Even the name of the Secretary of the Admiralty was honoured by them with a notice, in which they scorned to look upon him as a wild democrat.

They criticised the great Peel's tail going over in a body to the enemy's camp and placing themselves at the head of the troops; but what puzzled them most was, how _aquellos Grey's tan famosos por el nepotismo_ had not formed part of the ministry.

I confess they were not more puzzled than I was to account for the mysterious combination; the only solution whereof which presented itself to my mind, was the supposition that power has the same influence on public men that lollipops have on the juvenile population, and that the one and the other are ready to sacrifice a great deal to obtain possession of the luscious morsel.

However, as we live in an age of miracles, we may yet see even a rope of sand, mud, and steel-filings, hold together .-- Pardon this digression, and let us back to Cuba.
The Cubans usually dine about half-past three; after dinner some go to the _Paseo_ in their Volantes, others lounge on the quay or gather round the military band before the Governor-General's palace.

Look at that man with swarthy countenance, dark hair, and bright eyes--he is seated on a stone bench listening to the music; a preserved bladder full of tobacco is open before him, a small piece of thin paper is in his hand; quick as thought a cigarette is made, and the tobacco returned to his pocket.