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rible and devasting cruelties destroyed the people, and covered with misery and blood the paradise they had discovered. In every line of the history, the Spaniards appear in the most odious light; and when we see the present state of Spain, the colonies she had so long misgoverned severed from her at last, and hastening to prosperity by that separation, we feel that the poisoned chalice is indeed returned to the lips of this guilty people."

"Dr. Curtis called upon them the next day, according to his appointment, and was viewed with increased respect by the young people. He was kind and courteous in his manners, and full of information. He felt a particular pride in giving them details of the university, in which so large a portion of his life had been past, and in which he had acquired so much fame."

"The Tormes," said Mr. Delville to him, "has no doubt for you the same recollections, as the Isis and the Cam with us."

"It has. Our memory of the past is indeed more splendid than the present reality; but we still retain abundant claims to admiration and respect. We have sixty-one professors, besides a college for the three dead languages, and a school of anatomy. The philosophy of Aristotle is still taught here, though exploded elsewhere; but," he

* The river upon which Salamanca is situated.

added, with a smile, "light, at least the light derived from books, travels to us, you know, slowly."

"Our own universities," said Mr. Delville, politely," have undergone great changes within my memory. May I ask to what the edifices on each side of this street are dedicated."

"On one side are the lesser schools; on the other the university, properly so called. I see that gate has caught your attention; it is the admiration of all strangers."

The gate was beautifully sculptured, and bore a Hebrew inscription, signifying that it was the door to the sanctuary of the sciences. It opened to a court that led to the different schools. Bad paintings on the walls indicate the sciences taught in this part of the building; and ill-written Latin verses beneath record the generosity of the principal patrons of the university.

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"You see," said the doctor, pointing to his name, we honour Alfonso X., surnamed the Astronomer, and Ferdinand III., by perpetuating their devotion to that science."

"It is a pleasant distinction," said Mr. Delville. "Few English kings, I think," continued the doctor," have been ambitious of similar distinction."

"No; except our Henry, surnamed Beauclerc, and our James, of pedantic memory, we have had no literary monarch par excellence. Perhaps they

felt they had more important claims, in the duties of their high station. In general, however, they have been the friends of literature. That they have not pensioned our best writers, or too lavishly patronized them, is, I think, a circumstance highly favourable to the character of our literature. It is the undirected offspring of genius, not the courtly effusions of a set of men whose dependent position prevented their expressing their own thoughts, or addressing freely the minds of others."

"Your English press," said Dr. Curtis, “is, I am told, unfettered in a remarkable manner. We are now on the threshold of our library, which, though select, will not, I hope, be unworthy of your attention."

On entering the noble apartment devoted to learning, they were received by the librarians with the utmost affability and politeness: all that was peculiarly worthy of attention was pointed out with dignified courtesy. The library consisted of twenty thousand volumes, many in French and English; but Mr. Delville remarked that there were very few modern works. On the whole the collection was a good one. He entered into conversation with some of the clergy, who had many questions to ask about Oxford and Cambridge, and the course of study pursued there. In return for the information they received, they delivered their opinions with considerable learning and acuteness.

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MUTUAL GOOD WILL.

Independent of our University," said the chief master of the classes, "we have a more modern improvement in the great colleges, seven in number; of which four are fixed at Salamanca. The most distinguished youth in the kingdom are brought up in them; and formerly it was from them alone that those who were selected to take a part in the administration were chosen. Things are now changed, the lower orders of colleges have filled the offices of government; and fortune, always fickle, has not since smiled on her former favourites."

In such conversation, an hour passed pleasantly away; and the English took their leave with respect for men whose situation was dignified, and whose endowments seemed to fit them so well for it. Nor were the Spaniards slow to acknowledge the merit of their new friends. With these mutual feelings, their last adieus were almost cordial.

Dr. Curtis accompanied them to the inn; but it was Friday, and he refused to dine with them.

He asked the route they proposed taking, and furnished them with several letters to his friends at Madrid, the advantage of which they felt afterwards. He strongly recommended their stopping at Segovia; and examining the curious economy of the Spanish sheep. He pointed it out as highly worthy the attention of an agricultural people.

"We English," said Mr. Delville, "are all fond

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of the country; and take, certainly, a greater interest in such pursuits than any other nation."

"You are a wonderful people," said Dr. Curtis, " and I am proud of being a Briton; yet I confess these are not my habitual feelings, though they are still to be found at the bottom of my heart.

"In all the common occurrences of life; its every day cares and sorrows; its familiar speculations; and," he added more solemnly, "in its future hopes, I am a Spaniard."

"It is natural, very natural," said Mr. Delville; "your household gods, your penates are here. Long, my dear sir, may you live for the advantage of both nations."

Dr. Curtis gave and received the most cordial adieus, and quitted at length the little party with something like regret.