578 
pulation, and every mark of abject po- 
verty amongst the people, completely 
embittered my reflections, and destroyed 
the pleasure I could otherwise have ex- 
perienced,. in traversing the extensive 
plains and romantic hills of Arragon and 
Castile. 
PUBLIC FEELING AT MADRID. 
Although Madrid has always been 
regarded as one of the dullest capitals 
in Europe, the people appear to have 
enjoyed a continued festival during the 
Jast month. When the hours of recre- 
ation arrive, the Prado, Puerta del Sol, 
and the numerous streets which branch 
off from it in every direction, are imme- 
diately filled with people of all ranks, 
ages, and sexes; the usual round of 
serenades and other musical parties en- 
liven the scene at night, while some 
popular play or patriotic chief attracts 
crowded audiences to the theatres. Many 
hundreds, and these of a respectable 
class, attend at the societies of the Cruz 
de Malta and Fontana de Oro, where 
some of the most eloquent men in Spain 
emulate each other in impressing the 
value of rational liberty, and the import- 
ance of constitutional government, on 
the minds of their countrymen. Here, 
it is but a common act of justice to add, 
that of all those whom I have heard speak 
in the above assemblages of the people, 
whether priests or lawyers, soldiers or 
citizens, not one amongst them has ever 
advocated any doctrine that is not recog- 
nized and sanctioned by the new political 
code. As the most perfect tranquillity 
has reigned here since my arrival, I have 
not failed to mix, as much as possible, 
with the joyous multitude; and, though 
a mere spectator, it is impossible not to 
participate in pleasure which has had its 
origin in a source so pure and sacred. 
FERDINAND’S OATH TO THE CONSTI- 
TUTION. 
The morning of the 9th was cloudless 
and suited to the occasion; it was usher- 
ed in by the ringing of bells, and, at four 
o'clock, all the churches in Madrid were 
filled. The streets, through which the 
procession was to pass, were swept and 
watered ; flags, tapestries, and silk dra- 
peries, fringed with gold or silver trim- 
mings, ornamented the houses on each 
side; the street leading to the Cortes 
was strewed with branches of olive, 
myrtle, and flowers of various hues; the 
whole population of Madrid, and not 
less than twenty thousand visitors, who 
came from the provinces to witness the 
scene, were in full activity by six o’clock, 
when the space before the Hall of Cortes 
Blaquiere’s Spain and Spanish Revolution. 
became crowded to excess, Before the 
doors leading to the galleries appropriated 
to the public, were seen hundreds of well- 
dressed individuals, and amongst them 
many officers of rank, who had taken 
their station there long before day-light. 
When I reached the spot they were all 
seated, and exchanging those repartees 
usual on such occasions. As the crowd 
increased, they found it necessary to rise; 
what with the effects of an ardent sun, 
and the close contact of so many people, 
several were obliged to withdraw, and 
give place to their neighbours, who were 
less susceptible of this suffocating po- 
sition. It was thus that I contrived to 
forma part of the impenetrable mass, and 
[had the additional good fortune of being 
literally carried up the first flight of steps 
without making a single exertion of my 
own. It is needless to say, that the two 
galleries, though capable of containing 
fifteen hundred persons, were filled, to 
overflowing, in a few seconds, As the 
doors were opened at eight o'clock, I had 
an opportunity of surveyiny the interior 
arrangements of the hall, before any of 
the deputies arrived. 
The Hall of Cortes is of an oval form, 
and decorated with a degree of elegant 
simplicity, which I was, by no means, 
prepared to see. As if every thing con- 
nected with the present state of Spain 
was destined to form a striking contrast 
with its former condition, this edifice was 
once a church, but fitted up for the 
Cortes, on their removal from Cadiz to 
the capital in 1814; it is within afew 
hundred yards of the Royal Palace, and 
though an irregular structure, seems pe- 
culiarly well adapted for the reception of 
a popular assembly. 
The front is surmounted by a cross, at 
the base of which there is a group, com- 
posed of three figures; Hope supported 
by the symbol of Christianity points to 
Spain, also represented under a female 
form, at whose feet is seen a torch, the 
emblem of paternal affection; under- 
neath is a lion grappling a globe, on 
which both hemispheres are traced; and 
about the centre of the facade there is a 
large marble slab, with the following in- 
scription, in gilt letters: —THE POWER 
OF ENACTING LAWS IS VESTED IN THE 
CorTES WitH THE Kine. A niche on 
each side contains statues of Patriotism 
and Liberty. 
The hall is one hundred and fifty feet 
long, by sixty in breadth, On entering 
the great door there is a platform ex- 
tending twenty feet, and of a rectangular 
‘shape; here a barrier is formed by two 
bronze 
