The Cubans are very fond of fencing, and it is remarkable that the good fencers scarcely ever have duels, or seek quarrels. Duelling is practised _ad libitum_ in all Cuba among the upper class. Just before the war it had become an everyday occurrence; in fact, in one week as many as five duels took place between men well known in Havana society and clubs. As a rule the seconds manage to stop the fight after the first wound, even catching at the pretext of a flesh wound on the forearm; appealing to the attending surgeon to state whether he considers the wound will impair the free use of the arm, and also if there is any chance of nervous twitches setting in from the pain. It is unnecessary to add that the surgeon invariably finds that it is very likely that all of these contingencies may occur--thereby stopping the duel, and "honour is satisfied." Baseball, bull-fights, and cock-fights were the most popular entertainments until recently; cock-fights have waned now in popularity considerably, whilst bull-fights are patronised by the Spanish element exclusively. Baseball continues to hold public favour, and since its introduction some twenty years ago a taste for athletics has developed among the Cubans, which was lacking before. Horse-racing was in vogue while there was capital to import foreign half-breeds, but it has now completely died out. The foreign population of the Island is comparatively limited. A large number of German merchants are engaged in all branches of the tobacco business, which they practically control. It will be found that the knowledge and experience of the Germans in this respect have given them preferment in the direction and management of the largest syndicates and tobacco firms. A sprinkling of English, Americans, and French are to be found throughout the country. The coloured inhabitants of Cuba (mulattoes) are usually the children of black women and white fathers--the cases of a white woman having children with a black father being so rare as to be nearly unknown. In the cities the mulattoes are servants,--not hotel waiters, for they are all Spaniards,--barbers, and occasionally musicians. Mulatto women, though usually very statuesque in appearance, are unprincipled and insolent. [Illustration: A NATIVE HUT. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH BY J. F. COONLEY, NASSAU, N. P.]