ACCOUNT 
to under-rate their popularity, and 
to exaggerate the evil consequences 
produced by that barbarous but not 
unmanly amusement. But even 
where his reasoning is least conclu- 
Sive, one is fascinated by the beau- 
ties of his style, which always seem 
to arise from the discussion, aud to 
be as much the result of the since- 
rity of his conviction, and the bene- 
volence of his views, as of an en- 
lightened education, and a correct 
taste in composition and language. 
Such, indeed, is the character of all 
his writings, though it may possibly 
excite surprize, that a dissertation 
on games and exhibitions should af- 
ford any room fer displaying it. 
Jovellanos has, however, contrived, 
even on such a topic, to throw into 
the compass of a few pages, much 
curious information, and sound phi- 
losophical reflexion, without wan- 
dering from the subject, or betray- 
ing any disposition to pedantry or 
affectation. 
' & To justify the above commenda- 
tions of his work, I subjoin a pas- 
sage, which may serve also to illus. 
trate a remark in the text, and to 
shew that the gloomy appearance, 
so often objected to Spaniards, is to 
be ascribed to the perverse spirit of 
their municipal laws, and not to the 
natural disposition of that high- 
spirited and warm-hearted people. 
‘¢ The labouring class of society 
require diversions, but not exhibi- 
tions ; the government is not called 
upon to divert them, but to permit 
them to divert themselves. For the 
few days, the short moments, which 
they can devote to recreation and 
entertainment, they will naturally 
seek, and easily find amusement for 
themselves. Let them merely be 
unmolested, and protected in the 
enjoyment of them. A bright sky 
OF BOOKS. 1093 
and fine weather, on a holiday, 
which will leave them at liberty to 
walk, run, throw the bar, to play 
at ball, coits, or skittles, or to 
junket, drink, daace, and caper on 
the grass, will fill all their desires, 
and yield them complete gratifica- 
tion and contentment. Atso cheap 
arate may a whole pcople, how- 
ever numerous, be delighted and 
amused. 
‘¢ How happens it then, that the 
majority ef the people of Spain 
have no diversion at all? For every 
one who has travelled through our 
provinces must have made this me- 
lancholy remark. Even on the 
greatest festivals, instead of that 
boisterous merriment and _ noise 
which should bespeak the joy of 
the inhabitants, there reigns through. 
out the market-places and streets, a 
slothful inactivity, a gloomy still. 
ness, which cannot be remarked 
without the mingled emotions of 
surprise and pity. The few persons 
who leave their houses, seem to be 
driven from them by listlessness, and 
dragged as far as the threshold, the 
market, or the church-door. There, 
muffled in their cloaks, leaning a- 
gainst some corner, seated on some 
bench, or lounging backwards and 
forwards, without object, aim, or 
purpose, they pass their hours, aye, 
J may say their whole evenings, 
without mirth, recreation, or amuse- 
ment. When you add to this picture, 
the dreariness and filth of the vil- 
lages, the poor and slovenly dress 
of the inhabitants, the gloominess 
and silence of their air, the laziness, 
the want of concert and union so 
striking every where, who but 
would be astonished; who but 
would be afflicted by so mournful a 
phenomenon? This is not indeed 
the place to expose the errors which 
4A 3 conspire 
