SPAIN. 



627 



ing silks, woolens, and tobacco. Several steam vessels navigate the river, but its commerce 

 has been mostly transferred to Cadiz. Population, 91,000. 



Barcelona, the principal manufacturing city of Spain, and one of the prettiest on the penin- 

 sula, is regularly built upon the shores of the Mediterranean. Its commerce is extensive, but 

 the immense mole, designed to protect the harbor from the accumulation of sand, is unfinished. 

 Cotton, silk, linen, lace, and arms are the principal products of its manufactories. Here are 

 4 public libraries, S colleges, several hospitals, numerous churches, and some remarkable 

 public edifices. Population, 120,000. In the vicinity are Tarragona, with 1 1 ,000 inhabit- 

 ants, and Torlosa with 1G,000, remarkable for the ruins of their ancient splendor ; Reus, an 

 active manufacturing town, with 25,000 inhabitants, and Figneras, celebrated for its vast and 

 impregnable fortifications. 



Valencia is a rich and elegant city, situated in a fertile and delightful country on the Gua- 

 dalaviar, not far from the sea. It is one of the most flourishing manufacturing towns in Spain, 

 and is inferior only to Madrid in the activity of its printing presses, and the extent of its book 

 trade. Its literary institutions are numerous, and its beautiful walks are perfumed with the 

 orange and lemon groves, by which they are shaded. Population, 66,000. 



The other principal places in the captain-generalship of Valencia are Orihuela, with 26,000 

 inhabitants, and extensive manufactures ; Jllicant, a strongly fortified and active commercial 

 town, with a fine harbor and a population of 25,000 ; Murcia, with 36,000 inhabitants, con- 

 taining numerous literary institutions, and extensive manufactures of silk ; Lorca, a manufac- 

 turing town, with 40,000 inhabitants, and Carlhagena, with 37,000, noted for its docks, 

 arsenals, observatory, and excellent harbor. 



Granada, situated in a plain renowned for the fertility of its soil, the beauty of its scenery, 

 and its delicious climate, is an ancient Moorish city ; several magnificent edifices, its exten- 

 sive squares, and numerous fountains attest its ancient splendor. The cathedral and the 

 palaces of the archbishop and of the captain-general are spacious and elegant ; but the boast 

 of Granada is the Alhambra, or palace of the Moorish kings, which is admired for the richness 

 and beauty of its vast colonnades, its splendid courts, its halls and arcades. Every traveler has 

 been struck with admiration at the sight of its splendid halls, golden saloons, courts, alcoves, 

 fountains, colonnades, and mosaic pavements, which almost realize the description of fairy 

 land. No wonder the Moors never ceased to regret the loss of Granada. Even to this day, 

 they are said to offer up prayers every Friday for the recovery of this city, which they esteem 

 a terrestrial paradise. The Generalife is another palace, which aflbrded a summer retreat to 

 the Moorish princes. Granada is now the seat of a university, and various manufactures. Its 

 population is 80,000. On the coast of Granada is Malaga, a commercial city, situated in a 

 rich district, producing almonds, figs, and oranges, which, with dried raisins and wines from 

 the hills, and cork from the mountains, constitute its principal exports. Population, 52,000. 



Cordova, on the Guadalquivir, is an ancient town, partly of Roman and partly of Moorish 

 origin. Many of the buildings are in ruins, and it contains extensive gardens ; the population, 

 therefore, does not correspond with the extent of the city. The archbishop's palace, for- 

 merly the residence of the Moorish kings, and the cathedral, originally a mosque, ornamented 

 with rows of cupolas, which are supported by 850 columns of jasper and marble, are remark- 

 able buildings. Cordova has always carried on considerable trade, and has long been noted 

 for its manufactures of leather. Population, 57,000. Ecija, with 35,000 inhabitants, and 

 Jaen, with 20,000, are important manufacturing towns in the vicinity. 



Cadiz, situated on a fine bay, at the extremity of a projecting tongue of land, is a well built 

 find strongly fortified city, with an extensive commerce. The trade of the rich colonies of 

 Spain in India and America, formerly centered in Cadiz, but after their separation from the 

 mother country, the place sank in importance. It is now, however, a free port, and has 

 somewhat revived. Population, 53,000. 



Opposite Cadiz is Port Si, Mary, and to the southeast is San Fernando, containing an 

 observatory and the custom-house of the port of Cadiz. Each of these towns has 18,000 in- 

 habitants. Fifteen miles northeast of Cadiz, in a rich district, is Xeres, noted as the depot 

 for the excellent wines, called from this place. Sherry. It is a flourishing town, with 34,000 

 inhabitants, and contains a celebrated Carthusian convent. On the coast to the south of Cadiz 

 is Cape Trafalgar, near which Nelson gained a celebrated naval victory over the united Span- 

 ish and French fleets ; and to the north is the little village of Pahs, from which Columbus 

 sailed on his first voyage of discovery. 



