326 Foreign Notices : — Spain. 



riiined castle. In the valley below are mills like those of Italy. Far to the 

 south, over a ridge called, par cjcccllencc, the Sierra de los Moros, is seen 

 the Mediterranean. To the west are open lofty ranges, forming landscapes of 

 the most classic form. Such is the situation of this beautiful place, which is 

 the glory of the Sierra de Is'evaila, ami may vie for j)icturesque beauty with any 

 in Europe. It is much resorted to in sunmier on account of the mineral springs, 

 one of wiiich is a very strong saline aperient, and of great reputed efficacy 

 for debility and indigestion. The climate is so mild, notwithstanding its ele- 

 vation, owing to the [jrotection of the mountain at the back, that tiie trees 

 escaped unmjured in the dreadful winter of 1829-.30, vvhich was so fatal 

 throughout the south of Spain. The open defile which separates the mass of 

 the Sierra Nevada from the lofty lands of Albania and the Sierra de Tejeda, 

 forms the communication of the Moorish capital with the coast. In love- 

 liness it cannot be excelled. It is a grove of olives, with palm, orange, and 

 lemon trees ; fruit gardens and buiUiings, like those of the Poussins. The 

 open space, amidst this charming scenery, affords magnificent back-grounds of 

 the opposite mountains, and are in the ti'uest stvle of the grand landscape." 

 (vol.i. p. 52, 53.) 



The liuerta of Velasillo, between Granada and Malaga, " forms a 'pJatcau, 

 or table, elevated like a terrace above the bed of the river of Orgiva, which is 

 covered with gardens and white flat-roofed houses, mixed witii orange and 

 lemon trees. A copious stream, clear as crystal, is conducted through the 

 grounds, and, after dispensing fertility among them, is precipitated over the 

 terrace, in the manner of the cascatelle at Tivoli. On a broken height, at the 

 back, is a Moorish keep, or feudal castle, of the shape of an irregular polygon. 

 Above, in perspective, towering over the lower chain, is seen the Piz de 

 Veleta, one of the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada. From this sequestered 

 spot, which is one of the most beautiful places in this region, the more so from 

 its situation in the midst of barren mountains, a carriage road has been n)ade 

 to iVIotril, which is part of a plan to complete the communication between 

 that place and Granada." (vol. i. p. 69, 70.) 



Anona Cherimolia. — " At Motril, at a moderate distance from the sea, on a 

 plain covered with plantations of sugar and cotton, the chcrimoycr is common, 

 growing in the open air. I tasted the fruit, which was scarcely ripe ; but it was 

 well flavoured, something resembling the guava. They said the season was 

 unfavourable, and that the}' were inferior to the usual produce. The trees 

 were in perfect health." (vol.i. p. 70.) 



" Near Malaga a garden has been formed with a view to the trial of the 

 culture of exotic plants, which it is to be hoped may excite the industry which 

 is so lamentabl}' deficient in this beautiful province." (vol.i. p. 74.) 



" In Seville the houses often occupy open spaces, with many courts, or 

 patios, and small gardens in the Oriental manner are seen within the walls." 

 (vol.i. p. 129.) 



" There are beautiful promenades at Seville on the Guadalquivir, which 

 have been very much increased of late ; and in a few years the}' will be equalled 

 by few in Europe. The ancient Alamada is surrounded by buildings, and, 

 being in a bad quarter of the city, is only used on certain festivals. A small 

 one has been added in a central part, which is vei-y much frequented in the 

 evenings, especially in sununcr. Some additions are now making on the land 

 side, but they are of little importance, excepting as improving a deserted 

 space, and will not, in all in'obability, become places of public resort, which is 

 amj)ly provided for on the banks of the Guadalquivir." (vol.i. p. 131.) 



" The alcazar is in part occupied by the royal palace and gardens. Some 

 of the work of this palace is Moorish, some Moorish restored, some of the 

 time of Charles V., in good taste, and some modern, in extremely bad. The 

 dimensions of it were very large, as it comprised gardens and detached houses 

 spread over a considerable space, in the Oriental manner, parts of which are 

 now let out or sold to private individuals. The Moorish part is magnificent. 



