[15] "The nights are very dark, but the darkness is as if transparent; the air is not felt. There could not be more beautiful nights in Paradise."--_Miss Bremer's Letters._ [16] When consumption _originates_ in Cuba, it runs its course so rapidly that there is, perhaps, no wonder the Creoles should deem it, as they universally do, to be contagious. [17] The first lines of this city were traced on Saturday, the 10th of October, 1693, by Señor Manzaneda, under whose government it was founded. It was named San Cárlos Alcázar de Matanzas; the last word, that by which it is known, signifying the slaughter of a battle-field. [18] Moro Castle was first built in 1633; the present structure was erected on the ruins of the first, destroyed by the English in 1762. [19] Built by Charles III., and said to have cost the sum of $7,000,000. According to Rev. L.L. Allen's lecture on Cuba, it was more than forty years in building. [20] The port of Havana is one of the best harbors in the world. It has a very narrow entrance, but spreads immediately into a vast basin, embracing the whole city, and large enough to hold a thousand ships of war.--_Alexander H. Everett._ [21] "Her hands and feet are as small and delicate as those of a child. She wears the finest satin slippers, with scarcely any soles, which, luckily, are never destined to touch the street."--_Countess Merlin's Letters._ CHAPTER VI. Contrast between Protestant and Catholic communities--Catholic churches--Sabbath scenes in Havana--Devotion of the common people--The Plaza de Armas--City squares--The poor man's opera--Influence of music--La Dominica--The Tacon Paseo--The Tacon Theatre--The Cathedral--Tomb of Columbus over the altar--Story of the great Genoese pilot--His death--Removal of remains--The former great wealth of the church in Cuba--Influence of the priests.