G 1%g) 
fects of an industry always active and persevering. 
The traveller who climbs her mountains is struck 
with admiration when he beholds vineyards and rich 
pastures in those places which before appeared na- 
ked and barren rocks. The traces of the plough are 
perceived on the border of precipices, where the most 
savage animals do not pass without danger ; in one 
word, the inhabitants appear to have conquered all 
obstacles, whether arising from soil, position or cli- 
mate, and to have drawn abundance from a territory 
condemned by nature to perpetual sterility.”(1.) 
V.. The classical reader will remember, that Spain 
was the garden of the Hesperides of the Roman wri- 
ters; by which was meant the combinations of a fine 
climate, a rich soil and an active and intelligent agri- 
culture. ‘To this state of things, even the empire of 
the Goths was not fatal,(2) and that of the Moors 
rendered it still more distinguished, In their hands, 
the plains of Valentia were cultivated throughout; 
with the utmost care and skill; and where their 
wheels, reservoirs, and drains of irrigation yet re- 
main, the soil continues to yield the richest and most 
abundant products, In Catalonia, Navarre, Galitia 
and the Asturias, many species of the ancient agri- 
culture are yetin vigor, because “ the leases are long, - 
and the landlord cannot capriciously violate them.” 
The same causes are followed by the same effects, - 
(1) Idem. Article Helvetia. 
~ (2) Itappears from Varro De re rustica and the letters of Cassiodorus, that the 
Goths introduced into Spain the subterranean granaries called Sillos, and the art of 
irrigation. The former are now exclusively used in Tuscany, and Cato’s precept, 
‘ Prata irrigua,’ &c, shews whence their knowledge of the latter was derived, 
3 
