330 Foreign Notices : — Spai?L 



protlncc, in some degree, the sullen and distrustful manners so much noticed 

 in the peasantry, and so different from the social and frank habits of the 

 inhabitants of other provinces, who live constantly together. The soil is 

 naturally bad, and only kept productive, like the Vega of Granada, by constant 

 forcing and irrigation. The rice-grounds are the most lucrative branch, 

 drawing the waters, which convert their districts into pest-houses, principally 

 from the Xucar. If the culture of airoz secano, mentioned in the account of 

 Motril (p. 329.), be introduced, it will be of inestimable advantage to the 

 whole of this kingdom. At present the corn is drawn from La Mancha, in 

 exchange for rice, and oil, and other articles. The oil is considered the best 

 in Spain, owing, no doubt, to a little better mode of manufacturing. There is 

 a noble establishment of central schools, called Esciiclas Pias, which is on a 

 very large scale, and appeared admirably conducted. There were about three 

 thousand bo}s educated gratis, and a corresponding separate establishment for 

 girls on the same plan. There is an upper branch for the education of those 

 whose circumstances enable their ex])cnses to be paid, who are lodged and 

 separately kept, and prepared for the higher colleges. The academy, also, has 

 a very numerous attendance of youth, to learn the art of design. 



" To the east of Valencia the country is flat, forming a low terrace, almost 

 imintcrrupted, to the Ebro, having the sea on one side, and the mountains on 

 the other, and is certainly the most beautiful drive on any high road in Spain. 

 The country is irrigated wherever it is possible to do so, and in parts where 

 the bare rock forbids any other culture, the algarroba (Caralonia) yields an 

 ample produce for the maintenance of their abundant stock, for which herbage 

 is denied by the climate." (vol.i. p. 150 — lo.'i.) 



" The Si/sfcni of letting Land viu'ies very much. In many parts, the lands 

 are regularly let, by money rent. In general, however, the destructive and 

 improvident mode of management by agents is the practice. In others, the 

 metairle, or dividing, sj'stem, the parties sharing the produce, as in Tuscany, 

 might be found. In very many places, the peasantry are masters of tiie soil, 

 and pay very little rent. In a portion of the vast possessions of Medina Celi, 

 which came under mj' observation, one ninth only of the value of the rental 

 was paid to the landlord, the rest being consumed in taxes and other expenses. 

 With this proportion, and the paying exorbitant interest when money is re- 

 quired, it is impossible the proprietors can be otherwise than poor. Agricul- 

 ture is, in most parts, in the rudest state. 



" The spring corn is generally thrown on the ground, which has not been 

 touched, and has all the winter weeds remaining in it. It is then scratched 

 in with a miserable plough, and left to natiu'e. The dryness of the climate 

 causes this to be a trifling evil, for heat sets in, the corn ripens, and the weeds 

 perish together. 



" It is not uncommon in the south to see men returning from plough seated 

 on a mule, or even on an ass, with their w hole apparatus tied on by their 

 sides. Every thing is in the same proportion. If you ask them why they 

 do not improve ? the answer would be, ' who is to pay the expense ? We have 

 already more corn than we can sell, or consume, and we follow the plan of our 

 ancestors.' We should pause before condemning this reasoning, when we see 

 in England four horses and a bullock dragging one plough, yoked in a line, 

 and foiu" magnificent horses to a wheel-plouuh, as in llampshire, where they 

 can only plead in part the same excuse. The Oriental scriptui-al practice of 

 ploughing, with many yoke together, is very much practised in Andalusia, 

 where I have counted the number of twelve, as in the calling of Eleazar." 

 (vol. ii. p. 40, 41.) 



The Roads of Spain. — " More has been done in Spain since the peace, con- 

 sidering the means of the government, and the local difficulties, in improving 

 the old and in making new roads, than in any country in Europe. If the 

 present system be persevered in, of which there is every probability, as all 

 parties are equally desirous of doing so, in a few years every principal place in 

 the countrv will be made easy of access. The great line of road between the 



