$30 SPAIN. 



the figure of a hart, and the arsenal is a spacious square south-west of 

 the town, with 40 pieces of cannon to defend it towards the sea. When 

 Mr. Swinburne visited it in 1775, there were 800 Spanish criminals, 

 and 600 Barbary slaves, working at the pumps, to keep the docks 

 dry, Sic. and treated with great inhumanity. The crimes lor which 

 the Spaniards were sent there deserved, indeed, exemplary punish- 

 ment. The population amounts to near 50,000. 



Granada stands on two hills, and the ancient palace of the Alham- 

 bra crowns the double summit between two rivers, the Douro, and the 

 Xenil. The former glories of this city are passed away with its old 

 inhabitants ; the streets are now filthy, the aqueducts crumbled to 

 dust, and its trade lost. Of 50,000 inhabitants, only 18,000 are reckon- 

 ed useful ; the surplus is made up of clergy, lawyers, children, and 

 beggars. The amphitheatre for bull-feasts is built of stone, and one 

 of the best in Spain. The environs of the city are still pleasing and 

 healthful. 



Bilboa is situate on the banks of the river Ybaizabal, and is about 

 two leagues from the sea. It contains about 800 houses, with a large 

 square by the water side, well shaded with pleasant walks, which ex- 

 tend to the outlets on the banks of the river, where there are great 

 numbers of houses and gardens, which form a most pleasing pros- 

 pect, particularly in sailing up the river ; for, besides the beautiful 

 verdure, numerous objects open gradually to the eye, and the town 

 appears as an amphitheatre, which enlivens the landscape, and com- 

 pletes the scenery. The houses are solid and lofty, the streets well 

 paved and level, and the water is so conveyed into the streets, that they 

 may be washed at pleasure, which renders Bilboa one of the neatest 

 towns in Europe. Population 13,000. 



Malaga is an ancient city, and not less remarkable for its oppulence 

 and extensive commerce, than for the luxuriance of its soil, yielding 

 in great abundance the most delicious fruits ; whilst its rugged moun- 

 tains afford those luscious grapes which give such reputation to the 

 Malaga wine, known in England by the name of Mountain. The city 

 is large and populous, and of a circular form, surrounded with a dou- 

 ble wall, strengthened by stately towers, and has nine gates. A Moor- 

 ish castle, on the point of a rock, commands every part of it. The 

 streets are narrow : and the most remarkable building in it is a stu- 

 pendous cathedral, begun by Philip II, said to be as large as that of 

 St. Paul's, in London. The bishops income is 70,000 dollars. The 

 number of inhabitants is about 42,000. 



The city of Salamanca is of a circular form, built on three hills and 

 two vallies, and on every side surrounded with prospects of fine houses, 

 noble seats, gardens, orchards, fields, and distant villages; and is an- 

 cient, large, rich, and populous. There are ten gates to this city, 

 and it contains twenty -five churches, twenty-five convents of friars, 

 and the same number of nunneries. The most beautiful part of this 

 iity is the great square, built about forty years ago. The houses are 

 of three stories, and all of equal height and exact symmetry, with 

 iron balconies, and a stone balustrade on the top of them : the lower 

 part is arched, and forms a piazza all round the square, which extends 

 two hundred and ninety-three feet on each side. Over some of the 

 arches are medallions, with busts of the kings of Spain, and several 

 eminent men, in stone basso-relievo, among which are those of Fer- 

 dinando Cortez, Francis Pizarro, Davilla, and Cid Ruy. In this square 

 the bull fights are exhibited, for three days only, in the month of June. 



