| Citation |
NHG-P.762.044
3 Sep 1762:12,13,21 (309)
Perhaps the following general Account of the Kingdom of
Spain, may be acceptable to some of our readers at this
time: extracted from a late writer.
As the Kingdom of Spain is little known; many are too apt to
conclude, that there is little in it worth knowing: whereas
nothing is more certain, than that there is no country in
Europe (except Greece and Italy) that abounds so much in
curiosities, both of art and nature.
Spain is not only the greatest repository of fine paintings;
but the face of the country itself is rich, beautiful, and
picturesque beyond imagination.
It is respectable, in the great number of its antient and
capital cities: and it is venerable, in the many noble
remains of Roman, Gothic, and Moorish grandeur.
. . . [17 lines describing the scenery, 23 lines]
As the character of the Spaniard differs much from that of
other nations; many of their customs, and entertainments
also, are peculiar to themselves.
The Spaniards have a particular devotion for the Blessed
Virgin; and make a great number of processions: but the
most remarkable are, that of Good Friday and that of the
Holy Sacrament.
As Good Friday is kept holy in commemoration of the most
affecting scene possible, the feast is celebrated the
suitable solemnity: The King with all his court, and all
the communities both ecclesiastic and civil, make a part of
the ceremony; all the banners of the religious orders, and
of the several parishes, are covered with crape. The arms
of the King's Guards are covered with mourning; and the
trumpets, kettledrums, and other instruments, sound a dead
march: All the gentlemen walk with their words by their
sides, and a lighted wax taper in their hands. However, the
ladies upon that occasion appear in their balconies, and at
their windows, dressed as gay and sumptuously as possible:
and their gallants lay hold on this occasion to discipline
themselves before them, to shew them how ready they would be
to suffer any torment for their sakes, a sacrifice which
generally makes some impression, even on the hardest hearts.
The persons of these disciplinants are concealed by a linen
cap, which covers their faces; and a linen robe, which hangs
down to their feet. These are also distinguished by
ribbands of the colour that is most agreeable to their
ladies. And this is practised in other cities, as well as
in Madrid: For, in Seville, you may see seven or eight
hundred in a day.
The procession also of the Holy Sacrament is as solemn, and
as pompously attended; and the ladies, the tapestries, the
canopies, and carpets at their balconies, as rich and fine
as they were in the former procession.
. . . [4 more lines]
The solemnity of the procession is broke in upon by a great
number of buffoons who dance with tambourins and castanets:
their caps and jackets are laced with various colours. They
generally come from Biscay, and are remarkable for their
agility and humour.
(To be continued)
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