are thus collected, who transact the business of the nation, and
represent its various interests tolerably well. The machinery is
hideous but it produces not a bad article.

* * * * *


SPANISH COMFORTS.


In Spain, there are few or no schools in the villages and small towns,
that would have the effect of releasing the minds of the natives from
monkish tyranny, which at present influences their principles, and
biasses their choice, with regard to political, and indeed almost all
other pursuits. Nor is any attention paid to trade. The peasantry
simply exist, like cattle, without any other signs of exertion, than
such as the necessity of food requires. They have no idea of rising in
the world; and where there is no interest there is no activity.

It appears, that in the North of Spain, so little encouragement
is given to the arts, that even physicians are not able to obtain
support; that prints are unsaleable, and no new publications appear
but newspapers; that the tradesmen neglect their persons, very seldom
shaving, and having frequently a cigar in their mouths; that the
breath of the ladies smells of garlick; that the gentlemen smoke
cigars in bed; that there is hardly a single manufactory in the
kingdom belonging to a native in a flourishing state; that, from
recent political events, the flocks have been neglected, and the
wool deteriorated; that cleanliness is neglected, and rats and mice
unmolested; that the porters of the most respectable houses are