[12] According to the best authorities, Diego Valasquez, the Conqueror of Cuba, founded the famous city of San Christobal de la Habana in 1519, and being immensely impressed by the width and depth of the harbour, and its generally favourable position for trade purposes, he called it _la llave del Nuevo Mondo_, the key to the New World. [13] See on this subject the following works: (1) _Los restos de Colon_, per Don José Manuel de Echeverry, Santander, 1878; (2) _Cristofero Colombo e San Domingo_, per L. T. Belgrano, Genova, 1879; (3) _Los Restos de Cristobal Colon_, by Tejera, Santo Domingo, 1879; (4) _Los restos de Colon_, Emiliano Tejera, Madrid, 1878. [14] The Tacon Theatre was built in 1830 by a man who made his fortune selling fish. Having saved up a large sum, he invested it in land, and built the first market upon the site, and finally, as an act of gratitude to his fellow-citizens for having assisted him in making some millions of dollars, he built them their largest theatre. [15] In a great many parts of the Eastern Province, cattle are used as horses. [16] Literally God's Baby. [17] Exhibited by the writer in the West Indian Court of the Colonial Exhibition. [18] From notes made some years ago of the conversation in question. [19] The two other important Cuban cities which I did not visit are Cardenas, which is known as the American city, and which is situated immediately on the seaboard, and has a population of about 20,000 inhabitants, and Villa Clara, which is situated on Jagua Bay, a noble expanse of water which could easily accommodate and shelter half the fleets of Europe. Both these cities are remarkably well drained and prosperous, and give evidence at every turn that they are in the hands of an enterprising and energetic people. Between the two towns there must be between five and ten thousand residents, all of whom are engaged in commerce. [20] Those who wish to obtain a more perfect knowledge of tobacco and its cultivation will do well to read the two exhaustive chapters on the subject, in "Cuba with Pen and Pencil," by Samuel Hazzard, by far the best book ever written on Cuba. [21] Then, in all probability, he witnessed the coronation of the Doge Paul of Novi, a dyer who certainly did business with his father, and lived in the same neighbourhood. The romantic and tragic history of this Doge recalls that of Marino Faliero. Deposed by the mob, he was decapitated. [22] This Appendix and the following one respectively appeared in another and less elaborate form in the _National Review_ and the _Antiquary_, and are reproduced here, with additional matter, by the courteous consent of the editors of these reviews.--R. D. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Cuba Past and Present, by Richard Davey