HOUSEHOLD ARRANGEMENTS OF THE SPANIARDS. 69

minor things, since the invasion of their country, when a variety of knowledge was in some measure forced upon them; but prior to that period a nobleman never made provision but for the day. Every thing required from the baker, butcher, and coffee-house, was obtained day by day on credit. No one took account of what these gentry chose to write in their books. Their accounts were neither examined nor contradicted. A lady or gentleman of rank would have esteemed themselves dishonoured for ever, had they disputed with a tradesman the price of his goods. However trifling the article they wanted, they never condescended to take any change out of a gold coin. All their transactions were carried on by credit, till, at the end of a few years, when called upon to pay their debts, they found themselves ruined, with immense nominal incomes."

"But, papa," said Ellen, "do you not admire them for not beating down the tradespeople? You never do so yourself; and I think it much superior to the practice of the French ladies, who expect the shopkeepers to lower their prices to them, if they bring them a good customer."

"First of all," my dear Ellen, "I must observe, that there is a great difference between beating down a shopkeeper, and giving him treble what he asks out of a high idea of our own dignity. I do not dispute the prices of my tradespeople,

70

RIGHT USE OF MONEY,

because I am in the habit of dealing with them, and am satisfied of their probity. I have myself a very fair notion of the just price of most articles I use; for I have acquired it by habit. But many people who beat down tradespeople, have not the least idea of the original cost of their articles, and still less do they know any thing of the fair remunerating price to the seller. These considerations are quite distinct from not condescending to take any change out of a gold coin. Can you tell me the use, the real right use of money?"

"I suppose," said Ellen, with some hesitation, "money is only a commodity which we exchange for the commodities we have not."

"That answer will do very well, as far as a simple exchange of property goes; but it leaves undecided the moral part of the question-for what purpose was wealth entrusted to us ?"

"Undoubtedly, papa, to increase the happiness

of others

And do you think the Spanish grandee, who pays a lazy shopkeeper five times the price of his goods, because he thinks it beneath him to consider their value; and finds, at the end of a few years, that by these, and similar acts of grandeur, he cannot pay what he owes; does that man use his wealth in the manner God designed he should ?"

"No, papa, certainly.

But you remember

THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE.

71

how we disliked the small meannesses practised in France; and I believe I took the reverse of wrong for right."

"No uncommon mistake, Ellen. But we must remember that these men had a duty to perform to their country, by setting them a good example. How many of the second class follow slavishly the example of the first, and so on with the class below them. If, therefore, the original example be bad, think of the extensive mischief it does. Depend upon it, nothing is a virtue that is unsuited to our station,"

Do you remember our astonishment, papa, at seeing the French people at the inns, pocketing the sugar and the tea ?"

66

Yes, very well. Such customs would not do in England, where, I am afraid, we have some touch of the vain-glorious spirit of the Spaniards. The French are not rich, and their ingenious economy is in many cases highly commendable; and we must remember, that the habits that astonished us are universal throughout the nation, which destroys the evil influence they might otherwise have.'

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VALLADOLID.

CHAPTER VI.

VALLADOLID-SQUARE WHERE THE AUTO-DA-FES WERE HELD-MODE OF DECORATING THE CHURCHES-PROCESSION OF THE ROSARY-THE ANGELUS-PREJUDICE VANQUISHED BY PATIENCE.

VALLADOLID is the ancient Pincium, and capital of Leon. It was the birth-place of Philip II.; and as he several times held his court here, it flourished under the smiles of court favour. When they were withdrawn, and Philip III. fixed his court permanently at Madrid, the opulent families removed also; and the chief remains of its former grandeur are to be found in the public buildings and numerous churches. Of these last the Dominicans and San Benito are the most elegant. The altars, according to the Spanish taste, are richly gilt, and some tombs of white marble are to be found beautifully sculptured. At one end of Valladolid is an enormous square, called the Campo, from which thirteen others are seen. On

It is fifty-two miles S. W. of Burgos: an easy day's jour ney in the gallera.

INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS.

73

leaving it, the travellers entered upon an alley planted with trees, on the road leading to Madrid. There is a great scarcity of wood in this part of Spain; and it is said that this inconvenience was the cause of the removal of the court. The great square is surrounded by three tiers of balconies, in which it is computed that eighty thousand persons can sit at their ease. It is ornamented with spacious porticos, sustained by four hundred columns, each made of an entire piece of stone. The greatest magnificence has been displayed; but neither taste nor elegance inspired the execution or design. Near it stood the Inquisition, a gloomy structure, befitting its office. It had no windows, but merely loop-holes to admit the light. Mr. Delville stood to examine the spot in silent thought.

Papa," said Ellen, "what are you looking at so earnestly? What are you thinking of that makes you sigh ?"

"My mind, Ellen, had gone back to past ages Dull and solitary as this extensive place now is, it was not always so. It was here that the protestant reformers sealed with their lives the truth of the doctrines they had learned from the Bible. It was here that Jane of Austria, and Don Carlos, then a youth, presided over the awful ceremonies of an auto-da-fe. Those untenanted balconies were then full of all the loveliness and splendour