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gal, translated verbatum from an old volume of the Monthly Magazine, and written, as we are well informed, by Mr. Southey.

To whom is this dirty business imputable, to the unknown author whose original advertisement is dated from Cambridge, or to the publisher? One thing is manifest, and that is that the old impression

has not been revised by the author. Such blunders as Manrerar for Manresa, Alcadia for Alcudia, Reges for Reyes, Maria potissima for purissima, and ten tative miracles, as Paley calls them, are copied from one edition into the other. These ten tatives and this sort of Spanish seem to us to acquit him.

ART. IX. A Picture of Madrid taken on the Spot. By CHRISTIAN AUGUSTUS FISCHER. Crown 8vo. p. 306.

FISCHER'S Travels in Spain were reviewed in our first volume; we highly commended the vigour and accuracy and liveliness of his delineations, and we strongly condemned him for the manner in which his own licentious heart taught him to judge of others, to vilify human nature, and to blaspheme man and his maker. We are sorry to find in this present work the same faults but not the same excellencies: here are but the gleanings of his information of what we had formerly the first fruits, but of his abominations he gives us a full crop. Whether M. Fischer has visited Spain a second time does not appear. There is nothing in this book which would induce us to infer that he had. It rather seems that presuming upon his popularity, he has thrown together the residue of his memorandums and observations without any arrangement or connection, just as they came to hand or to mind; taking no other care for his olla podrida of scraps than that it should be well seasoned with cantharides,

"A regard for decency has obliged the publisher to make a few omissions. A regard for decency might have obliged him to make a few more,-and to have completely blotted out the page that he has starred over. Christian Augustus Fischer! never was man so unhappily misnamed, except perhaps

some of the Pope Innocents. For my own part he says, I worship the virgin in Spain, and the elephant at Thibet: there I wear a cloak, here an eastern dress; reasonable men have long ago risen above such trifles! Elephants are not worshipped at Thibet: but letting such trifles pass, and not censuring Mr. Fischer for professing his irreligion, for we would have all professions free, we must censure him for the way in which he delights to pollute piety by perpetually representing it as the cloak for voluptuousness. One of his articles is intitled Good Friday, he concludes it by saying that "many a sly girl finds means now to break loose from her rigorous mother, or her bigoted duenna, to forget the sufferings of the crucified saviour in the arms of some tender-hearted and affectionate lover!" In this manner does he mention that crucified Savionr! and in this manner. does he spread poison and pollution over his pages.

As we have raked in the dunghill, the reader shall have what pearls are to be found in it.

"THE SALTING-HOUSE.-EL

SALADERO.

been erected at the expence of the city. "The saladero, or salting-house has It is a pretty large building, near the gate of Santa Barbara. Here the sides of bacon or pork are laid one over the other, just like so many rows of bricks in ma sonry, and without letting them go

hrough the tedious process of smoaking, hey are barely dried in the open air, he particles of which being extremely pure and desiccating, the operation is soon accomplished, and the bacon thus dried, has been found upon trial, to have a much finer flavor, and a more relishing taste.

"As the butchers in Madrid generally kill only in winter, the want of fresh meat which thus becomes a rarity for seven months in the year, and the palate of the Spaniards rendered insipid by the heat, seem to be the obvious reasons of this national predilection for salt and dried meat."

BATHS.

"The bathing-houses are to be found at the west end of the city, along the bushy banks of the Manzanares, which river being very shallow, and running over a bed of pebbles, is peculiarly suited for such purposes. For stout pales placed quadrangularly, and a couple of laths on the top, covered with straw-mats, constitute the whole fabric of a bathinghouse. The inside, however, is more or less conveniently fitted up, in proportion to the price of admission, which used commonly to be from two to six reals.

"Whither hasten those ladies in their fast-rolling calesinos, or chaises? Albano! Into the bath! No sooner has the driver set them down, than he returns full gallop to fetch more of them. Already every bathing-place is occupied, and all the walks crowded with other expectants: giddy young maidens sportively hunt each other about the meadow, and the voluptuous lays of dabbling nymphs resound from the different baths.

"The perspective which the bagnios command is uncommonly pleasant and rural; the arbours, the tall and shady trees, the tepid gales, the purling of the stream, all breathe here a sweet and secret delight, which many a gallant in disguise is made to participate with his favourite Dulcinea. It is the fashion here often to visit those baths, nay almost daily, for which purpose regular parties are formed to those pleasurable haunts, where all is life and bustle from five till eight o'clock in the evening.

"THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF HISTORY.

the

'This learned body was instituted in

year 1738, and has given sufficient proofs of its activity, by the editions it made of Marian, Sepulveda, Solis and others, as well as by a publication of all the ancient and partly unprinted chronicles relating to the History of Castile.

"The academy, besides a considerable library and collection of medals, possesses likewise a repertory upon the History of Spain, truly unique in its kind. It had received orders in 1754, to write an Historic-critical Dictionary upon it; and three of its learned members, viz. Father Buriel, the celebrated Don Francis Perez Bayer, and Don Luis Joseph de Velasquez were sent to collect the archieves and records, dispersed all over the Spanish monarchy.

"The treasures which they brought with them, constitute the contents of that incomparable repertory, which consists of 147 volumes in quarto, in which all the materials collected are ranged in chronological order.

"Among them are, for instance, 13,664 copies of as many original documents, 439 cotemporary authors, 7008 diplomas, 4134 inscriptions; in which a member of the learned academy inscribes before each article, on a separate paper, the author, and the place where every document was found. Add to these 2,021 medals, 62 monuments of the arts, &c.

"In a second historical collection, you will find, exclusive of all the documents, the passages of every individual historical writer relating to one and the same fact. They have been cut out of the works in which they were inserted, and pasted on white folio sheets of paper, on which is written on the margin, the contents, and the name of the author. This certainly is extremely convenient for an historian; but was there any occasion to mutilate so many rare works, where a good and accurate index would easily, and much better, have answered the purpose.

"Whether the academy has ever yet begun, or will ever complete this great Historico-critical Work, is what I will not determine. Since the year 1712, it is

said, however, to be occupied with a no less important Geographico-political Dictionary on a plan as extensive as is within the sphere of possibility. All towns, market-towns, and villages, nay, even edifices, are to be noted in it, together with situation, soil, population, taxes, constitution, privileges, products, ma. nufactures, consumption, revenues, &c. the whole in the completest manner possible.

"All these articles of information must be delivered upon oath by the magistrates of every place, according to a printed series of questions; upon which, every respective member of the academy receives such articles as belong to the department allotted to him.

"Whatever is ready, is laid before the academy, to be approved, and, if necessary, corrected.

"The academy is directed to review the whole work after it shall be completed.'

ALL SOULS.

"Is a feast instituted for souls burning in purgatory!This doctrine of the Church of Rome is acknowledged to be one of the most lucrative. All souls day must of course be celebrated with all the importance attached to it.

"On the very eve of the feast, every thing is cleverly contrived, to produce the desired effect. The sepulchres in the churches are opened, and illuminated with numberless tapers; the walls are hung with black cloth, and altars are raised, before which the Miserere is most dolefully chaunted.

"Now the pious flocks, animated with a holy enthusiasm, repair in throngs to the sacred mansions. Every one has friends and relations, whose souls he thinks it his duty to redeem from 'purgaThe multitude goes from one tory. church to another, kneel at every funeral vault, and imprint a devout kiss on every Stola presented to them, regardless of the pestiferious smell issuing from those pits of putrescence, which hurl some of them quite unexpectedly into the dreaded purgatory. But being provided with many indulgences, every one hopes with many indulgences, every one hopes to escape the danger.

may

"The women too offer, upon this occasion, the most fervent orisons; a circumstance which induced a certain here

tic to make the innocent, yet wicked re-
mark, that the whole catholic persuasion
is founded upon a woman, and pre-
served by none but female souls.

"On all All-souls morning, the same
pious occupation is renewed. All the
churches are hung with black, the jaws
of the tombs are thrown open again, and
the priests more busy than on any other
occasion. Every where you see them,
silently say mass, sit in the confessional,
&c. Many of them mix with the pious
crowds, and for a few quartos let them
kiss their Stoles, practising besides many
other religious arts on their credulity.

"In the middle of the church stands a

bier, surrounded with lighted tapers. In
one corner wooden figures of souls are
displayed, who stand up to the waist, in
terrible but (luckily for them) painted
flames. However coarse the subject and
its emblem may appear, still it moves the
pious throng, who compassionately offer
their mite for the redemption of the de-
parted sufferers, in the hope that the
same benefit will be one day conferred
upon themselves. They then, with more
peace of mind, abandon themselves to
the soft transgressions which willingly
or unwillingly they must at some time
or other expiate in purgatory.

"Evening comes, and every one yields
himself up to his usual diversions. They
have done their duty by the poor souls
who, they suppose, have long before
then entered Paradise. Amidst a thou-
sand jokes they eat the dish usually
served up on All-souls day, consisting
of flour-pap, mixed with butter and anise.
He who has not sinned all day long, does
not fail in the evening to bespeak him-
self a place for at least a couple of months
in Purgatory."

Is it true that the sepulchres are opened? we believe not. It is scarcely possible that such a custom should exist any where except among savages. In Lisbon a bier is erected in the centre of the church, on this day, covered with black and As for opening the grave it is nesilver, and set round with tapers. ver heard of in that country, nor did we ever hear of it any where except among the American Indians.

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The thing is too dangerous as well as too shocking.

It is shocking to see the noblest nation under heaven so vilified and traduced as they are by this rottenhearted writer. He has seen nothing but lechery under the mask of superstition, where he might have seen sincere piety, and indignant honour and burning patriotism,a clergy the most exemplary, a nobility the most honourable, a people the least corrupt of any in Europe, or in the world, a nation destined to rise from its ashes and resume its rank with greater glory. Bonaparte may crown his wretched brother at Madrid, may scatter

undisciplined armies, burn half their cities and garrison the rest, but never can he establish his accursed family upon the throne of Spain. The spirit of that country is unconquered and unconquerable, once already have the Spaniards recovered it from a foreign master. Their fame was destroyed, their very name extinguished, and a handfull of banditti among the mountains appeared to be the only remnant saved from the wreck,— with that handfull the struggles began, nor did they desist from it for seven centuries, till they had exterminated the invaders.

(61)

CHAPTER II.

GEOGRAPHY.

ART. I. An Introduction to Pinkerton's Abridgment of his Modern Geography, for the Use of Schools: accompanied with authentic Maps, adapted to the Introduction, and suited to other Geographical Works; forming a Complete Juvenile Atlas. By JOHN WILLIAMS, 12mo. pp. 280.

THE knowledge of Geography forms so important and indispensable a part of education, to whichsoever of the professions or pursuits of life the chief studies may be directed, that the public are greatly indebted to every individual who contributes his assistance to facilitate the means of its acquisition. Much is on this account due to the various writers who have laboured to clear the path of the obstructions which every where presented themselves to impede the progress of the youthful learner, and to add the charm of interest and pleasure to bis pursuit. Notwithstanding the number of elementary treatises on this subject which already exist, and the merit which we freely concede to many of them, we are pleased to add to the list the present work of Mr. Williams. The general merit of Mr. Pinkerton's great work, in regard both to the superiority of his materials, and the arrangement of his subjects, has received the sanction of public approbation. Mr.

Williams has therefore performed a very acceptable service, in compil ing, upon the plan of that valuable. publication, a short and familiar work which should at once, in a perspicuous and pleasing manner, initiate the young student in the first principles and most essential branches of the science, and prepare him afterwards to peruse the original with the highest advantage. Mr. Williams has executed his undertaking with great judgment and ability and we cordially recommend his work as one of the best adapted to its object of any that have come under our inspection.

The outline maps, designed to accompany this Introduction, will be found of great service in fixing upon the learner's mind a strong and correct impression of the forms and relative situations of the countries with which the work brings him acquainted. They are executed with great fidelity and neat

ness.

ART. II. A Familiar Introduction to the Study of Geography and to the Use of the Globes. Intended for Schools and Young Persons. 12mo. By JOHN BIDLAKE. THIS introduction is on the plan of question and answer, which, in our estimation, is not the best method of communicating instruction, but Mr. Bidlake is of a different opinion. As there are many who agree with the author of the work before us, as to the excellence of those plans which consist of ques

tions and answers properly adapted, we shall, for their sakes, observe that brevity in this little tract has been chiefly consulted; but if the pupil is to commit to his memory all the answers, he will find scarcely less difficulty in the exercise than he would meet with in larger treatises. For children in the first forms

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