es indeed were not only fine, but extraordinary; yet their
various Shapes were not at all so entertaining to the Mind, however
refreshing they might be found to the Body.

I took notice before of the straitness of their Walks: But tho' to me it
might seem a Diminution of their Beauty: I am apt to believe to the
_Spaniard_, for and by whom they were laid out, it may seem otherwise.
They, of both Sexes, give themselves so intolerably up to Amouring, that
on that Account the Closeness of the Walks may be look'd upon as an
Advantage rather than a Defect. The grand Avenue to the House is much
more stately, and compos'd as they are, of Rows of Trees, somewhat
larger than our largest Limes, whose Leaves are all of a perfect Pea
bloom Colour, together with their Grandeur, they strike the Eye with a
pleasing Beauty. At the Entrance of the Grand Court we see the Statue of
_Philip_ the Second; to intimate to the Spectators, I suppose, that he
was the Founder.

Among other Parks about _Aranjuez_ there is one intirely preserved for
Dromedaries; an useful Creature for Fatigue, Burden, and Dispatch; but
the nearest of kin to Deformity of any I ever saw. There are several
other enclosures for several sorts of strange and wild Beasts, which are
sometimes baited in a very large Pond, that was shown me about half a
League from hence. This is no ordinary Diversion: but when the Court is
disposed that way, the Beast, or Beasts, whether Bear, Lyon, or Tyger,
are convey'd into a House prepar'd for that purpose; whence he can no
other way issue than by a Door over the Water, through, or over, which
forcing or flinging himself, he gradually finds himself descend into the
very depth of the Pond by a wooden Declivity. The Dogs stand ready on
the Banks, and so soon as ever they spye their Enemy, rush all at once
into the Water, and engage him. A Diversion less to be complain'd of
than their _Tauridores_; because attended with less Cruelty to the
Beast, as well as Danger to the Spectators.

When we arrived at _Madrid_, a Town much spoken of by Natives, as well
as Strangers, tho' I had seen it before, I could hardly restrain my self
from being surprized to find it only environ'd with Mud Walls. It may
very easily be imagin'd, they were never intended for Defence, and yet
it was a long time before I could find any other use, or rather any use
at all in 'em. And yet I was at last convinc'd of my Error by a sensible
Increase of Expence. Without the G