éi4 
veht is inconsiderable, I understood a 
pecuniary gift would not be deemed an 
allront, and it was coriveyed to them by 
means of a turning cupboard, placed in 
the double-grated window. No one, 
éxcept a physician, can have admission 
Within the house, nor can any one con- 
verse with the ladies otherwise than 
through the grates. The same regula- 
tions prevail in all other convents of nuns; 
and I suspect the tales we have heard of 
intrigues in such places are mefe fic- 
tions. 
I have since learnt the history of the 
younger recluse, from some of the fami- 
ies who have patronised her. Her father 
was a merchant in London, and, having 
been unfortunate in commerce, ‘embarked 
with bis wife and this only child for the 
Past Indies? The ship in which they 
sailed was one of that large fleet which, 
towards the close of the American war, 
was captured by the combined flects of 
France and Spain. They were ‘carried 
Sato Cadiz, and thence removed to this 
city, where the father was detained a 
prisoner, on his parole, and died shortly 
after his arrival. The mother main+ 
‘tained herself and her orphan daughter 
for a short period, when she followed 
ther husband to the grave. 
The piety of the good Catholics was 
exerted to save this offspring of heresy 
from everlasting perdition; and a sub- 
‘sctiption was set on foot to defray the 
‘expence of placing her in a convent. 
Being young, and perhaps slightly in- 
stricted in the principles of her own re- 
ligion, she became a convert to that of 
ther benefactors, and had ‘her mind so 
strongly impressed, even with its fanati- 
cism, that, when she visited, during the 
recess, the only Protestant family in'the 
‘eity, she felt unhappy “at her removal 
froin those scenes, and those assiciates, 
which her enthusiastic invayination re- 
presented as essential to her future feli- 
‘city. She enjoyed none of the amuse- 
ments of her yduthful companions; and, 
théuzh offered a Subsistence by the worthy 
family in which she passed her vacations, 
she sighed to return to the convent, that 
she might give full vent to her piows feel- 
ings by prayer ‘and meditation. ‘After 
the due probation, she took the vows and 
the veil; and now, perhaps, When the 
‘ardour of youthful enthasiasm has abated, 
can only feel reconcifed tp her ljgby 
‘knowing it to be inevitable. 
SOCIETY AT SEVILLE. 
I have been so much pleased with the 
agrecable round of acquajutange ‘to 
Mfr. Jacobs Letters from Spain. 
vw” 
which I have beén introdueed by my 
friend General Virues and his. amiable. 
Jady, that L think it will afford you some 
entertainment, if I devote the following 
letter to the description of societies frony 
which T have derived considerable pleas 
sure, and much insight into the general. 
state of the higher orders of the commus 
nity in Spain. 
The Tertulla of the Copntess Villamane 
rique is the most crouded of any in Se- 
ville, and is more frequented, by the 
English, than any other. It is, in fact, a 
gaming house, where a bank 1s kept by 
the old lady, in partnership with the 
Marquis Ensenada, and considerable 
sums are won and lost at it daily. The, 
male visitors consist chiefly of othcers of 
the army, who might be infinitely better 
employed with the troops in La Manchay 
than in the dissipation of this capital. 
Neither music nor dancing is allowed at 
their meetings: but there are some ing 
tellivent persons generally in company, 
who never enter into the spirit of the 
play-table, and enjoy conversation in 
anuther apartment. ; 
At this assembly I frequently meet 
Count Materoso, who ‘so. spiritediy em 
barked, in an open boat, at Gijhon ta 
convey to England the first intelligence of 
the revolution in the Asturias. His friend, 
Argnilles, alsé generally makes one of 
the cumpany in tiie evening; and, by hig 
good sense, and amiable manners, adds 
greatly to the pleasure of the party. 
Arguilles is of a very ancjent family im 
Oviedo; he has seen and studied mang 
kind in various countries, and madeac¢- 
curate observations on their customs, 
jaws, and manners. He passed some 
time in England, where he increased-his 
love of freedom, and ‘his detestation of 
the intolerance, superstition, and ty= 
ranny, of thesold government of Spain.; 
and justly complains, that the. Jutta 
have ‘hitherto attempted mothing to're- 
medy the existing evils. j 
Eisshatred of the French has been in- 
Creased by their cruel treatment of hig 
family: and, by bismanly spirit and come 
prehensive-mind, le is well calculated te. 
serve the besturterests of his country, 
Like all the ablest men ‘in Spain,- he sis 
anxious for the convocation of the Cortes, 
and is now officiating without salary, -as 
sectetary toa committee, appointed for 
the purpose of regulating the number of 
deputies, the places from which they are 
‘to be sent, the mode of ‘election, and 
‘the formalities to be observed, im thatexe 
‘pected ‘assembl y of the Same nation. 
. be 
