642 Salt of the Mountain of Gem, 



spects closely resembles ice, in order that it may be analysed 

 by some competent chemist. 



[We purpose to send the specimens, as soon as we have a 

 printed copy of our correspondent's communication ready to 

 be sent with them, to some friend versed in chemical analysis, 

 whose report upon the salts we hope to give in' a future 

 Number.] 



Notwithstanding the immense quantity of salt which might 

 be drawn from these works, sufficient for the supply, not only 

 of all Spain, but, I might perhaps say, the whole of Europe, 

 such are the absurd regulations prevailing in every branch of 

 industry in that lovely but unfortunate country, that the sale 

 of it is confined to a circle of about seven leagues, including 

 the large manufacturing town of Manresa : beyond which it 

 is contraband. The surrounding country, though patches of 

 the most beautiful woodland occasionally occur, has, for the 

 most part, a sad, dreary, desolate look : for miles and miles, 

 with the exception of here and there a train of asses or mules 

 laden with sacks containing salt, and the whirr of a covey of 

 red-legged partridges started up from their heathy roost, not 

 a sound is heard, not a living creature is seen. The rugged 

 barren nature of the country, indeed, joined to the fierce vin- 

 dictive character of its inhabitants, had the effect of scaring 

 the French off during the Peninsular war ; and the castle of 

 Cardona, which, though situated on an eminence, and strongly 

 fortified, is by no means impregnable, was one of the very few 

 fortresses which never, during that six years' bloody warfare, 

 received a French garrison within its walls. It was also the 

 only fortress never taken during the war of succession, but 

 was delivered up in 1715, after the glorious but fruitless de- 

 fence of Barcelona by the Catalans, against the united forces 

 of France and Spain : a defence unparalleled in the annals 

 of history, save by those of Gerona and Saragossa in later 

 times. 



There are thirty-five labourers employed on these salt- 

 works, who receive five rials, about 13^. a day; and twenty 

 guards keep watch night and day in order to prevent any of 

 the salt being stolen : such is the wretched character for rob- 

 bery and murder borne by the surrounding inhabitants ; a 

 character, inueed, which seems vindictive in the extreme. No- 

 where, in any of my rides in Spain, did I meet with crosses, 

 those Spanish signs of blood and vengeance, in such numbers 

 as on the by bridle-road from Cardona to Cervera. 



The salt mountain formerly belonged to the Duke of Me- 

 dina-Celi, and the manner by which it fell into royal hands 



