even get postage stamps here and put on would-be letters - and that’s the end of the letters. He takes them to the steamer, gives them to the Purser and they are mailed from New York. (forms ?) will however come all right.
I hope Mollie keeps well Mother, and will you see about her teeth. They told Bob those back ones were her second set, and would be replaced. I do not think it can be so. I’ve watched her so closely and she has had but those decay. Dr. Harnig said it would save her much pain to fill them until the others came. I do not understand what he means. These letters have to go today. Clara says there is nothing left for her to say, but sends much love, as does Robert - Love to one and all
Affectionately -
Sarah
Dear Mother, p34
Sarah’s letter will undoubtedly give you so clear an idea of our past doings and present situation, that I will not attempt anything in the same line. I simply write to add my testimony that from the time we landed, she has been improving steadily and rapidly. The weather is like a Buffalo summer (from 70 to 80) and even one of her delicate health can remain in the open air at all hours without danger. We improved our own situation very much yesterday by moving our goods, chattels and persons to a new Hotel on the Campo Marti, through which the Paseo de Tacon runs. With the exception of the view which from the Inglaterra Hotel was magnificent, we have every reason to be satisfied with the change. p35
We have here new furniture throughout and perfect cleanliness, an article not usually found in a Spanish menage. When we can learn to get out of bed a little earlier in the morning, we shall make a vigorous attempt at lionizing. Thus far breakfast, a four hours blazing sun, dinner and darkness, have followed too closely on each other’s heels to allow of our doing anything in that way. We are going to have Clara stay, if all thing are agreeable, until the 10th or 11th of February, and by that time I hope we shall have been able to see something of the island.
The smallpox at Matanzas interferes somewhat with our plans, but we hope it will subside before long so as to make a visit there safe.
I hope my precious little daughter is a very good girl. We miss her very much, and Mamma will wear her picture out with kissing it. I wish I could enclose some cigars for Hen and Will and Dick. We revel in them here.
Goodbye
Love to all, and rest satisfied we are all in much better condition than when we left Buffalo, and gaining “every time” __
Affectionately,
Robert
My own little girl,
How often Mamma thinks of you and trusts you are a good little Mollie, and mind Grandma well - Did you like your dolly. Aunty Clara went all around New York to get you a larger one, but could not find one, so as this took off all her clothes, I thought you would not care to have them all alike. You would not have liked to have been on the ship with me, dear, for it rolled so in the water, and some of the waves came way over the cabin where Mamma was. There was only one little girl on board, and she was very sick. I saw such a nice little Negro baby yesterday; you and Lena would have laughed so, she was only five or six, and played the fiddle for us. You have commenced school again I hope, and must try and learn fast, and write me such a dear letter, as you did while I was in New York. Mamma’s bed that she sleeps on at night is exactly like the wire cradle Papa bought you with the curtains. Your birthday comes next Tuesday and I send lots of kisses for it, and tell Grandma she must get you something for us, Papa says.
I hope that when we hear from Grandma she will be able to tell us what an obedient little girl you have been. I kiss your picture good night always. None of the little girls wear bonnets here, a piece of black lace on their heads. Elizabeth likes it very well I think. She has a very pretty room, the floor is all laid in different colored marble; but she says her bones ache like Mamma’s, the beds are so hard. You must play nicely with Lena, and remember you are the oldest and must always give up. I would like to have printed this letter for you to read, but found I could not. Papa is going to try and make a picture of our room for you to see. p40
Now write to me, dear, when it is not too much trouble for someone to tell you how to spell the words; ___ and always remember Papa and Mamma when you say your prayers at night; for I always think of my little darling precious.
Goodbye
Affectionately
Mamma
“You can see what a fancy wash stand we have.”
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