810 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1809. 



their constitutional courage and vi- 

 vacity. The habits and manners of 

 the mountaineers of Burgos corres- 

 pond with those of the Biscayans. 



Character, Manners, Customs, 

 Habits, Dress, and Language nf 

 the New Castilians. [^From the 

 same.2 



It might naturally be expected, 

 that theinfluenceof the courtshould 

 operate on the noanners of New Cas- 

 tile, or at least on such parts of it 

 as are placed in its vicinity. It has 

 been already observed, that Madrid 

 16 isolated from New Castile, the 

 capital is always elevated above the 

 province. On leaving its walls you 

 are instantly transported from a seat 

 of luxury to a scene of indigence; 

 and instead of activity, industry, 

 and wealth, are presented with a 

 dreary picture of sadness, sloth, and 

 beggary. 



The inhabitant of New Castile, 

 though marked by a lofty aspect, 

 is not proud, and with the expres- 

 sion of extreme gravity, is, in reali 

 ty, prone to excessive mirth. With 

 superior capacities for reflection, 

 he thinks much, but demonstrates 

 little, and acts less ; he is rather 

 slow in yielding his confidence, but, 

 when he trusts at all, it is with his 

 whole heart and soul ; he is neither 

 pi'ompt in enterprize, nor disposed 

 to acquire the regular habits of in- 

 dustry. There are, perhaps, not 

 manyactive occupations he is likely 

 to pursue with success ; his apti- 

 tudes are to science, particularly to 

 such abstruser branches as are con- 

 nectedwith speculation and research; 

 his conceptions are strong and vi- 

 gorous ; his judgment solid ; his 



imagination vivid and vivacious ; he 

 devotes himself completely to the 

 objects of his pursuit, but he is sel- 

 dom capable of embracing more than 

 one atthe same moment ; iiis genius 

 only requires culture and encou- 

 ragement ; but he possesses not the 

 power 10 obtain knowledge, and the 

 government fails to afford him the 

 means of instruction. 



With acute and vivid feelings he 

 is more reflective than the native of 

 Cataloniaor Aragon;heisneverpre- 

 cipitate; he weighs, he deliberates, 

 and is slow in forming his decision; 

 and, consequently, is not easily in- 

 duced to leave his own sphere. 



His vivacity belongs to the mind ; 

 it impels not to activity or to per- 

 sonal exertions. Hence his appa- 

 rent sloth and slowness, so fre- 

 quently cited with reproach ; on 

 examination, it will, however, ap- 

 pear, that his failings have originat- 

 ed rather in his situation than his 

 character. It should be remem- 

 bered, that the Castilian was for- 

 merly devoted to the art of war, and 

 taught todespise the occupations of 

 agriculture and science, as inferior 

 and ignoble objects. This preju- 

 dice has been transmitted from his 

 ancestors, and is perpetuated by 

 indigence and ignorance. Fortune 

 places a barrier to his progress in 

 science. The same adverse circum- 

 stances impede him in agriculture 

 and the arts; he beholds a fertile 

 soil ; but he commands no ports ; 

 no marts to remunerate the care and 

 toil of assiduous cultivation. 



The New Castilian possesses 

 qualities of genuine excellence ; he 

 is honourable and humane, sober 

 and temperate, and revolts from 

 every species of falsehood or du- 

 plicity. In his temper he is more 



docile 



