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 before them--Simon Bolivar, the Liberator--Revolutions of 1823 and 1826--General Lorenzo and the constitution--The assumption of extraordinary power by Tacon--Civil war threatened--Tacon sustained by royal authority--Despair of the Cubans--Military rule--A foreign press established--Programme of the liberal party--General O'Donnell--The spoils--Influence of the climate, 25 CHAPTER III. Armed intervention--Conspiracy of Cienfuegos and Trinidad--General Narciso Lopez--The author's views on the subject--Inducements to revolt--Enormous taxation--Scheme of the patriots--Lopez's first landing, in 1850--Taking of Cardinas--Return of the invaders--Effect upon the Cuban authorities--Roncali recalled--New captain-general--Lopez's second expedition--Condition of the Invaders--Vicissitudes--Col. Crittenden--Battle of Las Pozas--Superiority of courage--Battle of Las Frias--Death of Gen. Enna--The fearful finale of the expedition, 38 CHAPTER IV.