SPAIN : WINE, KAISINS, AND OLIVES. 139 



From there I presented myself to tlic American consul, Mr. Leach, 

 and made arrangements with him to send to Havre the vines I 

 had purchased. After visiting the neighborhood, which is not 

 very inviting, we returned to the steamer, which lay anchored in 

 the harbor. 



October 2. — This morning was fine and clear. At nine o'clock 

 the cargo arrived, and was speedily hoisted into the steamer, which 

 then left. We passed several valleys planted with olives, figs, 

 vines, etc. They all looked very well, but the valleys are few, 

 and there are numerous high, barren, rocky mountains. 



October 3. — This morning opened calm and pleasant, but we 

 were out of sight of land. As we neared shore, we met thou- 

 sands of fishing-boats, with " shoulder of mutton" sails. The fish- 

 ing trade is extensively carried on at Barcelona, Alicante, and 

 other villages on this coast. The fish are caught in large quanti- 

 ties, and packed in olive oil. The coast is well populated. Nu- 

 merous villages are scattered over the hills and valleys. Figs 

 and olives are the principal produce. This part of Spain — Cata- 

 lonia — is the richest in produce and manufactures ; the people are 

 more industrious. 



We arrived at Barcelona at twelve o'clock. The steamer re- 

 maining four hours, we took a small boat and landed. The city 

 is a busy commercial town. The shops are fine ; the goods come 

 from all countries ; but the streets are narrow, as in all towns of 

 Southern Europe. It has several fine public buildings, monu- 

 ments, promenades, and squares. The population was stated to 

 me at 160,000, but I doubt the number. There are large and 

 numerous manufactories here of cotton, iron cutlery, woolen, etc. 

 The harbor is full of vessels; the wharf full of grain, peas, corn, 

 oats, fruit of all descriptions. The grain is put loose in the ship- 

 holds, and when it is to be moved it is put into bags, taken ashore, 

 emptied into a pile, then again put in bags to be taken away. 

 This is a very awkward way of doing business, particularly as 

 there are linen manufactories, and linen is cheap. The sardine 

 fishery is in full operation now, and the packing requires a great 

 number of men. 



I made some inquiry as to the making of the wine, which is not 

 agreeable to drink ; but a great deal is taken to Brazil, England, 

 and even North America. Many varieties of grapes are mixed 

 together, crushed with the feet, put into a vat ; a good portion of 

 lime is added, with which it ferments. The lime gives it a dark- 



