I cannot forbear paying here a tribute to the memory of the very remarkable American gentleman, the late Mr George Wilkes, in whose company I first saw the beautiful "Pearl of the Antilles." On the important paper which he founded, the New York _Spirit of the Times_, I worked for several very happy years, and I take this opportunity of expressing to its present editor and to Mr Stephen Fiske, my gratitude for much and constant courtesy, shown me ever since I left its staff. RICHARD DAVEY. CONTENTS. PAGE PREFACE v CHAPTER I. THE ISLAND 1 " II. POPULATION 14 " III. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ISLAND 39 " IV. THE BEGINNINGS OF THE REBELLION 65 " V. HISTORY OF REBELLION UP-TO-DATE 93 " VI. HAVANA AND THE HAVANESE 121 " VII. MATANZAS 148 " VIII. CIENFUEGOS 161 " IX. TRINIDAD AND SANTIAGO DE CUBA 173 " X. SOME WEIRD STORIES 193 " XI. PLANTATION LIFE 205 " XII. AN ISLE OF JUNE--A CONTRAST 224 APPENDIX I. THE BOYHOOD OF COLUMBUS 237 " II. SOME UNEDITED DOCUMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE HISTORY OF THE WEST INDIES 257 ILLUSTRATIONS. _Portrait of Columbus_ _Frontispiece_ HAVANA _to face_ 121 MATANZAS " 148 SANTIAGO " 173 MAP OF CUBA _at end of Book_ CUBA PAST AND PRESENT CHAPTER I. THE ISLAND.