Blaquiere's Spain and Spanish Revolution. 
professions, to consider their interests as 
totally distinct from those of the people. 
As in other countries, the merchants 
and tradesmen of Spain are the chief de- 
positaries of virtue, and consequently pos- 
sess the greatest share of happiness: alike 
removed from indigence and superfluity, 
this class seems to be exempted from the 
vices of those which are above and below 
its level. Thus it is, that while those who 
appear to bask in all the sunshine of 
worldly fortune, are reproached for their 
pride, dolence, meanness and debauche- 
ry; the labourer and. the soldier are said 
to be treacherous, vindictive, jealous, and 
fanatical. If these reproaches be well 
founded, they are important, as proving 
that the extremes of wealth and poverty 
produce-nearly the same effects: that they 
are unnatural, it would not, I should ima- 
gine, require much argument to prove. 
I ought to have observed, in alluding 
to the state of knowledge, that considering 
the obstacles opposed to its progress, by the 
innumerable defects of education and other 
causes, it is astonishing to find so much in- 
formation spread through the inferior classes 
of the people in Spain. It is rather from 
long habits of submission to his spiritual 
guide, that the Spanish peasant has worn 
his fetters, than from ignorance. I have 
conversed with many, who, though scarcely 
ever out of the village which gave them 
birth, were thoroughly acquainted with the 
chief sources of the national degradation. 
With a large share of natural sagacity, it 
requires very little time to improve this 
disposition towards acquiring correct no- 
tions of their political condition; hence it 
is, that the soldiers and sailors of the Pe- 
ninsula are nearly as well informed as 
those of England and France, There is, 
however, another very extensive class here 
which is still more enlightened than either 
of the former: I allude to the Arrieros or 
Muleteers, of whom there are an immense 
number im Spain, owing to the want of 
roads, and mountainous nature of the coun- 
try. This is a singular intelligent body of 
men. To these may be added the Con- 
trabandistas, or Smugglers, also a nume- 
rous association; who, when. reclaimed, 
and brought into habits of regular industry, 
will be agreat acquisition to the moral and 
physical strength of the nation, 
In the common intercourse of life, 
Spaniards of both sexes are polite and 
friendly in the extreme; this feeling 
towards each other is carried farther 
than in most countries, and seems to be 
divested of all affectation. The Agur and 
Vaya usted con Dios, salutations used in 
passing the most perfect strangers, is, 
605 
doubtless, coeval with christianity ; a most 
amiable practice, and one which ought 
not therefore to give place to the frigid and 
selfish forms of foreign courtesy, which are 
as common to Spain as to other countries. 
TRAVELLING. 
Those who travel through Spain, may 
certainly be plundered of their property 
by the highway robber; and, as in some 
instances, assassinated also; but any one 
acquainted with this country, will agree 
witb me in bearing testimony to:the little 
disposition there is to impose on travel- 
lers, or aggravate that imposition by in- 
sult and ferocity; the inseparable effect 
of impunity. The foregoing fact is highly 
honourable to the Spanish character, and 
the more remarkable in a country reduced 
to the last stage of indigence and poverty ; 
excuses, which, bad as they are, cannot 
be pleaded in any other country of Eu- 
rope, to an equal extent. Forso great is 
the dearth of accommodation on many 
of the Spanish roads, that it is as yet ad- 
visable for travellers to carry all their re- 
sources with them, even to a bed: when, 
on reaching an Oséeria, or sleeping place, 
at night, you may ask for the bill of fare, 
the answer is, generally, a shrug of the 
shoulder, with, “ no hay nada,” there is no- 
thing; if your inquiries be pushed some- 
what further, and it is asked, “¢ what have 
you got?” they coolly reply,,‘*lo que 
usted traiga,’? whatever you have 
brought! The mode of supplying the 
wants of travellers in Spain, is rather too 
patriarchal for the taste of modern tour- 
ists ; the arrival of the Arrieros, and their 
travelling companions is usually followed 
by a species of market, held before the 
door of the Inn. To mend matters, one 
is reduced to the necessity of becoming 
his own cook and butler. There is, how- 
ever, a compensation in the witty sallies 
of the muleteers, who are full of gaiety 
and humours, passing off every inconve- 
nience in the’ true spirit of practical phi- 
losophy. It not unfrequently happens 
that one of them places. himseif on a 
bench, with his guitar, and continues to 
touch it to some national song, till supper 
is announced. A thousand recollections 
are awakened by this agreeable surprise, 
of which the charm is greatly heightened, 
if the moon happens to illuminate the 
beautiful and unclouded azure of a Span- 
ish sky, in autumn, or summer. ' 
NOBILITY. 
An excessive attachment. to titles, rib- 
bons, crosses, stars, armorial bearings, 
and all the other appendages of feudal 
institutions, formed a conspicuous trait 
in the Spanish character, previous to Si 
ate 
