ing spectacle. This cowardly destruction of the noblest of all animals, after spending their lives in the service of mankind, for the purpose of gratifying the base appetite of the multitude, I confess I could not look upon. It is certainly one of the first duties of a vigorous government, to put an end to such disgraceful scenes: all the intelligent Spaniards I met, seemed heartily ashamed of them. My landlady used to confess that Spain was the last country in Europe, except Portugal: she wished to go, she told me, to America, where there were neither kings nor bull-fights; ní reyes ní toros)."-pp. 116, 117. The following forms a pretty contrast to the contributions levied on travellers in England by waiters, chambermaids, guards, coachmen, &c. ." After being tumbled about.in this manner for nearly sixty miles, we arrived about seven in the evening at a wretched village, yclept Ayerb, at the foot of the mountains, where we were destined to leave our carriage. I may mention, as an instance of the carelessness of the Spaniards in general, and the Aragonese in particular, about money, that the man who drove us this distance-and a hard day's work it was-never asked us for any. I inquired for him in the morning, as he was a civil fellow, and was very active in getting the carriage out of the mud; but he was not to be found. I have before mentioned, that I never was attempted to be imposed upon in Spain; and I have invariably found the garçons, conductors, et hoc genus omne, thankful for whatever I gave them.”—pp. 137, 138. At page 160, he makes a very silly remark on "Young's Night Thoughts;" though, had he done what he foolishly pretends to imagine none ever did, (viz. read them through), we trust he would have altered his opinion. We give his description of San Sebastian. "San Sebastian is situated on a small tongue of land, which terminates abruptly in a lofty rocky promontory. On this, the citadel is situated, which commands not only the town below, but the whole surrounding country. Close under cover, as it were, of this rock, the town is built, which is entirely new; the old one having been completely destroyed during the desperate siege it stood during the late war. In consequence of this, the streets are wide, and more regularly built than in any other town I have seen in Spain: but it is small. I do not think it contains ten thousand inhabitants within the walls. The town is defended also on the north side by a river, which is fordable only at low water: through this, the British' forlorn' advanced, to the last bloody, but successful attack and such was the strength of the walls, and the courage of the besieged, that even that, it is said, would have failed, had not General Graham, by an admirable presence of mind, directed the artillery to fire over the heads of his own men, even while they were in the breach. wall is now rebuilt; but it is easy to mark the spot where this bold manœuvre was practised."-pp. 155, 156. The We also extract his description of the affair at Ernani, as a fair specimen of the manner in which newspapers manufacture most glorious victories, and tremendous defeats. "On the 30th of August, the combined troops in the town, consisting of three British and three Spanish regiments, marched out to attack Ernani, a village about three miles off, occupied by the Carlists. As most absurd reports were made regarding this affair, both by the French and English newspapers, I think it right to give all the information I can on the subject, collected from eye witnesses on the spot; for at that time I was confined a close prisoner to my room. "The Carlists had concentrated their forces at Ernani; to a much greater number than was anticipated. They amounted to upwards of three thousand; and had fortified themselves in such a manner, that it was thought advisable not to attempt to carry their position without artillery. The generals, both British and Spanish, had, I believe, been misled, both as to the number of their opponents, and the strength of their position. The reason of this, in my opinion, was, that the attack had been premeditated for some time, and had been delayed from day to day, in consequence of the bad weather; which at that time was very rainy and boisterous and during this interval, the Carlists having, by means of their spies, learned that an attack was meditated, had augmented their numbers accordingly. : The whole day was spent in skirmishing; during which, the young British troops were often exposed to the fire of the Carlists, who were behind their intrenchment, and they stood without flinching. One of the regiments, indeed, offered to carry the village with the bayonet, the true weapon of the British soldier, and the officers had considerable difficulty in keeping back their men; but as they were unprovided with artillery, it was thought proper to retreat. This was effected in good order; the Carlists never quitted their position, for the purpose of completing their victory, as they, and their friends, have termed this affair. I saw the troops, from my window, returning to their quarters; they were apparently in good spirits, and playing the British Bayoneteers' with all their might. "The loss chiefly fell upon the Spanish troops. Of these, sixty-three were brought into the hospital of San Sebastian. My informant on this head was my physician, who attended the hospital professionally. The number of British wounded did not exceed twenty: and their wounds were generally so slight, that during the week which followed the action, not one of them lost either life or limb. I was in the habit of seeing one of the surgeons every day, who informed me as to this. The total number of killed and missing of Spanish and English did not amount to ten. "It was currently reported at San Sebastian, that the Carlists had lost between twenty and thirty killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded; my medico informed me that this was positively known to the factious of the town, who had received the intelligence from their friends; but I had no means of ascertaining this fact. "During the whole of this day-it was Sunday-the town was deserted. The whole population, including women and children, followed the troops out of the town, as if they had been going to see a bull-fight. I confess I would have followed their example, had I been able; but I had to content myself with sitting at my window and listening to the flying reports about the streets. I had a view of the gate which leads to Ernani, and which is generally a thoroughfare; but on that day it was deserted, except when the wounded men were carried into the town, borne on the shoulders of their comrades; these were generally surrounded with groups of women and children, many of whom I observed in tears. When the pride and pomp of war is torn aside, and it is seen in all its stern realities, it is different, indeed, from what poetry and history have painted it. At the sight of these melancholy groups, who could help remembering Ah, monarchs! could ye taste the mirth ye mar, Not in the toils of glory would ye fret; The hoarse dull drum would sleep, and man be happy yet.'. The number of killed and wounded in this affair was exaggerated in the most absurd terms by the French newspapers, as I observed on my journey homewards through France. Happening to go into a café at Bayonne, I took up the newspaper of the day, which stated the number of English and Spaniards killed and wounded, at six hundred - more than six times the true amount. Numbers of people, chiefly military men, were discussing the news; and from their countenances and observations, they appeared to be pleased that their ancient enemies had received a check. At Bourdeaux, and other places, the newspapers took an evident delight in dwelling on these affairs, and magnifying the losses of their ancient enemies, which, perhaps helped to console them, for the check they had received a few weeks before at Algiers."-pp. 163-168. In his concluding remarks, he says, in alluding to the paucity of beggars, "Perhaps I cannot pay a higher compliment to the people, than by saying that I saw fewer beggars in Spain than in any other continental country I have visited-not excepting France; and considering that the poor are supported merely by voluntary contributions, this circumstance says more perhaps for the independent character of the people, than anything else that could be said in their favour. Indeed, with all due deference to Mr. O'Connell, I believe the Spanish peasantry to be the finest in Europe. In outward appearance, they certainly are, for amongst them, I have seen more handsome men, than in any other class in Spain." -p. 172. With one more extract, in which is much truth, we conclude our notice; and though we do not always agree with him in his political reflections, yet we do say that he gives a fair idea of that part of Spain which he visited, and accompanied very frequently with just remarks and observations. But the great want in Spain appears to be, that there is no middle class; where, in other countries, society has generally found its must useful members. This arises undoubtedly from the want of industry and intelligence-the two elements which in free countries have formed that useful class, whose duty it is to hold the lalance between anarchy and despotism. From the want of this wholesome check, the Spaniards are inclined to run into extremes, and ever will be, until the government by educating the people, and by judicious laws, encouraging in dustry and commerce, spreads intelligence and wealth over the nation. If it is true that governments make men, and that the destinies of nations are frequently in the hands of individuals-the present Spanish minister surely holds a station of tremendous responsibility."-pp. 172, 173. ART. VIII.-The Professions, with other Pieces. London: Fellowes. 1836. TH's is evidently the work of a gentleman of feeling and reflection. It opens with a few lines from "The Poet to his Harp," which contains some merit; as also, an "Invocation." The Church, as is its due, is first treated of, and begins with the following sweet and unaffected lines: "Behold the church! Here let us rest awhile, Like village loiterers, on this broken stile ; Where may the soul dissatisfied with thee, That balmy peace which thou canst never give? Where but a single step divides the grave Of him who begg'd a scrap, and him who gave." In the introduction to Law, which comes next, in speaking of pettifoggers he says, that "the increase of these, if not timely checked, will aid the poor laws to effect the ruin of the country." Now, leaving the poor laws out of the question, we think it savours vastly of the ridiculous to imagine that even a whole host of pitiful creeping things in the shape of roguish attornies, could become a chief instrument in the ruin of England-as the honourable part of the profession might surely root them out, by exposing their iniquities. There is much feeling expressed in the following: Whence was that bursting sob, that piercing groan, Which sympathy might wake in heart of stone! Does true repentance heave that bitter sigh, Ill look no more ;-come lead me to that cell, Still range the painted pack, or cog the dice. But why should honesty, with such a crew, There is much force and descriptive power in the following sketch of a man who has been unjustly confined, through an enemy calling in the aid of one of the numerous tribe, which disgraces the law, and for whom no work is too dirty. "Yet mark their victim-where's the eye of fear, Of guilt, arrested in its mad career? The slavish trembling and the coward face, An angel bursts his chains-the man is free! He also justly demands "O justice, when will that lethargic charm, Which blunts thy feelings, and unnerves thine arm, Have spent its leaden power?" Next comes "Physic," in which he justly desecrates the plan of writing prescriptions "in barbarous and contracted Latin," and deals with just severity with all vain pretenders in the "healing art." From the introduction to "The Army" we extract the following, which needs no comment. "Resistance to injury and oppression must, of course, be both reasonable and lawful; but that a country like ours, which is almost secured by nature and its fleets against external foes, should be under the necessity of keeping up a large standing army, must argue something wrong in its government." We think "such things are," as the sketch below describes, and recommend it to those who cannot fail to recognize its truth. "True sons of Mars, not like old Marius these, By deeds of years who rose to dignities; |