276 Spanish Highways aud JBxjmays. [Sept. 



ducetl a very lively and agreeable effect. The procession commenced 

 by a line of the public authorities, folloAved by the bishops and clergy ; 

 after these dignitaries was borne the Host, on a magnificent custodia of 

 silver, enriched with gold ; and succeeded by a swarm of friars and 

 members of the different orders of priesthood. At these festivals the 

 presence of the king is expected, but on this occasion he disappointed 

 the loyal and faithful. The day is devoted to pleasure and amusement, 

 and before its close becomes a sort of saturnalia. At that period the 

 royal power was completely shorn of its former despotic sway by the 

 Cortes, who, in their turn, usurping too much, caused the interference 

 by which they fell. The hall whei'ein they held their discussions is not 

 a large building, but is exceedingly chaste and beautiful in its decora- 

 tions. On the walls of the interior are placed tablets of black marble, 

 whereon are engraved, in letters of gold, the names of those heroes who 

 perished for the constitutional liberty of Spain, viz. : — Porlier, Lacy, 

 Bertrand de Lis, and others who want no such memorial to perpetuate 

 their fame. At the grand entrance stood two pages, attired in white 

 satin robes, and wearing turbans on their heads, ornamented Avith large 

 plumes of ostrich feathers. Two lions cuuchant were placed on pedes- 

 tals on each side of the door. The interior is divided into two com- 

 partments, each of which is lined with rows of benches, cushioned and 

 covered with purple velvet, and a considerable space is left between, 

 which is tastefully carpeted for the entrance of members. The presi- 

 dent takes his seat at the upper end, in a magnificent chair, attended by 

 two pages, dressed like the others, in white satin. On one side is a 

 balcony, appropriated to ambassadors and strangers of distinction, in ad- 

 dition to which there is a gallery capable of holding three hundred per- 

 sons, which is open to the public without a fee. The throne is very 

 splendid, and is placed in the extremity of the hall. It consists of a 

 chair of state, supported by bronze gilt lions, on its summit is a helmet, 

 surmounted by a large drooping ostrich feather ; on each side this chair 

 are figures supporting a canopy of purple velvet, festooned with golden 

 ropes and tassels. When I was present, the subject under discussion 

 was that of dividing the provinces into districts, for the more equal 

 return of deputies. The debate was conducted with great decorum, and 

 a strict attention to outward observations. INIaps and plans were placed 

 on the table, and others were handed about to the several deputies who 

 wished for further information on the subject. Notwithstanding the 

 house and gallery was crowded, every member obtained a patient hear- 

 ing, and a respectful silence was observed throughout the debate. The 

 conclusion is highly favourable to the Spanish Chamber of Deputies, 

 when brought into comparison with a similar branch of legislature of 

 their neighbours the French, and approaches in rationality and dignity* 

 nearer to our own senate — on the model of which, doubtless, its ob- 

 servances have been founded. 



Is our correspondent satirical ? — Ed. 



