WE could sensibly perceive in arriving at Burgos, that this Town is colder than any of those we past; and ’tis likewise said, you have none of those excessive Heats which are intolerable in other Parts of Spain: The Town stands where you descend the Mountain, and reaches to the Plain as far as the River, which washes the foot of the Wall: the Streets are very strait and even: the Castle is not great, but very strong, and is seen on the top of the Mountain: A little lower is the Triumphant Arch of Fernando Gonsales, which the Curious do much admire. This Town was the first that was conquer’d from the Mores; and the Kings of Spain have long resided here; ’tis the Capital of Old Castille; it holds the first Rank in the two States of the two Castilles, although Toledo disputes it with her: You see her fine Buildings; and Velasco’s Palace is very stately. Here are in all the broad Streets and spacious Places, Fountains, with Statues, some of which are good Pieces; but the finest sight is the Cathedral, which is so large, that Mass is said in five several places of it, without any disturbance to each other: the Architecture is so exquisitely wrought, that it may pass among the Gothick Buildings for a Master-Piece of Art: and this is so much the more remarkable, in that they build very sorrily in Spain; in some places this is through Poverty, and in others want of Stone and Lime: I am told that even at Madrid you see Houses of Earth, and the finest are made with Brick, cemented with the same, for want of Lime. To pass from the Town to the Suburbs of Bega, you go over three Stone Bridges: the Gate which answers that of Santa Maria, stands high, with the Image of the Virgin upon it: this Suburb contains the greatest part of the Convents and Hospitals; there is a great one founded by Philip the Second, to receive the Pilgrims which go to St. James, and which entertains them for a Day. The Abbey of Mille Flores, whose Building is very stately, is not far distant. You see here in this Suburb several Gardens which are watered with Fountains and pleasant Springs; the River serves for a Channel: And you find in a great Park inclosed with Walls, pleasant Walks at all times of the Year.

I would have seen the Crucifix in the Augustines Convent; it is placed in a Chappel of the Cloyster, large and dark enough, so that you could hardly discern it, were it not for the Lamps, which are continually burning, they’r above an hundred; some are of Gold, and others of Silver, of so extraordinary a size, that they cover all the Vault of this Chappel: there are sixty Silver candlesticks of a length exceeding the tallest Man, and so heavy that two Men cannot lift ’em: they stand on the ground on both sides of the Altar; those which are upon it are of Massy Gold: You see between ’em two Crosses of the same, set out with Precious Stones, and Crowns hanging over the Altar, adorn’d with Pearls and Diamonds of great Lustre: The Chappel is hung with Tapistry, wrought with Gold; it is so laden with rich Gifts, that there’s hardly room to put ’em in; so that part of ’em are kept in the Treasury.

The Holy Crucifix stands on the Altar, near the natural bigness, it is covered with three Curtains one on another, all embroidered with Pearls and Diamonds: When they open them, which is not done without great Ceremony, and for Persons of Quality, several Bells are rung, every one falls on his Knees: and it must be granted, that this place and sight strikes one with an Awful Regard: The Crucifix is of Carv’d Work, and cannot be better made; its Carnation is very natural; it is covered from the Breasts to the Feet with a fine Linnen, in several Foulds or Pleats, which makes it look like a loose Jerkin, which in my Opinion, is not over-agreeable.

It is commonly held, that Nicodemus made it; but those who are for making every thing Miraculous, will have it brought down from Heaven, they know not how nor when. I was told, certain Monks of this Town had once stole it, and convey’d it away; but it took a convenient time to give ’em the slip, and was found the next Morning in the Chappel in its usual place: These honest People being enraged, that it should serve ’em such a Trick, mustered up their Forces, and violently laid Hands on’t the second time, but to as little purpose; for ’twould by no means stay with ’em: However, it works Miracles, and is one of the chief Objects of Devotion in Spain: The Religious tell you, it sweats every Friday.

I was going into my Inn, when we saw the Sieur de Cardonne’s Valet de Chambre, running as fast as he could after us; he was booted, and three Friers scowring after him: I was over-rash in my Judgment; for I could not but think he had stole something in this rich Chappel, and was taken in the Fact; but his Master, who was with me, having demanded of him, What put him on such full speed? He answer’d, He went into the Chappel of the Holy Crucifix with his Spurs on, and the Fryers had kept him in custody, to get Money of him, but that he was gotten out of their Clutches, but they were now upon the Hunt for him. They make it a Forfeit, as well as others, for a Man to go with Spurs into these Holy Places.

The Town is not very great; it is adorned with a spacious Place; here are high Pillars which bear up very fine Lodgings. The Bull-Feasts are kept here; for the People are much delighted with this sort of Divertisement. There is also a very well-built Bridge, long and large: the River which passes under it, bathes a Meadow, on the Bank of which you see Allies of Trees, which form a most delicious Walk. Trade was heretofore considerable, but it is of late much diminisht. The best Castillan is here spoken; and the Men are naturally Souldiers, so that when the King has need of them, he finds here great Numbers, and better Men than elsewhere.

After Supper our Company set to Play, as heretofore: Don Sancho Sanniento was for yielding his place to any one, pretending ’twas his Right to Entertain me this Evening. I knew he had lately return’d from Sicily; I askt him, Whether he had been one of those who had help’d to Chastize those Rebellious People? ‘Alas, Madam,’ said he, ‘the Marquess de Las Navas was sufficient to punish them beyond what their Crime deserv’d: I was at Naples, in the design to pass into Flanders, where I have Relations of the same Name. The Marquess de Los Veles, Vice-Roy of Naples, engaged me to leave my first Project, and embark myself with the Marquess de Las Navas, whom the King sent into Sicily: We set Sail in two Vessels of Majorca, and arrived at Messina the sixth of January. Having sent no notice of his coming, and no body expecting it, he was not receiv’d with the Honours paid commonly to the Vice-Roys: But in truth, his Intentions were so cruel against these poor People, that his Entrance should have been made in Tears.

‘Scarcely was he arriv’d, but he clapt up the two Sheriffs in Prison, named Vicenzo Zuffo, and Don Diego: He put Spaniards in their Places; he rigorously abolisht the Colledge of Knights of the Star; and began to execute the Orders which Gonzaga had long receiv’d, and which he had eluded through Favour or Weakness. He immediately publisht an Order, by which the King chang’d all the Form of Government of Messina, depriv’d the Town of its Revenues, forbad its bearing for the future the Glorious Title of Exemplary, dissolved the Senate, and put into the place of six Sheriffs, six Officers, two of which should be Spaniards; that these Officers should not for the future appear in Publick with their Formalities; that they should no more be preceded by Drums and Trumpets, ride no more together in a Coach with four Horses, as they were wont; that they should sit henceforward on a plain Bench; should have no more Incense offered ’em in the Churches; go cloath’d after the Spanish Fashion; should Assemble on Publick Affairs in a Chamber of the Vice-Roy’s Palace; and have no longer any Jurisdiction on the Champian Country.

‘Every one was seized with such Consternation, as if he had been Thunder-struck; but their Sorrow was much increased on the fifth of the same Month, when the Camp Master-General went to the Town-house, and seized all their Charters, and Original Copies of their Priviledges, and made ’em be burnt publickly by the Hands of the common Hang-man. The Prince de Condro was afterwards apprehended, to the great grief of his Family, but particularly the Princess Eleonora, his Sister, whose Tears were not shed alone: This Princess is not above Eighteen; her Beauty and Wit are miraculous, which astonish those about her.’ Don Sancho’s Eyes grew red at the remembrance of this Princess, and I plainly perceiv’d Pity had not all the share in what he said; yet he continued on his Discourse to me of Messina.

‘The Vice-Roy,’ added he, ‘publisht an Order, by which all the Citizens were enjoyn’d, under penalty of ten Years Imprisonment, and five thousand Crowns Fine, to bring their Arms into his Palace. He at the same time caus’d the great Bell in the Town-house to be taken down, and beaten to pieces in his fight: He ordered all the Bells in the Cathedral to be melted, to make a Statue of the King of Spain. And the Prince of Condro’s Children were taken into Custody: But their Fear increased, when the Vice-Roy ordered D. V. Zuffo’s Head to be cut off. This Example of Severity Alarum’d all the People; and what appear’d most terrible, was, That in the late Troubles, some Families of Messinois having withdrawn themselves into several Parts, the Marquess de Liche, the Spanish Embassador at Rome, advised them, as a Friend, to return into their own Country, assuring them all was Quiet, and that a General Pardon was already publisht; and for their greater assurance, gave them Passports. These poor People (who had not taken up Arms, and being not of the number of the Revolters, knowing their Innocency, could never have imagin’d they should have been treated as Criminals) return’d to Messina; where they had scarcely landed, but the Joy they had of seeing themselves in their Native Country, and in the midst of their Friends, was sadly disturb’d, when they were seised on, and the next Morning, without any Quarter, or regard to Sex or Age, by the Vice-Roy’s Order, all hang’d. He afterwards sent to demolish the great Tower of Palermo; and the principal Citizens of it, remonstrating against the excessive Impositions on Corn, Silks, and other Commodities, the Marquess de las Navas sent them all to the Gallies, without being moved by the Tears of their Wives, and the need so many poor Children might have of their Fathers.

‘I must acknowledge,’ continued Don Sancho, ‘that my Nature is so averse to the Rigors every day exercis’d on these poor People, that I could not for all the World remain any longer at Messina. The Marquess de las Navas was for sending to Madrid, to inform the King of what he had done. I intreated him to charge me with this Commission; and in effect he consented, and gave me his Letters, which I have delivered to the King at Madrid; and at the same time my Intercessions for the Prince de Condro: And I presume my good Offices will not be wholly useless to him.’ ‘I am perswaded,’ said I to him, ‘this was the principal Motive of your Journey: I am no prying body, but methinks you are greatly concern’d for the Interests of this Family.’ ‘It’s true, Madam,’ continued he, ‘the Injustice done this Unfortunate Prince does sensibly affect me’: ‘Were he not Brother to the Princess Eleonora,’ said I to him, ‘perhaps you would not so much lay it to heart. But no more of this; I perceive this Remembrance afflicts you. Pray let me rather hear from you what is most remarkable in your Country.’ ‘Ah! Madam,’ cried he, ‘you insult over me; for you must needs know, that Galicia is so poor and mean a Countrey, that there’s no place for bragging; not but that the Town of St. James de Compostella is considerable enough; it is the Capital of the Province, and scarce one in Spain that’s superiour to it in Riches and Greatness: Its Archbishoprick is worth Seventy Thousand Crowns a Year, and the Chapter has as much; It stands in an agreeable Plain, surrounded with little Hills of moderate heighth; and it seems as if Nature had placed them there to defend the Town from those deadly Blasts which arise from other Mountains. Here is a University, fine Palaces, stately Churches, publick Places, and an Hospital, one of the most considerable, and best serv’d in Europe: It consists of two Courts of extraordinary greatness, with Fountains in the midst. Several Knights of St. James live in this Town; and the Metropolis, which is dedicated to this Saint, keeps his Body: It is extream stately, and prodigiously rich: It is pretended you hear a kind of Clattering at his Tomb, as if Arms were struck one against another; and this noise is only heard when the Spaniards are to undergo any great Loss. His Figure is represented on the Altar, and the Pilgrims thrice kiss it, and put their Hats on his Head; for this is the chief part of the Ceremony: They have also another very singular one; they ascend the top of the Church, which is covered with great flat Stones; In this place stands a Cross of Iron, whereon the Pilgrims ever fasten some Rag, or Scrap of what they wear: They pass under this Cross by so strait a Passage that they are forced to crawl on their Bellies through it; and those who are not slender, are in danger of being bursten. And there have been some so ridiculous and superstitious, that having omitted to do this, they have expresly return’d back again three or four hundred Leagues; for you see here Pilgrims of all Nations. Here is a French Chappel, of which great Care is taken; It is said, the Kings of France have been always great Benefactors to it. The Church which is under ground is a better than that above; there are stately Tombs, and Epitaphs of great Antiquity, which exercise the Wits of Travellers. The Archiepiscopal Palace is a vast Pile, and its Antiquity adds to its Beauty, instead of diminishing it. A Man of my Acquaintance, a great Searcher into Etymologies, assured me the Town of Compostella was so called, because St. James was to suffer Martyrdom in the place where he should see a Star appear at Compostella. It is true,’ continued he, ‘that some People pretend it to be thus; but the Peoples Credulity and Superstition carries ’em further; for you are shew’d at Padron, near Compostella, an hollow Stone; and it is pretended this was the little Boat in which St. James arriv’d, after he had past so many Seas in it, which being of Stone, must have, without a signal Miracle, sunk to the bottom.’ ‘I suppose,’ said I to him, ‘you believe this to be most true.’ He smiled, and continued his Discourse: ‘I cannot but give you the Description of our Militia: They are called together every Year in the Month of October, and all the Young Men from the Age of Fifteen, are oblig’d to march; for should it happen that a Father, or any other Relation should conceal his Son or Kinsman, and those who are Officers should come to know it, they would condemn him who has so offended, to perpetual Imprisonment. There have been some Examples of this, but they are rare; for the Peasants are so infinitely pleas’d to see themselves Arm’d and treated as Cavalieros & de Nobles Soldados del Rey, that they would not for any Consideration be wanting to shew themselves on this occasion. You shall seldom see in an whole Regiment any Souldier that has more Shirts than that on his Back; and the Stuff they wear, seems for its Coarseness to be made of Pack-thread: their Shooes are made of Cord; they wear no Stockings, yet every Man has his Peacock, or Dunghil-Cock’s Feather in his Cap, which is tied up behind, with a Rag about his Neck in form of a Ruff; their Sword oftentimes hangs by their side tied with a bit of Cord, and ordinary without a Scabbard; the rest of their Arms is seldom in better Order: And in this Equipage they march gravely to Tuy, where is the General Rendezvouz, it being a Frontier place to Portugal. There are three which lie thus, the above-mention’d, Cindud-Rodrigo, and Badajoz, but Tuy is the best guarded, because it is over-against Valentia, a considerable Town belonging to the King of Portugal, and which has been carefully fortifi’d: These two Towns are so near, that their Cannon will reach each other; and if the Portugaises have omitted nothing to put Valentia out of danger of being insulted over, the Spaniards pretend Tuy is in as good a Condition to defend it self; It stands on an Hill, whose lower part is wash’d by the River Minhio; it has good Ramparts, strong Walls, and good store of Artillery. It is here, I say, where these our Champions bid Defiance to the King’s Enemies, and in a strutting Bravery, declare, they do not fear ’em. Perhaps something of this may happen in time, for here are form’d as good Troops as in any other part of Spain. However, this is a great loss to the Kingdom, the whole Youth being thus taken up; for the Lands, for the most part lye untill’d, and on the side of St. James de Compostella, you wou’d think you saw a Wilderness; on that of the Ocean, the Country being better and more peopled, yields greater Profit, and all things necessary and convenient, as Oranges, Lemmons, and Pomgranates, several sorts of Fruits, and excellent Fish, especially Pilchards, more delicate than those which came from Royan to Bordeaux.

‘One of the most remarkable things, in my mind, in this Kingdom, is the Town of Doiense, one part of which always enjoys the Sweetness of the Spring, and the Fruits of Autumn, by reason of several Springs of boiling Water, which warm the Air by their Exhalations; whil’st the other part of this same Town suffers the Rigors of the longest Winters, standing as it does at the Foot of a very cold Mountain; so that you find in the space of one only Season, all those which compose the course of the Year.’

‘You say nothing,’ replied I to him, ‘of the marvellous Fountain, call’d Louzano.’ ‘Who have told you of it, Madam?’ answer’d he. ‘Persons that have seen it,’ added I. ‘You have been then told,’ continu’d he, ‘that on the top of the Mountain of Cerbret, you find this Fountain at the Source of the River Lours; which has Flux and Reflux as the Sea, tho’ it be at twenty Leagues distance from it; that the greater the Heats are, the more Water it casts, that this Water is sometimes cold as Ice, and sometimes as hot as if it boil’d, there being no Natural Cause to be giv’n for it.’ ‘You learn me Particulars I was ignorant of,’ said I to him, ‘and this is doing me a great Pleasure, for I want not for Curiosity in relation to things uncommon.’ ‘I wish,’ replied he, ‘’twas not so late, I would give you an account of several Rarities in Spain, and which perhaps you would gladly learn.’ ‘I leave you for to Night,’ said I to him, ‘but I hope before we come to Madrid, we shall have an opportunity of discoursing of them.’ He very civilly made me a Promise; and the Play being ended, we bad one another good night.

When I would go to rest, I was led into a Gallery full of Beds, as you see in Hospitals: I said, this was ridiculous; and that needing only four, what occasion was there for shewing me forty, and to put me into such an open place to starve me? I was answer’d, This was the best place in the House, and I must take up with it. I caus’d my Bed to be made, when scarce was I laid down, but some body knockt softly at my Door; my Women opened it, and remained much surpriz’d to see the Master and Mistress followed by a dozen of sorry creatures, and so cloath’d that they were half naked. I drew my Curtain at the Noise they made, and opened more mine Eyes at the sight of this Noble Company. The Mistress drew near to me, and told me, These were honest Travellers, who were coming into the Beds which remained empty. ‘How, lie here?’ said I, ‘I believe you have lost your Senses.’ ‘I should have lost ’em indeed,’ replied she, ‘should I let so many Beds stand Empty. Either, Madam, you must pay for them, or these honest Gentlemen must lye in them.’ I cannot express my Rage to you; I was in the mind to send for Don Fernand and my Knights, who would have sooner made ’em pass through the Windows than through the Doors: But I considered this could not be done without some Disturbance, and therefore I came to Terms, and agreed to pay 20 d. for each Bed; they are hardly dearer at Fontainbleau when the Court is there. These Illustrious Dons, or, to speak better, Tatterdemalions, who had the Insolence to come into my Room, immediately withdrew, having made me several profound Reverences.

The next Morning I thought to have burst with laughter, tho’ twas at my Cost, when I discovered mine Hostess’s Trick to ruin me: For you must know in the first place, that these pretended Travellers were their Neighbours, and that they are accustomed to this Stratagem, when they see Strangers: But when I would have reckoned the Beds to pay for ’em, they were rowled all of ’em into the midst of the Gallery; there were divers wretched Troughs of Straw pull’d out, which were hardly good enough to entertain Dogs, yet I must pay for each 20 d. Four Pistoles ended our Dispute. I was not able to put my self in a Passion, such singularity did I find in this Management. I would not recount this little Accident to you, did it not serve to give you some insight into the Humour of this Nation.

We set out from Burgos very late, the Weather was so bad, and there had fall’n in the Night such great quantity of Rain, that I tarry’d there as long as I could, in expectation of its ceasing. In fine, I came to a Resolution, and ascended my Litter. I had not gotten far from the Town, but I repented of my leaving it; no Track cou’d be seen, especially on a very high steep Mountain, over which we must necessarily pass. One of our Mule-drivers, who went before, struck too far on the Edge of this Mountain, so that he fell with his Mule into a kind of Precipice, where he broke his Head, and put his Arm out of joynt; this being the famous Philip de St. Sebastian, the most intelligent of all his Profession, and who commonly carries Persons of Quality to Madrid; he was therefore much bemoaned; and we remain’d a great while before we could hale him out from the scurvy place where he had fall’n; Don Fernand was so compassionate as to let him have his Litter. The Night came speedily on us, and we could have comforted our selves, could we have return’d to Burgos, but it was impossible, the Ways were no less covered with Snow on that side, than all the rest; so that we put in at Madrigalesco, which has not above a dozen Houses, and I may say we were besieg’d without having any Enemies. This Adventure gave us some disturbance, tho’ we had brought Provisions with us for several Days. The best House of the Town was half uncovered; and I was scarce lodged there, when a venerable Old Man askt for me on the part of a Lady who was just arriv’d: He made me a Compliment, and told me, He was inform’d this was the only place where there was any tolerable Entertainment; and therefore intreated me to spare her some room. He added, She was a Person of Quality of Andalousia, was lately a Widow, and that he had the Honour to belong to her.

One of our Knights, named Don Esteve de Carjaval, who is of the same Country, fail’d not to demand her Name of the old Gentleman: He told him, she was the Marchioness de Los Rios. At this Name he turn’d towards me, and spake to me of her as of a Person whose Merit and Fortune were very considerable: I readily accepted of this good Company; She immediately came in her Litter, out of which she had not descended, having found no House where she could abide.

Her Dress seem’d to me very singular; had she not been so handsome as she was, she could never have appear’d in any sort tolerable: Her Gown and Petticoat was of black Serge, and over them a kind of Linnen Surplice, which reacht down lower than her Knees; the Sleeves were long, and strait in the Arm, which hung over her Hands: This Surplice was fastened to her gown, and being not pleated behind, it seem’d like a Bib: She wore on her Head a piece of Muslin, which covered her Face, and one would have taken it for a Religiose’s Hood; this covered her Neck, and reach’d down very low: There appear’d no Hair on her Head, they were all hid under this Muslin: She wore a great Mantle of black Taffaty, which covered her Heels; and over this Mantle she had an Hat, whose Brims were very large, fastened under her Chin with silken Twist. I was told they wear this but only when they travel.

This is the Habit of the Widows and Duenna’s, a Dress which is insupportable to my sight; and should one meet with a Woman in the Night thus cloath’d, one might be startled without Reproach; yet the Lady was very beautiful in this Unseemly Dress. They never leave it, unless they marry; and they are oblig’d to bewail the Death of an Husband, whom they could not endure when living.

I was inform’d they pass the first Year of their Mourning in a Chamber hung with Black, wherein there is not the least glimmering of Day-light to be seen; they sit cross-legg’d on a little Holland-Quilt. When this Year is ended, they retire into a Chamber hung with Gray: they must have no Pictures, nor Looking-Glasses, nor Cabinets, nor fine Tables, nor Plate, neither must they have any Diamonds, or wear any Colours: However modest they are, they must live so retired, that it must seem their Soul is already in the other World. This Constrant is the cause that several Ladies who are wealthy, and especially in rich Houshold-Goods, marry again to have the satisfaction of making use of them.

After the first Compliments, I inform’d my self from this mournful Widow where she was going; she told me, She had not for a long time seen a Friend of her Mother’s who was a Religious at Lashuelgas de Burgos, which is a famous Nunnery, wherein there is an hundred and fifty Nuns, most of ’em the Daughters of Princes, Dukes, and Titulado’s. She added, That the Abbess is Lady of fourteen large Towns, and above fifty other Places wherein she chuses Governors and Magistrates; that she is Superior of seventeen Convents; Collates to several Benefices, and disposes of twelve Commanderships in favour of whom she pleases. She told me she design’d to pass some time in this Monastery: ‘Can you, Madam,’ said I to her, ‘accustom yourself to so retired a Life as is that of a Convent?’ ‘It will be no hard matter,’ said she, ‘for I believe I see fewer People at my own House than I shall see there; and in effect these Religious have Liberty enough: They are commonly the handsomest young Women of the Family who are there; these enter therein so young, that they know not what they are made to leave, nor what they undertake at the Age of six or seven, and it may be sooner. They are caused to make Vows, when ’tis often the Father or Mother, or some near Relation, who pronounce them for ’em, whilst the little Sacrifice disports herself with Sugar-plums, and lets ’em dress her how they will: Yet the Bargain holds, there’s no unsaying it; however, they have every thing which can be expected in their Condition. There are at Madrid some whom they call the Ladies of St. James: they are properly Canonnesses, who make their Tryals like the Knights of this Order; they bear, like them, a Sword, made in form of a Cross, embroidered with Crimson Silk; they have ’em on their Scapularies and great Cloaks, which are white: These Ladies House is very stately; all who come to visit ’em enter without any difficulty; their Apartments are very fine, and every whit as well furnisht as if they were at large in the World; they enjoy great Pensions, and each of ’em has three or four Women to wait on them: It’s true, they never stir out, nor see their nearest Relations, but through several Grates. This perhaps would look horrid in another Country, but in Spain they are accustom’d to Confinement.

‘There are Convents where the Religious see more Cavaliers than the Women who live at large, neither are they less gallant: It is impossible for any to have more Gayety than they; and, as I have already told you, Madam, here are more Beauties than abroad; but it must be granted, there are several among them who are deeply sensible at their having been so soon sacrific’d; they think of the Pleasures which they have never tasted, as the only ones which can make this Life Happy. They pass theirs in a Condition worthy of Compassion, always telling you, they are there by Force; and that the Vows they are made to repeat at the Age of five or six Years, are to be regarded like Childrens Plays.’

‘Madam,’ said I to her, ‘it wou’d have been great pity, had your Relations design’d you for such a Life; and one may judge, in beholding you, that all the beautiful Spanish Ladies are not Religioses.’ ‘Alas, Madam,’ said she, in fetching a deep Sigh, ‘I know not what I wou’d be; it seems I am of a very odd Humor, not to be contented with my Fortune: but one has sometimes Uneasinesses which are unaccountable to Reason.’ In ending these words, she fastened her Eyes to the ground, and fell into such a deep fit of Musing, that I cou’d easily perceive something disturb’d her.

Whatever Curiosity I had to know the Subject, we had been so little together, that I dared not desire to be her Confident; but to draw her from the melancholy Posture she was in, I entreated her to tell me some News of the Court of Spain, seeing she came from Madrid. She did what she cou’d to recover herself: she then told me, There were great shews of Joy at Court on the Queen’s Birth-day: that the King had sent one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber to Toledo, to Compliment her from him: Yet these fine Appearances hindred not the Marquess de Mansera, the Queen’s Major Domo, from receiving Orders to retire twenty Leagues from the Court, which had greatly mortifi’d this Princess. She inform’d us, That the Fleet which carried Troops to Galicia, was unhappily cast away on the Coasts of Portugal. That the little Dutchess de Terra Nova, was to Espouse Don Nicolo Pignatelli, Prince de Monteleon, her Uncle. That the Marquess de Leganez had refused the Vice-royalty of Sardagnia, being in love with a fine Lady, whom he cou’d not find in his heart to leave. That Don Carlos de Omodei, Marquess d’ Almonazid, was dangerously ill, at his Disappointment of being admitted a Grandee of Spain, to which he pretended, having marry’d the Heiress of the House and Grandeurship of Castel Rodrigue; and that which most sensibly afflicted him, was, that Don Ariel de Gusman, this Lady’s first Husband, had enjoyed this Honour; so that he cou’d not but look on the Difficulties thrown in his way as a slighting of his Person: ‘In truth, Madam,’ said I to her, ‘I can hardly comprehend how a Man of sence, can with such eagerness pursue, and be so greatly dejected at a Disappointment of this Nature.’ ‘We are otherwise affected in Spain,’ replied the beautiful Widow, ‘and this Instance is a proof of it.’

Don Frederic de Cardonne, who greatly interested himself for the Duke de Medina Celi, askt her News of him: ‘The King,’ said she, ‘has lately made him President of the Indies. The Queen-Mother has wrote to the King, on the Report which runs, that he is about Marrying; that she is surpriz’d things are already gone so far, and he has not acquainted her with them. She adds in her Letter, She advised him in the mean time, whilst all things were ready for this Ceremony, to make a Journey to Catalonia and Arragon. Don John of Austria sufficiently understands the Necessity of this, and he presses the King to depart, to content these People, in promising by Oath, according as is customary to new Kings, to maintain all their ancient Priviledges.’ ‘Have then, Madam,’ said I to her, interrupting her, ‘the Arrogonois any other Priviledges than the Castillans?’ ‘Very particular ones,’ replied she, ‘and you being a Stranger, I believe you will be willing to let me inform you of them.’ Here’s what I learnt:

The Daughter of Count Julien, named Cava, was one of the most beautiful Ladies in the World: King Rodrigue became so passionately in love with her, that his Affection knowing no Bounds, transported him beyond all measure. The Father, who was then in Affrica, inform’d of the Outrage done his Daughter, who breath’d nothing but Revenge, treated with the Moors, and supplied ’em with the means to enter into Spain,^[3] and to make there, for sundry Ages, all those Ravages set forth at large in History.

The Arragonois were the first who shook off the Yoak of these Barbarians; and finding no more among them any Princes of the Race of Gothish Kings, they agreed to Elect one, and cast their eyes on a Lord of the Country, call’d Garci Ximinex; but they being Masters, to impose Laws on him, and finding himself sufficiently Happy that he might Rule over them under any Condition, these People therefore confined him within narrow Bounds.

They agreed, That as soon as their Monarch shou’d break through any of their Laws, he shou’d immediately forfeit his Power, and they be at full liberty to chuse another, though he were a Pagan: and to hinder him from violating their Priviledges, and to defend themselves against him, they establisht a Soveraign Magistrate, whom they call’d the Justicia, whose Office was to observe the Conduct of the King, the Judges, and the People: but the Power of a Soveraign being likely to Awe a meer Particular, to Assure the Justicia in the Execution of his Office, they ordered, That he might not suffer either in his Person or Goods, but by a compleat Assembly of the States, which they call Las Cortes.

They moreover provided, That if the King shou’d Oppress any one of his Subjects, the great and considerable Men of the Kingdom might assemble themselves, and hinder his receiving any of his Revenues, till the Innocent was acquitted, and re-establisht in his former Rights. And to make Garci Ximinez timely sensible of the Power this Man had over him, they set him on a kind of a Throne, and made the King to kneel down bare headed before him, to receive from him his Oath of keeping their Priviledges. This Ceremony ended, they acknowledge him their Soveraign, but in as odd as disrespectful a Manner, for instead of promising him Fidelity and Obedience, they say to him, ‘We who are as good Men as yourself, we make you our King and Governour, on Condition you keep to us our Rights and Properties, otherwise we Disacknowledge you.’

The King, Don Pedro, in process of time coming to the Crown, rellisht this Custom, as unworthy of the Regal State; and it so greatly disgusted him, that by his Authority and Intreaties, and the Offers he made of bestowing several notable Priviledges on the Kingdom, he procured the Abolishment of this, in an Assembly of the States: he got this general Consent in Writing, which was presented to him. As soon as he had the Parchment, he drew out his Dagger, and pierced his Hand with it, saying, ‘’Twas fit a Law which gave Subjects the Liberty of chusing their Soveraign, should be Efaced with their Sovereign’s Bloud.’ His Statue is still seen in the Deputation-hall of Saragossa: he holds a Dagger in one Hand, and the Charter in the other. The late Kings have not been such Religious Observers of their Priviledges as the first.

But there is a Law still in force, and which is very singular, and this they call, ‘The Law of Manifestation’; which is, That if an Arragonois had Wrong done him in Judgment, in consigning 500 Crowns, he may bring his Cause before the Justicia, who is obliged, after an exact Perquisition, to punish him who has giv’n a wrong Sentence: And if he fails therein, the opprest Person may have Recourse to the States of the Kingdom, who Assemble and Nominate five Persons of their Body, which is to say, of the Prime Nobility, the Ecclesiasticks, the Gentry and Commonalty: they appoint three out of the first Rank, and two from each of the others. But it is observable, they choose the most Ignorant to Judge the most able Men in the Gown, whether to Disgrace ’em the more for their Fault, or, as they alledge, ‘That Justice should be so clear, that the very Plow-men, and those who understand the least, should discern it without the help of Oratory.’ It is likewise affirm’d, That the Judges tremble when they pronounce a Sentence, fearing lest it turn against themselves, to the loss of their Lives or Estates, should they commit the least Fault therein, either wilfully, or through Inadvertency. It were well if this Custom were observed in all Kingdoms: but this is rather to be wish’d than expected.

Yet what is no less singular, is, That Justice remains always Soveraign; and though the Unjust Judge be punish’d severely for his wrong Decree, yet it subsists in its full force, and is fully executed: If then any Unhappy Wretch be sentenced to Death, he is not spared, tho’ his Innocency be discovered, and made as clear as Noon-day; but his Judges are executed too before his Face; which, in my mind, is a poor Consolation. If the Judge accused, has justly perform’d his Office, the Plaintiff leaves the 500 Crowns which he had consign’d: But were he to lose an 100000 Crowns of Annual Revenue, by the Sentence he complains of, the Sentence or Decree remains good, and the Judge is only condemn’d to pay him likewise 500 Crowns; the rest of this Judge’s Estate is forfeited to the King: which is, in my Opinion, another Point of Injustice; for in fine, he ought, above all others, to have Recompense made him who suffers by a wrong Sentence.

These same People have another Custom, to distinguish by the Punishment the Crime committed: for Example, A Cavalier, who has kill’d another in Duel (for they are here strictly forbid), he has his Head cut off before; and he that has Assassinated, his is cut off behind. This is to distinguish him who has behaved himself like a brave Man, from him that kills you Treacherously.

She added, That to speak in general of the Arragonois, They have a Natural Pride, which is hard to be suppress’d: but likewise to do them Justice, there are people of brave Minds to be found among them; insomuch, that they are easily discern’d from all the rest of the King of Spain’s Subjects: That they have never wanted Great Men, from their first King to Ferdinand: That they counted such a great number of them, as would scarce be believ’d: However, they have greatly recommended themselves by their Valour and Conduct. That as to the rest, their Country was so little fruitful, that excepting some Valleys which were watered by Channels, whose Water came from the Ebre, the rest was so dry and sandy, that you meet with scarce any thing else but stony and parched up places: That Sarragossa is a great City, the Houses finer than at Madrid; the Publick Places adorn’d with Arches; that the Holy Street, where the Courses are run, is so long and large, as may make it pass for a great and vast place, having several great Mens Palaces on it; that of Castel-morato being one of the pleasantest: That the Vault of St. Francis’s Church was very curious, for being of extraordinary Largeness, yet ’tis upheld by no Pillars: That the City is not strong, but the Inhabitants so stout, that it needed no Walls; that it has never a Fountain, this being one of its greatest Defects: That the Ebre carried no Boats, the River being full of dangerous Rocks. As to the rest, the Archbishoprick was worth 60000 Crowns a year: That the Vice-Royalty brought in no Revenue, being a Place of Honour, fit only for great Lords to bear the Expence of it, to maintain their Rank, and keep the People under, who are Naturally Fierce and Imperious, not Affable to Strangers; and so little desirous of making Acquaintance, that they chuse rather to stay at Home alone all their Life-time, than stir out to procure Friendships: That here is a severe Inquisition, who have a stately Palace, and a most Rigid Court of Justice; Yet this does not hinder great Troops of Robbers, call’d Bandoleros, from Ravaging, and dispersing themselves over all Spain; who give no Quarter to Travellers, snatching up sometimes Women of Quality, whom they afterwards set at Ransom, for their Parents to Redeem; but when they are Handsome they keep them: And this is the greatest Misfortune can happen to ’em, being forced to spend their Days with the Worst of Men, who keep them in dreadful Caves, or carry them along with them on Horse-back, being so furiously jealous of ’em, that one of their Captains (having been lately set upon by Souldiers sent into the Mountains to seize on him) being mortally wounded, and having his Mistress with him, who was of the Marquess de Camaraza, a Grandee of Spain’s Family; When she saw him in this Condition, she thought only of making Use of this favourable Opportunity of saving her self; which he perceiving, dying, as he was, he catch’d hold of her Hair, and struck his Dagger into her Breast, Being not willing, said he, that another should possess a Treasure which had been so dear to him. And this is what himself acknowledg’d to the Souldiers who found him, and saw this sad Spectacle.

The Beautiful Marchioness here held her peace; and I return’d her all due Thanks for the Favour she did me, in informing me of these Curiosities; and of which, perhaps without her, I might have been Ignorant all my Life. ‘I do not think, Madam,’ said she to me, ‘you owe me such Thanks; I rather fear the having deserved Reproaches for so long and tiresome a Conversation.’

I would not let her leave me to eat elsewhere; and I obliged her to lye with me, she having no Bed. So Civil and Courteous a Proceeding made her much my Friend: She assured me of this in such Affectionate Terms, that I could not doubt of it; for I must tell you, the Spanish Women are more Caressing than we, and are far more Kind and Tender to those they profess Friendship. In fine, I could not forbear telling her, ‘That if she had all the Kindness for me she made profession, she must be so complaisant, to inform me, What made her seem so melancholly? That I had heard her fetch deep Sighs in the Night, and appear’d very Restless and Disconsolate; That if she could find any Comfort in sharing her Grief with me, I offered my Service to her, as a most faithful Friend.’ She embraced me with great Affection, and told me without delay, she would immediately satisfie my Curiosity; which she did in these Terms:

‘Seeing you are desirous to know me, I must without disguising to you any thing, acknowledge my Weaknesses to you; and by my Sincerity and Open-heartedness, deserve a Curiosity as obliging as yours:

‘I come not of such a Family as may claim Nobility; my Father’s Name was Davila; he was only a Banker, but he was in good Credit, and was moderately Wealthy: We are of Seville, Capital of Andalousia, and we have ever dwelt there. My Mother knew the World, she saw many People of Quality, and having no Children but me, she took great care of my Education: It did not appear ill-bestowed on me; for I had the good Fortune to get the good Will of most that saw me.

‘We had two Neighbours who came often to our House, who were very welcome both to my Father and Mother: Their Condition and Age were in no sort alike; One was the Marquess de Los Rios, a Person Wealthy and Noble; he was a Widower, and well advanced in years: the other was the Son of a great Merchant, who traded to the Indies; he was Young and Handsome, he had Wit, and a very graceful Behaviour; his Name was Mendez: He was not long before he fell passionately in Love with me; so that he omitted nothing which might please me, and gain my Affections.

‘He was in all places where he knew I was to pass; he spent whole Nights under my Windows, to sing Verses which he had composed and set to my Praise, which he had very well accompany’d with his Harp.

‘But seeing his Attendancies had not all the Effect he expected, and having past some time in this manner, without daring to mention his Affection to me, he at length resolv’d to make use of the first occasion to acquaint me with it. I avoided him ever since I had a Conversation with one of my Friends, who had more Experience and Knowledge of the World than I: I had felt, that Mendez’s Company gave me Joy, and that my Heart had an Emotion for him, which it had not for others: That when his Affairs, or our Visits hindred him from seeing me, I grew restless; and loving this young Woman, above others, and being as dear to her, she observ’d I was not so free and gay as I was wont, and that my Eyes were sometimes attentively fixed on Mendez. One Day when she rally’d with me about it, I said to her very innocently, “My dear Henrietta, define to me the Sentiments I have for Mendez: I know not whether I ought to be afraid of them, and whether I ought not to defend my self from them. I feel I know not what sort of Trouble and Pleasure arising in my Breast.” She began to laugh, she embraced me, and said to me, “My dear Heart, you are in Love.” “Who, I in Love?” reply’d I, in amaze: “You joke with me; I neither am, nor will be in Love.” “This depends not always on us,” continued she, with a more serious Air, “our Stars decide this before our Hearts. But in earnest, what is it so much startles you? Mendez is in a Condition equal to yours; he deserves well, a good comely Man; and if his Affairs go on with the same Success as they have done hitherto, you may live very happily with him.” “And whence should I learn,” reply’d I, interrupting her, “that he will be happy with me, and that he so much as thinks this?” “O, take my Word for it,” answer’d she, “whatever he has done has its Designs; for Men are not wont to pass Nights under Windows, and the Days in following a Person for whom they have nothing but Indifferency.”

‘After some other Discourse of this Nature, she left me, and I resolv’d, maugre the Repugnance I felt in me, to give Mendez no opportunity of speaking to me in particular.

‘But one Night as I was walking in the Garden, he came towards me: I was perplext to see my self alone with him; and he had the opportunity of observing it on my Countenance, and in the manner after which I receiv’d him. This could not divert him from the design he had of entertaining me: “How Happy am I Madam,” said he, “to find you alone? But do I call my self Happy! Perhaps I know not what I say: for it may be you will not receive a Secret with which I would entrust you.” “I am as yet so young,” said I to him, blushing, “that I would advise you to say nothing to me, unless you would have me impart it to my Companions.” “Alas,” continued he, “should I tell you, I Adore you; that all my Happiness depends on the Inclinations you have towards me: That I cannot live without some Certainty, that I may one day please you; will you tell this to your Companions?” “No,” said I to him, in great perplexity, “I would look on this Confidence as a Railery; and not believing it my self, I would not hazard its being left to be believ’d by others.”

‘We were interrupted as I ended these words; and he appear’d to me not over-content with the Answer I made him; and a while after he found an opportunity to reproach me with it.

‘I could not but give a favourable Ear to the Inclinations I had towards him; every thing he told me seem’d to me to have its particular Gracefulness: And it was no hard matter for him to perswade me, that he lov’d me above all things in the World.

‘In the mean time, the Marquess de Los Rios took such a liking to me, and my Person and Behaviour ran so deeply in his Thoughts, that he wholly applied himself to please me. He was very nice and cautious; he could not resolve with himself to owe me wholly to my Parents authority: He well knew they would receive as an Honour the Intentions he had for me; but he was for gaining my Consent before he demanded theirs.

‘In this Design he said all to me he thought was like to take with me. I answer’d him I should always think it an indispensable Duty to obey my Father: yet our Ages were so different, that I told him, I thought ’twere better he left off thinking of me; that I should have an everlasting Acknowledgment for the advantageous Intentions he had for me; and therefore I would esteem him, tho I could not love him. Having heard what I said, he was some time without speaking, and immediately taking up a very generous Resolution: “Lovely Mariana,” says he, “you might have made me the happiest Man in the World; and if you were ambitious, I had wherewith to satisfie you: But you refuse me, and I desire to be anothers: I consent to it; I love you too well to be in suspence, whether you are to be satisfied or I; I therefore wholly sacrifice my Happiness to you, and leave you for ever.” In ending these Words he left me, and appear’d so afflicted, that I could not forbear being concern’d.

‘Mendez arriv’d a while after, and found me melancholly: He was so earnest with me to know the Cause, that I could not deny him this Proof of my Complaisance. Any one but he would have had a sensible Obligation at the Exclusion I came from giving his Rival: But far from seeming to value it, he told me, He saw in mine Eyes the Regret I had for a Lover, who could place me in another sort of a Rank than he was able; and that my Proceeding was very Cruel. In vain [I] endeavoured to make him sensible of the Injustice of this; but all I could say, could not hinder him from charging me with Inconstancy. I remain’d vext, and surpriz’d at this his Way of Dealing, and was several days without speaking to him.

‘He, in fine, at last understood he had no Reason to Complain; he came to me, and begg’d my Pardon, and testified to me a great Displeasure at his own jealousie: He excused himself, as all Lovers do, on the strength of his Passion. I had so much Weakness as to be willing to forget the Trouble he had given me: we made up the Matter between us, and he continued on his Courtship.

‘His Father having understood the Passion he had for me, thought he could not procure him a more advantageous Marriage: he took notice of it to him, and came afterwards to my Father, to open to him the Proposal: they had been long Friends; he was favourably heard, and they easily agreed on the Matter.

‘Mendez came to inform me of the News, with such Transports as would have seem’d ridiculous to any other than a Mistress. My Mother order’d me to look kindly on him, telling me, this Affair would be advantageous to me: and as soon as the India-Fleet should arrive, wherein he was greatly concern’d, the Marriage should be concluded.

‘Whilst matters thus past, the Marquess de Los Rios had retired to one of his Country-Houses, where he scarcely saw any one: He led a languishing Life; he still lov’d me, but hindred himself from telling me so, and from comforting himself by this innocent Remedy.

‘In fine, his Body could not resist the Heaviness of his Mind; he fell dangerously ill, and being told by the Physicians, there was no hope of his Recovery, he pluckt up his Spirits to write me the most affectionate Letter imaginable, and sent at the same time to me a Deed of Gift of all his Estate, in case he dyed. My Mother was in my Chamber, when a Gentleman presented this Packet from him; she would know what it contain’d.

‘I could not forbear at the same time, telling her what had past; and we were both of us in the greatest surprize at the Marquess’s extream Generosity. She sent him word, that I should go with my Family to thank him for a Liberality which I had no ways deserv’d: And in particular, she sharply reprehended me for having made a Mystery of a thing to her with which I ought to have immediately acquainted her. I threw myself at her Feet; I excused myself the best I could, and testifi’d such great Sorrow for having displeas’d her, that she easily pardon’d me. Leaving my Chamber, she went to my Father, and having learnt him all which had past, they resolv’d to go the next Morning to see the Marquess, and to carry me with them.

‘I acquainted Mendez with this in the Evening; and the Fear I had, lest my Parents should, in fine, make me marry this old Man, if he chanced to escape out of his Sickness. However sensible I appear’d to him of this, he was so far transported, and reproacht me so greatly with it, that I must have lov’d him as much as I did, not to have broke off with him: But he had such an Ascendant over me, that though he was the Injustest of all Men, yet I thought him the most Reasonable.

‘We were at the Marquess de Los Rios’s; his Country-house was not above two Leagues from Seville: Dying, as he was, he receiv’d us with such Joy as was easily observable. My Father testifi’d to him his Grief, to see him in so low a Condition, thankt him for the Donation he made me, and assured him, If he could find a fair and just Pretence, he would break off with Mendez, to whom he had engaged his Word: That should this happen, he promist him solemnly I should be no Body’s but his. He receiv’d this Assurance in the same manner as if he had receiv’d his perfect Felicity; but he knew well the Dolor I conceiv’d thereat: I became Pale, my Eyes were covered with Tears; and when we were about leaving him, he desired me to draw near to him; he told me with a languishing Tone: “Fear nothing, Mariana; I love you too well to displease you; you shall have Mendez, seeing your Affections are engaged to him.” I answer’d him: “I had no particular Inclination for him; but being commanded to respect him, as a Man who was to be my Husband, I could do no otherwise; however, I intreated him to be well.”

‘This seem’d to me the least step I could take towards a Person to whom I had so great Obligations. He appear’d thereat sufficiently satisfy’d, attempting to take my Hand and kiss it: “Remember,” said he to me, “you enjoyn me to live; and that my Life being your Work, you will be oblig’d to conserve it.” We return’d at Night, and the Impatient Mendez waited for us, to make me new Reproaches: I took ’em as I was wont, as Proofs of his Passion: and having justified my self, I askt him, What News there was of the Fleet? “Alas!” said he to me, “my Father has receiv’d such as drives me to Despair: I dare not inform you.” “Have you any thing separate from me?” said I to him, looking tenderly on him: “Would you have me to be as reserv’d to you?” “I am too Happy,” replied he, “in that you have such favourable Dispositions; and being not able to keep any Secret from you, I must plainly tell you, That the Galion in which is our whole Estate, is split and lost, running against a Rock. But I should be less sensible, how greatly soever I am Interest, did I not look on the Unhappy Consequences of this Loss: Your Presence will restore the Marquess de Los Rios to his Health; his Sentiments for you are known in your Family; he is Rich, and a great Lord: I become Miserable; and if you forsake me, my dear Mariana, I shall have no more Hope but in a speedy Death.” I was pierced with Sorrow at this sad News: I took one of his Hands, and closing it with mine, I said to him, “My dear Mendez, do not think me capable of loving you, and yet leaving you, by the Effects of your good or bad Fortune: if you be able to bear up against it, believe me so too. I call Heaven to witness,” continued I, “provided you love me, and be faithful to me, that I will never forsake you; and let it punish me if ever I prove Inconstant.”

‘He testified all the Acknowledgements he ought me for such affectionate Assurances, and we resolved not to divulge this Accident.

‘I withdrew very melancholly, and shut my self up in my Closet, ruminating on the Consequences of this sad Disaster. I was still there, when I heard some Body knocking softly at the Shutters of my Window: I drew near, and saw Mendez by the Light of the Moon: “What do you here,” said I to him, “at this time of the Night?” “Alas,” answer’d he to me, “I was trying whether I could speak with you before I departed: My Father has again lately received News of the Galion, and will have me immediately go where she is run aground, to endeavour to save something: It is a great way thither, and I shall be a great while without seeing you. Ah, dear Mariana, during all this time will you be as good as your Word to me? May I hope my dear Mistress will be faithful to me?” “What Reason have I given you, Mendez,” said I, interrupting him, “to doubt it? Yes,” continued I, “I will love you were you the most Unfortunate Man in the World.”

‘It would be to abuse your Patience, Madam, to relate to you whatever we said in this doleful Separation; and though there appear’d no Danger, yet our Hearts had a foreboding of what was afterwards to happen to us. The Day began to appear, and we must bid Adieu: I saw him shed Tears, which were accompanied with mine.

‘I threw myself on my Bed, rowling a thousand sad Thoughts in my Mind; and I appear’d the next Morning so out of Order, that my Father and Mother were afraid I was falling into some dangerous fit of Sickness.

‘Mendez his Father came to make them a Visit, to excuse his Son’s parting without taking his Leave of them. He added, “He had a Business which required such haste, as would not suffer him a Minute’s time at his disposal.” As to myself, Madam, I was comfortless, being insensible to every thing: And if any thing could ease me, ’twas some hours Conversation with my dear Henrietta, with whom I freely vented my thoughts touching the long Absence of Mendez.

‘In the mean time the Marquess de Los Rios was out of Danger, and my Father went often to see him: I observ’d one day great Alteration on my Mother’s Countenance, she and my Father having been long shut up with Religioses, who came to give ’em a Visit; and after a Conference of some time, they call’d me, without my being able to divine the Cause.

‘I entred into their Apartment in such Disorder, that I knew not what I did. One of these good Fathers, Venerable by his Age and Habit, spake much to me about the Resignation we owe to the Divine Will, on his Providence, in every thing which relates to us: and the Close of his Discourse was, that Mendez was taken by the Algerines; that he was a Slave; and by his Misfortune these Pyrates had learnt he was a rich Merchant’s Son; which had occasion’d the setting him at an extraordinary Ransom: That they were at Algiers in the time he arriv’d; would have willingly brought him along with ’em, but the money which they had for all, was not sufficient for him alone. That at their Return they had been at his Father’s to inform him of this vexatious Disaster; but found he had absented himself; and that the loss of a Galion, on which was embarkt all his Effects without being able to save any thing, had induced him to avoid his Creditors, who sought him every-where, to throw him in Prison: That things being in Condition, they saw no Remedy to poor Mendez his Misfortunes, being in the hands of Meluza the most famous and covetous of all the Corsaries; and that if I would follow their Advice, and that of my Parents, I would think of taking another Party. I had so far heard this dreadful News in so ecstatic a Condition, that I could only interrupt them by sad Sighs; but when he told me, I must think of another Party; I burst out with Tears and Shrieks, as made both my Father and Mother, and these Religioses compassionate me.

‘I was carried into my Chamber as one nearer death than life; and Donna Henrietta was sent for, and it was not without great Affliction she beheld me in this sad Condition. I fell into a most deep Melancholly; I tormented myself day and night, and nothing was able to remove my dear Mendez out of my Mind.

‘The Marquess de Los Rios, having learnt what had past, conceiv’d such strong Hopes, that he soon found himself in a Condition to come and Claim of my Father and me the Effect of the Words we had given him. I shewed him that mine were not disengaged in respect of Mendez; that he was Unfortunate, which no ways lessen’d my Engagements to him. He heard me without being perswaded by me, and told me, I had the same desire of destroying myself, as others had of saving themselves; that ’twas more my Interest than his, which made him act as he did. And being ravisht with having a Pretence which seemed to him plausible, he prest my Father with such Earnestness, that he at length consented to what he desired.

‘It is impossible for me to represent to you, Madam, in what an Abyss of Sorrow I was in: “What is become, my Lord,” said I to the Marquess, “of that scrupulous Tenderness which hinder’d you from taking my Heart from any other hand than my own? Let me at least have some time to forget Mendez; Perhaps his Absence and Misfortunes may prevail on me to some Indifferency towards him. To this cruel Accident, which has snatch’d him so lately from me, you add new Troubles when you expect I should so speedily pass over from him to you.”

‘“I know not what I expect or may hope for,” said he to me, “but this I am sure of, that my Complaisance had like to have cost me my Life; that if you be not design’d for me, you will be anothers; and as to Mendez, his Fortune has been such, that he can no longer pretend to you; and seeing you must be disposed of, I think you are very hard hearted to refuse me. You cannot be ignorant of what I have done hitherto to please you, my former Proceeding should serve as a sufficient Testimony of my future Respects.”

‘The Marquess made a greater progress in my Father’s Mind than mine. In a Word, my Mother having one day sent for me, told me, ’Twas to no purpose to use any longer Delays, my Father being resolv’d I should obey his Orders. Whatever I could say to excuse my self, my Tears, my Remonstrances, Entreaties were all to no purpose, and serv’d only to exasperate my Mother.

‘All things necessary were prepared for my Marriage, the Marquess would have every thing suitable to his Quality; He sent me a Cabinet of Jewels and Precious Stones, to the value of several thousand Crowns. The fatal Day for our Wedding was set. Seeing my self reduced to this Extremity. I took a resolution which will surprize you, Madam, and demonstrate a great Passion.

‘I went to Donna Henrietta; this Friend had been ever faithful to me, and threw my self at her feet, surprising her by so extraordinary a Carriage: “My dear Henrietta,” said I to her, melting in Tears, “there is no Remedy to my Misfortunes, unless you have pity on me; do not abandon me, let me conjure you in the sad Condition I am in; to morrow I must marry the Marquess de Los Rios, I can no longer avoid it. If the Offers of Friendship you have made me be Proof against all Tryal, and can make you capable of a generous Resolution, you will not refuse to follow my Fortune, and to accompany me to Algiers to pay Mendez his Ransom, to redeem him from the cruel Slavery he is in. You see me at your Feet,” continued I, “I will never rise till you have given me your Word, to do what I desire you.” She seem’d so concern’d at my Posture, that I arose to make her answer me. She immediately embraced me with great Testimonies of Tenderness: “I will refuse you nothing, my dear Mariana,” said she to me, “were it my very Life; but you are going to ruine your self and me with you. How can two Girls execute what you project. Our Age, our Sex, and your Beauty, will expose us to Accidents, the bare imagination of which makes me to tremble: this is certain, we are going to overwhelm our Families with Shame and Confusion; and if you had made serious Reflections hereon, it is not possible you could have come to this Resolution.” “Ah, barbarous!” cried I, “and more barbarous than he that detains my Lover; you forsake me, but tho I am alone, yet that shall not hinder me from pursuing my Point, neither can the assistance you should give me stand me in much stead: Remain, remain, I consent, it is fit I should depart without any Comfort to affront all Dangers; I confess such an undertaking is fit only for a desperate Creature.”

‘My Reproaches and Tears moved Henrietta; she told me my Interest had obliged her as much as her own to speak to me as she had done; but in short, seeing I persisted in my first Resolution, and nothing could divert me from it, she resolved I should not go alone; That if I would be ruled by her, we should disguise ourselves; that she would undertake to get two Suits of Mens Apparel; and as for the rest, it belong’d to me to take care of it. I embraced her with a thousand Testimonies of Thankfulness.

‘I afterwards askt her, Whether she had seen the Jewels which the Marquess had sent me; “I will bring them,” said I to her, “to purchase Mendez’s Ransom with them.” We resolved to lose no time, and we neither of us fail’d in what we had projected.

‘Never were two Maidens better disguised under the Habit of two Cavaliers. We parted that Night, and embarkt our selves without the least Obstacle, but after some days Sail we were overtaken by so violent a Storm, as made us despair of our Safety. In all this Disorder and Peril, I was less concerned for my self, than for not having compassed my dear Mendez’s Liberty, and for having engaged Henrietta to follow my ill Fortune: “It is I,” said I to her, in embracing her, “it is I, my dear Companion, that has rais’d this Storm, were I not on the Sea it would be Calm; my Misfortune follows me wherever I go.” In fine, we having been a Day and two Nights in continual Alarums, the Weather chang’d, and we arriv’d at Algiers.

‘I was so glad to see my self in a Condition to deliver Mendez, that I reckon’d all the Dangers we underwent as nothing: But alas, what became of me in disembarking, when after all the search which could be made, I perceiv’d there was no hope of finding the little Cabinet wherein I had put all I had was most precious: I found my self seiz’d with such violent Grief, that I thought I should have expired before I got out of the Vessel. Without doubt this Cabinet, which was little, and of which I took but small Care during the Tempest, fell into the Sea, or was stole, which ever of these two it was, I made a considerable Loss, and I had only remaining Jewels to the value of a thousand Pounds, which I had kept for all Events about me.

‘I resolv’d with this, to make a Tryal with Mendez’s Patron: As soon as we were in the Town, we enquired out his House, (for Meluza was well known) and went thither clad as Gentlemen.

‘I cannot express to you, Madam, the trouble I was in drawing near this House, where I knew my dear Lover languisht in Chains; what sad Reflections did I not make; how did I look when I enter’d the Corsary’s House, and saw Mendez Chain’d, with several others, who were leading out to work in the Field. I should have fallen at his Feet, had not Henrietta born me up: I no longer knew where I was, nor what I did; I would have spoken to him, but Grief had so seiz’d on my Spirits, that my Tongue could not utter a Word. As to him, he beheld me not; he was so sad and deprest, that he could look on no body; and one must love him as much as I did, to know him, so greatly was he changed.

‘After having been some time coming to my self, I went into a low Room, where I was told Meluza was; I saluted him, and told him the occasion of my Voyage; that Mendez was my near Relation; that he was undone by the Loss of a Galion, and his Captivity together; and that ’twas out of my own Money I would pay his Ransom. The Moor appear’d to me little concern’d at what I said; and looking scornfully on me, he answer’d, It was not his business to enquire whence I had my Money; but this he certainly knew, that Mendez was Rich; and to shew that he would not take all Advantages, he would therefore set him at twenty thousand Crowns.

‘Alas, what would this have been, had I not lost my Jewels? but this was too much in the Condition I was in. In fine, after several long fruitless Disputes, I took on me immediately a resolution which could only be inspired by an extream Love.

‘“Here’s all I have,” said I to the Pyrate, in giving him my Diamonds, “they are not worth what thou demandest: take me for thy Slave, and be perswaded thou wilt not keep me long. I am the only Daughter of a Rich Banker of Seville; keep me for an Hostage, and let Mendez go; he will soon return to Redeem me.” The Barbarian was surpriz’d to find me capable of so generous and affectionate a Resolution. “Thou art worthy,” said he to me, “of a better Fortune. Be it so; I accept the Condition you offer me: I will take care of thee, and be a good Patron to thee. Thou must leave the Habit thou wearest, to put on one agreeable to thy Sex: thou shalt keep thy Jewels if thou wilt, I can as well stay for the whole as for a part.”

‘Donna Henrietta was so confused and dismayed at the Bargain I came from concluding, that she could not sufficiently express her Displeasure to me; but in fine, maugre all her Remonstrances and Entreaties, I held firm, and Meluza caus’d a Slave’s Habit to be brought me, which I put on.

‘He conducted me to his Wives Chamber, to whom he deliver’d me, having recounted to her what I had done for my Lover’s Liberty.

‘She seem’d to be much affected by it, and promis’d she would shorten the time of my Servitude by all the good Treatments she could make me.

‘At Night, when Mendez return’d, Meluza caus’d him to be call’d, telling him, That being of Seville, he would therefore shew him a Slave he had bought, because perhaps he might know her.

‘Immediately I was brought before him; Mendez at this sight, losing all Countenance, came and cast himself at my Feet, and taking my Hands, which he bathed with his Tears, he said every thing which was most tender and affectionate to me. Meluza and his Wife diverted themselves, in seeing the different Motions of Joy and Grief with which we were agitated: in fine, they inform’d Mendez of the Obligations he had to me; that he was free, and that I would remain in his place. He did whatever could be done to disswade me from taking this Task on me: “Alas,” said he to me, “you would have me load you with my Chains, my dear Mistress; Shall I be free, when you are not? I go then to do for you what you come from doing for me; I will sell my self, and Redeem you with this Money: for in fine, consider, that should I as soon as I arrive at Seville, find Assistance, and return again to bring you back, yet how is it possible for me in the mean time to leave you; judge how I can do this in a time wherein my Fortune promises me nothing, and am the most Unhappy of all Men.” I offered against all his Reasons, the Tenderness of my Father, who would soon Redeem me when he knew where I was. In fine, I made use of all the Power I had over his Mind, to make his Advantage of what I had done in his Favour.

‘What shall I say to you, Madam, of our Separation? It was so dolorous, that Words cannot express what we felt. I obliged Henrietta to part with him, to sollicite and press my Parents to do their part in my behalf.

‘In the mean time my Father and Mother were in an unconceivable Affliction; and when they perceiv’d my flight they thought to die with Grief.

‘They blamed themselves infinitely for forcing me to marry the Marquess de Los Rios. He was for his part in no less Despair; they caused me to be searcht for in vain, in all places where they thought I might have hid my self.

‘Two whole Years were past without my receiving any News or Succors from Mendez; which made me believe with great likelihood, that both he and Henrietta were cast away on the Sea: I had given them all the Jewels which Meluza had left me; but it was not their Loss, nor that of my Liberty, which I regretted: It was of my dear Lover and faithful Friend, whose Remembrance continually possest me, and caus’d me an unparallel’d Affliction; I could get no Rest nor Health; I wept Day and Night; I refused to come out of my Slavery in neglecting to signifie to my Father my present Condition. I wisht only for a speedy Death, which I would have willingly met with, to put an end to my Troubles and Misfortunes.

‘Meluza and his Wife began to pity me: they did not doubt but Mendez was cast away: they treated me less cruelly than these sort of People are wont to use those Unhappy Wretches who fall into their Hands.

‘One Day, as Meluza came from Pyrating, he brought with him several Persons of both Sexes which he had taken, and among the rest a Young Woman of some Quality of Seville, and whom I knew. This sight renewed my Grief: she was much surpriz’d to find me in this sad place. We affectionately embraced one another, and observing a deep silence; “How now, Beautiful Mariana,” said she to me, “are you so indifferent towards your Relations and Country, that you have no Curiosity to make any Enquiries about them?” I lifted up mine Eyes to Heaven in uttering a deep Sigh; I entreated her to tell me, If ’twere known where Mendez and Henrietta were lost? “Who has told you they are lost?” replied she. “They are at Seville, where they lead a very happy Life. Mendez has re-establisht his Affairs, and makes it his great Delight and Honour to publish in all places the Extream Obligations he has to Henrietta. Perhaps you are ignorant,” continued she, “that Mendez was taken and made a Slave by the Algerines; this generous young Woman disguised her self, and came hither to redeem him, but he has not been ungrateful, for he has married her. There is a most charming Union between them. Hymen has not banisht Love in their particular.”

‘As she was yet speaking, she perceiv’d my Countenance to alter on a sudden, and that I was ready to faint; my Strength fail’d me, mine Eyes closed, and I sunk down between her Arms; she was greatly troubled at this; she called my Companions, who put me to Bed, and endeavour’d to recover me from this pitious Condition.

‘This young Woman greatly concern’d her self for me; and when I came to my self, I began to complain; I uttered Sighs and Groans able to move a Rock.

‘Meluza was affected at the Recital of such a worse than barbarous Instance of Treachery, and without any notice to me, he inform’d himself, by his new Slave of my Father’s Name, and immediately wrote to him what he knew of my Misfortunes.

‘These Letters were like to have been the Death of my Mother; she could not imagine I could be in Chains at eighteen Years of Age, without shedding a torrent of Tears: But that which augmented her Grief, was, the Disorder of my Father’s Affairs; several considerable Bankrupts had ruined him; his Credit was gone, and it was impossible for him to procure the 20000 Crowns which Meluza demanded for my Ransom.

‘The Generous Marquess de Los Rios heard this News, came to my Father, and offered him what lay in his Power: “I do not do this,” said he, “in design to force your Daughter’s Inclinations when she shall be here; I shall love her always, but I will never displease her.” My Father having no other way of Relief, thankfully accepted of what was offered him; and in a word, embarkt himself, and happily arriv’d at Algiers, in the time when I thought only of dying.

‘He forbore all those Reproaches I deserv’d; he redeem’d me, and at my Intreaty, this young Woman of Seville, for a moderate Ransom. We return’d together, and my Mother receiv’d me with such joy as is impossible to be exprest. I answer’d hereto as much as was possible; but I carried always in my Heart, Madam, the fatal Stroke which had wounded me: Whatever my Reason could represent to me, was not sufficient to Eface out of my Remembrance the Image of the Traitor Mendez.

‘I saw the Marquess de Los Rios: he dared not mention the Inclinations he still had towards me; but I had such pressing Obligations to him, that Gratitude made me do for him, what my Inclinations would have made me do for another.

‘I gave him my Hand, and he his to me, with such Affection, as if he had had no solid Matter of Complaint against me.

‘In fine, I married him, and apprehending lest I should see Mendez, that Ungrateful Wretch, to whom I owe such Horrour, and for whom I had so little, I pray’d the Marquess we might dwell in the Country-house he had near Seville.

‘He ever approv’d of what I liked; he would have my Father and Mother retire; he less’ned the sad Condition of their Fortune, by considerable Liberalities: and I may truly say, there never was a greater Soul. Judge, Madam, of all the Reproaches I made my Heart for its not being so tender to him as it ought to have been: It was not in my power to forget Mendez, and I always felt new Regrets, when I learnt his Felicity with the Unfaithful Henrietta.

‘Having past two Years in a continual watching over myself, that I might do nothing but what was agreeable to my Husband, Heaven depriv’d me of him, of this Generous Husband; and he did for me in these last Moments, what he had already heretofore done, giving me all he had, with such Testimonies of Esteem and Affection, as much enhanced the Price of the Gift: He made me the richest Widow of Andalousia, but he could not make me the Happiest.

‘I would not return to Seville, where my Parents would have had me been; and to avoid it, I pretended a Journey farther into the Country, to look after some part of my Estate. I set out; but there being a particular Fatality in whatever relates to me, in arriving at an Inn, the first Object which struck my sight, was the Unfaithful Mendez: he was in deep Mourning, and had lost nothing of whatever made me heretofore fancy him too Lovely. It is impossible to express the Condition I was in, for endeavouring to get speedily from him, I found myself so weak and trembling, that I fell at his Feet. Although he knew me not that instant, yet he earnestly endeavour’d to raise me up; but the great Veil under which I was conceal’d, flying open, what became of him in seeing me? He remain’d no less confused than I was: he would have drawn near to me, but casting a furious Look on him: “Darest thou, Perjured Wretch!” said I to him, “darest thou approach me! Art thou not afraid of the just Punishment of thy Perfidiousness?” He was some time without answering me, and I was about leaving him when he stopt me: “Confound and overwhelm me with Reproaches, Madam,” said he to me: “Give me the worst and most perfidious Names as is possible; they cannot be more than I deserve: but my Death shall soon revenge your Quarrel: I ought to die with Sorrow for having betray’d you; and if I regret any thing in dying, it is only the having one Life to lose, to expiate all the Crimes you can justly accuse me of.” He appear’d to me much affected in ending these words; and would to Heavens his Repentance were really sufficient and true! I would not hazard a longer Conversation with him: I left him, disdaining to return him an Answer. And this Mark of Contempt and Slighting, was, without doubt, more sensible to him, than all the Reproaches I might have made him.

‘He had some time since lost his Wife, that Unfaithful Creature, who had helpt him to Revolt against all the Offices of Love, Honour, and Gratitude. And from that time he follow’d me every-where: he was like a Complaining Shadow, ever fastened to my Feet; for he became so lean, pale, and chang’d, that he was no longer discernable. Heavens! Madam, what Violence did I not offer myself, in continuing to ill Treat him: I found at last I wanted Strength to resist the Weakness of my Heart, and the Ascendant this Wretch had over me. Rather than to commit so shameful an offence, and to Forgive him, I parted for Madrid, where I have Relations, and sought among them a Shelter against the Violence of mine own Inclinations.

‘I was not there long but Mendez found me out: I must confess to you, I was not heartily displeas’d at his Attendance on me; but maugre my Inclinations towards him, I put on a firm Resolution to avoid him, seeing I could not sincerely hate him; and unknown to every Body, I took the Road to Burgos, where I am going to Cloyster myself with a Religious there, my Friend. I flatter myself, Madam, with the Hopes of finding more Rest there, than I have hitherto met with.’

The Beautiful Marchioness here held her peace; and I testified to her my particular Acknowledgments for the Favour she had done me: I assured her of the part I took in her Adventures: I conjured her to write to me, and let me hear from her at Madrid; and she promised it me in the most obliging Manner as is possible.

We found the next Morning we could not set out, it having snow’d all the Night, and no Path appearing on the Ground; but we wanted not Company to pass the time in Play and Discourse. Having been three days with the Marchioness de Los Rios, without any Weariness at the length of the Time, through the pleasure I had of seeing and hearing her talk (for she is one of the most lovely Women in the World.) We parted with a mutual Regret, and it was not without doubling our Promises of writing to, and seeing one another hereafter.

The Weather mended, and I continued on my Journey to Lerma: We had traverst dreadful Mountains, which bear the Name of Sierra de Cogollos, and it was not without great trouble we got thither: This Town is small; she has given her name to the famous Cardinal de Lerma, Chief Minister to Philip III: it is from him that Philip IV. took the great Revenues he had receiv’d from the King his Master. Here is a Castle which I will see to Morrow, and of which I shall give you an Account in my next. I am told an Extraordinary Express is arriv’d, and will set out to Night: I will lay hold of this Opportunity of sending to you, and ending this long Letter; for in truth I am tired both with the Way, and with Writing, but I shall never be weary of Loving you.