SPAIN. 



633 



ity, Sir, and not your counsel." The Spaniards are slow to change ; and the want of roads 

 prevents innovation. It is well for the people, that, under every disadvantage, they have 

 retained so much of their ancient character ; they have fallen from their high estate, and they 

 have fallen upon evil times, but ihey are still the same invincible, inflexible race with their 

 ancestors, of the age of Cortez and Pizarro. A thousand heroic incidents in the Guerilla 

 warfare, and the glorious defence of Saragossa, were outbreaks of the national spirit. Indi- 

 vidually, though not collectively, the Spaniards still resemble their ancestors of Arragon, who 

 promised tlieir king to obey, if he would protect their rights, "and, if not, — not;" y si no, — 

 no. 



The Spaniards are distinguished for good faith. One of their kings, who wished to confis- 

 cate French property, published an edict, giving half to the factors who would inform ; but in 

 all Spain there was not found one dishonest but the king, or who, when thus tempted, would 

 betray his correspondent. Oppression has debased the Spaniards less than superstition. The 

 king could not for a day oppress the subjects which it is his duty to protect, but for the aid 

 of the clergy, whose influence over the people commences at childhood, and ends only with 

 life. The clergy, though ignorant, have yet the instinct of ignorance, and perceive, that their 

 power would be reduced in a people brought up in knowledge and virtue. Every effort ot 

 genius is therefore discouraged, for philosophy is no friend to fanaticism, and poetry has noble 

 aspirations. The schools are in ecclesiastical hands, and the confessional gives even a greater 

 influence to the clergy. To a priest no door is closed, and no secret is hidden. The big- 

 otry of the Spaniards is, unfortunately, beyond all parallel, and some of the effects of it will 

 be described under the liead of religion. 



The Spaniards have an hereditary contempt for trade, and agriculture cannot flourish in a 

 country without roads. There are few chances, then, that labor will have its reward ; the 

 religious holidays are numerous, and thus a people of great energy of character, and an ardent 

 temperament, have little employment, and no resource from ennui but in pleasure, or frivolous 

 amusements. Their very virtues are politically oppressed, while their vices may lead them 

 to honor and preferment. To be honest and true, to express their opinions boldly and freely, 

 will but lead to captivity or banishment ; but to dissemble in religion, to feign bigotry if they 

 have it not, to show outward reverence to friars whom they may despise in their hearts, is the 

 much traveled road to safety and shame. There are, indeed, many who neither reverence a 

 dissolute monk, nor honor a fanatic and faithless king ; but they conceal their sentiments, as 

 they love liberty and life. The Spaniards have been called indolent, but it is a calumny ; and 

 yet many of them live in idleness ; for few men will much care to sow, where they may not 

 be sure to reap. Pleasure, then, is a pursuit, especially among the higher classes, and the 

 consequences are indeed lamentable. Jealousy, which our romances have represented as the 

 passion of a Spaniard, is unknown, or it exists only between the matron and her cortejo. The 

 liberty of married females has no limit but their own discretion, a frail barrier against a defec- 

 tive education, a pernicious custom, and an ardent temperament. This evil is deplorable ; for 

 the Spanish females are, in many respects, worthy of admiration ; and when they have the ad- 

 vantage of a correct training, and indeed often when they have not, they prove themselves, 

 both as wives and mothers, worthy of a fellowship with Portia and Cornelia. They are gen- 

 erous, vehement, and self-devoted ; they love like Othello, "not wisely, but too well." They 

 have all the elements of a great character, and under favorable circumstances, there are no 

 women that walk through the world by the side of man, to cheer him in sorrow, and excite 

 him to duty and honor, that are comparable with the dames of Spain. The gallantry of a 

 Spaniard is proverbial ; his salutation to a lady is, " Madam, I am at your feet," and his 

 whole bearing to her is one of deference, humility, and devotedness. 



In Spain, those whose duty it is to be the censors and conservators of public morals, are the 

 corrupters. The flock is indeed unhappy, when the shepherd has an iuderstanding with the 

 wolf. The celibacy of the clergy has made them dissolute, and th-- j have spread depravity 

 over the land. Of all classes in the country, perhaps that which has the least pretensions to purity 

 is the clergy. Ferdinand would not sign a warrant for the execution of an ecclesiastic. It is 

 but a few years since, that a priest, who had conceived a passion for a lady that was contracted 

 to another, murdered her at the confessional. The ferocious wretch, who afterwards expressed 

 his joy, that another should not possess her, was punished by an easy imprisonment. 



The Spaniards, with all their ardor of character, are perhaps the most temperate people in 

 Europe ; and a traveler may pass through Spain and not see one intoxicated. They have, 

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