630 



SPAIN. 



Spaniards. 



creation of nobility, by patent, is rare. Tliere are 4 military orders of knighthood, those of 

 St. Jago, Calatiava, Monteza, and Alcantara. 



8. Dress. The dress of the different provinces is, in many instances, various ; though some 

 peculiarities of costume run through all Spain. Generally, the cloak is worn, and it is univer- 

 sal in Castile ; it is very large, and so full, that one end is thrown over the shoulder. It is said, 



that none but a Spaniard can wear it gracefully, and he draws it 

 into many elegant folds. The very children wear it, and are 

 often encumbered with it at play. The females seldom appear 

 in public, in any but the national dress ; the color of which is 

 principally black. The priests watch, wiili great jealousy, all 

 innovation in dress. The mantilla is a black scarf, of various 

 degrees of richness, thrown over the head, yet so as to display a 

 large and costly comb. It reaches to the waist. Few ladies 

 wear veils, except at mass. The basquina is a black petticoat, 

 and it is as general as the mantilla, or shawl. Neither bonnet nor 

 ribands are worn, though in carriages, and at some assemblies, 

 ladies may be seen dressed in the French mode. The fan is 

 carried by all females ; as well by the lady in her carriage, as the 

 servant, with a bundle, in the street. It is an instrument of fas- 

 cination, in the hands of a lady, and all its motions are graceful ; 

 it has even a language of its own, which is said to be rich in terms 

 of favor and endearment. It is a great study in a Spanish female, to set out her foot lo the 

 best advantage ; and the neat stocking, and small shoe, are, therefore, important points of 

 dress. 



The various ecclesiastical costumes, the common Spanish dress, and the costumes of the 

 provinces, give a lively appearance to a concoiu'se in Madrid. The Catalan wears a velvet 

 jacket, with silver buttons, and long pantaloons, from his shoulder to the ground ; and the 

 Valencian, loose breeches of linen, reaching from the waist to the knee. He also wears along 

 sack, or manta, unlike the full cloak, in which he partially wraps himself. In Castile, the peas- 

 ant wears a black-velvet cap, which exposes his high, manly forehead. He wears, also, a jacket 

 of black sheepskin, with the wool outward ; light breeches, sustained by a girdle about his 

 waist ; gaiters of embroidered leather, and stout, nail-shod shoes. In the north, the red woolen 

 cap is common, which hangs partly down the back. In La Mancha, the tall montero cap is 

 worn ; and in the south, the low-crowned Andalusian hat, with the wide rim turned up. 



9. Language. The Castilian is so widely spread over Spain and the colonies, that it is 

 railed the Spanish language. But in Catalonia and Valencia, the Provencal language is gen- 

 eral ; and in Biscay, the Basque, a harsher dialect. The Spanish language is rich and sonor- 

 ous, and admirably adapted to poetry. It is founded on the Latin, which is better preserved 

 in It than in the Italian. It is mixed with the Teutonic and the Arabic. The approved pro- 

 nunciation, is that of Castile. 



10. Manner of Building. There are noble edifices of Roman, Gothic, and Arabic archi- 

 tecture, which are mentioned under the head of towns. There is some variation in building, 

 in the different kingdoms ; but the general form of houses is a quadrangle, with flat roofs, and 

 an area in the middle, siuTounded with colonnades, or galleries. In the centre, is often a tree, 

 or a fountain ; and in summer, a canopy is drawn over the top, and kept wet, to cool the air. 

 Sometimes the lower windows have grates, or what the French call jalousies. There are few 

 chimneys in the south, and the rooms are warmed by a brazier, or pan of charcoal. 



1 1. Food and Drink. The Spaniards delight in mixed dishes, in which there is no want of 

 pepper or garlic. The o//a, or puchero, is a universal dish : it is a mixture of beef, chicken, 

 peas, other vegetables, garlic, and i)epper. Pork is generally added, and it is an article of food 

 as universal as in Mexico and Brazil. The Spaniard has a catholic pride, as well as a pleasure, 

 in eating it ; as it shows that he is no .Tew. Chocolate is general, at breakfast, with a little 

 toast, or a roll, but neither milk nor cheese are much used. The bread is unrivaled ; it is more 

 than a mere staff to support life ; it is so light and sweet, that it Is better than cake elsewhere. 

 In the markets, the fowls are cut up and sold In separate pieces ; and a row of wmgs, breasts, 

 legs, &c., are hung together. This is to supply materials for the olla. Mutton is very gen- 



eral, and rabbits are more used than in other countries, 

 includes acorns and chestnuts. 



The food of the poor is meagre, and 



