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the infant Saviour. The interior* is distinguished by its massive columns, with gilt capitals, and its solemn simplicity. The side chapels are closed, except on fête-days: they are then gay with various colours, and embellished with numerous ornaments. It happened to be one of these privileged days when our travellers visited the cathedral. Nothing could be more splendid than the scene. The crowds pressing in to pay their devotions; yet, when lost in the distance, looking like pigmies underneath its magnificent dome and lofty walls. The rich colours of the altar, the glittering vestments of the priests and the choristers, contrasted with the black dresses and mantillas of the Spanish ladies, formed a scene almost of enchantment. They were walking up and down the principal aisle, still unsatiated with it, when Mr. and Mrs. Delville were accosted by a gentleman in an academical dress. Their meeting was one of warm cordiality; and the stranger was introduced to the children as Dr. Curtis.

"And pray," said the doctor, "what brought you to this country again ?" as he kindly welcomed the young people.

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Business, which may detain me some time." "At Salamanca, I hope."

No, we are pressing forward to Madrid. Like

* It is three hundred and seventy-eight feet high, and one hundred and eighty-one broad.

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all travellers, we are anxious to see your celebrated bull-fights."

'Well, and what have you seen in our far-famed city ?"

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Nothing, I assure you," said Mrs. Delville, "half so celebrated as yourself."

Dr. Curtis bowed, with an agreeable consciousness that the compliment was not wholly unmerited.

“Have you seen our colleges? Are you going to leave these fine youths with me?" he said, with a smile.

Mr. Delville shook his head. "The elder," he said, "is destined for the bar: the other inherits the family passion for the sword. I am afraid he would do you little credit as a scholar: his ideas are all running on helmets, plumes, and battles lost and won."

"He could not have a fairer field than Spain," said the doctor,'" for such speculations," offering a pinch of snuff to his friend; "nor one," he added, with enthusiasm, “that could make him more justly proud of his country. You see I do not forget that England is the land of my birth, though I honour and love the one I have adopted."

"And let me tell you," said Mr. Delville, “ that we do not forget to claim you as a brother. Wherever the history of our brave actions in Spain may spread, the valuable services you rendered to that great and good cause will accompany it: they

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are deeply written on the hearts of your countrymen."

Dr. Curtis was evidently much gratified; he raised his hat from his head, after the Spanish manner, as he briefly replied, "that such recollections were among the most grateful rewards he could receive."

As they left the cathedral, and passed before the church of the Dominicans, he pointed out to them a palace of the duke Alva's, opposite the Augustine nuns.

"It is falling into decay," said Mrs. Delville. "What a pity! It seems, however, to be the fate of all the great mansions we have seen."

"Yes," said Dr. Curtis; "and this neglect is one of the chief causes of the decline of Spanish prosperity. The absence of the wealthy proprietors from their estates, entails upon the poor of this country the same misery that absenteeism brings with it in Ireland. As long as the opulent landholders shall refuse to animate, by their presence, their vast possessions, the patriotic societies, establishments for manufactures, and the encouragement bestowed for clearing land-all will prove ineffectual to redress the evils which, for more than three centuries, have been undermining the welfare of Spain. As long as the obscure, and yet ruinous luxury, which they display at court and in the capital, shall absorb their riches,

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they must be deprived of the means of rendering them useful to their fellow-creatures. Little do they know of their true dignity, who imagine it to consist in a neglect of their most important duties."

Such were the observations of Dr. Curtis, as he accompanied the English travellers back to their inn. His engagements did not permit him to devote more time to them that day; but he appointed an early hour on the morrow for showing them the university. He then took his leave.

He was hardly gone, when the young people were eager to know who he was; and their father agreed to satisfy so natural a curiosity.

"He is the head," he said, " of the Irish seminary in Salamanca. He was brought up in Spain from his earliest years, and has adopted the tastes and the manners of that country, though he still retains much of the vivacity of the land of his birth. While the English army was in Spain he rendered it important services, by his knowledge of the language, and his familiarity with the country. The information he was always ready to give, made him very generally known, and as generally esteemed. When the affairs in Spain took an unfavourable turn, he forgot his own interests in the anxiety he felt for his pupils. When their studies were wholly interrupted, and their stay at Salamanca attended with danger, he acquired for them

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the protection of sir John More. They embarked with the army at Coruna and came to England. There I first knew him. When the victories of lord Wellington again permitted them to return, they lost no time in doing so; and afterwards fought bravely for the good cause. They took for their protecting saint our Lady of the Pillar, and her initials were worked on their banner."

"What a pity," said Ellen, "that, devoted as they were to a good cause, they should have sought any other protection than that of Heaven."

"It is, my dear; but such is the alloy of all human virtue. Our actions are better than our motives; our motives often superior to our actions. They are early taught to rely on the creature rather than the Creator; nor have they, perhaps, ever heard a dissenting voice on the subject. It is, therefore, perfectly natural that they should think as they do. I have a subject of deep interest in view for you; but you must walk a little way with me first.”

They rose eagerly; and when they were in front of a venerable looking convent, he said: "That is the Dominican Convent of St. Stephen, in which that memorable conference was held which was to decide upon the possibility and wisdom of believing in another hemisphere."

O, papa," said Ellen, " how glad I am you recollected this! Pray tell us about it."