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diff --git a/old/52667-0.txt b/old/52667-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 02c654b..0000000 --- a/old/52667-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4295 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ingenious and Diverting Letters of the -Lady--Travels into Spain, by Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Ingenious and Diverting Letters of the Lady--Travels into Spain - Describing the Devotions, Nunneries, Humours, Customs, - Laws, Militia, Trade, Diet and Recreations of that People - -Author: Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy - -Release Date: July 29, 2016 [EBook #52667] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INGENIOUS AND DIVERTING LETTERS *** - - - - -Produced by Josep Cols Canals and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - [Illustration: - - Marie Catherine le Jumel de Barneville, - Baroness of Aulnoy] - - - - - THE - Ingenious and Diverting - LETTERS - OF THE - Lady——TRAVELS - INTO - SPAIN - - - DESCRIBING - - The Devotions, Nunneries, Humours, - Customs, Laws, Militia, Trade, Diet, - and Recreations of that People. - - Intermixt with - - Great Variety of Modern Adventures, and - Surprising Accidents: being the Truest - and Best REMARKS Extant on that Court - and Country. - - -------------- - - The Second Edition - - -------------- - - _LONDON_: - - Printed for _Samuel Crouch_, at the Corner of - _Pope’s-Head-Alley_, next _Cornhil_. 1692. - - - - - Copyright, 1899, by - Archer M. Huntington - Entered at Stationers’ Hall, London - - - - - G. P. Putnam’s Sons - The Knickerbocker Press - New York & London - - - - - To - - W. W. D. - - - - - Licensed, - - Sept. 2, 1691. - - _Rob. Midgley._ - - - - - To the Honourable - M^{rs} _Martha Lockhart_ - - -MADAM, - -I Humbly beg Leave these Letters may appear in an English Dress, under -the Protection of your Name; whose Accuracy in the Original, justly -Intitles you to this Dedication; and whose Advantagious Birth, Greatness -of Mind, and Uncommon Improvements, exact a Veneration from the most -Invidious; and render you an Illustrious Ornament of your Sex. - -Madam, For me to attempt here the Publishing your Vertues and -Accomplishments, so universally acknowledg’d by all that have the Honour -of your Acquaintance, would be to detract from your Merit; and might -more justly be censured for Presumption than Flattery. - -It were better to imitate the Painter, who perceiving it not possible to -represent the Father’s Grief for the loss of his Daughter, drew a Veil -over his Face, and owned his Inability. - -But I forget, Madam, ’tis my part only to crave your Pardon for this -bold Address; and to study ever to approve myself, - - MADAM, - - _Your most Obedient Servant_. - - - - - TO THE - READER - - -IT is not sufficient to write things true, but they must likewise seem -probable, to gain belief. This has sometime so prevail’d with me, as to -make me think of retrenching from my Relation the strange Stories you -will find therein. But I have been withheld from doing this, by Persons -of such great Sence and Merit, as has made me conclude, that I cannot do -amiss in following their Judgments. - -I do not doubt but there will be some, who will accuse me of -hyperbolizing, and composing Romances; but such would do well to -acquaint themselves first with the Countrey, Humour, and Character of -those I treat of. A Fact must not be presently condemn’d as false, -because it is not publick, or may not hit every Man’s Fancy. I cite no -feigned Names, no Persons whose Death may give me the Liberty of -attributing what I please to them. - -In a word: I write nothing but what I have seen, or heard from Persons -of Unquestionable Credit; And therefore shall conclude with assuring -you, That you have here no Novel, or Story, devised at pleasure; but an -Exact and most True Account of what I met with in my Travels. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - PAGE - INTRODUCTION xv - - LETTER I 1 - - LETTER II 50 - - LETTER III 100 - - LETTER IV 148 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - - PAGE - MARIE CATHERINE LE JUMEL DE BARNEVILLE, - BARONESS OF AULNOY _Frontispiece._ - - GATEWAY OF FUENTERRABIA 46 - - A TOWN OF CENTRAL SPAIN 100 - - MEDINA DEL CAMPO 144 - - - - - INTRODUCTION - - -AT the end of the seventeenth century and the beginning of the -eighteenth there were several women in France who had gained no small -reputation for the writing of amusing if somewhat extravagant _Contes -des Fées_. Of these Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness of -Aulnoy, has best survived her contemporaries as the author of _La Chatte -Blanche_, _La Grenouïlle Bien-complaisante_, _Le Prince Lutin_, -_L’Oiseau Bleue_, and of other tales which, as M. La Harpe has thought, -place her supreme in the realm of delicate frivolity. - -The life of this brilliant woman will doubtless present a contrast with -most preconceptions of her character based upon a mere reading of her -books; and we may be surprised to find in her such a marked -individuality, so peculiarly in touch with her time, and offering so -little of the ideal and sensitive nature it was fairly natural to infer. -We have not, in fact, a mere writer of amusing tales and half romantic -histories, but an intriguing, though charming, woman, of a bold and -often reckless nature, sufficient to stamp her a worthy daughter of her -time. And, after all harsh verdicts have been passed, we shall, I think, -return to Madame Aulnoy, by way of her books, with a feeling of -affection and interest. - -Barneville, near Bourg-Achard (Eure), is her birthplace. Her father was -Nicolas-Claude Le Jumel, and her mother, who subsequently married the -Marquis of Gudaigne and went with him to Rome, Judith-Angélique Le -Coustellier. Nicolas is said to have served long in the armies of Louis -XIV., and to have been related to some of the best families of Normandy. -Judith later, when in Rome, seems to have rendered peculiar services to -the Spanish court, for which she was duly rewarded. - -The date of their daughter’s birth is not positively fixed. It is given -as 1650 or 1651, but no record of baptism remains, and of the life of -Madame Aulnoy previous to the date of her marriage with François de La -Motte little is known. That event occurred on Monday, the 8th of March, -1666. - -But if the minor details of her life are wanting, we have yet a general -and quite sufficient survey of its broader lines. Married at sixteen to -a man thirty-six years her senior, we may find in the character of her -husband (“un assez triste personage,” as one of his biographers has -named him) no uncertain commentary on the subsequent behavior of his -wife. - -He is described as: “Un bel homme, bien fait, d’abord valet de pied de -César, duc de Vendôme, qui cherchait d’avoir de beaux hommes à son -service.” - -He rose in the confidence of this master, who in 1649 to 1650 employed -him in important affairs. This duke of Vendôme, called by Le Vassor[1] -“un mince capitaine, que ne sut jamais se faire craindre ni se faire -estimer,” had, on his return to France in 1641, been accused of an -attempt to poison Richelieu. These were the days of the celebrated -Brinvilliers, when _Acqua Tofana_ had been brought from Italy and the -number of poisoners was increasing in France. The duke had again -returned after the death of Richelieu, and under Mazarin in 1650 was -given the government of Bourgogne. In 1653 he took Bordeaux, and two -years later put to flight the Spanish fleet before Barcelona. It was in -1653 that La Motte, rising to prosperity with the fortunes of his -master, was made Chevalier de Saint-Michel, and one year later he -purchased for 150,000 livres from Claude Gobelin the Barony of Aulnoy in -Brie. His success was, however, of short duration, and his money soon -slipped away. He died in 1700 in his eightieth year, “Accablé de ses -infortunes et des infamies de ses filles, dont il y en a deux qui -imitent leur mère.” - -In view, therefore of the seemingly general evil opinion as to the -character of François de La Motte we may possibly abate somewhat of the -severity of judgment in regard to his wife. Yet on the whole Madame -Aulnoy does not present a too pleasing portrait. Of her five children -two only were acknowledged by their father. Marie-Angélique was born on -the 26th of January, 1667; Dominique-César on the 22d of November of the -same year; Anne, 1668; Judith-Henriette, 1669; Thérèse-Aymée in 1676. - -Of these the only son died young. Thérèse was taken to Spain in the -early part of 1679 by Madame Aulnoy, whither the latter had gone to -rejoin her mother, the Marquise de Gudaigne. Marie-Angélique, it -appears, had the clever nature of her mother, and won a salon -reputation. She married Claude Denis de Herre de Vaudois. Anne, the most -beautiful, married a gentleman of Berry, by name M. de Preaulx -d’Artigny. Thérèse-Aymée remained in Spain with the queen, where she was -in 1705. Judith-Henriette seems to have remained in Paris and followed, -in a “carrière d’intrigue et de galanterie,” the footsteps of her mother -and grandmother. - -All amicable relations between Madame Aulnoy and her husband had come to -an end even before the tragic event which all but involved her and her -mother, and for which they were undoubtedly responsible. A certain C. -Bonenfant, Seigneur de Lamoizière, and another, J. A. de Crux, Seigneur -Marquis de Courboyer, who were, without seeming question, lovers of -Madame Aulnoy and the Marquise de Gudaigne, attacked, at their -instigation, in the courts, the unfortunate La Motte, who, however, -managed to save himself, and the attempt ended in failure. The accusers -were tried, put to the torture, and confessed. Both suffered death, and -the two women found it necessary to make their escape. It was said that -Madame Aulnoy was all but captured, having been found by the officer in -bed, whence she managed to escape, and hid herself beneath a catafalque -in a neighboring church. The two went first to England and afterwards to -Spain. Here, however, having rendered some service to their own -government, they were finally pardoned and returned to France, where, in -1699, Madame Aulnoy again appears, this time mixed up in the famous -Ticquet scandal, which ended in the beheading of Angélique Ticquet on -the 17th of June. Our author seems to have run some danger of joining -her on the scaffold. She died, however, in her house in the Rue -Saint-Benoit on the 14th of January, 1705. - - * * * * * - -If the _Contes des Fées_ of Madame Aulnoy have had a remarkable vogue, -not so fortunate has been the lot of some of the historical endeavors of -this lady. Her _Mémoires de la Cour d’Espagne_ (1679-1681) and _Mémoires -de la Cour d’Angleterre_ (1695) have been quietly laid aside, together -with the _Histoire d’Hippolyte_, _Comte de Douglas_ (1690), and the -_Histoire de Jean de Bourbon_ (1692), for, though always interesting, -the qualities of imagination which combine to the writing of a fairy -tale are not quite those needed for the making of history, and -unfortunately for the clever lady, it is in the field of “delicate -frivolity” that she has been placed. - -But Madame Aulnoy has put forward a more serious claim to legitimate -reputation in the small volume of travel published anonymously at Paris -in 1691, wherein she describes her voyage into Spain with a brilliancy -and wealth of detail which is all the more grateful in that the period -has furnished us with but little like it. In this Journey she has -produced a remarkable book. To the quick eye of the clever French woman -nothing is lost. She sees the astonishing condition of the Peninsula -with an instant but not unsympathetic glance. Into what might have well -proved a dismal picture she has woven her ever lively personality, and -with a ready humor turns the incidents of evil chance to amusing asides. -If in all this an air of unreality and lack of truth is introduced, it -does not on the whole affect the picture. Nor does this resemble the -more fanciful historical work of the same writer, for here at least all -is natural and fairly told. Spaniards have been at pains to attack this -writer. They have argued and abused. But it is not far wrong to find in -her book a near approach to a truthful picture. There was, in fact, -small need for calling up the imagination. There is evidence enough that -in that day no one need closet himself and dream for the seeing of -strange sights. It is the commonplace that surprises us. We feel how -little the nation was responding to the sense of awakening which began -to be felt elsewhere. Cervantes with his laughter had not brought to -earth all fabrics of romance. The modern spirit was not yet stirring. - -Of this book, as of Madame Aulnoy, Taine has been unhesitating in his -praise. To him she was neither prude, philosopher, nor pedant; without -affectation; a ready observer, praising or condemning with discretion, -he seemed to find in her a representative in some measure of the great -literary age of which she was a part. - -And to him she never exaggerates; she has the inestimable qualities of -good sense, frankness, and tact, is a French woman of culture and -breeding. “On imprime,” he says, speaking of the book before us, -“beaucoup de livres nouveaux, on ferait bien de réimprimer quelques -livres anciens, au premier rang celui-ci.” - - * * * * * - -On the death of Philip IV., in 1665, a sigh of relief might well have -risen from all Spain, yet scarcely through any anticipation of better -days to come. For, though this man had presented to Europe a peculiarly -marked type of bad government, his end raised no profound hopes of -improvement. A man of strong character, of inflexible honesty, of -patience; a statesman, a philosopher, and, last of all, a king, was what -a few who remembered other days may have hoped. Instead, a Regency. At a -time when throughout the land a magistrate, a viceroy, or a noble who -had no place to sell or influence to buy was scarcely to be found; when -an exhausted treasury, the loss of possessions, the slipping of -prestige, the corruption of all classes, called for a guiding hand, then -it was that fate saw fit to introduce a new king—_at the age of four_. - -Spanish writers have a justified bitterness for this period of the -national history. While the Imperial power was sinking slowly away, no -return of prosperity, of New World conquest, or Old World grandeur -appeared in the distance. None ever came. Stretching back into the past, -the widening road of disaster ran straight to the foot of the throne of -Philip II. On every side the downfall had begun. Spanish troops once -invincible retreated and again retreated. Bit by bit the schemes of -other countries began to be realized in the dismemberment of the Empire. -Literature grown decadent, history perverted, Mannerism and Gongorism -were the new gods and Churriguera the builder of their temples. - -The arts decayed and died. Merchants, anticipating the destruction of -trade, refused to venture their money. They rather hoarded it in secret -places, discarding hope of interest. Commerce knew no security. Wealth -brought but extortion. Power lay in the hands of court favorites. - -“Les provinces étoient si épuisées,” writes Villars, “qu’en quelques -endroits de la Castille on étoit obligé pour vivre, de trocquer les -marchandises, parcequ’il n’y avoit plus d’argent pour acheter. Dans -Madrid même il ne se’en trouvoit presque plus, et l’on y ressentoit à -loisir les suites du changement de la monnoye que l’on avoit fait, avec -tant de précipitation. Les personnes de qualité dont la dépense avoit -doublé par ce changement ne pouvoient payer leurs marchands, et les -banquiers n’avoient plus de fonds et ne trouvoient point à emprunter; on -ne payoit rien dans la maison du Roy et les choses en vinrent à une -telle extrémité, que la plus part des petits domestiques ayant rendu -leurs livrées pour quitter le service, on eut beaucoup de peine à -trouver les moyens de les y faire demeurer.” - -Even religion was to become the vehicle of a host of strange mysteries; -professional saints flourished; miracles were of daily report, the -stigmata had repeatedly appeared. Superstition fed upon tales of witches -and hobgoblins, and the minds of high and low were filled with a -strange, incongruous mass of belief and doubt. A whole supernatural -world both local and national crowded the places of Christian tradition. -Every fragment of Roman, Arabic, or Gothic belief came to be fused upon -the general credulity. - -While the form that faith had assumed no longer surprises the reader as -he turns the pages of contemporary writers, yet the _auto de fé_ had not -gasped its last. Outside the gate of Fuencarral the fires still burned. -In 1680, the very year in which our author is writing her later letters -from Madrid, it had produced an exhibition in the Plaza Mayor which had -the utmost detail of dramatic staging given it to lend impressiveness. -The bull-fight, too, was beginning to grow into that popularity which -was later to make it the national sport. - -The condition of the people was lamentable. Little by little the lower -orders, driven from trades and manufacturing, were forced to face -conditions of pauperism. Theft came to be too common to be noted. Every -mountain pass was infested by robbers. People travelled well armed or -stayed at home. - -Into such a country, under such conditions as these, came, in February, -1679, this French woman of position, cultivation, and wit, and from San -Sebastian she wrote the first of the series of letters which one by one -found their way northward as she journeyed toward Madrid. - -“Le premier trait du caractère Espagnol, c’est le manque de sense -pratique,” says Taine. Something, however, must be added to every -epigram on Spain, for she will not permit of hasty summing. Something -must be said of language, dignity, and, last but not least, of the -instinctive ceremonial. All of this our author has perceived. - -This ceremonial of Spain, what and whence is it and how is it that it is -first discerned by the traveller? Its history, could it be written, -would be indeed a history of shadows, a ghostly palimpsest of needs made -forms. Time was when a stern and God-favored war, fought day by day, -year to year, and century to century behind the Pyrenean wall, nursed -and fostered strange forms and moulded fantastic mental attitude. Europe -busied herself but little with it all. It was enough for her that the -Spaniard did well his office of guard and watcher at the outer gate. -There, she came to believe, was his place, and there he wore his livery. -And a strange livery it was—made up of rags and tatters of Iberian -pride, Roman servitude, and Christian independence, and as it was fought -day after day at the cheerless outer gate, from time to time the foe who -bore upon him with the banners of Islam fell back before him, leaving -upon the field some word to be gathered up as booty, some spoil of -solemn gesture or grave reply or strangely formed garment brought across -all Africa from Hejaz or the land of the Anazeh. And in this strange -attire he stood and fought and bled until with sweat and blood of a -thousand years the garment was a single hue and had become a solemn -cloak. - -Then the word came for the sheathing of the sword to the south, and with -this cloak wrapped about him the erstwhile guardian of the outer gate of -a sudden stalked out upon Europe, jangling the gold purse of the Indies -at his belt, to the terror and the unfeigned astonishment of the world. - -And this strange, melancholy creation of spectral silence has worn his -piecemeal cloak of historic ceremonial, and, like the garment of the -Seises, when it grew too old and threadbare redarned and furbished it -anew until it in turn became but a shade and figure of its predecessor, -yet drawn ever closer and hugged with a dearer love about the wasting -old guardsman’s figure. - ------ - -Footnote 1: - - _Histoire de Louis XIII._ - - - - - LETTERS - OF THE - Lady——TRAVELS - INTO - SPAIN - - - - - A - RELATION - OF A - Voyage to _SPAIN_ - IN - Several Letters - - - - - LETTER I - - -SEEING you are so earnest with me to let you know all my Adventures, and -whatever I have observ’d during my Travels, you must therefore be -contented (my dear Cousin) to bear with a great many trifling -Occurrences, before you can meet with what will please you: I know your -Fancy is so nice and delicate, that none but extraordinary Accidents can -entertain you; and I wish I had no others to relate: but recounting -things faithfully, as they have hapned, you must be contented therewith. - -I gave you an Account in my last, of what I met with as far as Bayonne: -you know this is a Town in France, Frontier to Spain, wash’d by the -Rivers Dadour and Nivelle, which joyn together; and the Sea comes up to -them. The Port and Trade are considerable: I came from Axe by Water, and -observ’d that the Boat-men of Adour have the same Custom as those of -Garonne; which is to say, That in passing by one another, they set up a -Hollowing; and they had rather lose their Wages than to forbear these -sort of Shoutings, although exceeding vexatious to those who are not -used to them. There are two Castles strong enough to defend the Town, -and there are about it several pleasant Walks. - -At my Arrival there, I intreated the Baron de Castleneau, who had -accompany’d me from Axe, to bring me acquainted with some Women, with -whom I might spend my time with less impatience, till the Litters came, -which were to be sent to me from St. Sebastian. - -He readily complied with my Request; for being a Person of Quality and -Worth, he is much esteem’d at Bayonne. He fail’d not the next Morning to -bring several Ladies to visit me. - -These Women begin here to feel the scorching Heats of the Sun; their -Complexion is dark, their Eyes sparkling; they are charming enough, -their Wits are sharp: And I could give you a farther Account of their -Capacities, could I have better understood what they said: not but that -they could all speak French, yet with such a different Dialect, as -surpast my Understanding. - -Some who came to see me, brought little Sucking Pigs under their Arms, -as we do little Dogs: it’s true they were very spruce, and several of -’em had Collars of Ribbons, of various Colours: However, this Custom -looks very odd, and I cannot but think that several among themselves are -disgusted at it: When they danced, they must set them down, and let -these grunting Animals run about the Chamber, where they make a very -pleasant Harmony. These Ladies danc’d at my Intreaty, the Baron of -Castleneau having sent for Pipes and Tabors. - -The Gentlemen who attended the Ladies, took each of ’em her whom he had -brought with him, and the Dance began in a Round, all holding Hands: -they had afterwards long Canes brought them, and then each Spark taking -hold of his Lady’s Handkerchief, which separated them from one another, -moved very gracefully at the Sound of this Martial sort of Musick, which -inspired them with such Heat, that they seem’d not to be able to -moderate it. This seem’d to me to resemble the Pyrric Dance so much -celebrated by the Ancients; for these Gentlemen and Ladies made so many -Turns, Frisks and Capers, their Canes being thrown up into the Air, and -dexterously caught again, that it is impossible to describe their Art -and Agility: And I had a great deal of Pleasure in seeing ’em; but -methoughts it lasted too long, and I began to grow weary of this -ill-ordered Ball: When the Baron de Castleneau, who perceiv’d it, caused -several Baskets of dried Fruit to be brought in. They are the Jews who -pass for Portuguises, and dwell at Bayonne, who transport them from -Genoa, and furnish all the Country with them. We wanted not for -Limonade, and other refreshing Waters, of which these Ladies drank -heartily; and so the Entertainment ended. - -I was carry’d the next Morning to see the Synagogue of the Jews, in the -Suburb of the Holy Spirit, but met with nothing remarkable there. -Monsieur de St. Pe, the King’s Lieutenant, who came to see me, though -much troubled with the Gout, invited me to Dine at his House, where I -was most deliciously entertain’d; for this a Country abounding with good -Cheer, and at cheap Rates. I found here Women of Quality that were very -handsome, whom he had invited to bear me Company. The sight of the -Castle, which faces the River, is very pleasant, and has always a good -Garison in it. - -At my return to my Lodging, I was surpriz’d to find several Pieces of -Linnen, which were brought to me from the Ladies who came to see me, -with Baskets full of dried Sweetmeats. This Treatment seem’d to me very -obliging to a Lady whom they had not known above four or five Days. But -I must not forget to tell you, there is not any finer Linnen in the -World, than that which is made in this Country, some of which is open -like Net-work, and the Threads of it finer than Hair: And I remember, -that travelling thro’ the Villages of Bourdeaux, which may be rather -call’d Desarts, the poor Peasants living so wretchedly; yet I found -among them as neat Napkins as those used among People of Quality at -Paris. - -I fail’d not to send these Ladies such little Presents which I thought -might please them: I perceiv’d they were great Admirers of Ribbons, and -wear a great many on their Heads and Ears, which made me send them a -great many; to which I added several Fans: and they, by way of Return, -presented me with Gloves, and Thread-Stockins, most delicately knit. - -In sending them to me they desired me to go to the next Chappel, which -was not far from my Quarters, where they intended to Regale me with the -best Musick the Town would afford: but though there were very good -Voices, yet there is no great pleasure in hearing them, because they -want both Air and Skill. - -The Litters which I expected from Spain, being come, I prepared for my -Departure; but I never met with any thing dearer than these sort of -Equipages; for each Litter has a Master that accompanies it, who keeps -the Gravity of a Roman Senator, being mounted on a Mule, and his Man on -another, with which they release ever and anon those that carry the -Litter. I had two, I took the greatest for myself and my Child, and had -besides four Mules for my Servants, and two for my Baggage: to conduct -them, there were other two Masters and two Men. You see what Charge one -is at, to go to Madrid, seeing you must pay not only for their -Attendance on you forwards, but the same Price for their return back: -However, we must submit to their Customs, and suffer ourselves to be -peel’d by them. - -I found at Bayonne several Turks and Mores, and I think a worse sort of -People, and these are Custom-House-Men: I had caused my Trunks to be -weigh’d at Paris, that I might have the less to do with these sort of -People; but they were more subtle, or to speak better, more obstinate -than I; so that I was forc’d to give them whatever they demanded. -Scarcely was I got clear from them, when the Drums, Trumpets, Pipes, and -Violins of the Town, came thundring upon me; they follow’d me farther -than St. Anthony’s Gate, through which you pass for Spain through -Biscaye: they play’d each of them in their way, and all together, -without any Harmony, which was enough to drive any one out of their -Senses: I ordered some Money to be given them, upon which they left -persecuting me. As soon as we had left Bayonne, we enter’d into a large -barren Heath, where we saw nothing but Chesnut-Trees; but we afterwards -past along by the Sea, whose Sand makes a delightful Way, and a pleasant -Prospect. - -We arriv’d in good time at St. John de Luz: nothing can be pleasanter -than this Borough, which is the greatest in France, and the best built; -there are several smaller Cities: its Port lies between two Mountains, -which Nature seems to have expresly placed to defend it from Storms; the -River Nivelle disgorges it self therein; the Sea comes up very high in -it, and the greatest Barks come up commodiously to the Key. The Seamen -here are very skilful at catching Whales, and other large Fish. We were -here very well entertain’d, so that our Tables were covered with all -sorts of Wild Fowl: but our Beds were not answerable, being stuck with -Feathers whose Pinions ran into our sides, and we wanted Quilts to lay -on the top of them: I thought when we were to pay, that we should have -had a large Reckoning, but they only demanded of me half a Lewis Dor, -when they would have cost more than five Pistoles at Paris. The -Situation of St. John de Luz is extreamly agreeable. - -In the most spacious part of the Town you see here a very fine Church, -built after the Modern Fashion; and here is a Passage over the River -Nivelle, on a Woodden Bridge of great length. Here are Toll-Gatherers, -who make you pay for every thing you carry with you, not excepting your -Cloaths: This Tax is demanded at their Pleasure; and it is excessive on -Strangers. I was weary with speaking French to ’em, and protesting I was -no Spaniard; they feigning not to understand me, sneering in my Face, -and wrapping up their Heads in their Hooded-Gowns; they seem’d to be -Thieves, disguised in Capuchins: In short, they tax’d me eighteen -Crowns, and would perswade me they used me well, tho’ I found the -contrary. But I have already told you (dear Cousin), that when you -travel this Country, you must stock yourself with Patience, and good -store of Money. - -I saw the Castle of Artois, which seems a strong place; and a little -farther Orognes, where the Biscaye is spoken, without either French or -Spanish. I design’d to lye at Iron, which is but three Leagues distant -from St. John de Luz; and I had set out after Noon, but the Dispute -which we had with the Watch on the Bridge, the Difficulty we had in -passing the Mountains of Beotia, and the ill Weather, joyned to other -little Difficulties which hapned, were the Cause that it was Night -before we arriv’d on the Borders of the River Bidassoa, which separates -France from Spain. I observ’d along the way from Bayonne thither, little -Carriages, on which they transport every thing, which have only two Iron -Wheels, and the Noise they make is so great, that they are heard a Mile -off, when there are many of them together, which often happen; for you -often meet with Sixty or Seventy at a time; they are drawn by Oxen. I -have seen the same in the Villages of Bourdeaux, and especially on the -side of Axe. - -The River of Bidassoa is usually very small, but the Snows melting had -increas’d it to such a degree, that we had no small trouble to pass it, -some in a Boat, and others swimming on their Mules: The Moon shined very -bright, by means of which I was shew’d on the right Hand the Isle of -Conference, where the Marriage of our King was made with Maria Therese, -Infanta of Spain. I saw a while after the Fort of Fontarabia, which -belongs to the King of Spain, standing on the Mouth of this small River: -the Flux and Reflux of the Sea arrives here. Our Kings heretofore -pretended it belonged to them: there have been such great Contests -hereupon, especially by the Inhabitants of Fontarabia, and those of -Andaye, that they have several times come to Blows. This oblig’d Lewis -the Twelfth, and Ferdinand, to agree, That it should be common to both -Nations: the French and the Spaniards take Toll equally; these last -making those pay who pass into Spain, and the former doing the like in -relation to those who pass over to France. - -War does not hinder Commerce on this Frontier: it’s true they cannot -subsist without it, seeing they must perish through Want, did they not -assist one another. - -This Country call’d Biscaye, is full of high Mountains, where are -several Iron Mines: The Biscays climb up the Rocks as easily, and with -as great swiftness as Stags: Their Language (if one may call such Jargon -Language) is very poor, seeing one Word signifies abundance of Things: -There are none but those born in the Country that can understand it; and -I am told, that to the end it may be more particularly theirs, they make -no use of it in Writing; they make their Children to read and write -French and Spanish, according to which King’s Subjects they are. It’s -certain, as soon as I past the little River of Bidassoa, I was not -understood, unless I spake Castillan; and not above a quarter of an Hour -before, I should not have been understood had I not spoke French. - -I found on the other side of this River a Banker of St. Sebastian, to -whom I was recommended: he tarried for me, with two of his Relations; -they were cloath’d after the French manner, but ridiculously, their -Justau Corps being short and large, and their Sleeves hanging down very -short; those of their Shirts were so large, that they hung down below -their Justau Corps: they had Bands without Collars; Periwigs, one of -which had enough Hair for four, and so frizled, as made ’em look as if -they were frighted; iller-drest People you cannot meet with. Those who -wear their own Hair, wear it very long and close, parting it on the -Crown, and pass part of it behind their Ears: but what kind of Ears -think you? those of Midas were not larger; and I believe, that to -lengthen them, they are stretched when they be young: without question -they find some kind of Beauty herein. - -My three Spaniards made me in bad French most tedious and dull -Complements. We past through the Bourg of Tran, which is about a quarter -of a League from the River, and came afterwards to Irun, which is -distant about another quarter of a League: this little Town is the first -of Spain which you meet with, leaving France: it’s ill built; the -Streets are unequal, and there’s nothing one can speak of: We entered -into the Inn through the Stable, where are the Stairs on which you must -ascend to your Chamber; this is the Country’s Fashion. I found the House -very light, by a great many Candles, which were as small as Pack-thread; -there were at least forty in my Chamber, fixt on little bits of Wood; in -the midst of ’em stood a Pan of Coals burning, made of Olive Rhines, to -take away the scent of the Candles. - -I had a great Supper, which my Gallants, the Spaniards, had caus’d to be -made ready for me; but all was so full of Garlick, Saffron and Spice, -that I could eat nothing: and I had made very bad Cheer, had not my Cook -made me a little Ragou of what he could find. - -Determining to go but to St. Sebastian the next Morning, which is but -seven or eight Leagues, I thought to Dine before I set out: I was -sitting at Table when one of my Women brought me my Watch to wind it up, -as it was my Custom at Noon; It was a striking Watch, of Tompion’s make, -and cost me fifty Lewises: My Banker, who was by me, shew’d some desire -to see it; I gave it him, with a customary Civility. This was enough: my -Blade rises, makes me a profound Reverence, telling me, “He did not -deserve so considerable a Present; but such a Lady as I could make no -other: That he would engage his Faith and Reputation, that he would -never part with my Watch as long as he liv’d; and that he found himself -extreamly oblig’d to me.” He kist it at the end of his pleasant -Complement, and thrust it into his Pocket, which was deeper than a Sack. -You’ll take me to be a very great Sot, in saying nothing to all this, -and I do not wonder at it; but I confess ingenuously, I was so surpriz’d -at his Proceeding, that the Watch was out of sight before I could -resolve on what I was to do. My Women, and the rest of my Servants who -were about me, stared on me, and I on them, blushing with Shame and -Vexation to be thus caught: However, I recollected myself, and -considered, that this Man was to pay me a good round Sum of Money for -the Charge of my Journey, and to return Money to Bourdeaux, where I had -taken it up; that having Bills of Credit on him, he might use several -Tricks to me, and Put-offs, which might make me spend twice the Value of -the Watch: In fine, I let him part with it, and endeavour’d to do myself -Honour from a thing which gave me great Mortification. - -I have learnt, since this little Adventure, that ’tis the Custom in -Spain, when any thing is presented to one, if he likes it, and kisses -your Hand, he may take it with him. This is a very pleasant Fashion, and -being sufficiently acquainted with it, ’twill be my Fault if I am Trapt -again. - -I left this Inn where they peel’d me sufficiently; for this is a -grievous dear Country, and every one strives to be Rich at his -Neighbour’s Cost. A while after we had left the Town we entred on the -Pyrenean Mountains, which are so high and steep, that looking down, you -see, not without Horror, the Precipices which environ them; we went thus -as far as Rentery: Don Antonio (which was my Banker’s Name) went before -me, and for my more commodious Passage, he oblig’d me to quit my Litter; -for although we had traverst several Mountains, yet there remain’d more -difficult to pass: he made me enter into a little Boat, which he had -prepar’d to go down the River of Andaye, till we were near the Mouth of -the Sea, where we saw the King of Spain’s Gallions; there were three -very fine and large ones. Our little boats were set forth with Gilt -Streamers; they were manag’d by Girls, who were very lusty and handsome; -there are three in each, two that Row, and one who holds the Rudder. - -These Wenches are very well shaped, of Chesnut Complexion, have very -good Teeth, Hair Black, which they tie up with Ribbons, in Knots, and so -let it hang behind them: They wear a kind of Veil on their Heads, made -of Musling, embroidered with Flowers of Gold and Silk, which hangs -loose, and covers their Breasts: they wear Pendants in their Ears of -Gold and Pearls, and Bracelets of Coral; they have a kind of Justau -Corps, like our Gypsies, whose Sleeves are very strait: I can assure you -they charm’d me. I was told these Wenches swim like Fishes, and suffer -neither Women nor Men among them. This is a kind of Republick, where -they repair from all Parts, and where their Parents send them very -young. - -When they are willing to marry, they go to Mass at Fontarabia, which is -the nearest Town to ’em; and there the young Men come to chuse ’em Wives -to their Humour. He that will engage himself in Hymen’s Bonds, goes to -his Mistress’s Parents, declares to them his Intentions, regulates every -thing with them: And this being done, notice of it is given to the Maid: -If she likes the Party, she retires to their house, where the Nuptuals -are celebrated. - -I never saw a more gay Air than that on their Countenances; they have -little Habitations along the Waterside, and there are old Maidens to -whom the younger pay Respect, as to their Mothers. They related these -Particulars to us in their Language, and we hearken’d to ’em with great -Delight, when the Devil, who never sleeps, disturb’d us with a vexatious -Adventure. - -My Cook, who is a Gascon, and exactly of the Humour of those of that -Country, was in one of our Boats behind us, at some distance, very near -a young Biscaneer, who appeared to him very handsome; he contented not -himself with telling her as much, but would have rudely turn’d up her -Veil. She being not used to this sort of plain Dealing without any Words -broke his Head with her Oar: Having done this Exploit, Fear seizing on -her, she threw herself immediately into the Water, tho’ the Season was -very cold, and swam with great swiftness; but having all her Cloaths on, -and it being far to the Shoar, her strength began to fail her. Several -of these Wenches who saw this at Land, leapt immediately into their -Boats to her Assistance, when those who had remain’d in the Boat with -the Cook, fearing the loss of their Companion, fell on him like two -Furies, resolving by all means to drown him, and had like two or three -times to have overturn’d their little Vessel, which we beholding from -ours, had much a-do to part and appease them. - -I assure you the foolish Gascon was so cruelly handled, that he was all -over blood; and my Banker told me, that these young Biscaneers provoked, -are worse than Lions. In fine, we came to Land, but were scarcely on -Shoar, but we saw this Wench which was saved out of the Water, making up -towards us, with near fifty others, each with an Oar on their Shoulder, -marching in Battle-ray, with Fife and Drum; when she who was to be the -Mouth of the Company, advanc’d, and calling me several times Andria, -which is to say, Madam, (for that’s all I could retain of her Speech) -gave me to understand, That they would have my Cook’s Skin, if -Satisfaction were not made proportionably to the Damage done their -Companion’s Cloaths. At the ending of which words, the She-Drummers fell -loudly beating their Drums, and the rest of their Amazons set up an -Hollowing, Leaping and Dancing, and Fencing with their Oars in a most -astonishing manner. - -Don Antonio, to make me amends for the Present he had wrung from me (I -cannot but often mention it, lying on my Heart as it does) undertook to -make Peace: He found that my Cook, who thought himself sufficiently -beaten, had Reason to give nothing; and therefore he distributed some -Pieces of Money among this Marine Troop: On receipt of which they set -forth lowder Hollow’s than before, and wish’d me a good Journey, and -speedy Return, each of ’em dancing and singing at the sound of their -Pipes and Tabors. - -We entred into a very rough Way, and ascended along very narrow Paths, -on the side of which there are Precipices; so that I was greatly afraid, -lest the Mules which carry’d my Litter should stumble: We afterwards -past over a large Sandy Field. I tarry’d some time in the Convent of St. -Francis, which stands near the River of Andaye: We past over it on a -very long Wooden Bridge; and though we were very near St. Sebastian, yet -we could not then perceive it, because a Mount of Sand hid the Town: -It’s situated on the Foot of a Mountain, which serves on one side as a -Rampart against the Sea, and the Vessels come to the Foot of this -Mountain, to shelter them from the Storms; for here arise extraordinary -Tempests, that the Ships at Anchor perish in the Port: it’s deep, and -defended by two Moles, which leave only as much room as is requisite for -one Vessel passing at a time. They have rais’d here a great four Square -Tower, where there is ever a good Garison to defend the Place, in case -of Assault: it was a fine Day for the Season: I found the Town very -pleasant, being surrounded with a double Wall: there are mounted several -Pieces of Cannon on that part towards the Sea, with Bastions and Half -Moons: the Town is situated in a Province of Spain, call’d Guipuscoa: -the Outparts are exceeding pleasant, by reason that the Sea, as I now -said, serves for a Channel to it: the Streets of this Town are long and -large, pav’d with great White Stones, which are always clean: the Houses -are well enough; and the Churches decent, in which the Altars are of -Wood, on which are hung little Pictures, from top to bottom. Mines of -Iron and Steel abound in this Country, finer and purer perhaps than in -any other Parts of Europe; and this is the greatest part of their Trade. -Here the Wool which comes from Castille, is embark’d, which makes a -considerable part of their Traffick. Bilbo and St. Sebastian are two of -the most considerable Ports which the King of Spain has on the Ocean: -The Castle stands very high, and may make an indifferent Defence: here -are mounted several fine Pieces of Cannon; and there are a great many -along the Ramparts; but the Garison is so weak, that the Women might -conquer them with their Distaffs. - -Every thing is as dear in this Town as in Paris, yet they fare well -here: Fish is excellent, and I was told Fruit was the same. I lay in the -best Inn, and when I had been there some time, Don Fernand de Toledo, -sent his Gentlemen to enquire, Whether his Visit would not be -troublesome to me? My Banker, who knew him, and who was then in my -Chamber, told me, he was a Spaniard of great Quality, Nephew to the Duke -D’Alva; that he came from Flanders, and was going to Madrid. - -I receiv’d him with that Civility which was due to his Birth, and soon -thereto adjoyn’d particular Respects to his own Merit: He is a Gentleman -of good Presence, has Wit and Politeness, is Complaisant and Agreeable; -he speaks as good French as I do; but understanding Spanish, and being -desirous to speak it better, we therefore discours’d only in that -Language. - -I was very well satisfied with his Carriage. He told me he came Post -hither from Brussels, and if I pleas’d, he would increase my Train, and -be one of my Company. I thought he jested, and answered him accordingly; -but he added, The ways were so full of Snow, that indeed they could not -ride Post; that he could make more speed on Horses than in Litters, but -the Honour of accompanying me, made abundant Recompence for that. In a -word, I saw he was a civil Person, and came no way short of the -Gallantry natural to the Spanish Cavaliers: I therefore consider’d, how -advantageous it might prove to have a Man of this Quality, and Country, -who could make himself be heard and obey’d by the Muletteers, who have -Iron Souls, and no Consciences. - -I told him, I was very glad I met with him, and the Fatigue of the Road -would be less’ned by his Company. He immediately thereupon ordered his -Gentlemen to find a Litter for him: It being late he took his leave of -me, and I betook my self to be after a good Supper; for, my dear Cousin, -I am none of those Romantick Ladies that never eat. - -Scarcely did I begin to sleep, when I heard some-body speak French so -near me, that I thought at first ’twas in my Chamber; but having -hearkned with more attention, I found ’twas in a Chamber separated from -mine by only some thin Boards, and those ill joynted: I drew my Curtain, -and saw Light through the Crevices, and at the same time two young -Women, the eldest of which appeared not to be above Seventeen or -Eighteen; neither of ’em were of those Beauties without Defect, yet were -they so pretty, spake so sweetly, and had such great sweetness on their -Countenances, that I was much taken with ’em. - -The youngest, who seem’d to continue the Conversation, said to the -other, ‘No, my dear Sister, there is no Remedy to our Misfortunes; we -must die, or get them out of the Clutches of this vilanous Dotard.’ ‘I -am resolute for any thing,’ reply’d the other, in uttering a deep sigh, -‘should it cost me my Life: What remains? Have we not sacrific’d all for -them?’ Then considering a while their Misfortunes, they mutually -embrac’d, and began to weep in a most piteous manner: And having -consulted a while, and spake some other Words, the greatest part of -which were interrupted by their Sighs, they concluded on Writing, which -they did; and here is most of what I heard them read to one another: - -‘Judge not of my Love and Grief by my Words, I have none can express -either the one or the other; but remember you Ruine me, unless you -betake yourself to the greatest Extremities against him that persecutes -us. He has now sent me word, That if we delay our Departure, he will -have us seiz’d. Consider what he deserves from this base Usage of us; -and remember you owe me all, seeing you owe me my Heart.’ - -I think the other Billet was in these Terms: - -‘Could I secure thee thy Happiness, in losing mine, I love thee -sufficiently to offer thee such a Sacrifice: Yes, I would fly from thee, -couldst thou be Happy without me; but I know thy Heart too well to -believe this. Yet thou remainest as Quiet in thy Prison, as if I were -with thee: Break thy Chains without more delay; punish the Enemy of our -Loves. My Heart shall be thy Recompense.’ - -Having made up these Billets, they went out together; and, I profess, I -was not a little uneasie for ’em, and no less curious to know these poor -Ladies Misfortunes. This hindred me from sleeping, and I was expecting -their Return, when immediately there was a great Uproar in the House: I -saw an old Man enter the Chamber, attended by a great many Servants: He -held one of these young Women by the Hair of the Head, which he had -wound about his Arm, and drew her after him, as a wretched Sacrifice. -Her Sister was not treated with less Cruelty, by those who led her: -‘Perfidious Wretches,’ said he to them, ‘not content with the -irreparable Injury you do my Nephews, you would perswade them to be my -Executioners? Had I not surprised you with these seducing Letters, what -might have hapned? What dreadful Tragedies might I not have expected? -But you shall pay once for all: as soon as ever the Day appears I will -have you punisht as you deserve.’ ‘Ah Sir,’ said she whom he held, -‘remember we are Women of Quality, and that our Alliance can be no -Dishonour to you; that your Nephews have given us their Faith, and we -them ours; that in so tender an Age we have left all for their sakes; -that we are Strangers, and have no Friends here: What will become of us? -We dare not return to our Relations: if you are for constraining us to -this, or for putting us in Prison, let us intreat you rather presently -to dispatch us out of the World.’ - -The Tears which they shed in such abundance, wrought in me the greatest -Compassion: And had the old Man been as tender as I, he had soon freed -’em from their Trouble. - -My Women, who had heard such a great Disturbance, and so near my -Chamber, arose, in the fear of some Mishap towards me: I made Signs to -them to draw near softly, and to behold through the Boards this -sorrowful Spectacle: We hearkned to what they said, when two Men, with -their Swords in their Hands, entred into my Chamber, the Door of which -my Women had left open: They had Despair painted on their Faces, and -Rage in their Eyes: I was so greatly frighted, that I cannot express it -to you. They lookt on one another without speaking a word; and having -heard the old Man’s Voice, they ran on that side. - -I did not doubt but ’twas the two Lovers; and ’twas them indeed, who -entred like two Lions into this Chamber: They struck these Servants with -so great Terror, that never a one of ’em dared approach his Master, to -defend him, when his Nephews advance towards him, and set their Swords -to his Throat: ‘Barbarian,’ said they to him, ‘can you thus use Women of -Quality, that are to be our Wives? Because you are our Guardian, must -you therefore be our Tyrant? And is not the separating of us from what -we love, the taking our Lives from us? It’s now in our Power to take a -just Vengeance of you; but we cannot do it to a Man of your Age, who -cannot defend himself: give us then your Word, and swear by all that’s -Good and Holy, That in Acknowledgment for the Life we give you, you will -contribute to our Happiness, and suffer us to perform what we have -promis’d.’ - -The poor old Wret[c]h was so afrighted, that he could hardly make any -Answer: However, he swore more than they would have him; he fell on his -Knees, and kist an hundred times his Thumb laid a-cross one of his -Fingers, after the manner of Spain. Yet he told them, ‘That whatever he -had done, was onely in regard to their Interests; however, he would not -in any sort, for the future, oppose their Inclinations, in reference to -this Marriage.’ Two of the Domesticks took him under the Arm, and rather -carried him away than led him. Then the Gentlemen seeing themselves -free, threw themselves in their Mistresses Arms; they said to one -another, whatever Grief, Love and Joy do usually inspire in such -Occasions. But in Troth, one must have a Heart as affected and content -as theirs, to repeat all these things: they are only proper to Persons -more tender than you are, my dear Cousin. But I hope you will excuse -this Relation; I was so tired, in having not yet slept, that I could -scarce hear any more, but confusedly: and to hear no more, I got farther -into Bed, and threw the Quilt over my Head. - -The next Morning Don Fernand de Toledo, sent me some choice Wines, with -great quantity of Oranges and Sweetmeats. As soon as he thought it a -proper time to Visit me, he came: Having thankt him for his Present, I -askt him, Whether he had heard nothing of what had past in the Night? He -told me, No; for he had lain in another part of the House. I was about -relating to him what I knew, When our Hostess entred into the Chamber: -she came from the two Gentlemen who had given me that Disturbance, with -the Swords in their Hands, intreating me to receive their Excuses. She -likewise told me, That two young Ladies desired they might wait on me, -and kiss my Hand. I answered these Civilities as I ought; and they soon -entred. - -What charming Effects does the Return of Joy produce? I found these -Gentlemen very well shaped, and these Ladies very lovely; neither one -nor the other had any more on their Countenances the Characters of -Despair; an Air of Gaiety display’d itself in all their Words and -Gestures. The Eldest of the two Brethren made the most handsome Excuse -as is possible for his Mistake in entring my Chamber: he added, ‘He had -well observ’d the Fear he had caus’d me; but told me, that in that -Moment he was so transported, that he was capable of no other Thought -but the Rescuing his Mistress.’ ‘You would have been to blame,’ said I -to him, ‘should you have thought of any thing else: However, if it be -true, you are willing to make me Satisfaction for the Alarum you have -giv’n me, you must not refuse the gratifying my Curiosity: With these -fair Ladies leave, inform me what has reduced all of you to these -Extremities you were in.’ He lookt on them, as if it were to ask their -Approbation, which they willingly granted; and he thus began: - -‘We are two Brothers, Madam, Natives of Burgos, and of one of the best -Families of this City. We were very young, when we fell into the Hands -of an Uncle, who took care of our Education and Estates, which are so -considerable, that we need not envy others on that account; Don Diego -(is our Uncle’s Name) he had made long since a firm Friendship with a -Gentleman living near Blaye, whose Merit is far above his Fortune; he is -call’d Monsieur de Messignac: our Uncle resolving to send us for some -time into France, he wrote hereupon to his Friend, who offered him his -House, which he joyfully accepted. He made us set out; and it is a Year -since we were received there with great Civility: Madam de Messignac -used us as her own Children; she has several; but of her four Daughters, -those you see are the most aimable. It would have been very difficult to -have seen them every day, to dwell with them, and yet not to have loved -them. - -‘My Brother at first conceal’d from me his growing Passion, and I hid -mine from him; we were both of us very melancholly; the trouble of -loving, without being lov’d again, and the fear of displeasing those who -caus’d our Passion, all this cruelly tormented us; but a new Vexation -did greatly increase our Disquiet, which was a restless Jealousie we had -one of another: My Brother plainly saw I was in Love, and thought ’twas -with his Mistress; I lookt on him likewise as my Rival; and we bore such -Hatred to one another, as might have transported us to the greatest -Extremities; but that I resolutely determin’d one day to discover my -Sentiments to Mademoiselle de Messignac; but wanting Courage to speak to -her myself, I wrote some Verses in a little Book touching my Passion for -her, and dexterously slid it into her Pocket without her perceiving me. -My Brother, who had always an Eye on me, observ’d it, and playing with -her, he took out the Verses, and found ’em to contain a respectful and -passionate Declaration of Love to her; he kept them till Night, when -being withdrawn into my Chamber, with the greatest Inquietude, he came -to me, and tenderly embracing me, he told me, He was heartily glad at -the notice he had of my being in love with Mademoiselle de Messignac. - -‘I remain’d as one Thunderstruck; I saw my Papers in his Hands; I -imagin’d she had made them a Sacrifice to him, and that he came to -insult on my Misfortune. He saw in my Eyes and Countenance part of what -I thought: “Undeceive yourself,” continued he, “she gave ’em not to me; -I have taken ’em without her seeing them: I’ll be serviceable to you for -the obtaining her; be you the same to me in relation to her elder -Sister.” I then embraced him, and promis’d him all he desired. Then we -mutually rendred good Offices to one another; and our Mistresses, who -were not then acquainted with the power of Love, began to accustom -themselves to hear talk of it. - -‘It would be to abuse your Patience, to tell you, Madam, how we came at -length by our Cares and Assiduities to win their Hearts. What happy -Moments! what sweet Hours! to see without ceasing what one loves, and to -be beloved! to be together in the Fields, where an Innocent and Country -Life let’s one taste, without disturbance, the Pleasures of a growing -Passion; this is a Felicity which cannot be exprest. - -‘Winter being come, Madam de Messignac was at Bourdeaux, where she had a -House; we accompanied her thither; but this House was not great enough -to lodge us, with all our Family; we took one near hers. - -‘Though this Separation was only the Nights, yet we had lively -Resentments of it; we were not now every Moment with ’em; our Visits -were accompanied with a certain Air of Ceremonies, which disturb’d us. -But our Alarums were much increas’d when we saw two rich handsome Sparks -address themselves to Mademoiselles de Messignac, and earnestly Court -them, and that with the Approbation of their Parents. Good God, how we -lookt! Their Proceedings went on at a great rate, and our dear -Mistresses, who shared in our Sorrow, mingled every day their Tears with -ours. In fine, having thoroughly tormented ourselves, by devising a -thousand fruitless Ways, I resolv’d to Address myself to Monsieur de -Messignac: I spake to him, and told him what my Passion inspired me, to -perswade him to defer these Marriages. He answer’d, “He accepted, with -the greatest Acknowledgments, the Offers my Brother and I made him; but -being not of Age, what we might do at present might be afterwards -Cancell’d: That his Honour was dear to him, though his Estate was small; -however, should always esteem himself Happy, in living without Reproach: -That my Uncle, who had entrusted us to him, might justly accuse him of -Seducing us; and that in short, we must no more think of these matters.” - -‘I withdrew in the greatest Affliction, which I shared with my Brother; -and this was a dreadful trouble among us. Monsieur de Messignac, to -compleat our misfortunes, sent an Account to my uncle, of what had past, -and earnestly intreated him to lay his Commands on us to be gone. He did -so; and seeing no remedy to our Misfortune, we went, my Brother and I, -to Mademoiselles de Messignac, we threw ourselves at their Feet; We told -them what might perswade Hearts already pre-possest: We gave them our -Faith, and Promises, Sign’d with our Blood: In Short, Love made an end -of vanquishing them; they consented to go with us. In fine, we took such -Measures, that our Passage was happy enough till our Arrival here; and -it is not two days since entring this House, the first Person offering -himself to us was Don Diego; He was impatient of our Return; and to -satisfie himself, he came in quest of us. How did we look at this sight! -He caus’d us to be apprehended as Criminals; and forgetting that -Mademoiselles de Messignac were the Daughters of his best Friend and -Person of Quality, he loaded them with Injuries, and o’erwhelm’d them -with Threatnings, after he had learnt from one of my Servants, that we -had resolved to pass Incognito as far as Madrid, to some Relations we -had there, to tarry in this place for a full liberty of declaring our -Marriage. He lock’t us up in a Chamber next to his; and we were there, -when these Ladies came by Moonlight, coughing under our Windows. We -heard them, and ran to them——They shew’d us their Letters; and we were -devising on our Deliverance, when my Uncle, having notice of what past, -silently came upon us with all his Servants, and before our Faces -misused these aimable Creatures. In the Excess of our Despair our -Strength, without doubt, increas’d; We broke open the Doors, which were -fast shut on us, and we ran to Succour them, when imprudently, Madam, we -came into your Chamber.’ - -[Illustration: Gateway of Fuenterrabia] - -The Gentleman here stopt, and I found he had related his little History -with great Ingenuity. I thank’t him for it, and offer’d these Ladies my -Endeavours, and those of my Friends, to appease their Family: Which -Offers they accepted, and testifi’d their Acknowledgments. - -Some Ladies of the Town, who came to see me, wou’d stop me; they -proposed to me to go to the Religioses, whose Convent is so pleasantly -situated, that the Prospect has no Bounds: You may see thence, at the -same time, the Sea, Ships, Towns, Woods and Fields. They spake much in -praise of the Voices, Beauty, and good Humour of these Religioses. Add -to this, that the ill Weather was so increast, and the Snow fal’n in so -great abundance, that no body advised me to proceed in my Journey. I was -in suspence a while, but the Impatience I had to be at Madrid, prevail’d -over all these Considerations, and I parted the next Morning. I have -receiv’d of my Banker the Money I want. - -But I must not forget to tell you, That the Inhabitants of this Town -have a particular Priviledge, and of which they are not a little proud; -which is, That when they Treat of any Affairs with the King of Spain, -and that it is directly with him, he is oblig’d to speak with them -bareheaded. I could not get the Reason from ’em for this. - -I am told I must furnish myself with good store of Provision, to prevent -starving in some places through which we must pass; and Gammons of -Bacon, dried Tongues, being much esteem’d in this Country, I have -therefore taken up a good quantity; and as to the rest, we have -sufficiently provided. Now this being the Post-day, I would not omit -this occasion of informing you of what has hapned to me; and testifying, -that I am, - - - Yours. - - From St. Sebastian, - Feb. 20, 1679. - - - - - LETTER II - - -I Re-assume, Dear Cousin, without any Compliments, the Sequel of my -Travels: In leaving St. Sebastian, we entred into a very rough Way, -which brings you to such terrible steep Mountains, that you cannot -ascend them without climbing; they are call’d Sierra de St. Adrian. They -shew only Precipices and Rocks, on which a puling Lover may meet with -certain Death, if he has a mind to it. Pine Trees of an extraordinary -heighth crown the top of these Mountains. As far as the Sight will reach -you see nothing but Desarts, cut with Streams clearer than Chrystal. -Near the highest part of Mount St. Adrian, you meet with an elevated -Rock, which seems to have been placed in the midst of the way to block -up the Passage, and thus separate Biscaye from the Old Castille. - -A tedious and painful Labour has pierced this Mass of Stone in manner of -a Vault; you may walk forty or fifty Paces under it, without sight of -Day, but what comes by the Overtures at each Entry, which are shut by -great Doors: You find under this Vault an Inn, which is left in the -Winter, by Reason of the Snows: You see here likewise a little Chappel -of St. Adrian, and several Caverns, where Thieves commonly retreat; so -that it is dangerous passing here without being in a condition of -Defence. When we[2] had traverst the Rock, we still a little ascended, -to arrive to the top of the Mountain, which is held to be the highest of -the Pyranea’s; it is wholly covered with great Ash Trees. There was -never a finer place of Solitude; the Springs run here as in the Vallies: -the sight is only bounded by the Weakness of the Eyes; Shades and -Silence here reign, and the Eccho’s answers on every side. We began -afterwards to descend down faster than we climed up: We saw in some -parts little barren Plains, many sandy places, and ever and anon -Mountains covered with great Rocks. It is not without Reason, that in -passing so near, you fear, lest some one of ’em should get loose, which -would certainly over-whelm one; for you see some which are fall’n from -the top, and hang in their passage on other Clefts; and these finding -nothing in the way, would give a sorry Diversion to a Traveller. I made -all these Reflections at my ease; for I was alone in my Litter, with my -Child, who did not at all disturb my Thoughts. A River call’d Urrola, -big enough, but which was increased by the Torrents, and melted Snow, -slides along the Way, and breaks forth into particular Streams in some -places, which fall with a great impetuosity and noise, and make a very -pleasant sound and sight. - -We meet not here with those fine Castles to be seen on the Banks of the -Loire, which make Travellers call it the Country of Fairies. Here are on -these Mountains only some Shepherds Cottages, and some few Hovels, and -at that distance, that you must go a great way before you can find them; -yet all these Natural Objects, though very melancholly ones, yet have -something that is very taking in them. The Snows were so high, that we -had always twenty Men, who made way for us with Shovels. You will -perhaps imagine this cost me very much; but here are so well establisht -Orders, and those so well observ’d, that the Inhabitants of a Village -are oblig’d to meet Travellers, and be their Guides to the next; and no -one being bound to give them any thing, the least Liberality therefore -satisfies them. To this first Care there is added another, which is that -of Ringing the Bells without ceasing, to give notice to Travellers, -where they may retreat in stormy Weather. They told me, there had not -fall’n this forty Years so much Snow as we met with, there having been -no Frost for a great while in this Province. - -Our Troop was so great that we might count ourselves no ways inferiour -to those Famous Caravans which go to Mecha; for without reckoning my -Train, and that of Don Fernand de Toledo, there joyn’d with us near St. -Sebastian, three Knights, with their Attendants, who return’d from their -Commanderships of St. James; there were two of this Order, and one of -that of Alcantara: The first wear Red Crosses, in form of an embroidered -Sword, on their Shoulders; and he of Alcantara had a Green one. One of -the two first is of Andalousia, the other of Galicia, and the third of -Catalonia; they are of good Families; he of Andalousia calls himself, -Don Esteve de Carvajal; he of Galicia, Don Sancho Sanniento; and the -other of Catalonia, Don Frederic de Cardonne; they are Persons of good -Meine, and well acquainted with the World. I receiv’d all possible -Civilities from them, having much of the French Humour in them. They -have travelled over the greatest Part of Europe; and this has rendred -them so Polite. We went to lye at Galareta; this is a Borough a little -distant from Mount Adrian, situated in the little Province of Spain, I -now mention’d, named Alava, which makes a Part of Biscaye; we had there -but bad Entertainment. They reckon it eleven Leagues from thence to St. -Sebastian. - -We had better Way from Galareta to Victoria, than we had before: The -Country here yields much Corn and Grapes; and the Villages lie very -thick together: We found here Custom-House-Men, who made us pay both for -the Cloaths and Money we carried with us: they were not very exacting -with us, because our Company was too large to be imposed on. Don Fernand -de Toledo had inform’d me over Night, that we were to travel near the -Castle of Quebara, which was said to be haunted with a Spirit, telling -me a thousand extravagant Stories, which were readily swallow’d by the -Inhabitants of the Country, and which were so effectually believ’d by -them, that no body would live there. I had a great desire to see this -place; for altho’ I am naturally as fearful as another, yet am not -afraid of Ghosts; and if I were, our Company was so numerous, as would -animate the greatest Coward: we struck off a little to the left, and -came to the Borough of Quebara; the Master of the Inn where we entred, -had the Keys of the Castle; he told us, in going along with us, ‘That -the Duende,’ which is to say the Spirit, ‘could not endure Company; yet -if we were a thousand together, he would, if he were minded, beat us -all, in such a manner, as to leave us for dead.’ I began to tremble; Don -Fernand de Toledo, and Don Frederic de Cordonne, who gave me their -Hands, perceiving my Fear, burst out into Laughter: I grew asham’d, and -pretended to gain Courage; and so we entred the Castle, which might have -past for a fine one, had it been kept in order: It had no Furniture, -except an old Tapistry Hanging in a great Hall, which represented the -Amours of Don Pedro the Cruel, and Donna Maria de Padilla: she is -represented sitting like a Queen in the midst of other Ladies, and the -King placing on her Head a Crown of Flowers: In another part she sate -under the shade of a Wood, the King shewing her a Hawk on his Fist: And -again, in another, she appears in a Warrier’s Dress, and the King in -Armour presents her with a Sword; which makes me believe that she had -been in some Warlike Expedition with him. She was very ill represented; -and Don Fernand told me, ‘He had seen her Effigies elsewhere, by which -she appeared to be the most beautiful and most cruel Woman of her time; -and that the Figures in this Tapistry resembled neither her nor the -King: his Name, Cypher, and Arms were every-where on it.’ We went up -into a Tower, on the top of which was a Dungeon, and ’twas there where -the Spirit inhabited; but without doubt he was abroad, for we neither -saw nor heard him, or any of his Companions; and having seen -sufficiently this great Building, we left it to pursue our Journey. In -approaching Victoria, we past over a most delightful Plain, at the end -of which stands a Town situated in this Province of Spain, I lately -mention’d, call’d Alava; this is the Capital Town of it, as well as the -first of Castille: It is inclosed with two Walls, one of which is old, -and the other new; besides this, it has no other Fortifications. After I -had refresh’d myself a while here, ’twas proposed to me to go to a Play; -but in tarrying till it began, I had no small Diversion, in seeing come -into the most spacious place of the Town, four Companies of young Men, -preceded by Drums and Trumpets: they marched several times round, and in -fine, immediately began the Fight with Snow-balls, which they threw at -one another with such Fierceness, that they were all very well pelted in -the end: they were above two hundred who fought this Battle. To tell you -of those who fell, or recovered their Feet again, and the Shouts and -Acclamations of the People, will be needless; and I was obliged to leave -them thus engaged, to go to the place where the Play was to be -represented. - -When I entred into the Room, the People set forth an hollowing, Mira, -mira! which is to say, Look, look! The Decoration of the Theatre was not -over Magnificent; it was rais’d on Barrels, and ill-rang’d Planks; the -Windows of the Room were open, for they used no Candles or Flambeaux; -whence you can easily imagine this much takes away from the Beauty of -the Sight. They acted the Life of St. Anthony; and when the Players said -any thing which pleas’d the Company, all the People cried out, Victoria, -Victoria; I was informed this was the Custom of the Country. I observ’d -the Devil was no other ways clad than the rest, having only a pair of -Stockings of a Flame colour, and a pair of Horns to distinguish him. -This Comedy consisted only of three Acts, and they are all no more: at -the end of each serious Act, another began of Farce and Pleasantry, -wherein appear’d him they called El Gracioso, which is to say, the -Buffoon, who, among much insipid Stuff, says sometimes something that is -less nauseous: The Interludes were mixt with Dances, to the sound of the -Harps and Guitars: The Actors had Castagnets, and a little Hat on their -Heads, without which they never Dance, and then ’tis a Saraband; they -seem not to walk, they slip along so lightly. Their manner is wholly -different from ours: they move too much their Arms, and often pass their -Hands on their Hats and Face, and that with no ill Grace; they play -admirably well on the Castagnets. - -As to the rest, (Dear Cousin) I would not have you think these Actors, -for being in a little City, do much differ from those of Madrid. I was -told that those of the King are a little better; but, in a word, both -act what they call Las Comedias Famosas, which is to say, The finest and -most famous Comedies; which in truth are very ridiculous: For Example, -when St. Anthony said his Confiteor, which he did often enough, all the -Spectators fell down on their Knees, and gave themselves such rude Mea -Culpa’s as was enough to beat the breath out of their Bodies. - -Here would be a proper place to speak of their Habits; but you had -better excuse me till I come to Madrid, lest I tire you with -Repetitions: Yet I must tell you, that all the Ladies I saw in this -Company, had a prodigious quantity of Red, which begins just under the -Eye, and passes from the Chin to the Ears, and Shoulders, to their very -Hands; so that I never saw any Radishes of a finer Colour. - -The Lady Governness of the Town drew near to me; she just toucht my -Cloaths, and hastily drew back her Hand as if she had burnt her Fingers. -I bid her in Spanish not to be afraid: She at length familiariz’d -herself, and told me, ‘’Twas not through fear of any thing else but of -displeasing me: that ’twas no new thing to her to see French Ladies: and -that if she might, she would gladly dress herself after their Fashion.’ -She ordered Chocolate to be brought her, with which she presented me; -which is far better here than in France. The Play being ended, I took my -Leave of her, having thanked her for her Civilities. - -The next Morning, as I entred the Church to hear Mass, I espied an -Hermit, who had the Air of a Person of Quality, and yet begg’d an Alms -of me, with such great Humility, that I was greatly surpriz’d at it: Don -Fernand having notice of it, drew near, and said to me, ‘The Person whom -you behold, Madam, is of an Illustrious Family, and of great Merit, but -his Fortune very Unhappy.’ - -‘You raise in me,’ said I to him, ‘a great Curiosity to know more; and -therefore I must beg your Favour to satisfie it.’ ‘You may command any -thing of me,’ replied he, ‘Madam; but I am not so thoroughly inform’d of -his Adventures, to undertake the relating them to you; and I believe -’twere better I engage him into a Recital of them himself.’ He left me, -and went immediately to Embrace him, with the greatest Civilities and -Tenderness: Don Frederic de Cardonne, and Don Esteve de Carvajal, had -already accosted him, as their old Acquaintance; and when Don Fernand -had joyn’d them, they all earnestly intreated him to come with them when -Mass was over. He as earnestly excused himself; but being told, I was a -Stranger, and much importuned, that I might learn from himself, what had -oblig’d him to turn Hermit; he at length consented, on condition I would -permit him to bring one of his Friends, who was perfectly knowing in -what related to him: ‘Do us Justice,’ continued he, ‘and judge whether -’tis fit for me to relate such Particularities in this Habit I wear.’ -They found he had Reason, and pray’d him to bring his Friend, which he -did a while after I was at my Lodgings: He presented a very fine -Cavalier to me; and taking leave of us very civilly, he told him, ‘He -should be oblig’d to him, if he would satisfie the Curiosity which Don -Fernand de Toledo had giv’n me, of knowing the Spring of his -Misfortunes.’ This Gentleman took place by me, and began in these Terms: - -‘I think myself very Happy, Madam, that my Friend has chosen me to -satisfie the Desire you have of knowing his Adventures; but I fear I -shall not acquit myself so well as I would: The Person whose History you -wou’d learn, has been one of the finest Gentlemen in the World; it would -be hard to make a Judgment of him now; he is buried, as it were in his -Hermit’s Habit. He was an exceeding graceful Person, well shaped, of an -excellent Meine, and Noble Air: And in fine, had all the -Accomplishments, both Natural and Acquired, of a Person of Quality, -being liberal, witty and brave. He was born at Cagliari, Capital of the -Isle of Sardogne, one of the most illustrious and richest Families of -all that Country. - -‘He was brought up with one of his Cousin-Germans; and the sympathy -which was found in their Humours, and Inclinations, was so great, that -they were more strictly united by Friendship than Blood: they had no -Secret from each other. And when the Marquess Barbaran was married -(which was his Cousin’s Name,) their Friendship continued in the same -force. - -‘He married one of the finest Women in the World, and the most -Accomplisht; she was then not above Fourteen: She was Heiress to a very -Noble Estate and Family. The Marquess every day discovered new Charms in -the Wit and Person of his Wife, which likewise increased every day his -Passion. He speaks without ceasing, of his Happiness, to Don Lewis de -Barbaran; which is the Name, Madam, of my Friend; and when any Affairs -oblig’d the Marquess to leave her, he conjured him to stay with the -Marchioness, thereby to lessen the Trouble of his Absence. But alas! how -hard is it when one is at an Age uncapable of serious Reflections, to -see continually so fine a Woman, so young and aimable; and to see her -with Indifference! Don Lewis was already desperately in Love with the -Marchioness, and thought then ’twas only for her Husband’s sake: Whilst -he was in this Mistake, she fell dangerously sick; at which he grew so -dreadful melancholly, that he then knew, but too late, this was caus’d -by a Passion which would prove the greatest Misfortune of his whole -Life. Finding himself then in this condition, and having not strength to -resist it, he resolv’d to use the utmost Extremity, and to fly and avoid -a place where he was in danger of dying with Love, or breaking through -the Bonds of Friendship. The most cruel Death wou’d have seem gentler -than the Execution of this Design: When the Marchioness beginning to -grow better, he went to her to bid her Adieu, and see her no more. - -‘He found her busied in choosing among several Stones of great price, -those which were the finest, which she intended to have set in a Ring, -Don Lewis was scarce entred the Chamber, but she desired him, with that -Air of Familiarity usual among Relations, to go and fetch her other -Stones which she moreover had in her Cabinet. He ran thither, and by an -unexpected good hap, found among what he lookt for, the Picture -enamell’d of the Marchioness, in little, set with Diamonds, and -incircled with a Lock of her Hair; it was so like, that he had not the -power to withstand the desire he had of stealing it: “I am going to -leave her,” said he, “I shall see her no more; I sacrifice all my quiet -to her Husband: Alas! is not this enough? And may I not without a Crime, -search in my Pain a Consolation so innocent as this.” He kist several -times this Picture; he put it under his Arm, he carefully hid it, and -returning towards her with these Stones, he tremblingly told her the -Resolution he had taken of Travelling. She appear’d much amazed at it, -and chang’d her colour. He lookt on her at this moment; he had the -pleasure of perceiving it; and their Eyes being of Intelligence, spake -more than their Words: “Alas! What can oblige you, Don Lewis,” said she -to him, “to leave us? Your Cousin loves you so tenderly; I esteem you; -we are never pleas’d without you; he cannot live from you: Have you not -already travelled? You have without doubt some other Reason for your -Departure, but at least do not hide it from me.” Don Lewis, pierc’d -through with sorrow, could not forbear uttering a deep Sigh, and taking -one of the delicate Hands of the Charming Person, on which he fixt his -Mouth, “Ah, Madam, What do you ask me?” said he to her, “What would you -have me say to you? And indeed, What can I say to you, in the Condition -I am in?” The Violence he used, to conceal his Sentiments, caus’d him -such a great Weakness, that he fell half dead at her Feet. She remained -troubled and confused at this sight: She oblig’d him to sit down by her; -she dared not lift up her Eyes to look on him; but she let him see -Tears, which she could not forbear shedding, nor resolve to conceal from -him. - -‘Scarcely were they come to themselves, when the Marquess entred into -the Chamber. He came to embrace Don Lewis with all the Testimonies of a -perfect Friendship, and he was in the greatest trouble, when he -understood he parted for Naples. He omitted no Arguments to perswade him -from it, prest his stay with the greatest Earnestness, but all in vain. -He there immediately took his leave of the Marchioness, and saw her no -more. The Marquess went out with him, he left him not till the moment of -his Departure. This was an Augmentation of Don Lewis’s Sorrow; he would -have willingly remained alone to have an intire Liberty of afflicting -himself. - -‘The Marchioness was sensibly afflicted at this Separation: She had -perceived he loved her, before he had known thus much himself; and she -had found in him such singular Merit, that for her part too she had -loved him without knowing it; but she found this to her Cost after his -Departure: Recovering but lately from a dangerous Sickness, of which she -was not perfectly cured, this unhappy Accident made her fall into a -languishing Indisposition, as soon rendred her quite another body; her -Duty, her Reason, her Vertue equally persecuted her: She was greatly -sensible of her Husband’s Respects to her, and she could not suffer but -with great Sorrow, that another should take up her Thoughts, and have so -great a place in her Affections. She dared not any more mention the Name -of Don Lewis; she never made any Enquiries after him; she made it an -indispensable Duty to forget him: This Violence which she used on -herself, was like a continual Martyrdom; she made one of her Women, In -whom she most confided, the Repository of this Secret: “Am I not very -unhappy?” said she, “I must wish never again to see a Man, towards whom -it is impossible for me to be in a state of Indifference; his Person is -always before mine Eyes; nay, I think sometimes I see him in the Person -of my Husband; the Resemblance which is between them, serves only to -nourish my Affection towards him. Alas! Mariana, I must die, to expiate -this Crime, although it be an involuntary one; I have only this means to -get rid of a Passion of which I cannot hitherto be Mistress: Alas, what -have I not done to stifle it, this Passion which yet is dear to me.” She -accompany’d these Words with a thousand Sighs: She melted into Tears; -and though this Woman had had a great deal of Wit and Affection to her -Mistress, yet she could say nothing to her could yield her any Comfort. - -‘The Marquess in the mean time, every day reproacht his Wife with her -Indifferency to Don Lewis: “I cannot suffer,” said he to her, “that you -should think so little on the Man I love above all the World, and who -had so much Complaisance and Friendship for you: I must needs say, this -is a kind of Hardness, which would make one judge untowardly of the -Tenderness of your Heart: At least, you must grant, Madam, that he was -scarcely gone, but you forgot him.” “What good would my remembring him -do him?” said the Marchioness with a languishing Air, “Do not you see he -avoids us? Would he not have been still with us, if he had any real -Kindness for us? Believe me, my Lord, he deserves a little that we -should forsake him in our turn.” Whatever she could say, repel’d not the -Marquess; he still importun’d her to write to Don Lewis to Return. One -Day among the rest, she was gotten into his Closet to speak to him about -some Affairs; she found him busied in reading a Letter of D. Lewis, -which he lately receiv’d. - -‘She would have retir’d; but he took this opportunity to oblige her to -do what he would have her; he told her very seriously, “That he could no -longer bear the Absence of his Cousin; that he was resolv’d to go find -him; that ’twas already two Years since he had been gone, without -intimating any desire of returning to his Friends and Country; that he -was perswaded he would yield a greater Deference to her Requests than -his; that he conjured her to write to him: And that in fine, she might -chuse either to give him this Satisfaction, or be content to see him -part for Naples, where Don Lewis was to make some stay.” She remain’d -surpriz’d, and perplext at this Proposal; but knowing he expected with -great Impatience her Determination, “What would you have me say to him, -my Lord?” said she to him with a sorrowful Countenance, “Dictate this -Letter to me, I will write it; I can do no more; and I believe this is -more than I ought.” The Marquess, transported with Joy, most -affectionately embrac’d her; he thank’d her for her Compliance, and made -her write these Words: - - -“If you have any Kindness for us, defer not your Return; I have very -urgent Reasons to desire it. I am not a little concern’d that you shew -such Indifference towards us, which is an unquestionable Indication that -you take no Delight in our Company. Return, Don Lewis, I earnestly wish -it; I intreat you: And if it were fit for me to use more urgent Terms, I -would say, perhaps, I Command you to do it.” - - -‘The Marquess made a single Pacquet of this fatal Letter, to the end Don -Lewis might not think ’twas by his Order the Marchioness had wrote it; -and having sent it to the Currier, he expected the Success with -extraordinary Impatience. What became of this Lover at the sight of so -dear and unexpected an Order! Although he had remarkt Dispositions of -Tenderness in the Countenance of this fair Person, yet he dared not -promise himself she could desire his Return; his Reason revolted against -his Joy: “How Unhappy a Wretch am I?” said he, “I Adore the most Aimable -of all Women, and yet I dare not offer to please her! She has a Kindness -for me, yet Honour and Friendship with-hold me from making the least -Advantage of it. What shall I do then, O Heavens! What shall I do! I -flatter’d my self, that Absence would Cure me: Alas! this is a Remedy -which I have fruitlesly tried; I have never cast mine Eyes on her -Picture, but have found myself more in Love, and more Miserable than -when I saw her every day. I must obey her, she commands my Return; she -desires to see me, and she cannot be ignorant of my Passion: When I took -my Leave of her, my Eyes declared to her the Secret of my Heart: And -when I call to mind what I saw in hers, all my Reflections then are to -no purpose; for I resolve rather to die at her Feet, than to live remote -from her.” - -‘He parted without any delay, and without taking leave of his Friends. -He left a Gentleman to Excuse him towards them, and to order his -Affairs. He was in such great haste to see the Marchioness, that he used -such Diligence to be with her, that no body but he could have done: In -arriving at Cagliary, Capital of Sardagne, he understood that the -Marquess and his Wife were at a stately Country-house, where the -Vice-Roy was gone to give them a Visit, with all his Court. He learnt -moreover, that the Marquess de Barbaran prepared for him a great Feast, -where there were to be held Justs or Turnaments, after the Ancient -Manner of the Mores: He was the Defendant, and was to maintain, “That a -Husband beloved, is Happier than a Lover.” - -‘Several Gentlemen that were not of this Opinion, were preparing -themselves to go and dispute the Prize, which the Marchioness, at the -Vice-Queen’s Intreaty, was to give to the Conquerour; ’Twas a Scarf -embroidered with her own Hands, wrought with Cyphers: No one was to -appear but maskt and disguised, to the end all might be freer and more -gallant. - -‘Don Lewis had a secret Despight, in comprehending the Marquess so well -satisfied: “He is belov’d,” said he, “I cannot but look on him as my -Rival, and as an Happy Rival; but we must endeavour to disturb his -Happiness, in triumphing over his vain Glory.” Having formed this -Design, he would not appear in Town; he caus’d to be made a Suit of -strip’d Green Satin, embroidered with Gold, and all his Liveries were of -the same Colour, to denote his new Hopes. - -‘When he entred into the Lissts, everybody had their Eyes on him; his -Magnificence and his Air gave Emulation to the Cavaliers, and great -Curiosity to the Ladies. The Marchioness felt a secret Emotion, of which -she could not discover the Cause: He was placed very near the Balcony, -where she sate with the Vice-Queen; but there was no Lady there which -did not lose all her Lustre near that of the Marchioness; her youthful -Air, which exceeded not eighteen Years, her lovely white and red Cheeks, -her Eyes so sweet and graceful, her Scarlet and little Mouth, agreeable -Smiles, and her Shape, which surpast the Fairest, made her the -Admiration of all the World. - -‘Don Lewis was so ravish’d in seeing her so charming, and to observe yet -in her Countenance a languishing sorrowful Air, that he flattered -himself to have therein a part; and this was the first Moment wherein he -thought himself Happy. When his turn came, he ran against the Marquess, -and smote him so dexterously, that he got the Advantage all along of -him: so that in a word, he gain’d the Prize with a general Applause, and -with every one’s good-liking. He threw himself at the Marchioness’s -Feet, to receive it at her Hands; he altered the Tone of his Voice, and -speaking to her with his Mask on, low enough not to be heard but only by -her: “Divine Person,” said he to her, “be pleas’d to observe what -Fortune decides in favour of Lovers.” He dar’d not say more to her; and -without knowing him, she gave him the Prize, with this natural Grace -with which all her Actions were accompanied. - -‘He suddenly withdrew himself, for fear of being known; for this might -have been an occasion of Quarrel between the Marquess and him; and -without doubt he would not have easily pardon’d the Victory he obtain’d -over him. This oblig’d him to keep himself still conceal’d for some -Days. The Vice-Roy and his Lady return’d to Cagliari, and the Marquess -and Marchioness accompanied them thither, with the whole Court. - -‘Don Lewis then shew’d himself; he pretended he just then arriv’d, and -made as if he knew not what had past in the Field. The Marquess de -Barbaran was transported with Joy in seeing him; and Absence had not at -all altered the Affection he had for this dear Relation. He had no -difficult task to find a favourable moment wherein to entertain his -aimable Marchioness; he had as much liberty in their Lodgings as in his -own; and you may well judge, Madam, that he forgot not to mention the -Prize he had receiv’d from her fair Hands. “How wretched am I,” said he -to her, “that you did not know me? Alas, Madam, I flattered myself, that -by some secret Pre-sentiments you would learn, that no one but I could -sustain with such Passion the Cause of Lovers against Husbands.” “No my -Lord,” said she to him, with an Angry and Disdainful Air, to take away -all Hope from him, “I could never have imagin’d that you could have been -Patron of so foul a Cause; and I could not have believ’d you could have -taken such strong Engagements at Naples, that you should come as far as -Sardagne to Triumph over a Friend who maintain’d my Interests as well as -his own.” “I shall die with Regret, Madam,” said Don Lewis, “if I have -displeas’d you in what I have done; and were you more favourably -disposed, and I might dare to make you my Confident, it would be no hard -matter for me to persuade you, that it is not at Naples I have left the -Object of my Vows.” - -‘The Marchioness apprehending lest he should speak more than she was -willing to hear, and appear livelily toucht with the Reproach she made -him, she put on a more pleasing Countenance, and turning the -Conversation into a Tone of Raillery, answer’d him, “He took too -seriously what she had said to him.” He dared not make use of this -occasion to declare his Love to her; for though he lov’d her above all -things, yet he respected her no less. - -‘When he had left her, he began to blame himself for his Fearfulness: -“Shall I,” said he, “always suffer without seeking any Remedy!” It was -some time before he could meet with a favourable occasion, because the -Marchioness studiously avoided him; but being come one Night where she -was, he found her alone in an inward room, lying on a Bed in a most -lovely manner, and most becoming Undress, her Hair being fastened with -Knots of Diamonds, hung carelesly about her Breasts: The Trouble she -felt in seeing Don Lewis, appear’d on her Countenance, and rendred her -yet more lovely: He drew near her with an Awful and Respectful Air, fell -down on his Knees by her; he lookt on her for some time, not daring to -speak, but becoming a little more bold, “If you consider, Madam,” said -he to her, “the piteous Condition whereto you have reduced me, you will -easily comprehend that it is no longer in my power to keep Silence: I -could not avoid such inevitable Stroaks as you have given me; I have -adored you as soon as I saw you: I have endeavour’d to Cure myself in -flying from you; I have offered the greatest Violence to myself, in -endeavouring to master my Passion. You have recall’d me, Madam, from my -Voluntary Exile, and I die a thousand times a Day, uncertain of my -Destiny: If you be Cruel enough to refuse me your Pity, suffer at least, -that having made known to you my Passion, I may die with Grief at your -Feet.” The Marchioness was some time without resolving to answer him; -but at length, gaining Assurance, “I acknowledge,” said she, “Don Lewis, -that I am not wholly ignorant of one part of your Sentiments, but I was -willing to perswade myself ’twas the Effects of an Innocent Affection: -Make me not a Partner of your Crime; you commit one, when you betray the -Friendship due to my Husband: But, alas, you will pay but too dearly for -this; for I know that Duty forbids you to Love me; and in my Respect, it -does not only forbid me to love you, but to fly from you: I will do it, -Don Lewis, I will avoid you; and I do not know, whether I ought not to -Hate you: But, alas, it seems impossible to me to do it.” “What do you -then, Madam,” answer’d he, interrupting her, being full of Grief and -Despair, “when you pronounce the Sentence of my Death? You cannot Hate -me, say you; Do you not Hate me, and do you not do me all the Mischief -you are able, when you resolve to avoid me? Make an end, Madam, make an -end, leave not your Vengeance imperfect; sacrifice me to your Duty, and -your Husband; for my Life cannot but be odious, if you take from me the -Hopes of pleasing you.” She lookt on him at this instant with Eyes full -of Languishment: “Don Lewis,” said she to him, “you reproach me with -what I would deserve.” In ending these words, she arose, fearing -greatly, lest her Affection should triumph over her Reason; and -notwithstanding his endeavours to with-hold her, she past into a Chamber -where her Women were. - -‘She thought she had gained much on herself in forcing her way out of -this Conversation without answering so favourably as her Heart could -have wisht; but Love is a Seducer, which must not be in any sort -hearkened to, if one will not be totally overcome by him. From that day -Don Lewis began to think himself Happy, though he wanted many things to -compleat his Felicity. The Marchioness, in effect, had a Principle of -Vertue which opposed itself always with Success to the desires of her -Lover. - -‘He had no longer those Scruples of Friendship for the Marquess de -Barbaran which had so greatly disturbed his Mind; Love had perfectly -banisht Friendship; nay, he even secretly hated him. - -‘In fine, Don Lewis flattering himself, that perhaps he might find a -favourable moment to affect the Marchioness’s Heart with some Pity; he -carefully sought it; and to find it, one day when ’twas very hot, -knowing that the Marchioness was wont to retire to Repose herself after -Dinner, as it is customary in that Country, he came to her, doubting not -but every body was asleep in the House. - -‘She was in a Ground-Room which lookt into the Garden; all was fast and -shut close, save a little Window, whereby he saw on her Bed this -charming Creature: She was in a profound Sleep, half undrest; he had the -time to discover such Beauties as still augmented the force of his -Passion. He approacht so softly to her, that she did not awake: It was -already some moments that he had lookt on her with all the Transports of -a Man amazed, when seeing her naked Breasts, he could not forbear -kissing them. She arose on a sudden; she had not her Eyes open; the -Chamber was dark, and she could never have believ’d Don Lewis could have -been so bold. I have already told you, Madam, that he resembled the -Marquess de Barbaran; She did not doubt then but it was he, and calling -him several times, “her dear Marquess and Husband,” she tenderly -embrac’d him. He well knew his Error; whatever Pleasure it procured him, -he could have wished to have ow’d this only to his Mistress’s Favours. -But, O Heavens, how unfortunately it hapned! The Marquess came in this -dangerous moment; and ’twas not without the greatest fury he saw the -Liberty Don Lewis took with his Wife. At the noise he had made in -entring, she had turn’d her Eyes towards the Door, and seeing her -Husband enter, whom she thought she had already in her arms, it is -impossible to represent her Affliction and Astonishment. - -‘Don Lewis amaz’d at this Accident, flatter’d himself, that perhaps he -was not known: He past immediately into the Gallery, and finding a -Window was opened into the Garden, he threw himself out of it, and -immediately past through a Back-door. The Marquess pursued him, without -being able to overtake him: In returning the same way he came, he -unhappily found the Marchioness’s Picture, which Don Lewis had dropt as -he ran; he immediately made most cruel Reflections hereupon: This -Picture of his Wife, which Don Lewis had let fall, and the sight of her -embracing him, all this made him no longer doubt of his Wives Falshood: -“I am betray’d,” Cry’d he, “by her whom I loved dearer than my own Life: -Was there ever a more Unhappy Man in the World?” In ending these Words, -he returned to his Wives Chamber. She immediately threw herself at his -Feet, and melting into Tears, would have justify’d herself, and make -known to him her Innocency; but the Spirit of Jealousie had so fully -possest him, that he violently represt her: He harkned only to the -Transports of his Rage and Despair, and turning away his Eyes, that he -might not see so lovely an Object, he had the Barbarity to strike his -Dagger into the Breast of the most Beautiful and most Vertuous Woman in -the World. She offered herself to be slaughtered as an innocent -Sacrifice, and her Soul issued out in a stream of Blood. - -“O God,” cryed I, “O Imprudent Don Lewis! Why did you leave this -Charming Lady to the Fury of an Amorous Husband, transported with -Jealousie! You might have snatch’d her out of his cruel Hands.” “Alas, -Madam,” replied this Gentleman, “he know not what he did; for what would -he have done at another time to have prevented such a Misfortune.” - -‘As soon as the unfortunate Marchioness had rendred her last Breath, her -cruel Executioner shut her Apartment, took all the Money and Jewels he -had, mounted on Horse-back, and fled with all the speed he could. Don -Lewis restless, and more Amorous than ever, returned thither in the -Evening, notwithstanding whatever might befal him: He was surpriz’d when -he was told the Marchioness was still asleep; he immediately went into -the Garden, and entred into the Gallery, through the same Window which -he had found open, and from thence came into the Chamber: Twas so dark, -that he was fain to walk warily; when he felt something which had like -to have made him fall, he stooped down, and found it was a dead Body; he -uttered a great Shriek, and doubting not but it was that of his dear -Mistress, he sunk down with Grief: Some of the Marchioness’s Women -walking under the Windows of her Apartment, heard Don Lewis’s Crys; they -easily got up through the same Window, and entred the Room. What a sad -Spectacle, what a lamentable sight was this? I cannot find Words to -denote to you the Horror of this Spectacle. Don Lewis was no sooner come -to himself, by the force of Remedies, but his Grief, Rage and Despair, -broke out with such Violence, that it was impossible to calm him; and I -am perswaded he had not out-lived her whose loss he occasioned, if the -desire of Vengeance had not re-animated him. - -‘He parted like one furious in search of the Marquess de Barbaran; He -sought him every-where without hearing any news of him; He ran over -Italy, traverst Germany, came into Flanders, and past into France. He -was told that the Marquess was at Valentia in Spain; he came there, and -met not with him. In fine, three Years being past, without finding the -means of sacrificing his Enemy to his Mistress’s Ghost, Divine Grace, -which is irresistible, and particularly on great Souls, toucht his so -efficatiously, that he immediately changed his Desire of Revenge into -serious Desires of leaving the World, and minding only the fitting -himself for another Life. - -‘Being fill’d with this Spirit he return’d into Sardagnia: He sold all -his Estate, which he distributed among some of his Friends, who with -great Merit were yet very poor; and by this means became so poor -himself, that he reduced himself to the begging of Alms. - -‘He had heretofore seen, in going to Madrid, a place very fit to make an -Hermitage, (it is towards Mount Dragon;) this Mountain is almost -inaccessible, and you cannot pass to it but through an Overture, which -is in the midst of a great Rock; it is stopt up when the Snow falls, and -the Hermitage lies buried more than six Months under it. Don Lewis made -one be built here, where he was wont to pass whole Years without seeing -any one. He made such Provisions as were necessary, having good Books, -and thus remain’d in this dismal Solitude; but this Year his Friends -forced him hither, by reason of a great Sickness, which had like to have -cost him his Life. It is four Years since he has led this Holy Spiritual -Life, and so different from that to which he was born, that it is with -great trouble he sees any of his Acquaintance. - -‘As to the Marquess de Barbaran, he has wholly left the Isle of -Sardagnia, where he has not the Liberty to return. I am inform’d he is -married again at Anvers, to a Widow of a Spaniard named Fonceca. - -‘And it is he himself that has related to one of my Friends the -Particularities of his Crime; and he is so furiously tortured with the -remembrance of it, that he imagines he continually sees his Wife dying, -and reproaching him with his Fury and Jealousie. In a word, he has -contracted such a deep Malancholly, that his Death is thought by every -one to be near, or at the least, the loss of his Sences.’ - -The Gentleman here was silent; and I not being able to forbear weeping -at so Tragical a Relation, Don Fernand de Toledo, who had observ’d it, -and would not take notice of it, for fear of interrupting the Relation, -rally’d me about my Tenderness, telling me how well he was pleased to -find me so Compassionate, and that I should not be long before I met -with Objects fit to exercise it on. I did not so much mind the returning -an answer to him, as the Thanking this Gentleman, who was pleas’d to -entertain me with the Recital of so extraordinary an Adventure: I -intreated him to make my Compliments to Don Lewis, and to give him from -me two Pistols, seeing he lived on Alms. Don Fernand, and each of the -Cavaliers, gave as much: ‘Here is,’ said the Gentleman to us, ‘wherewith -to enrich the Poor of Victoria; for Don Lewis appropriates not such -great Charities as these to himself.’ We told him, he was the Master, -and might dispose of the Money as he pleased. But to return to my -Adventures: - -Although I had a Pasport from the King of Spain, the best specified, and -most general, as is possible, yet I was oblig’d to take a Billet from -the Toll-House; for without this Precaution, all my Cloaths had been -confiscated: ‘To what purpose then is my Pasport?’ said I to them. ‘To -none at all,’ replied they. The Surveyors and Officers of the Customs -would not so much as cast their Eyes on it; they told me, The King must -come and assure them, that this Order was from him. It is to no purpose -for any one to alledge his being a Stranger, and ignorant of the Usages -of the Country: For they drily answer, ‘That the Stranger’s Ignorance -makes the Spaniard’s Profit.’ The ill Weather has kept me here two Days, -during which I saw the Governness, and the Play. The principal Place of -this Town is adorn’d with a very fair Fountain standing in the midst: it -is incircled with the Town-House, the Prison, two Convents, and several -well-built Houses: Here is a New Town and an Old one; every body -forsakes this latter to dwell in the other. Here are very rich -Merchants; their chief Trade is at St. Sebastian or Bilbo; they send -great store of Iron to Grenada, Estremadour, Galicia, and other Parts of -the Kingdom. I observ’d, that the great Streets are set with fine Trees, -which are watered with Streams running by them. From Mount St. Adrian -hither, it is seven Leagues. In fine, I am just setting out, and must -end this long Letter; it is late, and I have spoke to you so much of -what I have seen, that I have said nothing of my Affections to you; -Believe me, however, Dear Cousin, that I am, and ever shall be - - - Yours. - - From Victoria, - Feb. 24, 1673. - ------ - -Footnote 2: - - _Orig._ he. - - - - - LETTER III - - -MY Letters are so long, that it is hard to believe when I finish them, -that I have any thing else more to tell you; yet, my dear Cousin, I -never close any, but there remains still sufficient for another: When I -were onely to speak to you of my Friendship, this would be an -inexhaustible Subject; you may make some Judgment of it from the -Pleasure I find in obeying your Commands. You are desirous to know all -the Particulars of my Voyage, I will therefore go on to relate them: - -[Illustration: Town of Central Spain] - -I set out very late from Victoria, by reason of my stay at the -Governness’s, whom I before mention’d; and we went to lie at Miranda; -the Country is very pleasant as far as Avigny; we came afterwards by a -difficult Way to the Banks of the River Urola, whose Noise is the -greater, in that ’tis full of Rocks, on which the Water dashes, beats -up, and falls down, and forms natural Cascades in several places: We -continu’d to ascend the high Mountains of the Pyrenees, where we ran a -thousand several Dangers: we saw the ancient Ruines of an old Castle, -where Ghosts and Spirits have their Apartments, as well as in that of -Quebara, it is near Gargason; and being to stop there to shew my -Pasport, because here certain Customs are paid to the King, I learnt -from the Alcade of the Borough, who drew near my Litter to talk with me, -that it is the common Report of the Country, That there were formerly a -King and a Queen here, who had so fine and beautiful a Woman to their -Daughter, that she was rather taken for a Goddess than a Mortal -Creature: she was call’d Mira; and it is from her Name came the Mira of -the Spaniards, which is to say, ‘Look you’; for as soon as ever she -appear’d, all the People attentively beheld her, and cried out, ‘Mira, -Mira’; and here’s the Etymology of a Word drawn far enough. This -Princess was never seen by any Body who became not desperately in love -with her; but her Disdainfulness and Indifference made all her Lovers -pine away: The famous Basilisk never kill’d so many People as the -Beautiful and Dreadful Mira; she thus depopulated her Father’s Kingdom, -and all the Countries thereabouts were full of the deceased and dying -Lovers. After they had in vain Addrest themselves to her, they lastly -applied themselves to Heaven, to demand Vengeance on her Cruelty: The -Gods at length grew Angry, and the Goddesses were not much behind them -in the Exercise of this Passion: so that to punish her, the Scourges of -Heaven finish’d the Destruction of her Father’s Kingdom: In this general -Calamity he consulted the Oracle, which told him, ‘That all these -Miseries would not have an end, till Maria had expiated the Mischiefs -which her Eyes had done; and that she must be gone: That Destiny would -conduct her to th’ place where she was to lose her repose and liberty.’ -The Princess obey’d, believing it imposible for her to be touch’d with -Tenderness: She carried only her Nurse with her; she was clad like a -simple Shepherdess, lest she should be taken notice of, whether at Sea -or Land. She ran over a great Part of the World, committing every day -two or three Dozen of Murthers; for her Beauty was not diminisht by the -Fatigue of her Travels: She arriv’d at length near this old Castle, -which belong’d to a young Count, call’d Nios, endowed with a thousand -Perfections, but extream Proud and Reserv’d: he spent his time in the -Woods; as soon as ever he perceiv’d a Woman, he fled from her, and of -all Things he saw in the World, she was his greatest Aversion. The -beautiful Mira was resting herself one day under the shade of some -Trees, when Nios past by, cloathed with a Lion’s Skin, a Bow at his -Girdle, and a Mace on his Shoulder; his Hair was all clotted together, -and his Face be-smear’d like a Chimney-Sweeper’s, (this Circumstance is -observable) yet the Princess thought him the most handsome Man in the -World; she ran after him as if she had been mad; and he ran from her as -if he had been in the same condition: she lost the sight of him; she -knew not where to find him: she is now in the greatest Sorrow, weeping -Day and Night with her Nurse. Nios return’d to the Chase; she saw him -again, and would have follow’d him: as soon as he perceiv’d her, he did -as at first, and Mira betook herself again to her Lamentations; but her -Passion giving her new strength, she out-ran him, stopt him, taking hold -of his Locks, intreating him to look on her, thinking this was enough to -engage him: He cast his Eyes on her with as much Indifference as if she -had been an ordinary Person. Never Woman was more surpriz’d; she would -not leave him; she came maugre him to his Castle: where, as soon as she -had entred, he there left her, and was no more seen. The poor Mira, -being not to be comforted, died with Grief: And from that time you hear -deep Sighs and Groans which come from the Castle of Nios. The young -Wenches of the Country are used to go there, and carry her little -Presents of Fruits and Milk, which they set down at the Mouth of a Cave, -where no body dare enter: they said, this was to comfort her; but this -has been abolisht as superstitious. And though I believed not a word of -whatever was told me at Garganson, in relation to Mira and Nios, yet I -was pleas’d in the Recital of this Story, of which I omit a thousand -Particulars, for fear of tiring you by its length. My Waiting-woman was -so affected with this Relation, that she was for having us return back -again, to set at the Mouth of the Cave some red Partridges, which my -People had bought: she imagin’d the Princess’s Ghost would be mightily -comforted in receiving this Testimony of our good Will; but for my part, -I thought I should be more content than her, in having those Partridges -for my Supper. We past the River of Urola, on a great Stone-Bridge, and -having went over another, with difficulty enough, by reason of the -melted Snow, we arriv’d at Miranda d’ Ebro; this is a great Village, or -a little Town: here is a large place adorn’d with a Fountain; the River -Ebro, which is one of the most considerable of Spain, traverses it: You -see on the Top of a Mountain the Castle, with several Towers; it appears -to be of some strength; and there issues out so great a Stream from a -Rock on which it is built, that it turns several Mills: I could not -observe any thing else worth writing to you. - -The three Knights I spake of to you, were arriv’d before me, and giv’n -all requisite Orders for Supper; so we eat together: And tho’ the Night -appear’d well advanced, because the Days are short in this Season, yet -’twas not late; so that these Gentlemen, who shew’d me great Respect and -Civility, askt me, How I would pass the time? I proposed to them the -playing at Ombre, and that I would go Halves with Don Fernand de Toledo. -They accepted the Offer: Don Fernand de Cardonne said, He had rather -Converse with me than Play: so the three others began, and I for some -time gave myself over to the looking on them, with great Pleasure, for -their Way is quite different from ours: They never utter a word; I do -not say, to complain, (for this would be unworthy the Spanish Gravity) -but to demand a gano, or to cut higher, or to shew that one may take -some other Advantage: In a word, they seem to be Statues, or Pieces of -German Clockwork, never appearing transported with either good or bad -Luck. Among other Discourse which I had with D. Fred. de Cardonne, he -told me, There were two observable things in Catalonia, one of which is -a Mountain of Salt, partly white as Snow, and the other part clearer and -more transparent than Chrystal: that there is Blue, Green, Violet, -Orange, and a thousand different Colours, which yet loses its tincture -when wetted; it continually forms itself, and grows there: and though -commonly the places where Salt is to be found, are so barren, that you -see not so much as an Herb, yet there are here Pine-Trees of great -height, and excellent Vineyards: When the Sun darts its Rays on this -Mountain, it looks as if it wholly consisted of the most precious Stones -in the World: but the best of it is, that it yields a good Revenue. - -The other Particular he mentioned to me, was of a Fountain, whose Water -is very good, and of the same Colour as Claret: ‘I have never heard any -thing of this,’ said I to him, ‘but one of my Relations, who has been in -Catalonia, has assured me there is a Fountain near Balut, whose Water is -as others are for Colour, and yet whatever you put therein, appears like -Gold.’ ‘I have seen it, Madam,’ continued Don Frederic; ‘and I remember -a Man that was very covetous, and more foolish, went thither every Day -to put therein his Silver, hoping in time ’twould be chang’d into Gold; -but he was so far from enriching himself that he was ruin’d; for some -Peasants, more subtle and crafty than he, having perceived what he did, -stood watching a little lower, and the Stream of the Water would now and -then bring some Pieces to them. If you return into France by Catalonia,’ -added he, ‘you will see this Fountain,’ ‘It is not that which can draw -me thither,’ reply’d I, ‘but the desire of passing by Montserat, wou’d -make me undertake a longer Journey.’ ‘It is situated,’ said he, ‘near -Barcelona, and is a place of great Devotion: It seems as if the Rock -were sawed through the middle; the Church stands high, is small and -obscure. By the help of the Fourscore and Ten Lamps of Silver, you -perceive the Image of the Virgin, which looks very duskish, and is held -for miraculous. The Altar cost Philip the Second thirty thousand Crowns; -and here is every Day seen Pilgrims from all Parts of the World; this -Holy Place abounds with Hermitages, inhabited by Persons of great -Devotion: These are commonly Men of good Birth, who have not left the -World till they have well tryed it, and who appear much taken with the -Sweets of their Retirements, though the Place be dismal; and ’twould -been impossible to have had access to it, had not a Passage been cut -through the Rocks. Yet you find here several agreeable Objects, a -curious Prospect, various Springs, Gardens well drest by these -Religioses own hands, and every where a certain Air of Solitude and -Devotion, which mightily affects those who come there. We have another -famous place of Devotion,’ added he, ‘and that is Nuestra Senora del -Pilar: it is at Saragossa, in a Chappel on a Pillar of Marble, where our -Lady holds the Babe Jesus in her Arms. It is pretended, that the Virgin -appeared on this same Pillar to St. James; and the Image is here -worshipt with great Reverence. It cannot be well observ’d, because it -stands so high, and in a very dark place; so that without the Flambeaux -it could not be seen at all. Here are always Fifty Lamps burning; Gold -and precious Stones shine here on all sides; and the Pilgrims come here -in great Sholes. But yet,’ says he, ‘I may truly say, in favour of -Saragossa that ’tis one of the finest Towns you shall see; it is -situated along the Ebre, in a vast Field, is adorn’d with great -Buildings, rich Churches, a stately Bridge, fine open Places, and the -most charming Women in the World, who love French, and will omit nothing -to oblige you to speak well of ’em, if you pass by there.’ I told him, I -had already heard several things spoken of them to their commendation: -‘But,’ continu’d I, ‘this Country is very Barren, and the Souldiers can -hardly subsist in it.’ ‘In effect,’ replied he, ‘whether the Air be bad, -or that they want Necessaries, the Flemmings and Germans cannot live -there; and if they do not die there, ’tis because they run away. The -Spaniards and Neopolitans are more prone than they to desert; these last -pass through France, to return into their Country; the others Coast the -Pyrenees along Languedoc, and enter Castille by Navarre, or Biscaye. -This is a Course which the old Souldiers fail not to steer; for the -new-rais’d ones, they perish in Catalonia, being not accustomed thereto; -and ’tis certain there’s no place where War is more troublesome to the -King of Spain: He maintains his Forces here with great Charge, and the -Advantage which the Enemy gains of him is not small; and I very well -know they are more sensible at Madrid for the smallest Loss in -Catalonia, than they would be for the greatest in Flanders, or Milan, or -else-where. But at present,’ continues he, ‘we are going to be more at -our Ease than we have been, being expected at Court, that the Peace will -be lasting, because they talk much of a Marriage which will make a new -Alliance; and the Marquess de Los Balbares, Plenipotentiary at Nimiguen, -has receiv’d Orders to pass speedily to France, to demand of that King, -Mademoiselle d’ Orleans; therefore it is not doubted but the Marriage -will be concluded: But it is thought very strange, Don John of Austria -should consent to this Marriage.’ ‘You will do me a singular Pleasure,’ -said I, interrupting him, ‘if you would inform me of some -Particularities touching this Prince: It is natural for to have a -Curiosity in relation to Persons of this Character; and when a body -comes into a Court where one was never before, that I may not appear a -Novice, I should have some previous Notices.’ He answered me, It would -be a great satisfaction to him, if he could relate any thing might -please me; and he began thus: - -‘You will not, perhaps, Madam, think it amiss, that I begin at the -Original of Things, and tell you, That this Prince was Son of one of the -finest Women in Spain, named Maria Calderona; she was a Player, and the -Duke de Medina de las Torres became desperately in love with her: This -Cavalier had so many Advantages above others, that Calderonna lov’d him -no less than she was beloved by him. In the Heat of this Intrigue, -Philip the Fourth saw her, and preferr’d her to one of the Queen’s Maids -of Honour, and who was so griev’d at this Change of the King, whom she -really loved, and had a Son by, that she retired from the World, and -betook herself to Las del Calsas Reales, where she put on the Religio’s -Habit. As for Calderonne, her inclination lying wholly towards the Duke -de Medina, she would not hearken to the King, without the Duke would -thereto consent: She spake to him of it, and offered to withdraw -secretly where he would; but the Duke fearing to incur the King’s -Displeasure, answer’d her, He was resolv’d to yield up to His Majesty a -Treasure which he was not in a Capacity to contend for. She made him a -thousand Reproaches for this; she call’d him Traytor to his Love, -ingrateful towards his Mistress: And moreover, told him, That though he -was so Happy as that he could dispose of his Heart as he pleased, yet -she could not do the same; and therefore he must continue to visit her, -or prepare to see her die with Despair. The Duke affected with so great -a Passion, promised to feign a Journey to Andalousia, and to remain with -her hid in a Closet: he effectually parted from the Court, and -afterwards shut himself up (as it was agreed) whatever Risque he ran by -so imprudent Conduct. The King, in the mean time, was very Amorous, and -remain’d very well satisfi’d: She had, during this, Don John d’Austria, -and the Resemblance he had with the Duke de Medina de Las Torres, had -made it be thought that he was his Son; but tho’ the King had other -Children, and particularly the Bishop of Malaga, good Fortune decided in -his Favour, and he has been only acknowledg’d. - -‘Don John’s Friends say, That ’twas by reason of the Exchange which had -been made of the Son of Calderonna, for the Son of Queen Elizabeth; and -here’s how they set forth this Change, which is a Story made on purpose -to impose on the World, and which I believe has no ground of Truth: They -pretend, the King being desperately in love with this Player, she became -big with Child at the same time as the Queen; and seeing the King’s -Passion was so greatly towards her, that she might expect any thing, she -so ordered it, that she made him promise her, That if the Queen had a -Son, and she likewise, he should put hers in his place: “What will you -lose by this, Sir?” said she, “Will it not be your Son that will still -Reign, only with this difference, that loving me, as you say you do, you -will love him likewise the better.” She had Wit, and the King could deny -her nothing; he consented, and in effect the Business was manag’d with -that Address, that the Queen being brought to Bed of a Son, and -Calderonna of another, the Exchange was made. He that should have -Reign’d, and who bore the Name of Baltazar, died at the Age of fourteen -Years: The King was told, ’twas with over-heating himself at Tennis; but -the truth is, this Prince was suffered to keep bad Company, which -procured for him his Misfortunes; it is said likewise, That Don Pedro -d’Arragon, his Governour, and Chief Gentleman of his Chamber, more -contributed to this than any other, suffering him to bring into his -Apartment a Woman he lov’d; after this he was taken with a violent -Fever, and conceal’d the Occasion: The Phisicians who were ignorant of -it, thought to ease him by frequent Bleedings, which put an end to what -strength he had; and by this means they ended his Life. The King -knowing, but too late, what had hapn’d, banisht Don Pedro for not -hindring this Excess, or for not having timely discover’d it. - -‘In the mean time Don John of Austria, who was brought up as the Natural -Son, chang’d not his Condition, though this ought to have been, had he -been indeed the lawful Son; yet notwithstanding this, his Creatures -affirm, He so exactly resembles Q. Elizabeth, that she needs no other -Picture of her Likeness. And this Opinion fails not of gaining Belief -with the People, who run violently after Novelties, and who so -Passionately loved this great Queen, that they bewail her still as if -she was but now deceas’d. It is true, that if Don John of Austria would -make his Advantage of the favourable Dispositions of the People, he has -met with several Opportunities of extending his Fortune very far; but -his only Aim is to serve the King, and to keep his Subjects in those -Sentiments of Fidelity they ought to have for him. - -‘To return to Calderonna: The King surprized one day the Duke de Medina -with her, and in the excess of his Rage, he ran to him with his Poynard -in his Hand; he was about to kill him, when this Woman placed herself -between, telling him, He might strike her if he would. Having the most -extream Passion for her, he could not but Pardon him, contenting himself -only with banishing him: But understanding she continu’d to love him, -and write to him, he studied only how to get a new Passion; when he had -one strong enough not to apprehend the Charms of Calderonna, he sent -word to her to retire into a Monastery, as is customary when the King -forsakes his Mistress. She put it not off, writing a Letter to the Duke, -to bid him Adieu: And she receiv’d the Veil of a Religio from the Hand -of the Apostolick Nuncio, who became since Innocent X. It is very likely -the King believ’d Don John was his real Son, seeing he loved him so -dearly: One thing will appear to you very singular, which is, that a -King of Spain having Natural Sons owned by him, they never enter Madrid -during his Life: So Don John was brought up at Ocanna, which is some -Leagues distant from it. The King, his Father, came oft thither, and he -made him come even to the Gates of the Town, where he went to meet him. -This Custom comes from that the Grandees of Spain dispute the Rank which -these Princes would hold. Don John, before he went into Catalonia, -remain’d commonly at Buen Retiro, which is a Royal Seat, at one of the -farthest parts of Madrid, a little without the Gate: And he shew’d -himself so little, that he was never seen at any Publick Feast during -the Life of the late King: but since, Times have chang’d, and his -Fortunes stand on a different bottom. - -‘Whilst the Queen, Maria Ann of Austria, Sister to the Emperour, and the -King’s Mother, Govern’d Spain; and her Son was not yet of Age to hold -the Reigns of the State. She would have always Don John keep from the -Court; and moreover, found herself so capable of Governing, that she had -a mind to ease her Son for a long time of the Burden of Ruling. She was -not troubled to see him ignorant of whatever might give a desire of -Reigning: but though she brought the greatest Precautions, to hinder him -from feeling he was under too strict a Tutelage, and suffered no Persons -to come near him, but those she was well assured of; yet this hindred -not but some of the King’s Faithful Servants hazarded themselves, by -giving him to understand what he might do for his Liberty. He follow’d -the Advice was given him; and in fine, having taken Measures -accordingly, he stole away one Night, and went to Buen Retiro. He as -soon sent from thence an Order to the Queen his Mother, not to stir out -of the Palace. - -‘Don John is of a middle Stature, well-shaped, Black and lively Eyes, -and a most Manly Countenance. He is Polite, Generous, and very Brave. He -is ignorant of nothing befitting his Birth, being well-verst in all Arts -and Sciences. He writes and speaks very well Five Languages, and -understands yet more. He has for a long time studied Judicial Astrology. -There is no Instrument which he cannot make, and use with the best -Masters. He works on all kinds of Mechanicks, makes Arms, and paints -finely. He took a great Pleasure in the Mathematicks; but being charg’d -with the Government of the State, he has been oblig’d to lay aside all -other Employments. - -‘He came to Buen-Retiro in the beginning of the Year 1677, and as soon -as he was there, he sent the Queen-Mother to Toledo, because she had -declared against him, and hindred his return to the King. Don John had -an extream Joy in receiving from the King’s own Hand an Order to take -Care of Every thing, and to manage the Affairs of the Kingdom: And ’twas -not without occasion he discharged himself on him, seeing he then was -ignorant of the Art of Reigning. It was alledg’d for a Reason of his -slow Education, That the King his Father was dying when he gave him -Life: That when he came into the World, they were fain to put him in a -Box of Cotten, being so tender and small, that he could not be swadled: -That he was brought up in the Arms, and on the Knees of the Ladies of -the Palace, till he was Ten Years old, without putting his Foot once all -this while on the Ground to walk: That in the Sequel the Queen his -Mother, who was engaged by all the Ties of Natural Duty to preserve this -only Heir of the Spanish Branch, fearing to lose him, dared not let him -study, lest by too great an Application he should lose his Health, which -in truth was very unsound: And ’twas observ’d, that the great Number of -Women, with whom the King always was, and who too sharply reprehended -him for his Faults which he committed, had inspired him with such a -great Aversion to them, that as soon as ever he had notice a Lady staid -for him in any place he was to pass, he stole another way, or kept -himself shut up all day in his Chamber. The Marchioness de Luz Veles, -who was his Governess, told me, she waited for an Opportunity full six -months to speak with him, and when Chance had brought them unavoidably -to him, he took their Requests from their Hands, but turn’d his Head -another way, for fear he should see them. His Health is since so -increased, that his Marriage with the Arch-Dutchess, the Emperor’s -Daughter, having been broke off by Don John, by reason ’twas the -Queen-Mothers Project, he has desired to marry Mademoiselle d’ Orleans. -The Circumstances of the Peace which are lately concluded at Nimiguen, -made him cast his Eyes towards this Princess, with whose excellent -Qualities, Madam, you are better acquainted than I. - -‘It is hard to believe, that having Dispositions so far from Gallantry, -he should become so suddenly and vehemently in love with the Queen, as -he became on the only Rehearsal of her good Qualities, and at the sight -of her Picture in Minature, which was shew’d him. He never lets it go -out of his Hand; he always holds it to his Heart; He Dialogues with it -so prettily, as astonishes all the Courtiers; for he speaks a Language -he never spoke: His Passion for the Princess furnishes him with a -thousand Thoughts, which he dares not entrust any body with. He thinks -no body makes haste enough; and therefore sends fresh Curriers every day -to carry his Billets doux, and bring back News of her. - -‘When you come to Madrid,’ added he, ‘you will hear, Madam, several -Particulars which have without doubt hapned since I was there, and which -will perhaps more satisfie your Curiosity than what I have related to -you.’ ‘I am very much oblig’d to you,’ answer’d I, ‘for your Civilities; -but do me the Favour to oblige me farther, in giving me the true -Character of the Spaniards: You know them, and I am perswaded nothing -has escap’d your Enquiries; You speaking to me without Passion and -Interest, I may reckon my self sure of what you tell me.’ ‘Why believe -you, Madam,’ replied he smiling, ‘that I shall speak to you more -sincerely than another? There are Reasons which may render me suspected: -They are my Masters; I must manage them; And if I be not Politick enough -to do it, the Vexation of being constrained to obey them, would tempt me -to entertain Notions in their Respect contrary to Truth.’ ‘However it -be,’ said I, interrupting him, ‘pray tell me what you know of them.’ - -‘The Spaniards,’ said he, ‘have always past for Fierce and Glorious: -This Glory is mixt with Gravity; and they carry it so far, that one may -call it an extravagant Pride: They are Brave, without being Rash; yet -they are accused for not being daring enough. They are Cholerick, -Revengeful, without shewing any Transport, Liberal without Ostentation, -sober in their diet, very Presumptuous in Prosperity, too Rampant in -Adversity: They Idolize Women; they are so prepossest in their Favour, -that they shew no Discretion in the Choice of their Wives: They are -Patient to Excess, Obstinate, Idle, Singular, Philosophisers: And as to -the rest, Men of Honour, keeping their Words, tho it cost ’em their -Lives. They have a great deal of Wit and Vivacity, easily comprehend, -explain themselves in the same manner, and in few Words; They are -Prudent, Jealous without measure, Disinterested, bad Oeconomists, Close, -Superstitious, great Catholicks, at least in appearance: They are good -Poets, and write Verses with great Facility. They would be capable of -Nobler Sciences, would they vouchsafe to apply themselves thereto. - -‘They have a Greatness of Soul, Elevated Wit, Constancy, a Natural -Seriousness, and a Respect for Ladies, as is not seen elsewhere: They -have a Set-Behaviour, full of Affectation, intoxicated with their own -Merit, hardly ever in this Particular doing Right to that of others. -Their Bravery consists in standing Valiantly on the Defensive Part, -without giving Ground, and without dreading Danger; but they love not to -seek it, which proceeds from their great Judgment: They discern Danger, -and avoid it. Their greatest Defect, in my Opinion, is the Passion of -Revenge, and the Means they use for this: Their Maxims hereupon are -absolutely opposite to Christianity and Honour: When they have receiv’d -an Affront, they make him be Assassinated who has offered it. They are -not contented with this; for they cause them to be Assassinated likewise -whom they have offended, in the Apprehension of being prevented, knowing -well, that if they do not kill, they shall be kill’d themselves. They -pretend to justifie themselves herein, when they say, That their Enemy -having took the first Advantage, they ought to secure themselves of the -second: That should they fail herein, they would wrong their Reputation: -That you must not fight with a Man that has insulted over you, but put -your self in a Condition to punish him, without running half the Danger. -It is true, that Impunity authorises this Conduct; for the Priviledge of -Churches and Convents in Spain, is to give an assured Retreat to -Criminals; And as near as they can, they commit these Villanies hard by -a Sanctuary, to have the less way to an Altar; Which you see oft -embraced by a Villain, with his Poynard reeking in his Hand, and -be-smeared with the Blood of the Murther which he has committed. - -‘As to their Persons, they are very lean, little, fine shape, comely -Head, good Faces, fine Eyes, well-set Teeth, yellow and duskish -Complexion; they will have one walk slowly, commend big Legs, and a -little Foot, Shooes without Heels, parting the Hair on both sides, being -strait cut, and kept behind their Ears with a great Two-handed Hat, an -Habit always Black, instead of a Shirt, Taffity Sleeves, or black Tabby, -a Sword of a strange length, with a black Freize Cloak over all this, -very strait Breeches, hanging Sleeves, and a Poynard. All this must so -dis-figure a Man, let him be otherwise never so well-shaped, that they -seem to affect a Garb the most disagreeable; And ones Eyes cannot with -any Complacency accustom themselves to this sight.’ - -Don Frederick would have continued on his Discourse, and I had so much -pleasure in hearing him, that I would not have interrupted him; but he -broke off himself, having observ’d that the Play was at an end, and -considering, that we were to set out early next Morning, he thought I -might be desirous of retiring; he therefore with the other Gentlemen, -bad me good Night. I rose in effect very soon next Morning, because -’twas a great Journey to Birbiesca, where we intended to lie. We -follow’d the River to avoid the Mountains, and past at Oron, a great -River, which falls into the Ebre. We a while after entred into so strait -a Way, that our Litters could scarce pass: We ascended along a very -strait Coast to Pancorvo, whose Castle I saw standing on a rais’d -Ground, not far distant: We traverst a great Plain; and this was a -Novelty to us, to see an even Country: This here is surrounded with -several Mountains, which seem linkt together as a Chain, and especially -those of Occa: We must again pass over a little River, before we can -come to Birbiesca: This is only a Borough, which has nothing remarkable -but its Colledge, and some few pleasant Gardens along the Water. But I -may say, we came thither in worse Weather than any we had yet: I was so -tired, that as soon as I arriv’d I went to Bed: so that I saw not Don -Fernand de Toledo, and the other Gentlemen, till the next Day, at Cartel -de Peones. But I should tell you how one is serv’d in these Inns, they -being all alike: When you come into one of them, wearied and tired, -roasted by the heat of the Sun, or frozen by the Snows (for there is -seldom any Temperament between these Two Extreams), you see neither Pot -on the Fire, nor Plates wash’d: You enter into the Stable, and from -thence to your Chamber; this Stable is ordinarily full of Mules and -Muletteers, who make use of their Mules Saddles for Pillows in the -night, and in the day-time they serve ’em for Tables: They eat very -friendly with their Mules, and are very good Company together. - -The Stair-Case by which you go up is very strait, and does rather -resemble a sorry Ladder: La Sennoro de la Casa receives you with her -Gown tuckt up, and her dangling Sleeves; she takes time to put on her -Sunday-Cloathes, whilst you get out of your Litter: and she never omits -this; for they are all very Poor and Vain Glorious. You are shewed a -Chamber, whose Walls are white enough, hung with a thousand little -scurvy Pictures of Saints; the Beds are without Curtains, the Covertures -of Cotton, the Sheets as large as Napkins, and the Napkins like -Pocket-handkerchiefs; and you must be in some considerable Town to find -four or five of them; for in other places there are none, no more than -there are Forks: They have only a Cup in the House; and if the -Mule-Drivers get first hold of it, which commonly happens, if they -please, (for they are serv’d with more Respect than those whom they -bring) you must stay patiently till they have done with it, or drink out -of an Earthen Pitcher. It is impossible to warm one at the Kitchin-fire, -without being choaked, for they have no Chimneys; and ’tis the same in -all the Houses on the Road; there is an Hole made in the top of the -Ceiling, and the Smoak goes out thence; the Fire is in the midst of the -Kitchin: They put what you would have roasted on Tiles, and when ’tis -well gril’d on one side, they turn the other: when ’tis gross Meat, they -fasten it to a String, and so let it hang on the Fire, and turn it with -their Hands; so that the Smoak makes it so black, that it would turn -ones Stomach to look on it. - -I think there cannot be a better Representation of Hell than these sort -of Kitchins, and the Persons in them; for not to speak of this horrible -Smoak, which blinds and choaks one, they are a Dozen of Men, and as many -Women, blacker than Devils, nasty and stinking like Swine, and clad like -Beggars. There are always some of ’em impudently grating on a sorry -Guitar, and singing like a Cat a roasting. The Women have all of ’em -their Hair about their Ears, and you would take ’em for Bedlamites; they -have Glass Necklaces, which hang twisted about their Necks like Ropes of -Onions, but however serve to cover the Nastiness of their Skin. They are -as great Thieves as any are in Jayls, and they are urgent to serve you -only to have an opportunity to steal something of you, though it be but -a Pin. - -Before all things, the Mistress of the House brings you her little -Children, who are bareheaded in the midst of Winter, though but of a Day -old: she makes ’em touch your Cloaths, she rubs their Eyes with them, -their Cheeks, Throat, and Hands. This seems as if one was become a -Relick, and could heal all Diseases. These Ceremonies over, you are -askt, If you will eat any thing; and though at Mid-night, you must send -to the Butchery, the Market, the Tavern, the Bakers; in fine, to all -parts of the Town, to gather wherewith to make a sorry Meal. For though -the Mutton here be very tender, their way of frying it with Oyl, is not -to every Bodies Relish. Here are great store of Partridges, and those -very large; they are not very fat, but dry; and to make ’em drier, they -roast ’em to a Coal. The Pidgeons here are excellent; and in several -places here is good Fish, especially Bessugosses, which have the taste -of a Trout, and of which they make Pasties, which would be good, were -they not stuff’d with Garlick, Saffron, and Pepper. Their Bread is white -enough, and sweet, that one would think it made up with Sugar; but it is -ill wrought, and so little baked, that it is as heavy as Lead in the -Stomach: it has the shape of a flat Cake, and is not much thicker than -one’s finger. The Wine is good, and Fruits in their season, especially -Grapes, which are very large, and of delicate taste. You may reckon -yourself certain of a good Desart. You have Sallads here of such good -Lettice as the World cannot afford better. - -Do not think (Dear Cousin) ’tis sufficient to say, Go fetch such things, -to have them; for not very seldom you can meet with nothing: But -supposing you find what you would have, you must give out your Money -beforehand: so that your Meat is paid for before you have begun to eat -it; for the Master of the Inn is only allowed to Lodge you: they alledge -for a Reason, That it is not just one only Person should go away with -all the Profit from Travellers, it being better the Money should be -dispersed. - -You enter not any Inn to Dine, but carry your Provision with you, and -stop at the Bank of some River, where the Mule-Drivers bate their Mules; -and this is with Oats or Barley, with chopt Straw, which they carry with -them in great Sacks; for as to Hay they give ’em none. It is not allow’d -a Woman to tarry above two Days in an Inn on the Road, unless she can -offer good Reasons. And here’s enough in relation to Inns, and the -Manner of your Treatment therein. - -After Supper these Gentlemen play’d at Ombre, and I not being strong -enough to play against them, I went shares with Don Frederic de -Cardonne; and Don Fernand drew near the Fireside to me; he told me, He -could have wisht my time would permit me to pass by Vailladolid; that it -is the most pleasant Town of Old Castille, it having been for a great -while the Mansion of the Kings of Spain; and that they have a Palace -there fit for them. That as to him, he had Relations there would be -infinitely pleased to Entertain me; and would shew me the Dominicans -Church, which the Dukes of Lerma have founded; that it was very Stately, -and the Portal of singular Beauty, by means of the Figures and Embossed -Work, which enrich it: That in the Colledge of the same Convent the -French see there with great satisfaction, all the Walls full of Flower -de Luces; it being said, a Bishop who depended on the King of France, -had been at the Charge of Painting them. He added, They would have -carried me to the Religioses of St. Claire, to shew me in the Choir of -their Church, the Tomb of a Castillan Knight, whence ’tis said, issues -out Accents and Groans every time any of his Family are near their -Deaths. I smiled at this, as being doubtful of the Truth of such kind of -Relations: ‘You give not Credit to what I say,’ continued he, ‘neither -would I engage for the Truth of it, though all the Country thereabouts -are so fully perswaded of it, that you would be suspected for an -Heretick should you question it. But it is certain there is a Bell in -Arragon, in a small Town call’d Villilla, on the Ebre, which is about -fifty Foot compass, and it happens sometimes to sound of itself, it -being not perceiveable to be agitated by any Winds or Earthquakes: In a -word, by no visible thing. It first Tolls, and afterwards, by intervals, -Rings out, as well in the Day as the Night: When it is heard, it is not -doubted but it denounces some sad Accident; which is what happened in -1601, on Thursday the 13th of June, till Saturday the 15th of the same -Month; it ceased then to Ring, but it began again on Corpus Christi, -when they were on the point of making the Procession. It was heard -likewise when Alphonsus the Fifth, K. of Arragon, went into Italy to -take Possession of the Kingdom of Naples. It was heard at the Death of -Charles the Fifth. It denoted the Departure of Don Sebastion, King of -Portugal, for Africk. The Extremity of King Philip the Second: and the -Decease of his last Wife Q. Ann.’ ‘You would have me to believe you, Don -Fernand,’ said I; ‘Perhaps I shall seem too obstinate in standing out -all this while, but you will agree these are Matters one may lawfully -doubt of.’ ‘Nay, Madam,’ replied he, with a pleasant Air, ‘I tell you -nothing but what I can have a thousand Witnesses to justifie; but -perhaps you will sooner believe Don Esteve de Carvajal in a thing as -extraordinary in his Country.’ He at the same time call’d to him, -demanding of him, ‘Whether ’twere not true, that there is in the Convent -of Cordoüa a Clock which fails not to Ring every time a Religious is to -die; so that the time is known to a Day?’ Don Esteve confirm’d what Don -Fernand said: and though I remain’d not absolutely convinc’d, yet I made -a shew as if I was. - -‘You pass so quickly through Old Castille,’ continued Don Fernand, ‘that -you will not have time to see what’s most remarkable: The Picture of the -Blessed Virgin is talkt of far and near, which was found miraculously -stampt on a Rock; it belongs to the Religio’s Augustines d’ Avila, and -several Persons go there out of Devotion; but one has no less Curiosity -to see certain Mines of Salt, which are near there, in a village call’d -Mengraville; you descend above two hundred Steps under Ground, and then -enter into a vast Cavern form’d by Nature, whose Top, or Roof, is upheld -by one only Pillar of Chrystalin Salt, of astonishing Largeness and -Colour. Near this place, in the Town of Soria, you see a great Bridge -without a River, and a great River without a Bridge, the River being -forc’d out of its place by an Earthquake. - -[Illustration: Medina del Campo] - -‘But if you go as far as Medina del Campo,’ added he, ‘I am sure the -Inhabitants will give you a welcome Entrance, only because you are of -the French Nation, whom they much affect, to distinguish themselves -hereby from the Sentiments of the other Castillians: Their Town is so -priviledg’d that the K. of Spain has not the Power to create any -Officers, nor the Pope to confer Benefices: this Right belongs to the -Townsmen, and they often fall together by the Ears, in the chusing of -their Magistrates and Ecclesiasticks. - -‘One of the Rarities of this Country is the Aquaduct of Segovia, which -is five Leagues in length; it has above two hundred Arches of -extraordinary heighth, tho’ in several places there are two standing on -one another; and ’tis all built on Free Stone, there having been no -Mortar, or any Cement to joyn them: This is lookt on as one of the -Romans Works, or at least as worthy to be so. The River which is at the -end of the Town surrounds the Castle, and serves it for a Ditch; it is -built on a Rock. Among several things remarkable, you see the Effigies -of the Kings of Spain, who have Reign’d for several Years: And there is -no Town but Segovia and Seville where Money is Coyned, and the Pieces of -Eight which are made at the former Places are held to be the best; and -this is by means of the River which turns certain Mills that stamp the -Money. Here are likewise most curious Walks along a Meadow planted with -Elm Trees, whose Leaves are so thick and large, that the greatest Heats -of the Sun cannot pierce them.’ ‘I want not Curiosity,’ said I to him, -‘for all things which deserve it; but I at present want Time to see -them: However, I should be very glad to arrive timely at Burgos, to view -the Town.’ ‘Which is to say, Madam,’ replied Don Fernand, ‘we must lose -your Company, and let you retire.’ - -He gave notice thereof to the other Gentlemen, who gave over their Play, -and we thus separated. - -I rose this Morning before Day; and I end this Letter at Burgos, where I -now arrived: Thus, Dear Cousin, I shall send you nothing of this Day, -but shall take the first occasion to acquaint you with what befals me. - - - Yours. - - From Burgos, - Feb. 27, 1673. - - - - - LETTER IV - - -WE could sensibly perceive in arriving at Burgos, that this Town is -colder than any of those we past; and ’tis likewise said, you have none -of those excessive Heats which are intolerable in other Parts of Spain: -The Town stands where you descend the Mountain, and reaches to the Plain -as far as the River, which washes the foot of the Wall: the Streets are -very strait and even: the Castle is not great, but very strong, and is -seen on the top of the Mountain: A little lower is the Triumphant Arch -of Fernando Gonsales, which the Curious do much admire. This Town was -the first that was conquer’d from the Mores; and the Kings of Spain have -long resided here; ’tis the Capital of Old Castille; it holds the first -Rank in the two States of the two Castilles, although Toledo disputes it -with her: You see her fine Buildings; and Velasco’s Palace is very -stately. Here are in all the broad Streets and spacious Places, -Fountains, with Statues, some of which are good Pieces; but the finest -sight is the Cathedral, which is so large, that Mass is said in five -several places of it, without any disturbance to each other: the -Architecture is so exquisitely wrought, that it may pass among the -Gothick Buildings for a Master-Piece of Art: and this is so much the -more remarkable, in that they build very sorrily in Spain; in some -places this is through Poverty, and in others want of Stone and Lime: I -am told that even at Madrid you see Houses of Earth, and the finest are -made with Brick, cemented with the same, for want of Lime. To pass from -the Town to the Suburbs of Bega, you go over three Stone Bridges: the -Gate which answers that of Santa Maria, stands high, with the Image of -the Virgin upon it: this Suburb contains the greatest part of the -Convents and Hospitals; there is a great one founded by Philip the -Second, to receive the Pilgrims which go to St. James, and which -entertains them for a Day. The Abbey of Mille Flores, whose Building is -very stately, is not far distant. You see here in this Suburb several -Gardens which are watered with Fountains and pleasant Springs; the River -serves for a Channel: And you find in a great Park inclosed with Walls, -pleasant Walks at all times of the Year. - -I would have seen the Crucifix in the Augustines Convent; it is placed -in a Chappel of the Cloyster, large and dark enough, so that you could -hardly discern it, were it not for the Lamps, which are continually -burning, they’r above an hundred; some are of Gold, and others of -Silver, of so extraordinary a size, that they cover all the Vault of -this Chappel: there are sixty Silver candlesticks of a length exceeding -the tallest Man, and so heavy that two Men cannot lift ’em: they stand -on the ground on both sides of the Altar; those which are upon it are of -Massy Gold: You see between ’em two Crosses of the same, set out with -Precious Stones, and Crowns hanging over the Altar, adorn’d with Pearls -and Diamonds of great Lustre: The Chappel is hung with Tapistry, wrought -with Gold; it is so laden with rich Gifts, that there’s hardly room to -put ’em in; so that part of ’em are kept in the Treasury. - -The Holy Crucifix stands on the Altar, near the natural bigness, it is -covered with three Curtains one on another, all embroidered with Pearls -and Diamonds: When they open them, which is not done without great -Ceremony, and for Persons of Quality, several Bells are rung, every one -falls on his Knees: and it must be granted, that this place and sight -strikes one with an Awful Regard: The Crucifix is of Carv’d Work, and -cannot be better made; its Carnation is very natural; it is covered from -the Breasts to the Feet with a fine Linnen, in several Foulds or Pleats, -which makes it look like a loose Jerkin, which in my Opinion, is not -over-agreeable. - -It is commonly held, that Nicodemus made it; but those who are for -making every thing Miraculous, will have it brought down from Heaven, -they know not how nor when. I was told, certain Monks of this Town had -once stole it, and convey’d it away; but it took a convenient time to -give ’em the slip, and was found the next Morning in the Chappel in its -usual place: These honest People being enraged, that it should serve ’em -such a Trick, mustered up their Forces, and violently laid Hands on’t -the second time, but to as little purpose; for ’twould by no means stay -with ’em: However, it works Miracles, and is one of the chief Objects of -Devotion in Spain: The Religious tell you, it sweats every Friday. - -I was going into my Inn, when we saw the Sieur de Cardonne’s Valet de -Chambre, running as fast as he could after us; he was booted, and three -Friers scowring after him: I was over-rash in my Judgment; for I could -not but think he had stole something in this rich Chappel, and was taken -in the Fact; but his Master, who was with me, having demanded of him, -What put him on such full speed? He answer’d, He went into the Chappel -of the Holy Crucifix with his Spurs on, and the Fryers had kept him in -custody, to get Money of him, but that he was gotten out of their -Clutches, but they were now upon the Hunt for him. They make it a -Forfeit, as well as others, for a Man to go with Spurs into these Holy -Places. - -The Town is not very great; it is adorned with a spacious Place; here -are high Pillars which bear up very fine Lodgings. The Bull-Feasts are -kept here; for the People are much delighted with this sort of -Divertisement. There is also a very well-built Bridge, long and large: -the River which passes under it, bathes a Meadow, on the Bank of which -you see Allies of Trees, which form a most delicious Walk. Trade was -heretofore considerable, but it is of late much diminisht. The best -Castillan is here spoken; and the Men are naturally Souldiers, so that -when the King has need of them, he finds here great Numbers, and better -Men than elsewhere. - -After Supper our Company set to Play, as heretofore: Don Sancho -Sanniento was for yielding his place to any one, pretending ’twas his -Right to Entertain me this Evening. I knew he had lately return’d from -Sicily; I askt him, Whether he had been one of those who had help’d to -Chastize those Rebellious People? ‘Alas, Madam,’ said he, ‘the Marquess -de Las Navas was sufficient to punish them beyond what their Crime -deserv’d: I was at Naples, in the design to pass into Flanders, where I -have Relations of the same Name. The Marquess de Los Veles, Vice-Roy of -Naples, engaged me to leave my first Project, and embark myself with the -Marquess de Las Navas, whom the King sent into Sicily: We set Sail in -two Vessels of Majorca, and arrived at Messina the sixth of January. -Having sent no notice of his coming, and no body expecting it, he was -not receiv’d with the Honours paid commonly to the Vice-Roys: But in -truth, his Intentions were so cruel against these poor People, that his -Entrance should have been made in Tears. - -‘Scarcely was he arriv’d, but he clapt up the two Sheriffs in Prison, -named Vicenzo Zuffo, and Don Diego: He put Spaniards in their Places; he -rigorously abolisht the Colledge of Knights of the Star; and began to -execute the Orders which Gonzaga had long receiv’d, and which he had -eluded through Favour or Weakness. He immediately publisht an Order, by -which the King chang’d all the Form of Government of Messina, depriv’d -the Town of its Revenues, forbad its bearing for the future the Glorious -Title of Exemplary, dissolved the Senate, and put into the place of six -Sheriffs, six Officers, two of which should be Spaniards; that these -Officers should not for the future appear in Publick with their -Formalities; that they should no more be preceded by Drums and Trumpets, -ride no more together in a Coach with four Horses, as they were wont; -that they should sit henceforward on a plain Bench; should have no more -Incense offered ’em in the Churches; go cloath’d after the Spanish -Fashion; should Assemble on Publick Affairs in a Chamber of the -Vice-Roy’s Palace; and have no longer any Jurisdiction on the Champian -Country. - -‘Every one was seized with such Consternation, as if he had been -Thunder-struck; but their Sorrow was much increased on the fifth of the -same Month, when the Camp Master-General went to the Town-house, and -seized all their Charters, and Original Copies of their Priviledges, and -made ’em be burnt publickly by the Hands of the common Hang-man. The -Prince de Condro was afterwards apprehended, to the great grief of his -Family, but particularly the Princess Eleonora, his Sister, whose Tears -were not shed alone: This Princess is not above Eighteen; her Beauty and -Wit are miraculous, which astonish those about her.’ Don Sancho’s Eyes -grew red at the remembrance of this Princess, and I plainly perceiv’d -Pity had not all the share in what he said; yet he continued on his -Discourse to me of Messina. - -‘The Vice-Roy,’ added he, ‘publisht an Order, by which all the Citizens -were enjoyn’d, under penalty of ten Years Imprisonment, and five -thousand Crowns Fine, to bring their Arms into his Palace. He at the -same time caus’d the great Bell in the Town-house to be taken down, and -beaten to pieces in his fight: He ordered all the Bells in the Cathedral -to be melted, to make a Statue of the King of Spain. And the Prince of -Condro’s Children were taken into Custody: But their Fear increased, -when the Vice-Roy ordered D. V. Zuffo’s Head to be cut off. This Example -of Severity Alarum’d all the People; and what appear’d most terrible, -was, That in the late Troubles, some Families of Messinois having -withdrawn themselves into several Parts, the Marquess de Liche, the -Spanish Embassador at Rome, advised them, as a Friend, to return into -their own Country, assuring them all was Quiet, and that a General -Pardon was already publisht; and for their greater assurance, gave them -Passports. These poor People (who had not taken up Arms, and being not -of the number of the Revolters, knowing their Innocency, could never -have imagin’d they should have been treated as Criminals) return’d to -Messina; where they had scarcely landed, but the Joy they had of seeing -themselves in their Native Country, and in the midst of their Friends, -was sadly disturb’d, when they were seised on, and the next Morning, -without any Quarter, or regard to Sex or Age, by the Vice-Roy’s Order, -all hang’d. He afterwards sent to demolish the great Tower of Palermo; -and the principal Citizens of it, remonstrating against the excessive -Impositions on Corn, Silks, and other Commodities, the Marquess de las -Navas sent them all to the Gallies, without being moved by the Tears of -their Wives, and the need so many poor Children might have of their -Fathers. - -‘I must acknowledge,’ continued Don Sancho, ‘that my Nature is so averse -to the Rigors every day exercis’d on these poor People, that I could not -for all the World remain any longer at Messina. The Marquess de las -Navas was for sending to Madrid, to inform the King of what he had done. -I intreated him to charge me with this Commission; and in effect he -consented, and gave me his Letters, which I have delivered to the King -at Madrid; and at the same time my Intercessions for the Prince de -Condro: And I presume my good Offices will not be wholly useless to -him.’ ‘I am perswaded,’ said I to him, ‘this was the principal Motive of -your Journey: I am no prying body, but methinks you are greatly -concern’d for the Interests of this Family.’ ‘It’s true, Madam,’ -continued he, ‘the Injustice done this Unfortunate Prince does sensibly -affect me’: ‘Were he not Brother to the Princess Eleonora,’ said I to -him, ‘perhaps you would not so much lay it to heart. But no more of -this; I perceive this Remembrance afflicts you. Pray let me rather hear -from you what is most remarkable in your Country.’ ‘Ah! Madam,’ cried -he, ‘you insult over me; for you must needs know, that Galicia is so -poor and mean a Countrey, that there’s no place for bragging; not but -that the Town of St. James de Compostella is considerable enough; it is -the Capital of the Province, and scarce one in Spain that’s superiour to -it in Riches and Greatness: Its Archbishoprick is worth Seventy Thousand -Crowns a Year, and the Chapter has as much; It stands in an agreeable -Plain, surrounded with little Hills of moderate heighth; and it seems as -if Nature had placed them there to defend the Town from those deadly -Blasts which arise from other Mountains. Here is a University, fine -Palaces, stately Churches, publick Places, and an Hospital, one of the -most considerable, and best serv’d in Europe: It consists of two Courts -of extraordinary greatness, with Fountains in the midst. Several Knights -of St. James live in this Town; and the Metropolis, which is dedicated -to this Saint, keeps his Body: It is extream stately, and prodigiously -rich: It is pretended you hear a kind of Clattering at his Tomb, as if -Arms were struck one against another; and this noise is only heard when -the Spaniards are to undergo any great Loss. His Figure is represented -on the Altar, and the Pilgrims thrice kiss it, and put their Hats on his -Head; for this is the chief part of the Ceremony: They have also another -very singular one; they ascend the top of the Church, which is covered -with great flat Stones; In this place stands a Cross of Iron, whereon -the Pilgrims ever fasten some Rag, or Scrap of what they wear: They pass -under this Cross by so strait a Passage that they are forced to crawl on -their Bellies through it; and those who are not slender, are in danger -of being bursten. And there have been some so ridiculous and -superstitious, that having omitted to do this, they have expresly -return’d back again three or four hundred Leagues; for you see here -Pilgrims of all Nations. Here is a French Chappel, of which great Care -is taken; It is said, the Kings of France have been always great -Benefactors to it. The Church which is under ground is a better than -that above; there are stately Tombs, and Epitaphs of great Antiquity, -which exercise the Wits of Travellers. The Archiepiscopal Palace is a -vast Pile, and its Antiquity adds to its Beauty, instead of diminishing -it. A Man of my Acquaintance, a great Searcher into Etymologies, assured -me the Town of Compostella was so called, because St. James was to -suffer Martyrdom in the place where he should see a Star appear at -Compostella. It is true,’ continued he, ‘that some People pretend it to -be thus; but the Peoples Credulity and Superstition carries ’em further; -for you are shew’d at Padron, near Compostella, an hollow Stone; and it -is pretended this was the little Boat in which St. James arriv’d, after -he had past so many Seas in it, which being of Stone, must have, without -a signal Miracle, sunk to the bottom.’ ‘I suppose,’ said I to him, ‘you -believe this to be most true.’ He smiled, and continued his Discourse: -‘I cannot but give you the Description of our Militia: They are called -together every Year in the Month of October, and all the Young Men from -the Age of Fifteen, are oblig’d to march; for should it happen that a -Father, or any other Relation should conceal his Son or Kinsman, and -those who are Officers should come to know it, they would condemn him -who has so offended, to perpetual Imprisonment. There have been some -Examples of this, but they are rare; for the Peasants are so infinitely -pleas’d to see themselves Arm’d and treated as Cavalieros & de Nobles -Soldados del Rey, that they would not for any Consideration be wanting -to shew themselves on this occasion. You shall seldom see in an whole -Regiment any Souldier that has more Shirts than that on his Back; and -the Stuff they wear, seems for its Coarseness to be made of Pack-thread: -their Shooes are made of Cord; they wear no Stockings, yet every Man has -his Peacock, or Dunghil-Cock’s Feather in his Cap, which is tied up -behind, with a Rag about his Neck in form of a Ruff; their Sword -oftentimes hangs by their side tied with a bit of Cord, and ordinary -without a Scabbard; the rest of their Arms is seldom in better Order: -And in this Equipage they march gravely to Tuy, where is the General -Rendezvouz, it being a Frontier place to Portugal. There are three which -lie thus, the above-mention’d, Cindud-Rodrigo, and Badajoz, but Tuy is -the best guarded, because it is over-against Valentia, a considerable -Town belonging to the King of Portugal, and which has been carefully -fortifi’d: These two Towns are so near, that their Cannon will reach -each other; and if the Portugaises have omitted nothing to put Valentia -out of danger of being insulted over, the Spaniards pretend Tuy is in as -good a Condition to defend it self; It stands on an Hill, whose lower -part is wash’d by the River Minhio; it has good Ramparts, strong Walls, -and good store of Artillery. It is here, I say, where these our -Champions bid Defiance to the King’s Enemies, and in a strutting -Bravery, declare, they do not fear ’em. Perhaps something of this may -happen in time, for here are form’d as good Troops as in any other part -of Spain. However, this is a great loss to the Kingdom, the whole Youth -being thus taken up; for the Lands, for the most part lye untill’d, and -on the side of St. James de Compostella, you wou’d think you saw a -Wilderness; on that of the Ocean, the Country being better and more -peopled, yields greater Profit, and all things necessary and convenient, -as Oranges, Lemmons, and Pomgranates, several sorts of Fruits, and -excellent Fish, especially Pilchards, more delicate than those which -came from Royan to Bordeaux. - -‘One of the most remarkable things, in my mind, in this Kingdom, is the -Town of Doiense, one part of which always enjoys the Sweetness of the -Spring, and the Fruits of Autumn, by reason of several Springs of -boiling Water, which warm the Air by their Exhalations; whil’st the -other part of this same Town suffers the Rigors of the longest Winters, -standing as it does at the Foot of a very cold Mountain; so that you -find in the space of one only Season, all those which compose the course -of the Year.’ - -‘You say nothing,’ replied I to him, ‘of the marvellous Fountain, call’d -Louzano.’ ‘Who have told you of it, Madam?’ answer’d he. ‘Persons that -have seen it,’ added I. ‘You have been then told,’ continu’d he, ‘that -on the top of the Mountain of Cerbret, you find this Fountain at the -Source of the River Lours; which has Flux and Reflux as the Sea, tho’ it -be at twenty Leagues distance from it; that the greater the Heats are, -the more Water it casts, that this Water is sometimes cold as Ice, and -sometimes as hot as if it boil’d, there being no Natural Cause to be -giv’n for it.’ ‘You learn me Particulars I was ignorant of,’ said I to -him, ‘and this is doing me a great Pleasure, for I want not for -Curiosity in relation to things uncommon.’ ‘I wish,’ replied he, ‘’twas -not so late, I would give you an account of several Rarities in Spain, -and which perhaps you would gladly learn.’ ‘I leave you for to Night,’ -said I to him, ‘but I hope before we come to Madrid, we shall have an -opportunity of discoursing of them.’ He very civilly made me a Promise; -and the Play being ended, we bad one another good night. - -When I would go to rest, I was led into a Gallery full of Beds, as you -see in Hospitals: I said, this was ridiculous; and that needing only -four, what occasion was there for shewing me forty, and to put me into -such an open place to starve me? I was answer’d, This was the best place -in the House, and I must take up with it. I caus’d my Bed to be made, -when scarce was I laid down, but some body knockt softly at my Door; my -Women opened it, and remained much surpriz’d to see the Master and -Mistress followed by a dozen of sorry creatures, and so cloath’d that -they were half naked. I drew my Curtain at the Noise they made, and -opened more mine Eyes at the sight of this Noble Company. The Mistress -drew near to me, and told me, These were honest Travellers, who were -coming into the Beds which remained empty. ‘How, lie here?’ said I, ‘I -believe you have lost your Senses.’ ‘I should have lost ’em indeed,’ -replied she, ‘should I let so many Beds stand Empty. Either, Madam, you -must pay for them, or these honest Gentlemen must lye in them.’ I cannot -express my Rage to you; I was in the mind to send for Don Fernand and my -Knights, who would have sooner made ’em pass through the Windows than -through the Doors: But I considered this could not be done without some -Disturbance, and therefore I came to Terms, and agreed to pay 20 _d._ -for each Bed; they are hardly dearer at Fontainbleau when the Court is -there. These Illustrious Dons, or, to speak better, Tatterdemalions, who -had the Insolence to come into my Room, immediately withdrew, having -made me several profound Reverences. - -The next Morning I thought to have burst with laughter, tho’ twas at my -Cost, when I discovered mine Hostess’s Trick to ruin me: For you must -know in the first place, that these pretended Travellers were their -Neighbours, and that they are accustomed to this Stratagem, when they -see Strangers: But when I would have reckoned the Beds to pay for ’em, -they were rowled all of ’em into the midst of the Gallery; there were -divers wretched Troughs of Straw pull’d out, which were hardly good -enough to entertain Dogs, yet I must pay for each 20 _d._ Four Pistoles -ended our Dispute. I was not able to put my self in a Passion, such -singularity did I find in this Management. I would not recount this -little Accident to you, did it not serve to give you some insight into -the Humour of this Nation. - -We set out from Burgos very late, the Weather was so bad, and there had -fall’n in the Night such great quantity of Rain, that I tarry’d there as -long as I could, in expectation of its ceasing. In fine, I came to a -Resolution, and ascended my Litter. I had not gotten far from the Town, -but I repented of my leaving it; no Track cou’d be seen, especially on a -very high steep Mountain, over which we must necessarily pass. One of -our Mule-drivers, who went before, struck too far on the Edge of this -Mountain, so that he fell with his Mule into a kind of Precipice, where -he broke his Head, and put his Arm out of joynt; this being the famous -Philip de St. Sebastian, the most intelligent of all his Profession, and -who commonly carries Persons of Quality to Madrid; he was therefore much -bemoaned; and we remain’d a great while before we could hale him out -from the scurvy place where he had fall’n; Don Fernand was so -compassionate as to let him have his Litter. The Night came speedily on -us, and we could have comforted our selves, could we have return’d to -Burgos, but it was impossible, the Ways were no less covered with Snow -on that side, than all the rest; so that we put in at Madrigalesco, -which has not above a dozen Houses, and I may say we were besieg’d -without having any Enemies. This Adventure gave us some disturbance, -tho’ we had brought Provisions with us for several Days. The best House -of the Town was half uncovered; and I was scarce lodged there, when a -venerable Old Man askt for me on the part of a Lady who was just -arriv’d: He made me a Compliment, and told me, He was inform’d this was -the only place where there was any tolerable Entertainment; and -therefore intreated me to spare her some room. He added, She was a -Person of Quality of Andalousia, was lately a Widow, and that he had the -Honour to belong to her. - -One of our Knights, named Don Esteve de Carjaval, who is of the same -Country, fail’d not to demand her Name of the old Gentleman: He told -him, she was the Marchioness de Los Rios. At this Name he turn’d towards -me, and spake to me of her as of a Person whose Merit and Fortune were -very considerable: I readily accepted of this good Company; She -immediately came in her Litter, out of which she had not descended, -having found no House where she could abide. - -Her Dress seem’d to me very singular; had she not been so handsome as -she was, she could never have appear’d in any sort tolerable: Her Gown -and Petticoat was of black Serge, and over them a kind of Linnen -Surplice, which reacht down lower than her Knees; the Sleeves were long, -and strait in the Arm, which hung over her Hands: This Surplice was -fastened to her gown, and being not pleated behind, it seem’d like a -Bib: She wore on her Head a piece of Muslin, which covered her Face, and -one would have taken it for a Religiose’s Hood; this covered her Neck, -and reach’d down very low: There appear’d no Hair on her Head, they were -all hid under this Muslin: She wore a great Mantle of black Taffaty, -which covered her Heels; and over this Mantle she had an Hat, whose -Brims were very large, fastened under her Chin with silken Twist. I was -told they wear this but only when they travel. - -This is the Habit of the Widows and Duenna’s, a Dress which is -insupportable to my sight; and should one meet with a Woman in the Night -thus cloath’d, one might be startled without Reproach; yet the Lady was -very beautiful in this Unseemly Dress. They never leave it, unless they -marry; and they are oblig’d to bewail the Death of an Husband, whom they -could not endure when living. - -I was inform’d they pass the first Year of their Mourning in a Chamber -hung with Black, wherein there is not the least glimmering of Day-light -to be seen; they sit cross-legg’d on a little Holland-Quilt. When this -Year is ended, they retire into a Chamber hung with Gray: they must have -no Pictures, nor Looking-Glasses, nor Cabinets, nor fine Tables, nor -Plate, neither must they have any Diamonds, or wear any Colours: However -modest they are, they must live so retired, that it must seem their Soul -is already in the other World. This Constrant is the cause that several -Ladies who are wealthy, and especially in rich Houshold-Goods, marry -again to have the satisfaction of making use of them. - -After the first Compliments, I inform’d my self from this mournful Widow -where she was going; she told me, She had not for a long time seen a -Friend of her Mother’s who was a Religious at Lashuelgas de Burgos, -which is a famous Nunnery, wherein there is an hundred and fifty Nuns, -most of ’em the Daughters of Princes, Dukes, and Titulado’s. She added, -That the Abbess is Lady of fourteen large Towns, and above fifty other -Places wherein she chuses Governors and Magistrates; that she is -Superior of seventeen Convents; Collates to several Benefices, and -disposes of twelve Commanderships in favour of whom she pleases. She -told me she design’d to pass some time in this Monastery: ‘Can you, -Madam,’ said I to her, ‘accustom yourself to so retired a Life as is -that of a Convent?’ ‘It will be no hard matter,’ said she, ‘for I -believe I see fewer People at my own House than I shall see there; and -in effect these Religious have Liberty enough: They are commonly the -handsomest young Women of the Family who are there; these enter therein -so young, that they know not what they are made to leave, nor what they -undertake at the Age of six or seven, and it may be sooner. They are -caused to make Vows, when ’tis often the Father or Mother, or some near -Relation, who pronounce them for ’em, whilst the little Sacrifice -disports herself with Sugar-plums, and lets ’em dress her how they will: -Yet the Bargain holds, there’s no unsaying it; however, they have every -thing which can be expected in their Condition. There are at Madrid some -whom they call the Ladies of St. James: they are properly Canonnesses, -who make their Tryals like the Knights of this Order; they bear, like -them, a Sword, made in form of a Cross, embroidered with Crimson Silk; -they have ’em on their Scapularies and great Cloaks, which are white: -These Ladies House is very stately; all who come to visit ’em enter -without any difficulty; their Apartments are very fine, and every whit -as well furnisht as if they were at large in the World; they enjoy great -Pensions, and each of ’em has three or four Women to wait on them: It’s -true, they never stir out, nor see their nearest Relations, but through -several Grates. This perhaps would look horrid in another Country, but -in Spain they are accustom’d to Confinement. - -‘There are Convents where the Religious see more Cavaliers than the -Women who live at large, neither are they less gallant: It is impossible -for any to have more Gayety than they; and, as I have already told you, -Madam, here are more Beauties than abroad; but it must be granted, there -are several among them who are deeply sensible at their having been so -soon sacrific’d; they think of the Pleasures which they have never -tasted, as the only ones which can make this Life Happy. They pass -theirs in a Condition worthy of Compassion, always telling you, they are -there by Force; and that the Vows they are made to repeat at the Age of -five or six Years, are to be regarded like Childrens Plays.’ - -‘Madam,’ said I to her, ‘it wou’d have been great pity, had your -Relations design’d you for such a Life; and one may judge, in beholding -you, that all the beautiful Spanish Ladies are not Religioses.’ ‘Alas, -Madam,’ said she, in fetching a deep Sigh, ‘I know not what I wou’d be; -it seems I am of a very odd Humor, not to be contented with my Fortune: -but one has sometimes Uneasinesses which are unaccountable to Reason.’ -In ending these words, she fastened her Eyes to the ground, and fell -into such a deep fit of Musing, that I cou’d easily perceive something -disturb’d her. - -Whatever Curiosity I had to know the Subject, we had been so little -together, that I dared not desire to be her Confident; but to draw her -from the melancholy Posture she was in, I entreated her to tell me some -News of the Court of Spain, seeing she came from Madrid. She did what -she cou’d to recover herself: she then told me, There were great shews -of Joy at Court on the Queen’s Birth-day: that the King had sent one of -the Gentlemen of his Chamber to Toledo, to Compliment her from him: Yet -these fine Appearances hindred not the Marquess de Mansera, the Queen’s -Major Domo, from receiving Orders to retire twenty Leagues from the -Court, which had greatly mortifi’d this Princess. She inform’d us, That -the Fleet which carried Troops to Galicia, was unhappily cast away on -the Coasts of Portugal. That the little Dutchess de Terra Nova, was to -Espouse Don Nicolo Pignatelli, Prince de Monteleon, her Uncle. That the -Marquess de Leganez had refused the Vice-royalty of Sardagnia, being in -love with a fine Lady, whom he cou’d not find in his heart to leave. -That Don Carlos de Omodei, Marquess d’ Almonazid, was dangerously ill, -at his Disappointment of being admitted a Grandee of Spain, to which he -pretended, having marry’d the Heiress of the House and Grandeurship of -Castel Rodrigue; and that which most sensibly afflicted him, was, that -Don Ariel de Gusman, this Lady’s first Husband, had enjoyed this Honour; -so that he cou’d not but look on the Difficulties thrown in his way as a -slighting of his Person: ‘In truth, Madam,’ said I to her, ‘I can hardly -comprehend how a Man of sence, can with such eagerness pursue, and be so -greatly dejected at a Disappointment of this Nature.’ ‘We are otherwise -affected in Spain,’ replied the beautiful Widow, ‘and this Instance is a -proof of it.’ - -Don Frederic de Cardonne, who greatly interested himself for the Duke de -Medina Celi, askt her News of him: ‘The King,’ said she, ‘has lately -made him President of the Indies. The Queen-Mother has wrote to the -King, on the Report which runs, that he is about Marrying; that she is -surpriz’d things are already gone so far, and he has not acquainted her -with them. She adds in her Letter, She advised him in the mean time, -whilst all things were ready for this Ceremony, to make a Journey to -Catalonia and Arragon. Don John of Austria sufficiently understands the -Necessity of this, and he presses the King to depart, to content these -People, in promising by Oath, according as is customary to new Kings, to -maintain all their ancient Priviledges.’ ‘Have then, Madam,’ said I to -her, interrupting her, ‘the Arrogonois any other Priviledges than the -Castillans?’ ‘Very particular ones,’ replied she, ‘and you being a -Stranger, I believe you will be willing to let me inform you of them.’ -Here’s what I learnt: - -The Daughter of Count Julien, named Cava, was one of the most beautiful -Ladies in the World: King Rodrigue became so passionately in love with -her, that his Affection knowing no Bounds, transported him beyond all -measure. The Father, who was then in Affrica, inform’d of the Outrage -done his Daughter, who breath’d nothing but Revenge, treated with the -Moors, and supplied ’em with the means to enter into Spain,[3] and to -make there, for sundry Ages, all those Ravages set forth at large in -History. - -The Arragonois were the first who shook off the Yoak of these -Barbarians; and finding no more among them any Princes of the Race of -Gothish Kings, they agreed to Elect one, and cast their eyes on a Lord -of the Country, call’d Garci Ximinex; but they being Masters, to impose -Laws on him, and finding himself sufficiently Happy that he might Rule -over them under any Condition, these People therefore confined him -within narrow Bounds. - -They agreed, That as soon as their Monarch shou’d break through any of -their Laws, he shou’d immediately forfeit his Power, and they be at full -liberty to chuse another, though he were a Pagan: and to hinder him from -violating their Priviledges, and to defend themselves against him, they -establisht a Soveraign Magistrate, whom they call’d the Justicia, whose -Office was to observe the Conduct of the King, the Judges, and the -People: but the Power of a Soveraign being likely to Awe a meer -Particular, to Assure the Justicia in the Execution of his Office, they -ordered, That he might not suffer either in his Person or Goods, but by -a compleat Assembly of the States, which they call Las Cortes. - -They moreover provided, That if the King shou’d Oppress any one of his -Subjects, the great and considerable Men of the Kingdom might assemble -themselves, and hinder his receiving any of his Revenues, till the -Innocent was acquitted, and re-establisht in his former Rights. And to -make Garci Ximinez timely sensible of the Power this Man had over him, -they set him on a kind of a Throne, and made the King to kneel down bare -headed before him, to receive from him his Oath of keeping their -Priviledges. This Ceremony ended, they acknowledge him their Soveraign, -but in as odd as disrespectful a Manner, for instead of promising him -Fidelity and Obedience, they say to him, ‘We who are as good Men as -yourself, we make you our King and Governour, on Condition you keep to -us our Rights and Properties, otherwise we Disacknowledge you.’ - -The King, Don Pedro, in process of time coming to the Crown, rellisht -this Custom, as unworthy of the Regal State; and it so greatly disgusted -him, that by his Authority and Intreaties, and the Offers he made of -bestowing several notable Priviledges on the Kingdom, he procured the -Abolishment of this, in an Assembly of the States: he got this general -Consent in Writing, which was presented to him. As soon as he had the -Parchment, he drew out his Dagger, and pierced his Hand with it, saying, -‘’Twas fit a Law which gave Subjects the Liberty of chusing their -Soveraign, should be Efaced with their Sovereign’s Bloud.’ His Statue is -still seen in the Deputation-hall of Saragossa: he holds a Dagger in one -Hand, and the Charter in the other. The late Kings have not been such -Religious Observers of their Priviledges as the first. - -But there is a Law still in force, and which is very singular, and this -they call, ‘The Law of Manifestation’; which is, That if an Arragonois -had Wrong done him in Judgment, in consigning 500 Crowns, he may bring -his Cause before the Justicia, who is obliged, after an exact -Perquisition, to punish him who has giv’n a wrong Sentence: And if he -fails therein, the opprest Person may have Recourse to the States of the -Kingdom, who Assemble and Nominate five Persons of their Body, which is -to say, of the Prime Nobility, the Ecclesiasticks, the Gentry and -Commonalty: they appoint three out of the first Rank, and two from each -of the others. But it is observable, they choose the most Ignorant to -Judge the most able Men in the Gown, whether to Disgrace ’em the more -for their Fault, or, as they alledge, ‘That Justice should be so clear, -that the very Plow-men, and those who understand the least, should -discern it without the help of Oratory.’ It is likewise affirm’d, That -the Judges tremble when they pronounce a Sentence, fearing lest it turn -against themselves, to the loss of their Lives or Estates, should they -commit the least Fault therein, either wilfully, or through -Inadvertency. It were well if this Custom were observed in all Kingdoms: -but this is rather to be wish’d than expected. - -Yet what is no less singular, is, That Justice remains always Soveraign; -and though the Unjust Judge be punish’d severely for his wrong Decree, -yet it subsists in its full force, and is fully executed: If then any -Unhappy Wretch be sentenced to Death, he is not spared, tho’ his -Innocency be discovered, and made as clear as Noon-day; but his Judges -are executed too before his Face; which, in my mind, is a poor -Consolation. If the Judge accused, has justly perform’d his Office, the -Plaintiff leaves the 500 Crowns which he had consign’d: But were he to -lose an 100000 Crowns of Annual Revenue, by the Sentence he complains -of, the Sentence or Decree remains good, and the Judge is only condemn’d -to pay him likewise 500 Crowns; the rest of this Judge’s Estate is -forfeited to the King: which is, in my Opinion, another Point of -Injustice; for in fine, he ought, above all others, to have Recompense -made him who suffers by a wrong Sentence. - -These same People have another Custom, to distinguish by the Punishment -the Crime committed: for Example, A Cavalier, who has kill’d another in -Duel (for they are here strictly forbid), he has his Head cut off -before; and he that has Assassinated, his is cut off behind. This is to -distinguish him who has behaved himself like a brave Man, from him that -kills you Treacherously. - -She added, That to speak in general of the Arragonois, They have a -Natural Pride, which is hard to be suppress’d: but likewise to do them -Justice, there are people of brave Minds to be found among them; -insomuch, that they are easily discern’d from all the rest of the King -of Spain’s Subjects: That they have never wanted Great Men, from their -first King to Ferdinand: That they counted such a great number of them, -as would scarce be believ’d: However, they have greatly recommended -themselves by their Valour and Conduct. That as to the rest, their -Country was so little fruitful, that excepting some Valleys which were -watered by Channels, whose Water came from the Ebre, the rest was so dry -and sandy, that you meet with scarce any thing else but stony and -parched up places: That Sarragossa is a great City, the Houses finer -than at Madrid; the Publick Places adorn’d with Arches; that the Holy -Street, where the Courses are run, is so long and large, as may make it -pass for a great and vast place, having several great Mens Palaces on -it; that of Castel-morato being one of the pleasantest: That the Vault -of St. Francis’s Church was very curious, for being of extraordinary -Largeness, yet ’tis upheld by no Pillars: That the City is not strong, -but the Inhabitants so stout, that it needed no Walls; that it has never -a Fountain, this being one of its greatest Defects: That the Ebre -carried no Boats, the River being full of dangerous Rocks. As to the -rest, the Archbishoprick was worth 60000 Crowns a year: That the -Vice-Royalty brought in no Revenue, being a Place of Honour, fit only -for great Lords to bear the Expence of it, to maintain their Rank, and -keep the People under, who are Naturally Fierce and Imperious, not -Affable to Strangers; and so little desirous of making Acquaintance, -that they chuse rather to stay at Home alone all their Life-time, than -stir out to procure Friendships: That here is a severe Inquisition, who -have a stately Palace, and a most Rigid Court of Justice; Yet this does -not hinder great Troops of Robbers, call’d Bandoleros, from Ravaging, -and dispersing themselves over all Spain; who give no Quarter to -Travellers, snatching up sometimes Women of Quality, whom they -afterwards set at Ransom, for their Parents to Redeem; but when they are -Handsome they keep them: And this is the greatest Misfortune can happen -to ’em, being forced to spend their Days with the Worst of Men, who keep -them in dreadful Caves, or carry them along with them on Horse-back, -being so furiously jealous of ’em, that one of their Captains (having -been lately set upon by Souldiers sent into the Mountains to seize on -him) being mortally wounded, and having his Mistress with him, who was -of the Marquess de Camaraza, a Grandee of Spain’s Family; When she saw -him in this Condition, she thought only of making Use of this favourable -Opportunity of saving her self; which he perceiving, dying, as he was, -he catch’d hold of her Hair, and struck his Dagger into her Breast, -Being not willing, said he, that another should possess a Treasure which -had been so dear to him. And this is what himself acknowledg’d to the -Souldiers who found him, and saw this sad Spectacle. - -The Beautiful Marchioness here held her peace; and I return’d her all -due Thanks for the Favour she did me, in informing me of these -Curiosities; and of which, perhaps without her, I might have been -Ignorant all my Life. ‘I do not think, Madam,’ said she to me, ‘you owe -me such Thanks; I rather fear the having deserved Reproaches for so long -and tiresome a Conversation.’ - -I would not let her leave me to eat elsewhere; and I obliged her to lye -with me, she having no Bed. So Civil and Courteous a Proceeding made her -much my Friend: She assured me of this in such Affectionate Terms, that -I could not doubt of it; for I must tell you, the Spanish Women are more -Caressing than we, and are far more Kind and Tender to those they -profess Friendship. In fine, I could not forbear telling her, ‘That if -she had all the Kindness for me she made profession, she must be so -complaisant, to inform me, What made her seem so melancholly? That I had -heard her fetch deep Sighs in the Night, and appear’d very Restless and -Disconsolate; That if she could find any Comfort in sharing her Grief -with me, I offered my Service to her, as a most faithful Friend.’ She -embraced me with great Affection, and told me without delay, she would -immediately satisfie my Curiosity; which she did in these Terms: - -‘Seeing you are desirous to know me, I must without disguising to you -any thing, acknowledge my Weaknesses to you; and by my Sincerity and -Open-heartedness, deserve a Curiosity as obliging as yours: - -‘I come not of such a Family as may claim Nobility; my Father’s Name was -Davila; he was only a Banker, but he was in good Credit, and was -moderately Wealthy: We are of Seville, Capital of Andalousia, and we -have ever dwelt there. My Mother knew the World, she saw many People of -Quality, and having no Children but me, she took great care of my -Education: It did not appear ill-bestowed on me; for I had the good -Fortune to get the good Will of most that saw me. - -‘We had two Neighbours who came often to our House, who were very -welcome both to my Father and Mother: Their Condition and Age were in no -sort alike; One was the Marquess de Los Rios, a Person Wealthy and -Noble; he was a Widower, and well advanced in years: the other was the -Son of a great Merchant, who traded to the Indies; he was Young and -Handsome, he had Wit, and a very graceful Behaviour; his Name was -Mendez: He was not long before he fell passionately in Love with me; so -that he omitted nothing which might please me, and gain my Affections. - -‘He was in all places where he knew I was to pass; he spent whole Nights -under my Windows, to sing Verses which he had composed and set to my -Praise, which he had very well accompany’d with his Harp. - -‘But seeing his Attendancies had not all the Effect he expected, and -having past some time in this manner, without daring to mention his -Affection to me, he at length resolv’d to make use of the first occasion -to acquaint me with it. I avoided him ever since I had a Conversation -with one of my Friends, who had more Experience and Knowledge of the -World than I: I had felt, that Mendez’s Company gave me Joy, and that my -Heart had an Emotion for him, which it had not for others: That when his -Affairs, or our Visits hindred him from seeing me, I grew restless; and -loving this young Woman, above others, and being as dear to her, she -observ’d I was not so free and gay as I was wont, and that my Eyes were -sometimes attentively fixed on Mendez. One Day when she rally’d with me -about it, I said to her very innocently, “My dear Henrietta, define to -me the Sentiments I have for Mendez: I know not whether I ought to be -afraid of them, and whether I ought not to defend my self from them. I -feel I know not what sort of Trouble and Pleasure arising in my Breast.” -She began to laugh, she embraced me, and said to me, “My dear Heart, you -are in Love.” “Who, I in Love?” reply’d I, in amaze: “You joke with me; -I neither am, nor will be in Love.” “This depends not always on us,” -continued she, with a more serious Air, “our Stars decide this before -our Hearts. But in earnest, what is it so much startles you? Mendez is -in a Condition equal to yours; he deserves well, a good comely Man; and -if his Affairs go on with the same Success as they have done hitherto, -you may live very happily with him.” “And whence should I learn,” -reply’d I, interrupting her, “that he will be happy with me, and that he -so much as thinks this?” “O, take my Word for it,” answer’d she, -“whatever he has done has its Designs; for Men are not wont to pass -Nights under Windows, and the Days in following a Person for whom they -have nothing but Indifferency.” - -‘After some other Discourse of this Nature, she left me, and I resolv’d, -maugre the Repugnance I felt in me, to give Mendez no opportunity of -speaking to me in particular. - -‘But one Night as I was walking in the Garden, he came towards me: I was -perplext to see my self alone with him; and he had the opportunity of -observing it on my Countenance, and in the manner after which I receiv’d -him. This could not divert him from the design he had of entertaining -me: “How Happy am I Madam,” said he, “to find you alone? But do I call -my self Happy! Perhaps I know not what I say: for it may be you will not -receive a Secret with which I would entrust you.” “I am as yet so -young,” said I to him, blushing, “that I would advise you to say nothing -to me, unless you would have me impart it to my Companions.” “Alas,” -continued he, “should I tell you, I Adore you; that all my Happiness -depends on the Inclinations you have towards me: That I cannot live -without some Certainty, that I may one day please you; will you tell -this to your Companions?” “No,” said I to him, in great perplexity, “I -would look on this Confidence as a Railery; and not believing it my -self, I would not hazard its being left to be believ’d by others.” - -‘We were interrupted as I ended these words; and he appear’d to me not -over-content with the Answer I made him; and a while after he found an -opportunity to reproach me with it. - -‘I could not but give a favourable Ear to the Inclinations I had towards -him; every thing he told me seem’d to me to have its particular -Gracefulness: And it was no hard matter for him to perswade me, that he -lov’d me above all things in the World. - -‘In the mean time, the Marquess de Los Rios took such a liking to me, -and my Person and Behaviour ran so deeply in his Thoughts, that he -wholly applied himself to please me. He was very nice and cautious; he -could not resolve with himself to owe me wholly to my Parents authority: -He well knew they would receive as an Honour the Intentions he had for -me; but he was for gaining my Consent before he demanded theirs. - -‘In this Design he said all to me he thought was like to take with me. I -answer’d him I should always think it an indispensable Duty to obey my -Father: yet our Ages were so different, that I told him, I thought -’twere better he left off thinking of me; that I should have an -everlasting Acknowledgment for the advantageous Intentions he had for -me; and therefore I would esteem him, tho I could not love him. Having -heard what I said, he was some time without speaking, and immediately -taking up a very generous Resolution: “Lovely Mariana,” says he, “you -might have made me the happiest Man in the World; and if you were -ambitious, I had wherewith to satisfie you: But you refuse me, and I -desire to be anothers: I consent to it; I love you too well to be in -suspence, whether you are to be satisfied or I; I therefore wholly -sacrifice my Happiness to you, and leave you for ever.” In ending these -Words he left me, and appear’d so afflicted, that I could not forbear -being concern’d. - -‘Mendez arriv’d a while after, and found me melancholly: He was so -earnest with me to know the Cause, that I could not deny him this Proof -of my Complaisance. Any one but he would have had a sensible Obligation -at the Exclusion I came from giving his Rival: But far from seeming to -value it, he told me, He saw in mine Eyes the Regret I had for a Lover, -who could place me in another sort of a Rank than he was able; and that -my Proceeding was very Cruel. In vain [I] endeavoured to make him -sensible of the Injustice of this; but all I could say, could not hinder -him from charging me with Inconstancy. I remain’d vext, and surpriz’d at -this his Way of Dealing, and was several days without speaking to him. - -‘He, in fine, at last understood he had no Reason to Complain; he came -to me, and begg’d my Pardon, and testified to me a great Displeasure at -his own jealousie: He excused himself, as all Lovers do, on the strength -of his Passion. I had so much Weakness as to be willing to forget the -Trouble he had given me: we made up the Matter between us, and he -continued on his Courtship. - -‘His Father having understood the Passion he had for me, thought he -could not procure him a more advantageous Marriage: he took notice of it -to him, and came afterwards to my Father, to open to him the Proposal: -they had been long Friends; he was favourably heard, and they easily -agreed on the Matter. - -‘Mendez came to inform me of the News, with such Transports as would -have seem’d ridiculous to any other than a Mistress. My Mother order’d -me to look kindly on him, telling me, this Affair would be advantageous -to me: and as soon as the India-Fleet should arrive, wherein he was -greatly concern’d, the Marriage should be concluded. - -‘Whilst matters thus past, the Marquess de Los Rios had retired to one -of his Country-Houses, where he scarcely saw any one: He led a -languishing Life; he still lov’d me, but hindred himself from telling me -so, and from comforting himself by this innocent Remedy. - -‘In fine, his Body could not resist the Heaviness of his Mind; he fell -dangerously ill, and being told by the Physicians, there was no hope of -his Recovery, he pluckt up his Spirits to write me the most affectionate -Letter imaginable, and sent at the same time to me a Deed of Gift of all -his Estate, in case he dyed. My Mother was in my Chamber, when a -Gentleman presented this Packet from him; she would know what it -contain’d. - -‘I could not forbear at the same time, telling her what had past; and we -were both of us in the greatest surprize at the Marquess’s extream -Generosity. She sent him word, that I should go with my Family to thank -him for a Liberality which I had no ways deserv’d: And in particular, -she sharply reprehended me for having made a Mystery of a thing to her -with which I ought to have immediately acquainted her. I threw myself at -her Feet; I excused myself the best I could, and testifi’d such great -Sorrow for having displeas’d her, that she easily pardon’d me. Leaving -my Chamber, she went to my Father, and having learnt him all which had -past, they resolv’d to go the next Morning to see the Marquess, and to -carry me with them. - -‘I acquainted Mendez with this in the Evening; and the Fear I had, lest -my Parents should, in fine, make me marry this old Man, if he chanced to -escape out of his Sickness. However sensible I appear’d to him of this, -he was so far transported, and reproacht me so greatly with it, that I -must have lov’d him as much as I did, not to have broke off with him: -But he had such an Ascendant over me, that though he was the Injustest -of all Men, yet I thought him the most Reasonable. - -‘We were at the Marquess de Los Rios’s; his Country-house was not above -two Leagues from Seville: Dying, as he was, he receiv’d us with such Joy -as was easily observable. My Father testifi’d to him his Grief, to see -him in so low a Condition, thankt him for the Donation he made me, and -assured him, If he could find a fair and just Pretence, he would break -off with Mendez, to whom he had engaged his Word: That should this -happen, he promist him solemnly I should be no Body’s but his. He -receiv’d this Assurance in the same manner as if he had receiv’d his -perfect Felicity; but he knew well the Dolor I conceiv’d thereat: I -became Pale, my Eyes were covered with Tears; and when we were about -leaving him, he desired me to draw near to him; he told me with a -languishing Tone: “Fear nothing, Mariana; I love you too well to -displease you; you shall have Mendez, seeing your Affections are engaged -to him.” I answer’d him: “I had no particular Inclination for him; but -being commanded to respect him, as a Man who was to be my Husband, I -could do no otherwise; however, I intreated him to be well.” - -‘This seem’d to me the least step I could take towards a Person to whom -I had so great Obligations. He appear’d thereat sufficiently satisfy’d, -attempting to take my Hand and kiss it: “Remember,” said he to me, “you -enjoyn me to live; and that my Life being your Work, you will be oblig’d -to conserve it.” We return’d at Night, and the Impatient Mendez waited -for us, to make me new Reproaches: I took ’em as I was wont, as Proofs -of his Passion: and having justified my self, I askt him, What News -there was of the Fleet? “Alas!” said he to me, “my Father has receiv’d -such as drives me to Despair: I dare not inform you.” “Have you any -thing separate from me?” said I to him, looking tenderly on him: “Would -you have me to be as reserv’d to you?” “I am too Happy,” replied he, “in -that you have such favourable Dispositions; and being not able to keep -any Secret from you, I must plainly tell you, That the Galion in which -is our whole Estate, is split and lost, running against a Rock. But I -should be less sensible, how greatly soever I am Interest, did I not -look on the Unhappy Consequences of this Loss: Your Presence will -restore the Marquess de Los Rios to his Health; his Sentiments for you -are known in your Family; he is Rich, and a great Lord: I become -Miserable; and if you forsake me, my dear Mariana, I shall have no more -Hope but in a speedy Death.” I was pierced with Sorrow at this sad News: -I took one of his Hands, and closing it with mine, I said to him, “My -dear Mendez, do not think me capable of loving you, and yet leaving you, -by the Effects of your good or bad Fortune: if you be able to bear up -against it, believe me so too. I call Heaven to witness,” continued I, -“provided you love me, and be faithful to me, that I will never forsake -you; and let it punish me if ever I prove Inconstant.” - -‘He testified all the Acknowledgements he ought me for such affectionate -Assurances, and we resolved not to divulge this Accident. - -‘I withdrew very melancholly, and shut my self up in my Closet, -ruminating on the Consequences of this sad Disaster. I was still there, -when I heard some Body knocking softly at the Shutters of my Window: I -drew near, and saw Mendez by the Light of the Moon: “What do you here,” -said I to him, “at this time of the Night?” “Alas,” answer’d he to me, -“I was trying whether I could speak with you before I departed: My -Father has again lately received News of the Galion, and will have me -immediately go where she is run aground, to endeavour to save something: -It is a great way thither, and I shall be a great while without seeing -you. Ah, dear Mariana, during all this time will you be as good as your -Word to me? May I hope my dear Mistress will be faithful to me?” “What -Reason have I given you, Mendez,” said I, interrupting him, “to doubt -it? Yes,” continued I, “I will love you were you the most Unfortunate -Man in the World.” - -‘It would be to abuse your Patience, Madam, to relate to you whatever we -said in this doleful Separation; and though there appear’d no Danger, -yet our Hearts had a foreboding of what was afterwards to happen to us. -The Day began to appear, and we must bid Adieu: I saw him shed Tears, -which were accompanied with mine. - -‘I threw myself on my Bed, rowling a thousand sad Thoughts in my Mind; -and I appear’d the next Morning so out of Order, that my Father and -Mother were afraid I was falling into some dangerous fit of Sickness. - -‘Mendez his Father came to make them a Visit, to excuse his Son’s -parting without taking his Leave of them. He added, “He had a Business -which required such haste, as would not suffer him a Minute’s time at -his disposal.” As to myself, Madam, I was comfortless, being insensible -to every thing: And if any thing could ease me, ’twas some hours -Conversation with my dear Henrietta, with whom I freely vented my -thoughts touching the long Absence of Mendez. - -‘In the mean time the Marquess de Los Rios was out of Danger, and my -Father went often to see him: I observ’d one day great Alteration on my -Mother’s Countenance, she and my Father having been long shut up with -Religioses, who came to give ’em a Visit; and after a Conference of some -time, they call’d me, without my being able to divine the Cause. - -‘I entred into their Apartment in such Disorder, that I knew not what I -did. One of these good Fathers, Venerable by his Age and Habit, spake -much to me about the Resignation we owe to the Divine Will, on his -Providence, in every thing which relates to us: and the Close of his -Discourse was, that Mendez was taken by the Algerines; that he was a -Slave; and by his Misfortune these Pyrates had learnt he was a rich -Merchant’s Son; which had occasion’d the setting him at an extraordinary -Ransom: That they were at Algiers in the time he arriv’d; would have -willingly brought him along with ’em, but the money which they had for -all, was not sufficient for him alone. That at their Return they had -been at his Father’s to inform him of this vexatious Disaster; but found -he had absented himself; and that the loss of a Galion, on which was -embarkt all his Effects without being able to save any thing, had -induced him to avoid his Creditors, who sought him every-where, to throw -him in Prison: That things being in Condition, they saw no Remedy to -poor Mendez his Misfortunes, being in the hands of Meluza the most -famous and covetous of all the Corsaries; and that if I would follow -their Advice, and that of my Parents, I would think of taking another -Party. I had so far heard this dreadful News in so ecstatic a Condition, -that I could only interrupt them by sad Sighs; but when he told me, I -must think of another Party; I burst out with Tears and Shrieks, as made -both my Father and Mother, and these Religioses compassionate me. - -‘I was carried into my Chamber as one nearer death than life; and Donna -Henrietta was sent for, and it was not without great Affliction she -beheld me in this sad Condition. I fell into a most deep Melancholly; I -tormented myself day and night, and nothing was able to remove my dear -Mendez out of my Mind. - -‘The Marquess de Los Rios, having learnt what had past, conceiv’d such -strong Hopes, that he soon found himself in a Condition to come and -Claim of my Father and me the Effect of the Words we had given him. I -shewed him that mine were not disengaged in respect of Mendez; that he -was Unfortunate, which no ways lessen’d my Engagements to him. He heard -me without being perswaded by me, and told me, I had the same desire of -destroying myself, as others had of saving themselves; that ’twas more -my Interest than his, which made him act as he did. And being ravisht -with having a Pretence which seemed to him plausible, he prest my Father -with such Earnestness, that he at length consented to what he desired. - -‘It is impossible for me to represent to you, Madam, in what an Abyss of -Sorrow I was in: “What is become, my Lord,” said I to the Marquess, “of -that scrupulous Tenderness which hinder’d you from taking my Heart from -any other hand than my own? Let me at least have some time to forget -Mendez; Perhaps his Absence and Misfortunes may prevail on me to some -Indifferency towards him. To this cruel Accident, which has snatch’d him -so lately from me, you add new Troubles when you expect I should so -speedily pass over from him to you.” - -‘“I know not what I expect or may hope for,” said he to me, “but this I -am sure of, that my Complaisance had like to have cost me my Life; that -if you be not design’d for me, you will be anothers; and as to Mendez, -his Fortune has been such, that he can no longer pretend to you; and -seeing you must be disposed of, I think you are very hard hearted to -refuse me. You cannot be ignorant of what I have done hitherto to please -you, my former Proceeding should serve as a sufficient Testimony of my -future Respects.” - -‘The Marquess made a greater progress in my Father’s Mind than mine. In -a Word, my Mother having one day sent for me, told me, ’Twas to no -purpose to use any longer Delays, my Father being resolv’d I should obey -his Orders. Whatever I could say to excuse my self, my Tears, my -Remonstrances, Entreaties were all to no purpose, and serv’d only to -exasperate my Mother. - -‘All things necessary were prepared for my Marriage, the Marquess would -have every thing suitable to his Quality; He sent me a Cabinet of Jewels -and Precious Stones, to the value of several thousand Crowns. The fatal -Day for our Wedding was set. Seeing my self reduced to this Extremity. I -took a resolution which will surprize you, Madam, and demonstrate a -great Passion. - -‘I went to Donna Henrietta; this Friend had been ever faithful to me, -and threw my self at her feet, surprising her by so extraordinary a -Carriage: “My dear Henrietta,” said I to her, melting in Tears, “there -is no Remedy to my Misfortunes, unless you have pity on me; do not -abandon me, let me conjure you in the sad Condition I am in; to morrow I -must marry the Marquess de Los Rios, I can no longer avoid it. If the -Offers of Friendship you have made me be Proof against all Tryal, and -can make you capable of a generous Resolution, you will not refuse to -follow my Fortune, and to accompany me to Algiers to pay Mendez his -Ransom, to redeem him from the cruel Slavery he is in. You see me at -your Feet,” continued I, “I will never rise till you have given me your -Word, to do what I desire you.” She seem’d so concern’d at my Posture, -that I arose to make her answer me. She immediately embraced me with -great Testimonies of Tenderness: “I will refuse you nothing, my dear -Mariana,” said she to me, “were it my very Life; but you are going to -ruine your self and me with you. How can two Girls execute what you -project. Our Age, our Sex, and your Beauty, will expose us to Accidents, -the bare imagination of which makes me to tremble: this is certain, we -are going to overwhelm our Families with Shame and Confusion; and if you -had made serious Reflections hereon, it is not possible you could have -come to this Resolution.” “Ah, barbarous!” cried I, “and more barbarous -than he that detains my Lover; you forsake me, but tho I am alone, yet -that shall not hinder me from pursuing my Point, neither can the -assistance you should give me stand me in much stead: Remain, remain, I -consent, it is fit I should depart without any Comfort to affront all -Dangers; I confess such an undertaking is fit only for a desperate -Creature.” - -‘My Reproaches and Tears moved Henrietta; she told me my Interest had -obliged her as much as her own to speak to me as she had done; but in -short, seeing I persisted in my first Resolution, and nothing could -divert me from it, she resolved I should not go alone; That if I would -be ruled by her, we should disguise ourselves; that she would undertake -to get two Suits of Mens Apparel; and as for the rest, it belong’d to me -to take care of it. I embraced her with a thousand Testimonies of -Thankfulness. - -‘I afterwards askt her, Whether she had seen the Jewels which the -Marquess had sent me; “I will bring them,” said I to her, “to purchase -Mendez’s Ransom with them.” We resolved to lose no time, and we neither -of us fail’d in what we had projected. - -‘Never were two Maidens better disguised under the Habit of two -Cavaliers. We parted that Night, and embarkt our selves without the -least Obstacle, but after some days Sail we were overtaken by so violent -a Storm, as made us despair of our Safety. In all this Disorder and -Peril, I was less concerned for my self, than for not having compassed -my dear Mendez’s Liberty, and for having engaged Henrietta to follow my -ill Fortune: “It is I,” said I to her, in embracing her, “it is I, my -dear Companion, that has rais’d this Storm, were I not on the Sea it -would be Calm; my Misfortune follows me wherever I go.” In fine, we -having been a Day and two Nights in continual Alarums, the Weather -chang’d, and we arriv’d at Algiers. - -‘I was so glad to see my self in a Condition to deliver Mendez, that I -reckon’d all the Dangers we underwent as nothing: But alas, what became -of me in disembarking, when after all the search which could be made, I -perceiv’d there was no hope of finding the little Cabinet wherein I had -put all I had was most precious: I found my self seiz’d with such -violent Grief, that I thought I should have expired before I got out of -the Vessel. Without doubt this Cabinet, which was little, and of which I -took but small Care during the Tempest, fell into the Sea, or was stole, -which ever of these two it was, I made a considerable Loss, and I had -only remaining Jewels to the value of a thousand Pounds, which I had -kept for all Events about me. - -‘I resolv’d with this, to make a Tryal with Mendez’s Patron: As soon as -we were in the Town, we enquired out his House, (for Meluza was well -known) and went thither clad as Gentlemen. - -‘I cannot express to you, Madam, the trouble I was in drawing near this -House, where I knew my dear Lover languisht in Chains; what sad -Reflections did I not make; how did I look when I enter’d the Corsary’s -House, and saw Mendez Chain’d, with several others, who were leading out -to work in the Field. I should have fallen at his Feet, had not -Henrietta born me up: I no longer knew where I was, nor what I did; I -would have spoken to him, but Grief had so seiz’d on my Spirits, that my -Tongue could not utter a Word. As to him, he beheld me not; he was so -sad and deprest, that he could look on no body; and one must love him as -much as I did, to know him, so greatly was he changed. - -‘After having been some time coming to my self, I went into a low Room, -where I was told Meluza was; I saluted him, and told him the occasion of -my Voyage; that Mendez was my near Relation; that he was undone by the -Loss of a Galion, and his Captivity together; and that ’twas out of my -own Money I would pay his Ransom. The Moor appear’d to me little -concern’d at what I said; and looking scornfully on me, he answer’d, It -was not his business to enquire whence I had my Money; but this he -certainly knew, that Mendez was Rich; and to shew that he would not take -all Advantages, he would therefore set him at twenty thousand Crowns. - -‘Alas, what would this have been, had I not lost my Jewels? but this was -too much in the Condition I was in. In fine, after several long -fruitless Disputes, I took on me immediately a resolution which could -only be inspired by an extream Love. - -‘“Here’s all I have,” said I to the Pyrate, in giving him my Diamonds, -“they are not worth what thou demandest: take me for thy Slave, and be -perswaded thou wilt not keep me long. I am the only Daughter of a Rich -Banker of Seville; keep me for an Hostage, and let Mendez go; he will -soon return to Redeem me.” The Barbarian was surpriz’d to find me -capable of so generous and affectionate a Resolution. “Thou art worthy,” -said he to me, “of a better Fortune. Be it so; I accept the Condition -you offer me: I will take care of thee, and be a good Patron to thee. -Thou must leave the Habit thou wearest, to put on one agreeable to thy -Sex: thou shalt keep thy Jewels if thou wilt, I can as well stay for the -whole as for a part.” - -‘Donna Henrietta was so confused and dismayed at the Bargain I came from -concluding, that she could not sufficiently express her Displeasure to -me; but in fine, maugre all her Remonstrances and Entreaties, I held -firm, and Meluza caus’d a Slave’s Habit to be brought me, which I put -on. - -‘He conducted me to his Wives Chamber, to whom he deliver’d me, having -recounted to her what I had done for my Lover’s Liberty. - -‘She seem’d to be much affected by it, and promis’d she would shorten -the time of my Servitude by all the good Treatments she could make me. - -‘At Night, when Mendez return’d, Meluza caus’d him to be call’d, telling -him, That being of Seville, he would therefore shew him a Slave he had -bought, because perhaps he might know her. - -‘Immediately I was brought before him; Mendez at this sight, losing all -Countenance, came and cast himself at my Feet, and taking my Hands, -which he bathed with his Tears, he said every thing which was most -tender and affectionate to me. Meluza and his Wife diverted themselves, -in seeing the different Motions of Joy and Grief with which we were -agitated: in fine, they inform’d Mendez of the Obligations he had to me; -that he was free, and that I would remain in his place. He did whatever -could be done to disswade me from taking this Task on me: “Alas,” said -he to me, “you would have me load you with my Chains, my dear Mistress; -Shall I be free, when you are not? I go then to do for you what you come -from doing for me; I will sell my self, and Redeem you with this Money: -for in fine, consider, that should I as soon as I arrive at Seville, -find Assistance, and return again to bring you back, yet how is it -possible for me in the mean time to leave you; judge how I can do this -in a time wherein my Fortune promises me nothing, and am the most -Unhappy of all Men.” I offered against all his Reasons, the Tenderness -of my Father, who would soon Redeem me when he knew where I was. In -fine, I made use of all the Power I had over his Mind, to make his -Advantage of what I had done in his Favour. - -‘What shall I say to you, Madam, of our Separation? It was so dolorous, -that Words cannot express what we felt. I obliged Henrietta to part with -him, to sollicite and press my Parents to do their part in my behalf. - -‘In the mean time my Father and Mother were in an unconceivable -Affliction; and when they perceiv’d my flight they thought to die with -Grief. - -‘They blamed themselves infinitely for forcing me to marry the Marquess -de Los Rios. He was for his part in no less Despair; they caused me to -be searcht for in vain, in all places where they thought I might have -hid my self. - -‘Two whole Years were past without my receiving any News or Succors from -Mendez; which made me believe with great likelihood, that both he and -Henrietta were cast away on the Sea: I had given them all the Jewels -which Meluza had left me; but it was not their Loss, nor that of my -Liberty, which I regretted: It was of my dear Lover and faithful Friend, -whose Remembrance continually possest me, and caus’d me an unparallel’d -Affliction; I could get no Rest nor Health; I wept Day and Night; I -refused to come out of my Slavery in neglecting to signifie to my Father -my present Condition. I wisht only for a speedy Death, which I would -have willingly met with, to put an end to my Troubles and Misfortunes. - -‘Meluza and his Wife began to pity me: they did not doubt but Mendez was -cast away: they treated me less cruelly than these sort of People are -wont to use those Unhappy Wretches who fall into their Hands. - -‘One Day, as Meluza came from Pyrating, he brought with him several -Persons of both Sexes which he had taken, and among the rest a Young -Woman of some Quality of Seville, and whom I knew. This sight renewed my -Grief: she was much surpriz’d to find me in this sad place. We -affectionately embraced one another, and observing a deep silence; “How -now, Beautiful Mariana,” said she to me, “are you so indifferent towards -your Relations and Country, that you have no Curiosity to make any -Enquiries about them?” I lifted up mine Eyes to Heaven in uttering a -deep Sigh; I entreated her to tell me, If ’twere known where Mendez and -Henrietta were lost? “Who has told you they are lost?” replied she. -“They are at Seville, where they lead a very happy Life. Mendez has -re-establisht his Affairs, and makes it his great Delight and Honour to -publish in all places the Extream Obligations he has to Henrietta. -Perhaps you are ignorant,” continued she, “that Mendez was taken and -made a Slave by the Algerines; this generous young Woman disguised her -self, and came hither to redeem him, but he has not been ungrateful, for -he has married her. There is a most charming Union between them. Hymen -has not banisht Love in their particular.” - -‘As she was yet speaking, she perceiv’d my Countenance to alter on a -sudden, and that I was ready to faint; my Strength fail’d me, mine Eyes -closed, and I sunk down between her Arms; she was greatly troubled at -this; she called my Companions, who put me to Bed, and endeavour’d to -recover me from this pitious Condition. - -‘This young Woman greatly concern’d her self for me; and when I came to -my self, I began to complain; I uttered Sighs and Groans able to move a -Rock. - -‘Meluza was affected at the Recital of such a worse than barbarous -Instance of Treachery, and without any notice to me, he inform’d -himself, by his new Slave of my Father’s Name, and immediately wrote to -him what he knew of my Misfortunes. - -‘These Letters were like to have been the Death of my Mother; she could -not imagine I could be in Chains at eighteen Years of Age, without -shedding a torrent of Tears: But that which augmented her Grief, was, -the Disorder of my Father’s Affairs; several considerable Bankrupts had -ruined him; his Credit was gone, and it was impossible for him to -procure the 20000 Crowns which Meluza demanded for my Ransom. - -‘The Generous Marquess de Los Rios heard this News, came to my Father, -and offered him what lay in his Power: “I do not do this,” said he, “in -design to force your Daughter’s Inclinations when she shall be here; I -shall love her always, but I will never displease her.” My Father having -no other way of Relief, thankfully accepted of what was offered him; and -in a word, embarkt himself, and happily arriv’d at Algiers, in the time -when I thought only of dying. - -‘He forbore all those Reproaches I deserv’d; he redeem’d me, and at my -Intreaty, this young Woman of Seville, for a moderate Ransom. We -return’d together, and my Mother receiv’d me with such joy as is -impossible to be exprest. I answer’d hereto as much as was possible; but -I carried always in my Heart, Madam, the fatal Stroke which had wounded -me: Whatever my Reason could represent to me, was not sufficient to -Eface out of my Remembrance the Image of the Traitor Mendez. - -‘I saw the Marquess de Los Rios: he dared not mention the Inclinations -he still had towards me; but I had such pressing Obligations to him, -that Gratitude made me do for him, what my Inclinations would have made -me do for another. - -‘I gave him my Hand, and he his to me, with such Affection, as if he had -had no solid Matter of Complaint against me. - -‘In fine, I married him, and apprehending lest I should see Mendez, that -Ungrateful Wretch, to whom I owe such Horrour, and for whom I had so -little, I pray’d the Marquess we might dwell in the Country-house he had -near Seville. - -‘He ever approv’d of what I liked; he would have my Father and Mother -retire; he less’ned the sad Condition of their Fortune, by considerable -Liberalities: and I may truly say, there never was a greater Soul. -Judge, Madam, of all the Reproaches I made my Heart for its not being so -tender to him as it ought to have been: It was not in my power to forget -Mendez, and I always felt new Regrets, when I learnt his Felicity with -the Unfaithful Henrietta. - -‘Having past two Years in a continual watching over myself, that I might -do nothing but what was agreeable to my Husband, Heaven depriv’d me of -him, of this Generous Husband; and he did for me in these last Moments, -what he had already heretofore done, giving me all he had, with such -Testimonies of Esteem and Affection, as much enhanced the Price of the -Gift: He made me the richest Widow of Andalousia, but he could not make -me the Happiest. - -‘I would not return to Seville, where my Parents would have had me been; -and to avoid it, I pretended a Journey farther into the Country, to look -after some part of my Estate. I set out; but there being a particular -Fatality in whatever relates to me, in arriving at an Inn, the first -Object which struck my sight, was the Unfaithful Mendez: he was in deep -Mourning, and had lost nothing of whatever made me heretofore fancy him -too Lovely. It is impossible to express the Condition I was in, for -endeavouring to get speedily from him, I found myself so weak and -trembling, that I fell at his Feet. Although he knew me not that -instant, yet he earnestly endeavour’d to raise me up; but the great Veil -under which I was conceal’d, flying open, what became of him in seeing -me? He remain’d no less confused than I was: he would have drawn near to -me, but casting a furious Look on him: “Darest thou, Perjured Wretch!” -said I to him, “darest thou approach me! Art thou not afraid of the just -Punishment of thy Perfidiousness?” He was some time without answering -me, and I was about leaving him when he stopt me: “Confound and -overwhelm me with Reproaches, Madam,” said he to me: “Give me the worst -and most perfidious Names as is possible; they cannot be more than I -deserve: but my Death shall soon revenge your Quarrel: I ought to die -with Sorrow for having betray’d you; and if I regret any thing in dying, -it is only the having one Life to lose, to expiate all the Crimes you -can justly accuse me of.” He appear’d to me much affected in ending -these words; and would to Heavens his Repentance were really sufficient -and true! I would not hazard a longer Conversation with him: I left him, -disdaining to return him an Answer. And this Mark of Contempt and -Slighting, was, without doubt, more sensible to him, than all the -Reproaches I might have made him. - -‘He had some time since lost his Wife, that Unfaithful Creature, who had -helpt him to Revolt against all the Offices of Love, Honour, and -Gratitude. And from that time he follow’d me every-where: he was like a -Complaining Shadow, ever fastened to my Feet; for he became so lean, -pale, and chang’d, that he was no longer discernable. Heavens! Madam, -what Violence did I not offer myself, in continuing to ill Treat him: I -found at last I wanted Strength to resist the Weakness of my Heart, and -the Ascendant this Wretch had over me. Rather than to commit so shameful -an offence, and to Forgive him, I parted for Madrid, where I have -Relations, and sought among them a Shelter against the Violence of mine -own Inclinations. - -‘I was not there long but Mendez found me out: I must confess to you, I -was not heartily displeas’d at his Attendance on me; but maugre my -Inclinations towards him, I put on a firm Resolution to avoid him, -seeing I could not sincerely hate him; and unknown to every Body, I took -the Road to Burgos, where I am going to Cloyster myself with a Religious -there, my Friend. I flatter myself, Madam, with the Hopes of finding -more Rest there, than I have hitherto met with.’ - -The Beautiful Marchioness here held her peace; and I testified to her my -particular Acknowledgments for the Favour she had done me: I assured her -of the part I took in her Adventures: I conjured her to write to me, and -let me hear from her at Madrid; and she promised it me in the most -obliging Manner as is possible. - -We found the next Morning we could not set out, it having snow’d all the -Night, and no Path appearing on the Ground; but we wanted not Company to -pass the time in Play and Discourse. Having been three days with the -Marchioness de Los Rios, without any Weariness at the length of the -Time, through the pleasure I had of seeing and hearing her talk (for she -is one of the most lovely Women in the World.) We parted with a mutual -Regret, and it was not without doubling our Promises of writing to, and -seeing one another hereafter. - -The Weather mended, and I continued on my Journey to Lerma: We had -traverst dreadful Mountains, which bear the Name of Sierra de Cogollos, -and it was not without great trouble we got thither: This Town is small; -she has given her name to the famous Cardinal de Lerma, Chief Minister -to Philip III: it is from him that Philip IV. took the great Revenues he -had receiv’d from the King his Master. Here is a Castle which I will see -to Morrow, and of which I shall give you an Account in my next. I am -told an Extraordinary Express is arriv’d, and will set out to Night: I -will lay hold of this Opportunity of sending to you, and ending this -long Letter; for in truth I am tired both with the Way, and with -Writing, but I shall never be weary of Loving you. - - - From Lerma, - Mar. 5, 1679. - - - - - _FINIS._ - ------ - -Footnote 3: - - This happened in 714, after the Battle of St. Martin, wherein D. - Rodrigue lost his Life; others say, he fled into Portugal, and died in - a Town there call’d Viscii. - - - - - Reprinted for - Archer M. Huntington - At the Knickerbocker Press - G. P. Putnam’s Sons - 1899 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - -Punctuation has been normalized. Variations in spelling and hyphenation -have been retained as they were in the original book. The following -changes have been made: - - Castlenau —>Castleneau {page 3} - a bundant —> abundant {page 29} - Mesignac —> Messignac {page 40} - Quebare —> Quebara {page 56} - Marquiss —> Marquess {page 66} - Accomphisht —> Accomplisht {page 66} - psent —> spent {page 103} - Coulour —> Colour {page 109} - scaace —> scarce {page 133} - Acknowedgements —> Acknowledgements { page 211} - Los Reos —> Los Rios {page 229} - removed duplicate “a” {page 232} - Argiers —> Algiers {page 233} - -Footnotes have been moved to the back of the chapter in which they -occurred. - -Italicized phrases are presented by surrounding the text with -_underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ingenious and Diverting Letters of -the Lady--Travels into Spain, by Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INGENIOUS AND DIVERTING LETTERS *** - -***** This file should be named 52667-0.txt or 52667-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/6/6/52667/ - -Produced by Josep Cols Canals and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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