sulted the messenger: whereupon I sent the latter
back with money to pay any fees lawful or unlawful which might be
demanded, as I wished to avoid noise and the necessity of applying to the
consul, Mr. Williams. But the fellow became only more outrageous. I
then went myself to demand an explanation and was called all the vilest
names contained in the Spanish _Germania_ (Billingsgate), whereupon I
told him that if he proceeded in this manner I would make a complaint to
the authorities through the consul. He then said that if I did not
instantly depart he would drag me off to prison, and cause me to be
knocked down if I made the slightest resistance. I dared him repeatedly
to do both, and said that he was a disgrace to the Government which
employed him and to human nature. He called me a heretic. We were now
in the street and a mob was collected, whereupon I cried '_Viva
Inglaterra_, _y viva La Constitucion_.' The populace seemed disposed to
side with me, notwithstanding the exhortations of the monster to them
that they would knock down _the foreigner_, for he himself quailed before
me as I looked him in the eyes defying him. He at last ran to a
neighbouring guard-house, and requested the assistance of the Nationals
in conducting me to prison. I followed him and delivered myself up at
the first summons, and walked to the prison without uttering a word: not
so the ruffian, who continued his abuse until we arrived at the gate. I
was asked my name by the authorities of the prison, which I refused to
give unless in the presence of the consul, and indeed to answer any
questions. I was then ordered to the _patio_ or courtyard, where are
kept the lowest thieves and assassins of Seville, who having no money
cannot pay for better accommodation, and by whom I should have been
stripped naked in a moment as a matter of course, as they are all in a
state of raging hunger and utter destitution. I asked for a private
cell, which I was told I might have if I could pay for it. I stated my
willingness to pay anything which might be demanded, and was conducted to
an upper ward, consisting of several cells and a corridor. Here I found
six or seven prisoners who received me very civilly, and instantly
procured me paper and ink for the purpose of writing to the consul. In
less than an hour Mr. Williams arrived and I told him my story, at which
he wondered, as he well might, and presently departed in order to demand
redress of the