Sunny Spain: its people and places, with glimpses of its history

Chapter I. Seville

PAGE On the Banks of the Guadalquiver — Guadalquiver, Origin of the Name — Seville, its Gaiety, Orange Groves, Ladies of Seville— The Cathedral— The Giralda — The Alcazar— Don Pedro the Cruel — Murillo and Velasquez— The Exchange, Torre del Oro— The Town Hall— The Caridad ... 9

royal SPsiiN (continued). The Escurial — Philip II. —Pantheon, Segovia — The Alcazar — Diligence Travelling— Cross Roads ... 97

Chapter VIII. Holiday-making Spain

The Spaniards not fond of Work— Cock-fighting a Favourite Pastime — Plaza de Toros — Bull-rings of Madrid, Seville, and Valencia — Procession entering the Arena — Agility and Dexterity of the Attendants — Horses Employed — Attempts of Isabel the Catholic to spare the Horses — Portuguese Bull-fights— A Recent Fight— Origin of the Sport 110

Chapter IX. Legendary Spain

Spain the Home of Legend — Ballad Singers — Professional Minstrels — Bernardo del Carpio — His Defeat of Roland — His War with King Alfonso — Mrs. Hemans's Poem — The Cid — Ximena his Wife — Story of his Life — Romantic Death and Burial — Burgos — Arcode Santa Mario — Castle of Burgos — Cathedral 125

Chapter X. Toledo

slND VALLADOLID. Ancient Capitals of Spain — Toledo specially interesting — The Glory of Spain was in the Past — Cause of its decay — Who founded Toledo — Anecdote of the Jews— Roderick, the Last of the Goths — Lamentation of Don Roderick — Toledo under the Moors — Mozarabs — Toledo once more Conquered by the Christians — An Ecclesiastical City— Situation of Toledo — Alcantara Bridge — Bridge of San Martin — The Puerta del Sol — The Cathedral — The Choir and its Stalls — Mozarab Chapel — Ximenes, Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo — Early History, Anecdotes of — Energy, Determination, Bigotry — Persecution of the Moors — His Power, and the use he made of it*— Ximenes as Regent — Inquisition — His Death — The Alcazar of Toledo — The Convent of San Juan de Ios Reyes — Toledo Sword Blades— Valladolid — The Plaza Mayor — San Pablo — Colegio de San Gregorio CONTENTS. PAGE

Spain the first Power in Europe — Its Rise begins with the Expulsion of the Moors — Character of Isabella ; of Ferdinand — Ferdinand's Schemes — Charles V. — His vast Inheritance 255

Chapter XVIII. Conquering

SPslIN — COLUMBUS AND AMERICA. Cliristopher Columbus — His Early Years — Sebastian Cabot— The Belief of Columbus in the Existence of a New World — His Determination to sail Westward — Treatment of him by John of Portugal —Applies to Ferdinand and Isabella — He leaves Spain for France — His Return and Interview with Isabella — Sets Sail for the New World — His Adventures, Success, Disappointment, and Death .... 259

Chapter XIX. Conquering Spain

— CORTES AND MEXICO. Cortes, the Conqueror of Mexico — His Character — His Method — Montezuma — Daring of Cortes — His Success — His Disappointment, and Death — Condition of the Mexicans at the Time of the Spanish Invasion — Their Culture — Religion — Ultimate Result of the Conquest of Mexico .... 270

Chapter XX. Conquering Spain

— PIZARRO AND PERU. Conquest of Peru — Francisco Pizarro — His Early History — Sets Sail for South America — First Voyage not a Success — Encounters with the Natives — Encouragement to Proceed— Starts in another Expedition — Meets with Partial Success — The Adventurers owe their Safety to an Accident — Returns to Panama a Second Time — Goes to Spain to enlist the Interest of the Emperor — Pizarro meets Cortes — He neglects the Interests of his Companions, but secures his Own — Betrays Almagro — Sets Sail a Third Time — Finds Peru — Ability of Peruvians in Agriculture, Architecture, and Manufactures — The Incas — Their Jurisdiction, Land Laws, Happiness, and Union — Spaniards come upon them like a Scourge . 280

Chapter XXI. Charles The Fifth

The Career of Pizarro — His Death— His Epitaph — Character of Pizarro's Master, Charles V. — His Abdication — His Retirement to Yuste — His Life there — His Love of Eating— His employing his Taste for Music and Painting — His Death — Philip II. married to Mary of England — Influence of Spain in England — Bigotry of Mary— Her Death— Enmity between Spain and England — The English visit the New World— Philip's Anger — He attacks England — The Spanish Armada — Its Defeat — Fall of Spain 295