late change, and is still cherished by numbers, who have been brought up in the fatal belief, that the honours and rewards earned three hundred years ago, are a sufficient excuse for their own sloth and inactivity. The proofs of this anxiety to derive importance from ancestry, are most conspicuous in Biscay, Asturias and Navarre, where every one lays claim to nobility, and the very cottage doors are surmounted with an immense escutcheon, to ornament which, the whole animal and vegetable world has been put in requisition. The lovers of heraldry would do well to visit those provinces, in which a wide field is open to their researches: there never was such an abundant display of gules and quartering, lions rampant and couchant, tygers, cats, dogs, hawks, pigeons, &c. &c. The chief difficulty I found, was in ascertaining what the animals were meant to represent: it frequently occurred to me that, if interrogated, the artists would, themselves, be somewhat at a loss on this subject. With respect to the rage for nobility, it was so great, some years ago, that_according to the calculation of La Bordemade in 1788all the families in Biscay and Asturias, considered themselves as possessing noble blood: in the first named province, there were 116,910 titles, amongst a population of 308,000 souls; while Asturias boasted no less than 114,740, out of 347,766, its total number of inhabitants. It should be observed that titles were formerly to be bought here, as in Italy and Germany. The same writer estimated that there were 119 Grandees, 535 Counts, Marquesses, and Viscounts, making a total of 478,716 nobles. The number of titles has been greatly increased during the reigns of Charles IV., and Ferdinand. The scandalous prostitution of honours and rewards, during the last forty years, in this country, by which riches and titles have been almost exclusively reserved for the most profligate and corrupt of the nation, is, of itself, a sufficient reason for the contempt into which titles and decorations have fallen. These, like laws, become ridiculous or contemptible, when unnecessarily multiplied: their number, and the facility of obtaining them in this country, have produced those very effects; while the extreme poverty into which some of the highest nobility have fallen, from various causes, renders their titles only an additional source of unhappiness. The nobility of Spain would act wisely, by bearing in mind a truth, which is too generally disre garded: that titles are respectable only when accompanied by probity and virtue. The examples shown by the heroes of La Isla, in so peremptorily rejecting the honours offered to them, has had a most salutary effect on the public. The crosses and ribbons bestowed in former reigas, have now been thrown aside for the national cockade, composed of green and white, adopted at San Fernando. The patriots are also said to have formed the resolution of not accepting any more external badges of honour, except those conferred by the representatives of the people, in the form of thanks; this determination is worthy of freemen, who have acquired distinct notions of the dignity of their nature. MENDICITY. The extent of mendicity in Spain ought not to be attributed to any mean or grovelling motive: it arises no less from the proverbial penury of the people, than the example constantly before their eyes, in the mendicant orders; another of those monstruosities that has grown up with the religious establishments; and by which, beggary is, as it were, sanctified. When the various ways adopted by the monks and priesthood for extorting money from the faithful are considered, no wonder that begging should be regarded as altogether harmless, if not an agreeable pastime; nor is it thought degrading even in persons of rank: to such a state can defective institutions reduce a people! A dowager, or a Knight of Calatrava, St. Hermandad and the Golden Fleece, who solicit alms in Spain, do not think it a derogation from their dignity; and why should they, when it is countenanced by the ministers of religion, who are seen at every door, performing the same office. Next to the legitimacy of begging should be ranked, what is so well known in England by the name of place-hunting. This mania prevails to a degree here, not to be exceeded in any other part of the world: but, like mendicity, it originates in the example of the great: who, while they have been in the habit of engrossing patronage for their own immediate followers, never fail to encourage a crowd of expectants. Those who have attended the ministers' levees during the last three months, and seen the myriads of both sexes who were jostling each other in their anti-chambers, must have thought that, instead of a reformed government, and the loss of a world, Spain had just recovered her colonies, and and added others to her territory. But this, like many other inconveniences, must pass away, when the nature of the late change, and the new position of the nation shall be better understood. BULL-FIGHTS. Amongst the practices which tend to retard civilization, and keep alive whatever ferocity of character the people of Spain may have derived from their Roman and Moorish ancestors, the continuance of the Fiestas Dé Toros, or bull-feasts, is justly regarded as the most conspicuous. The toleration of the above amusement, only inferior in barbarity to those exhibited before the ancient masters of the world, has long been a subject of the utmost regret with all liberal and enlightened Spaniards. Jovellanos, in his erudite and philosophical essay on public amusements, deeply laments a custom, in which only a small portion of the nation participates, though it is called national; and, as such, has long been an object of just odium with foreigners. The establishment of bull-feasts is traced to the middle ages, and is certainly not worthy of any other period. These horrid exhibitions are pointedly decried by the Spanish philosopher, as being disgraceful to the age and to Spain. It would appear that Isabella, who also opposed the cruelties of the Holy Office, did her utmost to abolish the Toros, but was foiled by her courtiers. A just tribute of applause is paid to Charles III. for having decreed their total abolition; but, as they had become identified with despotism previous to his reign, it is probable the ministers of his son and successor.could not dispense with a pastime which brutalized his subjects, and excluded rational thinking. THE PRADO. It is to be regretted that a more elevated spot was not chosen for the Prado, which is not, however, without its advantages, having an immediate communication with the city on one side, and with the botanic gardens and Delicias on the other. If more frequently watered in summer, that dust and heat which are so annoying at present would be mitigated. These circumstances, however, do not prevent the Prado from being as well attended now, as at all former periods from the days of Calderon-who found many of the subjects of his most popular plays on this Madrilenian Paradise-till now, when it serves as the resort of all who wish to breathe a free air, or offer up their vows at the shrine of beauty. Besides the immense concourse which oc cupies the Salon or centre walk of El Prado, there are spacious alleys and roads on each side, for equestrians and carriages; the latter of which, drawn by horses or mules, move on in slow and solemn pace on the left. As this is the grand point of attraction, the Madrid fashionables seldom take any other direction in their evening rides. It is a rule seldom deviated from, for the Royal family to join the range of carriages collected at the Prado, whenever they leave the palace, which is almost daily. Agreeably to the court etiquette of former days, there are generally four or five state carriages, either occupied by, or in attendance on the Royal Family, when they appear in public; these are followed by a numerous suite of outriders, and a large party of the mounted body guard. JOVELLANOS. Jovellanos, whose name is synonymous with all that is good and amiable, may be said to have equalled the best of his European contemporaries, and gone far beyond most of them, in all those excellencies which constitute an eloquent writer, refined scholar, and profound statesman. It would be almost impossible to point out a gap in literature and political discussion, that was not filled, and ably filled, by this extraordinary writer, to whom the flattering compliment of Dr. Johnson to Goldsmith might be applied, with still more justice. It has been truly said, that whatever he did was well done; whether he unravelled the intricacies of political economy; traced the manners and customs of ancient times; prepared an essay on education or the fine arts; dwelt on some difficult point of historical research; composed a tragedy, or wrote an ode; all seemed alike familiar to his versatile pen; so that he never failed in any literary undertaking, however complicated and difficult. It is even said of him, that he succeeded in the above branches, as if each had been the exclusive study of his life. It will be an eternal stain on the reign of Charles IV., that this great and lamented character was consigned to imprisonment in a fortress, during more than six years of his valuable life, for his efforts in favour of virtue and truth; nor will it be easy for many persons, who might be named, to exonerate themselves for the part they acted towards him, in 1811; a treatment that no man ever merited less than Jovellanos, and which accelerated the loss of one, who might still have been, as he was before, the most brilliant ornament of his country. If the literati of Spain look forward with anxiety for a collection collection of this writer's works, the Spanish people anticipate the day when justice shall be done to his memory by their representatives, and some atonement made for the persecution he experienced while living. As Jovellanos was amongst the few men of our time, who have written for posterity, so will the future legislators of Europe, as well as of Spain, not fail to profit from his immortal labours. Jovellanos died in extreme poverty: it was worthy of those who persecuted him through life, to aggravate his sufferings by the additional evil of penury. Such conduct on the part of the Court, and the misled enthusiasts of Cadiz, who endeavoured to blacken his character while living, requires no comment; curses, "not loud, but deep," will be heaped on their heads by posterity; and when it is recollected that the treatment of Jovellanos was systematically extended to all those who had any pretensions to honour, virtue and talents, where is the man who will not raise his eyes to heaven, and bless the day when such a state of things was destroyed? The Spanish nation looks with anxiety for an edition of this great man's works: this is the inheritance of Europe, as well as of Spain; and will be a fountain at which all civilized nations, who aim at perfection in morals and legislation, will drink. As a writer, Jovellanos approaches nearer the brilliancy of Edmund Burke, than any other I can name: but his style possessed excellencies which were unknown even to the Irish luminary. His Tragedy of "Pelayo" has been compared to the "Cato" of Addison, while the Comedy of "The Honourable Delinquent," is equal, in comic power, to those of Goldsmith and Sheridan. His Odes and Lyric Poetry are not inferior to those of Collins, while the Epistles, of which his biographer has published four, unite the harmony and vigour of Pope and Johnson. LIVING LITERATI. Notwithstanding all the obstacles which have been thrown in the way of knowledge during the last six years of proscription and misrule, there are numbers here, who, in natural endowments, and solid acquirements, do honour to the age. It is impossible to repeat the names of such men as Lardizabal, Toribio Nunez, Cambronero, Herreros, Salas, Cabrera, Hermosilla, Reinoso, Vascons, Andujar, Clemente, Rodriguez, O'Farril, Fernandez, Moratin, Gorastiza, and a host of others, in the various branches of legis lation, jurisprudence, science, politic, history, poetry and the drama, without acknowledging that Spain still possesses writers who require to be more generally known to be esteemed and admired. Á list of those who have laboured in what are called the exact sciences, such as astronomy, chemistry, botany, medicine, and the mathematics, during the last sixty years, would occupy a large space, and prove that the professors of Spain have not been either idle or inferior, in point of talent, to the best of their contemporaries. But what could be expected in a country, where the works of Gassendi, Descartes and Newton, were excluded from the Universities, as late as 1771, because they did not “ symbolize” with revealed religion! It is natural to particularize those, to whom I am more especially indebted for a considerable portion of the information sought for, during my visit to this capital. Most willingly would I dwell on the merits of Marina and Llorente, two ecclesiastics, who have linked their names with the civil, religious and political history of their country so closely, that both must go down the stream of time together. Quintana is perhaps the only living writer of Spain who has endeavoured to approximate the biography of her great men to the object which Plutarch had in view: his lives of illustrious Spaniards, published in 1807, is one of the most valuable historical works in the language, and pre-eminently calculated to animate the youth of Spain, in the path of true glory. In noticing the living writers of Spain, I ought not to omit the names of Florer Estrada, and Puigblanch: both these distinguished patriots resided in England during the reign of terror here, and both published works, which enabled the Bris tish public to form an accurate opinion of the condition to which the people of this country were reduced, under the Servile faction. JEREMY BENTHAM. Of all our writers, Mr. Bentham ought to be most satisfied with his reception and reputation in Spain: not less than five translations or commentaries on the Treatises on Legislation, published by Mr. Dumont, have been prepared here, while the most enlightened men of the Afrancesados and Liberales look up to him as their master in legislation. The learned Toribio Nunez has rendered his country an immense and incalculable service, by calling its attention to the works of the English English Solon; and when these party prejudices, or what is nearly as bad, national pride, (which is so apt to reject the wisdom that comes from without, for no other reason than because it is of foreign growth,) shall subside, there is little doubt but our celebrated countryman will be one of the most highly favoured legislative oracles of the Peninsula, as he is now the most generally admired. NEWSPAPERS. Although the arrival of Charles III. was marked by the publication of several weekly and monthly publications, as well as of some newspapers, highly esteemed in their day, nearly all of those ended their career with the reign of that patron of letters, and never were revived; so that periodical literature may be said to be still more in its infancy here than any other branch. Impressed with the inportance of guiding public taste and opinion, various individuals have shown a becoming zeal on the subject of periodical publications since the establishment of liberty. El Censor, which appears weekly, and La Miscellanea, a daily paper, receive literary contributions from the most enlightened amongst the Afrancesados, particularly the learned Cambronero, a passionate advocate for Mr. Bentham's philosophy. Don Jose Joaquin de Mora, to whom I am indebted for much valuable information, and many personal civilities, has, from his own extensive resources, and scarcely with any patronage, (which is, as yet, sadly deficient in Spain,) sustained the weight of a daily paper, El Constitucional, conducted with singular ability; also La Minerva Nacional, modelled on the plan of that lately suppressed by the French censorship. M. de Mora is one of the best political writers in Spain, a very good poet, and also conversant with English literature. Many Journals have appeared and disappeared during the last six months, and it will doubtless be some time before the cares and labours of editorship are either understood, or sufficiently rewarded in Spain. RIEGO'S HYMN. As this celebrated hymn belongs not only to the literature, but to the political history of Spain, it affords me much pleasure to be able to subjoin the translation of it, by my friend Mr. Bowring which was alluded to in a former letter. Like all those specimens of Spanish poetry which have proceeded from the pen of my friend, it is considerably improved, without departing from the sense or spirit of the original. MONTHLY MAG. No. 377. "The country we cherish Hath summoned us now, To conquer or perish, Our promise--our vow. 66 In joy and in triumph, Sing Victory's lay: Shall scatter to nought; And flies at the thought. A record so bright; To liberty's fight. "Oh! crown them with laurels, And wreaths bright and vernal, And glory eternal Who first drew the sword! And rose at the word! The fetters of shame. Both freedom and fame. Our conscience is pure. INTOLERANCE. To the charge of intolerance, brought against the framers of the Constitution, it has been replied, that the declaration in 41 favour favour of Catholicism could not produce the same evil effects in Spain, where there are no sects to disturb religion, or distract the operations of government, as in other countries; so that the law, which tolerates only one form of worship, does no violence to any other. Several enlightened Spaniards have assured me, that without the intolerant article in which the framers of the Constitution were obliged, in conformity with popular prejudice, to designate the national religion as la unica verdadera! it would have been utterly impossible to have made the new code palatable; to such a lamentable degree does long-continued oppression degrade the mind, making slavery as it were necessary to existence. The above assurance has always been accompanied by the remark, that the other parts of the Code are abundantly calculated to remove every trace of intolerance. t COLONIES. While at Madrid, I gave my friend M. de Mora the two volumes edited by the learned and philosophic Dumont, on rewards and punishments; (Essai sur les Peines et Recompenses) with a particular request that he would lose no time in making the chapter on Colonies known to his countrymen; but the Cortes ought not to have required the aid of Mr. Bentham's unanswerable reasoning, to prove the necessity of following the maxims laid down in that beautiful chapter: they had only to look nearer home for a still more powerful monitor, and see France more rich and happy, in being relieved from a number of expensive establishments, which in furnishing additional means of corruption to her rulers, swept off thousands of her sons annually; happier in having diminished the mass of guilt, inseparable from those who make a trade of human flesh, seeking to increase their wealth by human suffering. THE CHURCH. The number of monks of all colours and denominations, barefooted and bareheaded, with their attendants, at the period of Spain's recent liberation, was little less than 90,000; while the secular clergy, including the various dignitaries and attendants, exceeded 80,000; independent of 5000 nuns. According to an estimate by Cabarrus, presented to Joseph Bonaparte in 1809, the clergy possessed a fourth of the whole capital of the king dom, while their annual revenue amounted to 750,000,000 of reals; that is to say, as much as it costs to support the army and navy, diplomatic agents, administra tion of justice, and collection of the revenue! But there were various, and very considerable benefits arising from donations, legacies, and what the mendicant orders collect, which are not included in the above sum. The effect of celibacy on the population may be conceived, when it is added, that above one hundred and twenty thousand individuals of both sexes are at this moment interdicted from marriage. THE TRAPPE. The following address was circulated through Catalonia, in the early part of May, by a monk of La Trappe, named Antonio Maranon, whose biography is shortly as follows:-Having been ap pointed a lieutenant of the regiment of Murcia, in 1817, he was entrusted with a sum of money which belonged to the battalion, and having lost it at play, de serted to avoid the consequences. Be coming a Trappiste soon after, he ap peared to conform to all the outward austerities of the brotherhood, till its suppression of the late Cortes. Our hero then sought an asylum north of the Pyrenees; his reception there was not less cordial than that of all the bigots and knaves who had preceded him. When a plan of future operations was settled, Brother Antonio set out, supplied with the principal materiel of war-gold,— and crossing the frontier near Jaca, was seen to enter Reus in April, having two mules, well laden, in his suite. Nothing more was heard of the reverend father, until his proclamation was seized, and himself put to flight, together with his deluded followers, about two hundred peasants, by a small party of national militia. This took place at the end of June. Christ! "PROCLAMATION. "Soldiers and Children in Jesus "By the aid of the Lord, you have just gained a degree of glory equal to that which your ancestors and forefathers acquired over the impious Moors, in favour of our holy religion. The bells of the temple of the Lord have called forth your valour and love for the triumph of the faith. Ye have taken up arms, and God will protect your salutary intentions. Ye have begun these glorious feats for exterminating the troops of the line, militia, and Constitutionalists; continue therefore, in your firm will and resolation, and you are more than a match for these perverse wretches; or rather, you will Imitate your fathers, who elevated the cross on the Spanish soil, which you worthily 1 |