CHARACTERS. 



811 



docile than the native of Old Cas- 

 tile, who pertinaciously retains the 

 inflexibility of his ancestors, whilst 

 the other readily assimilates with 

 the character of the neighbouring 

 provinces. In general the observer 

 may trace in him a complexional 

 resemblance to the country he ap- 

 proximates; he is most civilized 

 in the environs of Madrid ; most 

 useful in the borders of Andalusia ; 

 most active and industrious on the 

 confines of the kingdom of Valen- 

 cia ; most arrogant and rude on 

 the frontiers of Aragon and the 

 Sierra de Cuenca; most indolent in 

 the neighbourhood of Estramadura, 

 whilst generosity, nobleness, and 

 benevolence, are the bonds that 

 unite him to Old Castile. In par- 

 ticular we should select for praise 

 the inhabitants of Alcarria, distin- 

 guished by their frankness and sim- 

 plicity; their cheerful love of la- 

 bour : their social affections, and 

 ready hospitality. 



In the course of several centuries, 

 the character of the Castilian has 

 scarcely undergone any change. 

 From the era of 1230 it has been 

 fully developed ; the principles of 

 magnanimity, generosity, fidelity, 

 valour, and integrity, which then 

 entered into its constitution, are 

 still apparent in all the revolutions 

 which have convulsed the country. 

 The Castilian has still preserved 

 that decorous composed gravity, 

 that calm reflective prudence, that 

 fortitude in adversity, which cha- 

 racterized him in the fifteenth cen- 

 tury. 



The Catalonian hates the Cas- 

 tilian, who requites the sentiment 

 with detestation and contempt. 

 The loyal Castilian burns with in- 

 dignation against the revolts so fre- 



quent in Catalonia, and stigmatizes 

 its native by the name of rebel. 



Character, Manners, and Cus~ 

 toms of La Mancha. \_From the 

 same.^ 



The manners of this province 

 differ little from those of Castile. 

 The people are more grave and so- 

 lemn in their deportment, and more 

 attached to ancient customs, eti- 

 quette.and old-fashioned ceremony, 

 and their constitutions are more 

 robust and fitter for labour; their 

 temperin general is mild and peace- 

 able, and they are truly good-hu- 

 moured. Persons in the higher 

 ranks pass their lives in ease and 

 apathy ; on the other hand, the 

 common people are laborious and 

 frugal; and both orders take no 

 pleasure in any sort of dissipation, 

 or even of diversion. Every thing 

 is grave and formal. 



Character, Manners, Customs, 

 Dress, and Language of the 

 Aragonese. £From the same.'] 



The Aragonese, proud and se- 

 rious, speaks little, and defends his 

 opinion with firmness. He extols 

 his country above all others; nor 

 does he spare hyperbole in boast- 

 ing of its beauties and advantages; 

 and the least contradiction irritates 

 him. He is blind to its faults, and to 

 those of his countrymen ; he has a 

 natural asperity in his voice and 

 manners; and his address conse- 

 quently is not prepossessing. His 

 haughtiness, his dry reception, his 

 serious air, cold manners, and ab- 

 rupt 



