their most famous leaders, an Englishman named Morgan. He was barbarous in the extreme and returned from many expeditions laden with spoil. But, finally, he went to Jamaica, turned respectable and was made deputy-governor of the island. He died, by favor of Charles II., the "gallant" Sir Henry Morgan.

But in 1697, the European powers generally condemned the buccaneers.

In spite of the lessons they had received, and the universal protest of other nations, the Spaniards, obstinate then as ever, refused to change their policy. They persisted in closing the magnificent harbors of Cuba to the commerce of the rest of the world, and that, too, when Spain could not begin to use the products of the island. Still she could not and would not allow one bit of gold to slip from between her fingers. She has always held on with eager greed to all that she could lay her hands on. It is certainly food for the unrestrained laughter of gods and men that she has recently been sneering at the United States as a nation of traders and money grubbers.

CHAPTER II.

THE BRITISH OCCUPATION—SPAIN'S GRATITUDE.

In the early years of the eighteenth century, Cuba was more or less at peace, that is so far as Spain, a degenerate mother of a far more honorable daughter, would allow her to be at peace, and she increased in population, and, to a certain extent, in material prosperity.

But in 1717, a revolt broke out, a revolt which was thoroughly justified.

Spain felt that the agricultural wealth of the island was increasing, and she desired for herself practically the whole of the advantages which accrued from it.

Therefore, she demanded a royal monopoly of the tobacco trade. This demand was strenuously and bitterly opposed by the Cubans.

The Captain-General, Raja, was obliged to flee, but finally the trouble was ended, and Spain, by might far rather than by right, had her way. The monopoly was established.

But the oppressive government led to another uprising in 1723, which again was quickly quelled. Twelve of the leaders were hanged by Guazo, who was at that time the captain-general.

Twice, therefore, did the one who was in the wrong conquer, simply from the possession of superior force.

It is said that the mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small. And in the light of recent events, this seems to be, and in fact, so far as human intelligence can determine, it is true.

Richard Le Galliene, to-day, toward the end of the nineteenth century, speaks in clarion tones, as follows:

About this time, that is, from 1724 to 1747, Cuba, chiefly, if not almost entirely, at Havana, became a ship building centre, of course, once more, at least for a time, to the advantage of Spain. In all, there were constructed some one hundred and twenty-five vessels, carrying amongst them four thousand guns. These ships comprised six ships of the line, twenty-one of seventy to eighty guns each, twenty-six of fifty to sixty guns, fourteen frigates of thirty to forty guns and fifty-eight smaller vessels.

But then Spain became jealous—imagine a parent jealous of the success of its child!—and the ship-building industry was peremptorily stopped. During the present century, in Cuba only the machinery of one steamer, the Saqua, has been constructed, and two ships, one a war steamer and one a merchant steamer, have been built at Havana.

What a commentary on the dominating and destructive policy—self-destructive policy, too—of Spain!

In 1739, there arose in England a popular excitement for a war against Spain. One of the chief incidents which led to this was an episode which caused Thomas Carlyle to call the strife that followed "The War of Jenkins' Ear."

The English had persisted in maintaining a trade with Cuba in spite of Spain's prohibition.

A certain Captain Jenkins, who was in command of an English merchantman, was captured by a Spanish cruiser. His ship was subjected to search, and he himself, according to his own declaration, put to the torture. The Spaniards, however, could find little or nothing of which to convict him, and, irritated at this they committed a most foolish act, a deed of childish vengeance. They cut off one of his ears and told him to take it back to England and show it to the king.

Jenkins preserved his mutilated ear in a bottle of spirits, and, in due course of time, appeared himself before the House of Commons and exhibited it to that body.

The excitement ensuing upon the proof of this outrage to a British subject beggars description.

Walpole was at that time prime minister, and, although essentially a man of peace, he found it impossible to stem the tide, and public sentiment compelled him to declare war against Spain.

This war, however, was productive of but little result one way or the other.

But before long another struggle ensued, which was far more reaching in its consequences.

In 1756, what is known in history as the Seven Years War, broke out. This seems to have been a mere struggle for territory, and, besides a duel between France and England, involved Austria, with its allies, France, Russia and the German princes against the new kingdom of Prussia.

This naturally led to an alliance between England and Prussia.

Towards the end of the war, early in 1762, hostilities were declared against Spain.

An English fleet and army, under Lord Albemarle, were sent to Cuba. The former consisted of more than two hundred vessels of all classes, and the latter of fourteen thousand and forty-one men.

The opposing Spanish force numbered twenty-seven thousand six hundred and ten men.

With the English, were a large number of Americans, some of whom figured later more or less prominently in the war of the Revolution. Israel Putnam, the hero of the breakneck ride at Horseneck, and General Lyman, under whom Putnam eventually served, were among these, as was also Lawrence Washington, a brother of "The Father of His Country."

By the way, the American loss in Cuba during this campaign was heavy. Very few, either officers or men, ever returned home. Most of those who were spared by the Spanish bullets succumbed to the rigors of the tropical climate, to which they were unaccustomed and ill-prepared for.

May this experience of our forefathers in the last century not be repeated in the persons of our brothers of the present!

The defense of Havana was excessively obstinate, and the Cuban volunteers covered themselves with glory.

But, in spite of the superior force of the Spanish, the English were finally successful.

Taking all things into consideration, it was a wonderful feat of arms, one of which only the Anglo-Saxon race is capable.

Nevertheless, it was only after a prolonged struggle that the victory was complete.

At last, on the 30th of July, Morro Castle surrendered, and about two weeks afterward, the city of Havana capitulated.

The spoil divided among the captors amounted to about four