ILLUSTRIOUS AYUNTAMIENTO. 217 



pletely succeeded, and imagined we had gained 

 the good-will of all parties, by avoiding political 

 discussions, and by being pleased with everything 

 and everybody. We were mistaken, however; 

 and on the day following the excursion to the hill, 

 the Illustrious Ayuntamiento, such is the title of 

 the town-council, met to examine evidence ; and 

 all sorts of absurd stories were told and believed, 

 till at length, having worked themselves into a 

 due pitch of diplomatic alarm, they resolved to 

 write me an official letter. Several of the mem- 

 bers, with whom I was personally acquainted, sug- 

 gested that a little delay, and some farther inqui- 

 ry, might be advisable, before an angry letter was 

 written to a stranger living amongst them. This 

 forbearance, however, was overruled ; and as the 

 state appeared to be in danger, the letter was sent 

 before the meeting broke up. I give a transla- 

 tion of it here, as it explains the nature of their 

 suspicions, which I need scarcely say, were utter- 

 ly without foundation. It serves also, in some 

 degree, to show the temper of the times : the go- 

 vernment and its institutions being still new, and 

 administered by inexperienced hands, it was natu- 



