e mere palaces of clouds which a breath of wind is
sufficient to tumble into ruin; therefore bearing this possibility in
mind it behoves me to beg that I may be always enabled to bow meekly to
the dispensations of the Almighty, whether they be of favour or severity.

Two days ago I received my largest and most useful horse from the Sagra
of Toledo and likewise a note from Lopez; he is unable to come himself at
present to assist me, but he sent a countryman who, he is of opinion,
will be of equal utility, at least for a time. I yesterday despatched
him to the low parts of Madrid, or as they are styled, _Los Barrios
bajos_; he succeeded in disposing of twelve Testaments, amongst the very
poor people, in a few hours. My other horse is at Salamanca, in Old
Castile; but he suffered so much during my late expeditions, that it will
hardly answer my purpose to send for him.

In passing through La Mancha we stayed for four hours at Manzanares, a
large village which I hope to visit again shortly. I was standing in the
market-place conversing with a curate, when a frightful ragged object
presented itself; it was a girl about eighteen or nineteen, perfectly
blind, a white film being spread over her huge staring eyes; her
countenance was as yellow as that of a mulatto. I thought at first that
she was a Gypsy, and addressing myself to her, enquired in Gitano if she
were of that race. She understood me; but shaking her head replied, that
she was something better than a Gitana, and could speak something better
than that jargon of witches, whereupon she commenced asking me several
questions in exceeding good Latin. I was of course very much surprised,
but summoning all my Latinity, I called her Manchegan prophetess, and
expressing my admiration at her learning begged to be informed by what
means she became possessed of it. I must here observe that a crowd
instantly gathered around us who, though they understood not one word of
our discourse, at every sentence of the girl shouted applause, proud in
possession of a prophetess who could answer the Englishman. She informed
me that she was born blind, and that a Jesuit priest had taken compassion
on her when she was a child, and had taught her the 'holy language,' in
order that the attention and hearts of Christians might be more easily
turned towards her. I soon discovered that he had taught her something
more than Latin, for upon telling her that I was an Englishman, she said
that