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bestowed upon them more than ordinary labour, we will just briefly state their substance. His theory, as far as we can comprehend it, seems to be this. Religion, in every country, is calculated to produce an effect on manners as well as on morals; and while in England this effect, among those who read little, or not at all, is accomplished by public preaching; in Spain it is produced, partly by sensible representations of the Gospel history,' exhibited in the churches at appointed seasons, and partly by auricular confession. He admits, indeed, that, when brought into comparison with this latter practice, the dignity of the pulpit makes reproof more severe, denunciations more alarming, advice more powerful, and consolation more soothing: but still would be sorry to see auricular confession abolished, until it was replaced by something better. For, granting that the profligacy of the higher classes is not corrected by it; the main business of the confessors, in this quarter, being to prevent their genteel penitents from becoming refractory and heretical; yet with the other classes, who are perfectly orthodox on matters of ceremony, they are at full liberty to attend more immediately to the formation of their moral habits;' and, accordingly, their efforts to enforce the habits of sobriety, honesty, and veracity,' have been crowned with wonderful success; though in chastity,' says Mr. J., as far as I am able to judge, they have been less successful. We are a little surprised that, in this statement of the advantages of auricular confession, our author should have paid so little regard to the moral efficacy of absolution, both as it relieves the conscience from a sense of past guilt, and renders the indulgence in future sins more. easy and agreeable. He does acknowledge, however, that many of the ceremonial observances are not very intimately connected with religious feeling.'

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• In the midst of the gaieties, which commence about five,o'clock in the evening, when the Paseo, or publick walk, is crowded with company dressed in their most splendid attire, and indulging in the liveliest conversation, the sound of a bell announces the approaching hour of sunset. At this signal, which is called oracion, every one, as if by magic, seems fixed in his place; every head is uncovered, and the whole company repeats, or is supposed to repeat, a mental prayer: after a few minutes devoted to these formalities, the lively scene is resumed, and the conversation continued from the point at which it met this pious interruption. This ceremony takes place in every part of Spain; and where theatres or other public amusements are open, the sound of this bell suspends the entertainment till the prayer is over; so great is its effect, that it is even said that assassins, at the moment of executing their horrid design, have held their hand at the sound of the oracion, and, after repeating the habitual prayer, have perpetrated their diabolical purpose.' pp. 89, 90.

However decorous the Spaniards may be in the performance of their public devotions, nothing can be more indecent and slovenly than the manner in which their domestic worship is conducted; a circumstance which I have frequently noticed in the family with whom I lodge. Towards the conclusion of supper, when seated round the table, the master of the house commences with repeating ten Ave Maria's; the wife repeats the Pater Noster and her ten Ave Maria's, others at table repeat in the same manner, while one of them with a rosary of beads keeps the account, till they have repeated the Ave Maria fifty times, and the Lord's prayer five times, the number being accurately corrected by the string of beads. They then say a litany, adding to the name of every saint of a long list,' "ora pro nobis ;" then a prayer for the dead, another for protection during the night, and conclude the whole with a Gloria Patri. The words are uttered with as much rapidity as possible; and if any employment calls away the person who is repeating, he performs the work without interrupting the prayer, or losing any time; in fact, the Spaniards appear to act slowly and deliberately in every thing they undertake, except it be in this single instance of family worship.' pp. 92, 93.

Some sensible remarks follow on the church revenues, particularly those accruing from tythes,-than which nothing can be more oppressive, either as it respects the exorbitance of their amount, or the rigid mode of their collection. In descanting on national manners, which then come under consideration, our author notices the marked deference paid to the female sex, even by the peasantry,—the universal prevalence of matrimonial infidelity,-and a degree of familiarity exending through all relations of society, which, in England, we should deem rudeness, and find troublesome.'

Servants converse while attending at table with the familiarity of friends. Centini, a valet de place, whom I have hired in this place, makes no scruple of helping himself to a glass of wine, taking snuff from my box, or lighting his segar at my candle.'-' The apartments of a gentleman, or the chamber of a lady, when you have passed the outer door, are always found open, and it is deemed no intrusion to enter without being announced. Even the cabinet of the minister is equally accessible.'In the first circles the practice of calling people by their Christian names, and even titled ladies, is very common.' 106.

The remarks with which Mr. J. has prefaced his letter on Spanish education, we humbly presume to think, are neither creditable to his judgment nor his liberality. Without entering into particulars, it may be sufficient to observe, that, in hinting his prejudices against a national system of education, he seems unconsciously to forget that the value of the system must entirely depend on two things,-what is taught, and the mode of teaching;-else, after noticing the impracticability' of the plan lately framed by a distinguished member of the house of commons,' he would never have immediately subjoined Spain, however, such a plan has been adopted, and carried into execution.' From Mr. Jacob's own account it appears, that

in

very few of the grown up peasantry know how to read, though the generality of them are initiated into that dangerous science in their youth. The education of the higher classes he, of course, admits to be intolerably bad. Some of his remarks on this subject are so judicious, that we gladly quote them.

The early period of life at which the young Spanish gentry are introduced into society, the time they usually spend in that society, the trifling subjects commonly discussed, and the great familiarity with which they are allowed to behave to their elders, all contribute to prevent their acquiring that knowledge which is so necessary to form the character of virtuous and intelligent men. The quiet solitude of domestic life seems unknown in Spain: the idea of a man, his wife, and family, spending a day, or even part of a day, without company, appears to them so unnatural, that they can scarcely believe it to be our practice.' p. 111.

The education of the females of the best families, is, if possible, stil worse. They are early sent to a convent as pensioners, and under the care of some of the aged nuns are instructed in reading, writing, and needlework, but especially in the outward forms of religion. They are usually kept in these houses of seclusion till they arrive at a proper age, and frequently till some matrimonial engagement is formed. From the retirement of a convent, with all its uniformity and dulness, they are suddenly introduced into circles of gaiety and dissipation, and it is not wonderful that from so violent a change, and from the example of the married females, with whom they associate, they become victims to the dissolute habits of their country.' pp. 112.

In setting down his observations on the paintings, for the number and excellence of which Seville is remarkable, his attention does not fail to be attracted by several master-pieces of the admirable Murillo,-of whom, according to custon, we are treated with a biographical sketch, which is succeeded by ditto of Pedro de Campaña. Previous to his departure, he presents his readers with pretty copious notices of agriculture and commerce; but as there is nothing very new in this part of his volume, we shall attend him without delay in his return to Cadiz, which took place in November. He arrived just in time to see a bull-fight at St. Mary's, given in honour of Lord Wellington. There were about 10,000 people present, all profoundly interested in the cruel spectacle. On the whole, however, the exhibition was represented to our author as a very 'inferior' one-notwithstanding the last bull was killed, as the matador,' with much dignity, expressed it, to the health of King George.'

A visit to Admiral Purvis, on board the Atlas, and another to Admiral Alava's flag-ship, the Santa Ana, gives our author occasion to draw a contrast very gratifying to an Englishman; the one affording an example of order, cleanliness,

and subordination, the other of confusion, filth, and waut of discipline.' He represents the Spanish officers as a little infected with jealousy towards the British navy, and says it is generally supposed they are not very sincere patriots.

After noticing in a cursory manner the fortifications and commerce of Cadiz, our author takes another turn to Seville, enjoys a cheerful Christmas dinner with Don Antonio Pizano, at Chiclana, and then, on his re-arrival at Cadiz, proceeds to say a word or two on political matters. He bears witness to the universal hatred which pervades the Spanish nation, individually, against the French; but laments there is no sort of disposition to combine. At this, we confess, we have never been much inclined to wonder. Indeed, where a people have no definite object to fight for, and no men of commanding talent to concentrate their ardour, how can it be otherwise? A mere instinctive patriotism, it is true, may teach them to plunge their daggers,' at every cowardly opportunity, into the breasts of their invaders. But most men, we think, have, by this time, ceased to expect that the whole population should be up in arms to perpetuate a most hateful tyranny, under which they have hitherto dragged on a burdensome existence. The utter worthlessness of the upper orders of society in Spain, indeed, is now admitted by every body; and the only reasonable ground of hope for a successful resistance, on the part of the mass of the people, seems to be, that they may, in the course of the conflict, work themselves into a state of veritable freedom, a state in which they will spurn the impositions which any despotism may seek to force upon them, in which they will resolve not only to drive the French out of the country, but to emancipate themselves from the vile bondage of the former system of things. If they do this, their success may be confidently reckoned on; but we confess there appears to us but a remote probability, that they will do it.

The next place to which our author's business or inclination carries him is Gibraltar, from whence he proceeds through Marvella, Malaga, and Velez, to Granada. The sketch of the Moors in Spain, bearing date from this last place, Jan. 1810, was, as Mr. Jacob candidly acknowledges, produced in Eng. land. We are not quite convinced, however, of the necessity of the insertion. It enlarges the quarto doubtless; but, in general, we think it is quite as well for the traveller to abstain from intruding into the province of the historian, unless he draws his information from sources not easily accessible, or has reason to suppose that his performance will be blessed with a more than usual portion of longevity. It is not, therefore, without a secret satisfaction that we escape from our author's VOL. VII. 4 Y

several other miscellaneous particulars we copy the following paragraph. In the latter part of the extract, our author contrasts very favourably with the gay and gallant Sir John.

The mode of visiting, after a first introduction, is very easy and familiar. You may enter the house at any hour, and, without being announced, proceed to the apartments of the family, where you generally meet agreeable company. On these occasions refreshments are seldom distributed beyond a glass of iced water, or a very cool liquor called· agrace, composed of the juice of unripe grapes, cooled with ice, and sweetened with sugar. The visit is always paid to the lady of the house, who is constantly dressed to receive company. Senora

-, at whose house I most frequently visit, is a fine woman, has a large family, dresses well, talks a good deal, and is generally surrounded with visitors. Indeed, dress, cards, and occasionally music, form the principal pursuits of the ladies. I must not omit to mention one occupation in which they pass a large portion of their time. They daily frequent the churches. Yet I fear their religious ceremonies are performed rather with a view to amuse than instruct. They kneel, it is true, before the altar, or humble themselves before the image of some saint-lisp a few prayers-count their beads to ascertain the number is correct, but depart with little of that religious feeling so necessary for the regulation of worldly conduct.'

Our author's curiosity was extremely diligent in exploring the churches, which are all, he says, superbly fitted up, and adorned with rich ornaments and good paintings.' A more interesting object, however, in Mr. Jacob's pages, is the ruined residence of the late Governor Solano, who was barbarously murdered by the mob for disaffection to the patriotic cause. The particulars of his death are related as follows.

The whole city was in a state of tumult. The populace, irritated by the patriots of Seville, indignant at the treachery of France, and clamorous for the death of the governor, surrounded his habitation. Some parties attacked it with musquetry, while others dragged cannon from the ramparts, and assailed his residence. In the midst of the firing he escaped by the roof of his house, and took refuge in an adjoining one, the lady of which, an intimate friend of the family, hid him in a small closet, which had been secretly built some years before,

When the insurgents gained possession of Solano's house, and discovered his flight, they pursued him to the house where he was concealed, which was searched with diligence, but without success. After committing some atrocities, and even wounding the lady of the house with a musket ball, they were departing discontented with having missed the object of their vengeance; when the party was joined by an artificer, who had constructed the secret closet, and who conducted them to the hiding place, where Solano was discovered, and delivered, to the fury of the mob. The general cry of the mob was, " To the gallows to the gallows!" whither this veteran was conducted. But such was the indignation of the people, that before he quitted the house where he was discovered, he was lacerated with knives, and his clothes literally torn from his body. Naked and streaming with blood, from numberless wounds, he preserved the firm