The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-15 00:00:00

BARCELONA.

The spirit, independence, and courage of the Cata-
lonians in general, but more especially of the people
of Barcelona, often impart to the otherwise monoto-
nous pages of Spanish history, their chief vigour and
interest. Banding themselves together on all signal
occasions in their small, but invincible juntas, last of
all men upon earth have this people ever dreamed of
passively bowing to thrall or subjection, but have
been ready to spring up invariably in resistance, and
battle for their rights and freedom. The late insur-
rectionary movement, on whatever principles at-
tempted, Was nevertheless an instance of the same
active and stirring spirit of restless feeling which has
characterised them from the earliest times.

The bold seaport on which its strong and rich city
is founded first struck the eye of the father of Han-
, nibal—Handlcar Barcas—from whom the son called
it Barcino. Built in the form of a half-moon, it has
in subsequent times become one of the largest and
handsomest cities of the kingdom, and ranks third
among their number. The middle ages acknowledged
it as the principal commercial place on the Mediter-
ranean, whose tranquil waters pour themselves into
its spacious and secure harbour. Over this blue ex-
panse, defended on one side by the mountain of Mont-
juich, a strong and massive fort arises, guarding its
approach, and ready to assail all hostile corners. A
thousand vessels are supposed to enter it during peace,
and the flags of Spain, France, America, and Den-
mark, are the most frequent that flaunt in its port.
Upwards of one hundred and forty thousand fill up
the sum of its population—a hardy, industrious, and
courageous people.
Under Charlemagne it was erected into a county.
Some time after it became an independent sove-
reignty. The tribunal of the Inquisition once had
sway, but has now no longer existence. In addition to
its churches,Juniversity, and libraries, it has an hospital
large enough for 3,000 sick, a large arsenal, and a
cannon foundry. From the year 802 to 1131,
Barcelona was governed by its own Counts, and to
this day the King of Spain reckons " Count of Bar-
celona" among his titles. Barcelona, indeed, prior to
the mersion of all the numerous lordships of the king-
dom in the crown of Arragon, and which were either
dependent on it or on the French Kings, was the only
one which at any time has exhibited the attributes of
sovereignty. Of the stirring events of its early times,
and at this especial period, a respectable-sized folio
might be filled ; but the Pere Tomich and Dingo are
given somewhat to random tales, and fables are not to
be trusted. Clear history of this republic appears to
dawn about the year 800, when, contrary to the
general tenor of its history, the Wall of the city
succumbed, and Louis of Aquitaine made a triumph-
ant entry, and instituted anew in it the Chris-
tian worship. Borello, one of the Counts, reigned
seventeen years in security; but at the termina-
tion of that period, the formidable .Almansor marched
against him. The little: army of Borello, power-
fully as it contested the field, was annihilated. Bar-
celona was stormed by the invader, and in the vast
conflagration of the town the public archives perished.
Count Raymundo 11. name was renowned throughout
Spain, for his victories over the Moorish king. Twelve
Mahommedan monarchs are said, to have been tribu-
tary to him. The Barcelonese, under their successive
Counts, were the doughtiest antagonists of the Arabs,
who swarmed hither during these ages, in quite, a
Moorish crusade. By the marriage of Raymond V.
with 'the daughter of the King of Arragon, it was
united with that kingdom. In 1640 it withdrew,
with all Catalonia, from the Spanish Government, and
submitted to the French Crown. Again it reverted
to Spain, again to France; and, at the peace of Rys-
wick, was restored to Spanish rule. Its restlessness
is plainly to be inferred, from these few and rapid
transitions. In the war of the Spanish succession,
Barcelona took the part of the Archduke Charles, and
afterwards Obstinately resisted the Duke of Berwick.
The stronh citadel on the east of the city was then
erected, to overawe the inhabitants. It was in the
power of the French till 1814, baying been taken by