The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-05

DE-. Baird's lecture ON Spain and Portugal.
Last evening" Dr. Baird delivered eloquent lecture
In the Female Academy in Jorslsmon street, Brooklyn
to p1nsrous audience He commenced by stating that
but little was known Of the history Of Spain and fortu
gal till the time Of the Romans but before tho Roman
era Il was in the possession Of the Carthsgenssns-a
powerful people from Eastern Asia Spain Wa very
important province to the Romans and hence they held
It a. long they able They gave up Britaia and
parts OF dsu before they evacuated Spain, for was
rich province and powerful portion Of the empire
After the Romans tho Vsndal the country and
established themselves for short time: but the ,ths
came down from the NORTH and drove them out and Tor
one hundred ard fifty years lived by system Of plum
dsr-as the practice OF the northern tribes Spain
was then divided into great mug Der Of petty Kingdoms
perhaps into some eight or ten-ovsr which petty
princes regurd From these kiosdoms came the names
Of Cstslonia Btesy, Old and New CASTLE, Andalusia
and other PROVINCES over each OF winch once Iesned
this people, and carried with 1t ciyz aton which was
lite second conquest in Western Europe: Early In the
eighth century, the Moors penetrated Into Spain BY
crossing over the Gulf Of Gibraltar They were first in
vea BY the Kirg Of who fell out with one Of
the neiehbsrins monarchs on account OF an Insult
In marriage. This war soon divided the country
and a vast army Of Mahomedens came over from
panied Abba Armsnd They were full Of enthusia.
im in favor Of Mshcmedansm and their desire TO de-
soy Christianity was 20 great that IN Two years tney
oyeIrun the country and subdusd it, The chief was not
coptt Mt with taking the whole Of spain AID Portugal
which lot then kro by hs name for 1t did not
exist a. separate knsdom bat ne peasssss.a mo y,
that country. He was met and defeated by Charles
Martel and the Moors thus driven back Beyond the
their northern boundary. About this time commenced
the mott rabe upoa the page history
T., CT ns TOOK up r a. as
with our permanent peace. This war was not ended
TIL the Anal overthrow OF the Moors by Ferdinsnd and
Iabsa who drove them down 20 the SOUTH and forced
them evacuae Cadz which tho last fortress they
held ard after this defeat, they again returned to
Atr,ca. The doors had many able monarchs BESIDES
Abba Armand, for he furnished them with seventeen
cipbs, some OF whom were excellent men. Their capi
wss at Cordova which was splendid city, and once
had million tf Inhabitants, great number of coleges
learning, ana soc hotels At ono time this city wss
the centre Of civilization in western Europe and ia ths
nth or eleventh centuries IL had more intelligence In
1t than even Rome itself The introduction of ci
vilization into Spain was about the only good
things the Moors ever did for although they
had seventeen caiphs, still they plundered their
enemies and committed many great depredatons upou
their neighbofs After the Moors lefs Portugal was
formed into separate kingdom French noblensn
who msu Of talent, penetrated into Spain and By
wealth and influence he obtained the daughter Of
Of the Spanish monarch, who gave him the western
ton of the country, with the understanding that he
should drive out the MORE This he did and ho soon
after named the country Portugal from the two Spanish
words o'Porto. The people became maritime nation
and having several able kings they began to make dis
coveEies and successful than the Spa-
nsrds themselves They penetrated along the coast OF
Africa; discovered the Cape Of Good Hope; and though
Spain the first to discover Americas through the
trprse Of Columbus they very soon moved across the
country, and took the eosst Of Brazil, which they
claimed Soon after this time Charles the Fifth who
was King Ct Holland came to the throne OF Spain and
was afterwards elected Emperor Of Germany, and In hi
reign 1t was the mott powerful country in Europc
When he in Spain he held his court at Granad
after his death he was succeeded BY his Philip the
Second o narrow minded man, aud he removed the o..
pta to Madrid In his reign the country began to de-
cline for the spaniards committed four great
first Of which the driving out OF the Moorish
chants; the expulsion OF the jews; the introduction
the Jesuts and the establishment of the Inqaisition
Portugal the fret country to expe the Jesuts
this led to troubles which disturbed the kingdom II
the time Of Philip, the spat h Armada sent TO
strey Protestsntism and the powe Of England and thu
destruction Of this fleet the ruin Of spanish hopes
In conclusion he spoke Of the Of the Spanish
sion and Of the events which have lstterly int
rested the world In Spanish history, and he pitsd ~
present Queen account Of her being surrounded by
many bad advisers amongst whom was her own mother
At the close Of the lecture the appreciation OF the
dience was expressed by burst Of general applause