552 

 NOTICE OF SPAIN. 



SPAIN, though without doubt, one of the most interesting countries in 

 Europe, whether we regard the character of its people, or its romantic 

 literature, has been the most neglected. Modern civilization, has swept 

 from the surface of society all that was romantic and picturesque, with 

 few shades of difference. One uniform system of manners prevails over 

 most parts of the European continent. But in Spain it is far different. 

 Spain is still the same in character and appearance it was, centuries ago; 

 its fortunes only have changed. 



It is difficult to give a general description of a nation, whose character 

 and customs, differ in every province. These provinces, which were 

 formerly as many kingdoms, appear to have preserved the spirit of 

 hatred towards each other, in a greater or lesser degree in proportion to 

 the distance they are from each other. 



The Catalans are the most industrious, active, and laborious among 

 the Spaniards ; they consider themselves as a distinct people, are always 

 ready to revolt, and have more than once formed the project of erecting 

 their country into a separate republic. For some time past, Catalonia 

 has been the nursery of the arts and trades of Spain, which have 

 acquired there, a degree of perfection not found in any other part of the 

 kingdom. The Catalan is rude in his manner almost amounting to 

 brutality. 



The Valencian is subtle and false, though milder in his manners ; he 

 is the most idle, and at the same time the most supple individual that 

 exists. His country is justly termed the garden of Spain, from its fer- 

 tility and beauty. 



The inhabitant of Galicia may be compared to the native of Auvergne; 

 he quits his country and is employed, in the rest of Spain, in much the 

 same manner as persons of the same class from Auvergne and Limousin, 

 are in France. The same may be said of the Austrian. 



The Castilian is haughty, bigoted, and grave in his manner, and is 

 generally esteemed for his fidelity, strength of mind, and inflexible 

 integrity. 



The Andalusian has nothing of his own, not even his language, and 

 may be compared to the Gascon for extravagant expressions, vivacity, 

 and vain boasting. Hyperbole is his favourite language ; he embellishes 

 and exaggerates every thing, and offers you his purse and person, in as 

 little time as he takes to repent of it. 



Such are afew of the varieties of character to be met with in Spain; though 

 there are some qualities common to all. A strict sobriety, a blind and 

 extreme bigotry is universal. The national vanity, a prejudice much in 

 favour of a government which knows how to turn it to advantage, is 

 carried to an excessive degree. There is not a Spaniard who does not 

 think his country the first in the world. The people have a proverb 

 which says, Donde esta Madrid calle el mundo, " where Madrid is, let 

 the world be silent." A preacher in a sermon on the temptation of 

 Christ, told his audience, that the devil, according to holy writ, took the 

 Saviour to the top of a high mountain, whence all the kingdoms of the 

 earth were discovered ; he showed him France, England, and Italy, but 



