524 SPAIN. 



Spanish writer, estimates them at only 9,250,000. According to an 

 enumeration, arranged in classes, given by Mr. Townsend, they amount- 

 ed, in 1787, to 10,268,250; which corresponds with sufficient accura- 

 cy to the total of the population of the different provinces before giv- - 

 en from the statistical tables of Bcetticher. England is therefore 

 much more than twice as populous as Spain considering its extent. 



National character, manners, customs... .The persons of the 

 Spaniards are generally tall, especially the Castilians ; their hair and 

 complexions swarthy, but their countenances are very expressive. 

 The court of Madrid has of late been at great pains to clear their up- 

 per lips of mustaches, and to introduce among them the French dress, 

 instead of their black cloaks, their short jerkins, strait breeches, and 

 long Toledo swords, which dress is now chiefly confined to the low- 

 er ranks. The Spaniards, before the accession of the house of Bour- 

 bon to their throne, affected that antiquated dress, in hatred and con- 

 tempt of the French; and the government probably will find some 

 difficulty in abolishing it entirely, as the same spirit is far from being 

 extinguished. An old Castilian, or Spaniard, who sees none above 

 him, thinks himself the most important being in nature ; and the same 

 pride is commonly communicated to his descendants. This is the 

 true reason why many of them are so fond of removing to America, 

 where they can retain all their native importance, without the danger 

 of seeing a superior. 



Ridiculous, however, as this pride is, itis productive of the most ex- 

 alted qualities. It inspires the nation with generous, humane, and 

 virtuous sentiments; it being seldom found that a Spanish nobleman, 

 gentleman, or even trader, is guilty of a mean action. During the 

 most embittered wars they have had with England, for nearly 100 

 years past, we know of no instance of their taking advantage (as they 

 might easily have done) of confiscating the British property on board 

 their galleons and Plate fleet, which was equally secure in time of war 

 as peace. This is the more surprising, as Philip V, was often needy, 

 and his ministers were far from being scrupulous of breaking their 

 good faith witli Great Britain. 



From the best and most credible accounts of the late wars, it ap- 

 pears, that the Spaniards in America gave the most humane and 

 noble relief to all British subjects who were in distress and fell into 

 their hands, not only by supplying them with necessaries, but money ; 

 and treating them in the most hospitable manner while they remain- 

 ed among them. 



Having said thus much, we are carefully to distinguish the Spanish 

 nobility, gentry, and traders, from the lower ranks of Spaniards, who 

 are as mean and rapacious as those of any other country. The kings 

 of Spain, of the house of Bourbon, have seldom ventured to employ 

 native Spaniards of great families, as their ministers. These are 

 generally French or Italians, but most commonly the latter, who rise 

 into power by the most infamous arts, and of late times from the 

 most abject stations. Hence it is, that the French kings of Spain, 

 since their accession to that monarchy, have been but very indiffer- 

 ently served in the cabinet. Alberoni, who had the greatest genius 

 amonp: them, embroiled his master with all Europe, till he was driven 

 into exile and disgrace ; and Grimaldi, the last of their Italian minis- 

 ters, hazarded a rebellion in the capital, by his oppressive and unpo- 

 pular measures. 



