Blaquiere's Spain and Spanish Revolution. 
bronze lions couched on pedestals, and 
holding a massive gilded bar in their 
mouths, to be drawn aside only when the 
Severeign appears; the deputies enter 
by four small doors placed on the sides. 
On a second platform at the upper ex- 
tremity, more elevated than the first, a 
richly embroidered crimson velvet dra- 
pery, lined with ermine, and sustained by 
Cariatides, overhangs a throne or chair of 
state; opposite to this, and directly over 
the entrance, is the following inscription : 
—THE NATION IS ESSENTIALLY SO- 
VEREIGN; CONSEQUENTLY IT POS- 
SESSES THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF 
MAKING THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS. 
A treble range of benches, covered with 
red damask, accommodate the members; 
there is a table and chairs ior the pre- 
sident and secretaries below the throne. 
Two rostrums, in the centre and nearly 
level with the floor, serve for those who 
address the chair. Besides the statues of 
Wisdom and Genius, which occupy 
niches to the right and left of the throne, 
there are several square slabs containing 
bas-reliefs, on which some memorable 
events, connected with the late war, are 
sculptured. Others bear the names of 
Daoiz, Alyarez, and Valerde, celebrated 
martyrs to the cause of Spanish freedom ; 
these are in letters of gold.* Four re- 
cesses, at equal distances, command a 
full view of the halfand galleries; three 
are appropriated to the reception of the 
royal family, foreign ambassadors, gran- 
dees, and other distinguished visitors; 
the last is exclusively opened for the 
reporters to the public press. Four 
niches on each side are occupied by 
statues, representing the cardinal virtues. 
Six chandeliers, of cut glass, are sus- 
pended from the ceiling; and the hall is 
well lighted, from semi-circular windows 
above the frieze by which it is surround- 
ed. The galleries are spacious and con- 
venient; beadles are in attendance to 
preserve decorum; and no money is 
exacted for admission. 
Struck by the superior execution of 
the statues, and other sculptured orna- 
ments, no less than by the taste displayed 
in the minor arrangements of the build- 
ing, I was most agreeably surprised to 
find, on inquiry, that none but native 
artists had been employed. These seem- 
ed to have vied with each other in ren- 
dering the hall worthy of the object for 
* TheCortes have since decreed that the 
wames of Lacy, Porlier, Acevedo, and 
a few other patriots, shall be added, on 
similar Japidary memorials. 
579 
which it is designed; and, from sub- 
sequent information, 1 am led to believe 
that they were actuated more by a desire 
to shew what Spain could do in this 
way, than any view to pecuniary profit. 
They are entitled to great praise, for the 
manner in which the task has been per- 
formed, and it is gratifying to bestow it, 
when the object is so closely connected 
with the interests of humanity. 
The arrival of the president, attended 
by most of the deputies, about half-past 
eight, having called my attention awa 
from the embellishments of the hall, I 
prepared myself for the enjoyment of a 
sight still more interesting. His Majesty, 
preceded by the Queen and the other 
members of the Royal Family, in state 
carriages, left the palace a little before 
nine o'clock, amidst the firing of cannon, 
enthusiastic cries of the people, and to 
the sound of patriotic airs. The whole 
of the body guard, composed of noble- 
men or their sons, rode before, and a 
regiment of cavalry brought up the rear. 
When the arrival of the first carriage 
was announced, the deputation appoint- 
ed to receive her Majesty went out and 
conducted her to the balcony. She was 
splendidly attired, and came in sup- 
ported by the two princesses, the wives 
of Don Carlos and of Don Francisco de 
Paolo, Advancing to the front, they 
bowed to the deputies and those in the 
galleries, who received them with reite- 
rated plaudits. A conviction on the part 
of the spectators, that those lovely 
women exulted in the emancipation of 
their adopted country, ensured a most 
cordial reception; nor, judging from 
their personal charms and the way in 
which they appeared to enjoy the scene, 
would it require any great effort of ima- 
gination to conceive, that the Graces had 
now descended to preside at the con- 
secration of human liberty! 
When the fresh salvos of artillery, and 
still louder shouts, announced the arti- 
val of the King, another, and more nu- 
merous deputation went forth, and in 
about five minutes, Ferdinand, attended 
by the Infantes, his Ministers, and a 
long train of Grandees attached to the 
household, entered the hall; upon which 
the Deputies rose, and ranged themselves 
oneach side: a dead silence followed 
the announcement of his Majesty's ap- 
proach to the rend door; but no sooner 
had he passed the gilded bar, than an 
hysterical burst of joy resounded through 
the hall, and applauses, mingled with 
benedictions on the head of the “ Consti- 
tutional King,” continued for a sonsices 
able 
