le of which immense
province seems to be prone at his feet. I shall probably find Seville
occupied by his hordes, but I fear them not, and trust that the Lord will
open the path for me to Madrid. One thing I am resolved upon: either to
be the instrument of doing something for Spain, or never to appear again
in my native land.
G. B.
To the Rev. A. Brandram
(_Endorsed_: recd. Dec. 28th, 1836)
SEVILLE, _Dec._ 5_th_, 1836.
REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--I arrived safely at Cadiz on the 21st ult.; the
steam-engine had been partially repaired at Lisbon, and our passage was
speedy and prosperous. I was happy to have reached the shores of Spain,
being eager to enter upon my allotted task. Cadiz is a small but
beautiful city, built upon a tongue of land and surrounded on all points
but one by the sea, which dashes up against its walls: the houses are
lofty, and of a dazzling whiteness; the streets are straight and narrow.
On my arrival I found great confusion reigning: numerous bands of the
factious were reported to be hovering in the neighbourhood, an attack was
not deemed improbable, and the place had just been declared in a state of
siege. I took up my abode at the French Hotel, in the Calle de la
Niveria, and was allotted a species of cock-loft or garret to sleep in,
for the house was filled with guests, being a place of much resort on
account of the excellent _table d'hote_ which is kept there. I dressed
myself and walked about the town. I entered several coffee houses: the
din of tongues in all was deafening; in one no less than six orators were
haranguing at the same time on the state of the country, and the
probability of an intervention on the part of England and France. As I
was listening to one of them he suddenly called upon me for my opinion,
as I was a foreigner, and seemingly just arrived. I replied that I could
not venture to guess what steps the two Governments would pursue under
the present circumstances, but thought that it would be as well if the
Spaniards would exert themselves more, and call less on Jupiter. As I
did not wish to engage in any political conversation I instantly quitted
the house, and sought those parts of the town where the lower classes
principally reside.
I entered into discourse with several individuals, but found them v
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