Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-11-14

tlirstbY 1hich was consumed, and overcom-
inc nv repugnanee to ask any favours from
my epcrs, I begged them to give me little
water 10 drink. Disregarding my prayer,
they procesaed to search my person in man
ner the most offensive to my feelings, and then
looked under the nnattrass, and even examined
the seams Of the pillow, as well as my watch,
which hung At the bedhead.
'The search being concluded again en'rea'ea
them 10 give me some water I'D the name Oh
that religion so afen blazoned by the members
Of the holy tribunal. Gorilla, who heard me
with the countenance in which the secret plea
sure he felt al my distress was strongly depict
ed, ordered The jaior 10 bring jug oil water
which was usually kept in the passage, ana 10
pour out some into the washing bason, iheh
turning himself towards me, said In hearIieSs
and disdainful tone, Drink there, like " saw
age OF Africa, since yous would IAN nave
as much reiisina as they
We should be delighted in this place 10
quote The romantic details of Van Halen's es-
cape from ,hasInquisi,ion, through the cour-
age, generosity, and oonstancy of simple
hearted and gentle maiden, who was engaged
in the mcnial Duties Of The prison. The whole
Of this part Of the book is full of the deepest
and mos, enchanting Interest, and exciles, alter
nsrtly, love, tenderness, pity, and curiosity 10
degree almost painful. 1t has all the wildness
rapidly &c beauty of powerful romance, and
at The same time, is touched with all the force
Of truth. We cannot find room for the whole
adventure, ard we vii! no: spoil the entireness
Of the picture by selecting any OF lis detached
scenery and grounds. The whole OF his adVen-
lures in quitting Spain possess similar inter
est and animation. Before we leave the hrst
volume, we shall venture on two sketches OF
lively charactef; The FIST is a spirited and
novel account Of Ferdinand's celebrated Cam
ariHa.
'The camarilla takes lis name from a small
room in the Kings apartments. Formerly
destined as sitting room for the attendants OF
the second class, whose Office was 10 answer
the Kings bell The pleasure which Ferdi
nand, even from his infancy, always found in the
company Of the lowest and most vulgar ser
wants ofihc royal household, made him so. Of
ten frequent this place, that q last 1t became
the general rendezvous Of his friends, al the
head of which was Chamorro, a fellow who
had been waterman the greater part Of his lille
and who accompanied the King 10 France in
very inferior situation. There also figured
Ramirez de Arelano, who from shoe black OF
the royal household, had assembled to the Office
OF spy on both sexes, and was afterwards inves-
TO his majesty, as we'll as with tina. Of honorary
familiar Of the Holy Office AS it was in the
camarlla where most fa, ours and Offices were
dispensed all the swarm Of ambitious inlriguers
Aocked there to obtain admit,ance, SO that the
antrooms OF the ministers were deserted, their
porters lost their scandaloIs perquisites, and
the ancien, monopoly OF the clerks in the Off
ces~ JIhe -sessrsnSS; OF stale was anDrlled.
Soon numerous ferlukn, AN evening society,"
composed Of monks, inquisilors, counsehors,
servile & mertensry poets military sycoPhanls
and lew Americans on the lookoutfor places,
and enemies 10 the indie 3endence Of their coun-
try, was formed in the camarilla. These were
the clemens with which The secret society, cal
led by some Anchor Of the Faith and of the
King began their labours.
The following account Of fete given by the
mobiles Of Murcia, must be allowed 10 Guido
even the ou,doiEgs Of those romance writers,
who have loved 10 exercise their hooking vii
at the expense II Spanish poverty and pridc:-
"Stuated in the midst Of rich and fertile
country, and eajoNing one Of the finest climates
Murca is one Of the towns where the clerical
power rises in all lis pride, aud shares the bIes
sings Of the land with badly educated nobil-
ty, whose Ignorance can DE equalled only by
their vanity.
was invited 10 a bali given by the latter TO
celebrate Easter Sunday. The etiquette that
preceded the Invitations, the Interruptions ia
ken respecting the rank and character OF the
guests, and the researches made into their ped
igrees, as well as the arms that adorned the
front OF the hosse destined for the festival, all
seemed 10 promise The greatest magni6cehce.
The whole orchestra, however, consisted oftwo
blind hddlers, Ehom had the same day met
playing in the streets; and the refreshments
were in unison with the music; few pitchers
OF water, served BY two servants clothed in old
liveries, being all that the munifceIce Of the
Murician nobility could afford. In contemplate
ing this scene, colld not bot repea, to myself
the old Spanish proverb, which says, vanidad
po6rera, TODD enuna nieSa.''
At the commencement Of Van Halen's Sec
ond volume, we find him compelled, by the
narrowness Of his finances. 10 enter into the
service OF Russia. His liberal principles form
an alarming obstacle his appointment; blu,
at last he has The good fortune 10 be admitted |
as major into the army Of the Caucasus, then
commanded bf General Yermolow. Of this |