the stage-actors. Besides, I like to accustom my
ear to the Spanish, which I now speak with considerable fluency and
correctness. I have devoted much study to this and the French language
since I have been in Spain, and am now making some progress in the
Italian, through the Spanish. I am convinced that no man can properly
understand a people without knowing something of their language, which
is in a great degree the index of their character. Moreover it is an
indispensable condition to comfortable travel.

Among the distinguished characters in town is the famous Governor
Tacon, who so admirably conducted the affairs of state in the island
of Cuba some years since. He is staying with a particular friend of
the consul, who is an immensely wealthy man and lives in the most
princely style. I visited the house a few days since, before the
arrival of the governor, and was delighted with the splendid taste
displayed in the fresco of the ceiling, the stucco of the walls,
and indeed with every article of furniture with which the rooms
were supplied. On the parterre, or lower roof, was a little gem of a
garden, with raised beds, blooming with beautiful plants and flowers,
while in the middle was a fountain and on each side a miniature arbor
of grapes. Really, nothing could be more charming and luxurious. It
was like peeping into the bygone days of fairydom.

Barcelona is one of the best places in Spain for one to be during
the observance of remarkable festivals. The celebration of Corpus
Christi, which commences on the 30th, is said to be conducted here on
a most magnificent scale. Of this I can form some conception from the
brilliant procession which I witnessed yesterday afternoon, it being
Trinity Sunday. The procession was preceded by two men on mules, over
whose necks were strung a pair of tambours, (a kind of drum,) upon
which the men were vigorously beating. Then came a priest, bearing
a large and elaborately worked cross; after him came the body of the
procession in regular order, consisting of young priests in white
gowns, chanting as they marched; citizens in black, with white
waistcoats and without hats; little girls representing the angels, in
snowy gauze dresses with flowers, garlands, and a light azure scarf
flowing from their heads; numerous bands of music, some of them
playing solemn airs, others quick-steps and polkas; a fine display of
infantry, and after all a noble body of cavalry, on fine horses, in
strik