The upper class of white Puerto Ricans is descended from Spanish stock, and in this class are found the wealthy planters and stock raisers, the merchants, and the professional men. They are a happy, good-looking, hospitable, polite, and prosperous people. Many of them are fairly well educated. In appearance these people resemble the Cubans, having regular features and dark hair and eyes. The men are not large, but are well built, erect and graceful. The women have clear complexions, delicate features, and small hands and feet. Heavy clothing is not worn. The men dress in white (light linen or cotton), and the women in cotton or other thin material. The ladies of the family are secluded very closely. They spend much of their time in the patios or on the balconies of their homes, embroidering, making lace, and gossiping. They care little for reading or for study. The Puerto Rican is generous and hospitable. He tells you, as does the Cuban, that his house and all it contains, his servants, his horses, his possessions, are yours to use and to have. But of course he does not mean that you shall accept these gifts. He means that he expects you to use them freely so long as you are a guest in his house. By these well-to-do people, any sort of labor is regarded as degrading and altogether out of the question; so they keep many servants. Some are paid and some receive only their board and clothes. But all are content. The working people are of one color, a light brown, with black eyes and straight hair. They are rather small and thin; and many of those living in the cities are ill-fed and diseased. They are ignorant and somewhat indolent, but are gentle, quick of wit, and teachable. Though cruel to their animals, they are kind to their children. There are many beautiful girls in the lower classes as well as in the upper, and these we see on the streets and in the market places. Many of them use long scarlet shawls and wear black satin slippers on their bare, pretty little feet. They are as proud of their little feet as of their hands. Some of the girls in the market have hair three-quarters the length of their body; but while it is so black and abundant, it is extremely coarse. The laboring men cut their hair short in the neck, and wear a thick bang on the forehead. [Illustration: A BEGGAR OF PUERTO RICO.] In many parts of the island beggars appeal to us with outstretched hand. Even the little children are taught to add their mite to the family income by begging. In Ponce these beggars secure a special license to pursue this profession and have a regular system. In certain houses, on certain days, a little table is placed in the doorway and a row of copper cents or coins upon it. The beggars who are privileged to come to these homes, come at the right time, take their pennies, and with a "Thank you!" shamble off. CHILD LIFE.