not satisfied by Nature
without any effort on their part. They lead a _dolce far niente_
existence, swinging to and fro in their hammocks all day long, smoking
cigarettes and strumming guitars.

Life at San Juan and the other principal towns is more or less
monotonous, amusements being few. There is a _retreta_ or concert by the
military bands twice a week and theatrical performances three or four
evenings a week. Matinees are very seldom given. The theatres are owned
by the cities and rented to European and American companies traveling
through the island at so much an evening.

Unlike Cuba, there are no bull fights, but cock fighting may be called
the national sport, and is universally indulged in. Game cocks are the
greatest attraction of the markets. Every Sunday there are public fights
in the cockpit, and these are invariably accompanied by betting, often
very large amounts being involved.

Gambling, by the way, may be said to be universal. Every one, from the
rich planter down to the lowest laborer and beggar, is given up to this
vice, and will squander away every dollar if the mood takes him.

There is nothing but hospitality on the island. The people are
exceedingly polite to strangers, and the traveler who offers money
deeply offends his host.

A curious feature of the streets is the milk delivery, which is not
unlike that prevailing in Cuba.

This takes place before and during the noon, or breakfast, hour,
breakfast being taken here between 12 and 2 o'clock. Sometimes the milk
is still being sold at 4 or 5 o'clock. The milkman drives from door to
door from one to four or five cows, each branded with a number and
usually one or more of them accompanied by a calf. The driver cries his
approach, and the customer fetches sends out a pan, pail, bottle, or
cup, which he hands to the milkman. The milkman puts into the receptacle
the quantity of milk paid for, which he induces the cow to yield after
the usual manner.

Mr. W. G. Morrisey gives an interesting description of how funerals are
conducted in Porto Rico. He says that when a native dies preparations
are immediately made for the burial.

No women are allowed to attend the funeral and the casket is carried on
the shoulders of four natives. The cemetery being reached, the remains
are deposited in one of the many vaults in the place, provided the sum
of four pesos per year is paid to the authorities. If this sum is not
forthcoming the corpse is placed in