your readers, and, perhaps, disperse a few of those prejudices on this subject which have long prevailed in Europe and America. I will not attempt to enter into the region of politics, but leave the question, whether Spain is, in future, to be ruled by the Bourbon or the Napoleon Dynasty, to quidnuncs and politicians; and content myself with merely attempting to serve up an " Olla Podrida” for the entertainment of your friends. Like this favourite dish of the Spaniards, I will endeavour to have mine composed of the "choicest parts of the most nutritious viands ;" and, if I fail to give satisfaction, it will not be for want of materials, but through unskilfulness in the preparation of them, and inability to suit them to every taste. "OLLA PODRIDA." Idleness and slowness of the Spaniards. The Chevalier de Bourgoanne, an enlightened French traveller, a close observer of men and manners and an elegant scholar, who visited Spain in the year 1782, and was a long time secretary to the French embassy at that court, speaking of the idleness and inactivity with which the Spaniards are generally reproached, observes-" If I have not quite absolved them from their idleness, I have taken the liberty to assert, that it was the consequence of transient circumstances, and will disappear with them. In fact, when we witness the activity which appears upon the coast of Catalonia, throughout the whole kingdom of Valencia, in the mountains of Biscay, and in all places where industry is encouraged, and commodities have an easy and certain sale; when on the other hand, we observe the laborious life of the muleteers and calessieros, who courageously conduct their mules and carriages throughout the whole country by the most dangerous roads; the husbandmen who, in the plains of La Mancha and Andalusia, harden themselves to the labours of the fields, which the nature of the soil, the distance of their habitations, and the heat of the most burning climate in Europe, render more painful than in other countries; when we consider the number of Galicians and Asturians who, like our Auvergnians and Limousins, seek at a distance the slow and painful means of subsistance; when we perceive the idleness with which the Spaniards are so much reproached, is circumscribed within the boundaries of the two Castiles, that is, the part of Spain the most unprovided with roads, canals, and navigable rivers; it is but just, to conclude, that this vice is not an indelible stain upon the Spanish nation; that it is only the result of the transient nature of things, and that a government active and enlightened might find means entirely to eradicate it.” There is another defect which has much affinity to idleness, at least it manifests itself by much the same symptoms; which is slowness; and from this it would be more difficult to exculpate the Spaniards. It must be allowed, that knowledge penetrates but slowly into Spain. In political measures, war, and all the operations of government; nay, even in the common occurrences of life, when other nations act, they deliberate. Mistrustful and circumspect, they fail in as many affairs by slowness, as others by precipitation. This is the more extraordinary, as their lively imagination should seem of a nature to be irritated by delay. But in nations, as in individuals, there is not a single quality which is not frequently modified by a contrary one, and in the struggle, the triumph is always on the side to which the mind is most forcibly disposed by the circumstance of the moment. The Spaniard naturally cold and deliberate when nothing extraordinary moves him, is inflamed to enthusiasm, when his haughtiness, resentment, or any of the passions which compose his character, are awakened either by insult or opposition. Hence it is, that the Spanish nation, apparently the most grave, cold, and slow in Europe, sometimes becomes one of the most violent when circumstances deprive it of its habitual calm and deliver it up to the empire of the imagination. The most dangerous animals are not those which are in the most continued agitation. The aspect of the lion is grave as his pace; his motions are not without an object; his roarings not in vain. As long as his inaction is undisturbed he loves peace and silence, but if he be provoked, he shakes his mane; fire sparkles in his eyes; he roars tremendously, and the king of animals appears. It is this combination of slowness and violence which, perhaps, constitutes the most formidable courage; and such seems to me to be that of the Spaniards. "Our Lady of the Pillar.” It will be remembered, that in the late action between the French and Spaniards, before Zaragoza, the Spanish army was preceded by "Our Lady of the Pillar," whom the Zaragozians invoked to crown their efforts with victory. Why she should be invoked by the Zaragozians in particular, and who she is, is, perhaps, little known on this side the Atlantic. The fact is, most towns in Spain have their favou rite saint, and the Virgin Mary, under the appellation of our "Lady of the Pillar" is the Patron Saint of Zaragoza. In this town there is a lofty and magnificent cathedral, dedicated to her, called El Pilar. In the centre of this cathedral is an edifice, which is strikingly beautiful. The principal front is a chapel of our "Lady of the Pillar," who is said to have appeared upon this very Pillar to St. James, and afterwards gave to him the image which is worshipped at her altar. Over this, there is a dome corresponding to the great dome under which it stands, serving by way of canopy to the image of the Virgin. The three other fronts of this elegant tabernacle are in like manner chapels. In the different compartments are historical paintings by the celebrated Bayen. The wealth of this cathedral is inestimable, in silver, gold, precious stones, and rich embroidery," sent by all the Catholic sovereigns of Europe to deck its priests and adorn its altars. Many of these presents being modern, are worthy of attention for their elegance, as well as for the value of their pearls, diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. In a word, whatever wealth could command, or human art could execute, has been collected to excite the admiration of all who view the treasures of this church. Roads of Spain. There are few countries in a civilized state that contain so few good roads as Spain. The Count Florida Blanca during his ministry was particularly attentive to this subject. Biscay and Navarre, owing to him, now boast a few good roads, but this minister was more attentive to improve and complete the principal road which entirely crosses Spain from Bayonne to Cadiz, passing by Madrid. Until his time the advantage was unknown of travelling in a post-chaise the hundred leagues which separate these two cities. The few roads and canals Spain does possess, she owes to the sovereigns of the house of Bourbon. The following itinerary of the principal great roads from Madrid to the chief towns of the provinces, will be found very convenient by all persons reading the newspapers of the day. Many of the distances are stated from actual admeasurement; others are taken from the computed leagues of the country as estimated for the march of soldiers or hire of travelling horses, some of which have been corrected from the observations of the late M. Mechain, in his trigono. metrical survey of Spain, in which he was employed, as well as in measuring a degree of the meridian in that country sometime in miles. between villages estimated at a league, varies from 3 to 4 English not less than four English miles, and that frequently the distance It is to be observed, that the nominal or common league of Spain is distances and the actual length of the carriage roads differ one fourth. tention; on the contrary, there are many places where the linear the chief towns, as deduced from maps, can deserve the least atroads very crooked, no geometrical survey of the distances between 1805. But as the country is very mountainous, and consequently the This table represents the number of leagues between all the capital towns of the provinces, or, as they are usually called, kingdoms, and the metropolis or court of Spain, MADRID. If it is desired to know the distance between Badajos and Madrid, the angle of the column under the former, and immediately opposite the latter, gives 63 leagues, or 252 English miles: if from Bajados to Zaragoza, we find 113 leagues or 452 English miles: and so with all the others. N. B. The distances in this table are taken on the carriage roads, and not the bridle roads, which are shorter, more mountainous, and generally impassable to any thing but asses, mules, sheep, or black cattle. Sword Blades of Toledo. These blades have long been famous throughout Europe. The steel is excellent, and so perfectly tempered that in thrusting at a target the swords will bend like whalebone, and yet cut through a helmet without turning their edge. This manufacture was a long time neglected, but was revived in 1786. Virgil says, Diod. Sic. says, the Celtiberians give such temper to their steel that no helmet can resist their stroke. FOR THE PORT FOLIO. Gloster. Now Sir, what are you? Edgar. A most poor man made tame to Fortune's blows; KING LEAR. By the celebrated Adam Smith, sympathy has been supposed to exist in a power of the imagination, whereby we place ourselves in the situation of any object which may excite a sympathetic sensation of joy or sorrow. Undoubtedly this power of the imagination, is neces |