The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-24

alight. Apprsed Of the coming of the distinguished
visitors, the Regent had sent two state dgcnces or
berlines to Vilaba to convey them to the palace OF
San ldefonso distant from that station about seven
Spanish leagues and when the General and his suite
arrived at vilalba the carriages were In waiting.
Az soon as these distinguished persons had taken
their seats, and as soon IS their baggage was pro.
perly slowed in. the Spanish drivers. well &C.
quainted with whip science and mountain driving,
were seen to manipulate the reins and whips In
ominous fashion, and two clear catcali notes and
two loud pistol cracks Of long ashes announced that
the numbering royal diligences were under way and
or along the cannino real as fast az twelve hill
ponies could gallop while two mounted guardias
civies Spanish gendarmes rode behind as escort
The Canine Real was right royal road, deserving
the name not because II leads to royal residence
but from Its merits as triumph Of engineering skill.
1t IL an even road, constructed after the macadam
pattern, nanked by bitches to drain the moisture
and trees, under which the foot traveller may find
shade. At every half mile we found two guardas
civiles with musket and sword to protect the road
and insure safety to the traveller to La Granja.
After changing horses once we find ourselves as.
cending the first line OF hills, the first advance chain
Of the Guadarrama, the summit Of which admits of
change Of scene circle prospect over the plain Of
CASTLE the New, looking better in the distance
marked at intervals by brown.colored haciendas in
at random in Wild, wayward manner, whitene1
roads trailing their length serpentney around bases
convent palace Of Escarial. proud. STATELY massive
forming an excellent foreground for the stubborn
mountain Of granite behind-and before us, noun.
tain nigh, vast, grand In the extreme, range upon
range, advancing and receding in dim distance.
Another stage we arrive at just as twilight deep
drink in glorious sweep Of savage scenery We 70
had arrived at the bottom Of deep glen, which
SH e IL is 81 sSs q
heights by which we were surrounded.
we mount the diligence and we are on at fresh
stream just mentioned and go tuggtng and gyrating
In ascending spires up grander, wilder heighIs. The
solitude and Ss Intense gloom revive dark traditions.
wherein murder and bandttism figure principally
OF most ferOcions coSring which eaectusly drive
driver never taciturn be9uiles our senses by sucn
rehearsals, and from being common place driver,
are indicated, and timidlty conjures up formess
shapes in the intense shadow OF the cavernOus
awful at least But lie horror and cold thrill soon
vanish, for the diligence, with sonorous thunder
dlspels the fearful fantasies a and the awful
mares OF memory. There were various SUBJECTS our
Jehu talked Of interesting only to the traveller
rs Tsads ali s moss al 70
to me was when, after furious galop Of q mile
through an avenue Of patriarcbal trees, o bright
were hung open and the driver whispered CASTRO .
mythicay In my ear, "Esto es La GraIya." At the
liable English, House OF the Heirs Approximation.
porized during the summer heats into 9 Hotel de
Madrid, travellers for La Granja halted. Onicial
take their quarters at detached building belonging
to the royal palace, known as the Nuncio's house.
Casa de Infantes for the sum OF s. so in gold money
Of the image and superscrpton Of Isabella Segunda.
supper over. presume, after the i've hours ride
cial Americans slept. The pow Minister has slept,
dare say IN very many strange places; ior ne has
every reason to believe he silent we'll: but whether
1t was from the balmy breath Of holiness and the
odor OF sanctlty with which the Nuncio's bed
A DO not know. The 0 drst '' part " Of the
night slept poorly; IT must have been because the
haunted the room; for 1 dreamed OF Ixion's eter-
nally revolving wheel, and lambert phegetnon
flames ana many other unblessed THINGS Dut to-
wards morning 1 slept well; innocence had tri
umpned over DEVILS mockerIes and sinful shades.
Philip " built the palace Of San Ildefonso, on the
Philip V. was once known as Philip Duke Of Anj0u
second son Of the dauphn OF France and grandson
OF Louis KY BY Maria Theresa. On the early death
Philip OF Anjou and Archduke Charles or Austria,
the brother Of Emperor Joseph. Charles won 1t for
the time, but his defeat at Almanac and the subse
quent treaty OF Utrecht secured the throne to Philip
Duke Of Anjou, Philip ". This king was Bonr-
bon grandson OF Louis XIV. lie mad seen tae
gories Of Versailles. he had luxurlated on cushioned
chairs and gazed dreamily at vlstas OF lakes and
spashing fountains and parterres OF flowers and had
hnbibed Versalean tastes from the windows OF That
chateau, and the numerous fountains and avenues
OF statues had fired his fancy. When he came to
Spain to occupy the throne OF the ValOis, and
saw the gloomy, proud monaster8l palaces
OF the Austrian kings, his soul was slckened,
ana ne became what may call lello-maniac, for
might be built. While out hunting on the Guadar-
rama ne saw the Grange farm, admired, bought IL.
me Grange was demolished; the wild ROCKS aud
slopes OF the mountains underwent magical trans
formation, an extensive park garden was laid
OUT, trees OF all Kinds were planted miles OF iron
pipes lntersected the ground like network, leading
IRON the glorious cascade that falls from the steep
slope oil huge La Penaera to lakes, reservoirs and
FOUNTAINS; rillng streams were made to run through
and through the garden, TO trip 1t merriiy over
poshed stones and around obtruslve rocks, to make
sweet melody IN RANT globes. A series OF cascades
walls OF sheen and Icy gens, curtained by FIR and
| pine boughs, through which dubbed tho limpd
sprnhh e seiget Vstas partcrres OF flowers, gods
goddesses, demons, satyrs, fawns rigid in marble
and metal covered the grounds aud inally a palace,
after the versalean pattern crowned the scene, the
front looking towards an lnnntude of mountains
and the noble whole OF art, the back upon an IN.
Unity OF mountains, an extensive champaign, pictu-
rescue glens, with wings upon gardens and
groves Such is San ldefonso at an altitude OF
1000 feet above the sea, with 'front.' view OF La
Penalera and other peaks. rising from 5000 to 1900
| feet above sea level. In summer Flora treads the
heights and Wales balmy Auster nngs her rosy gar
lands round about with wanton extravaganza and
the gentle zephyr w0os the hills; birds Of various
plumage people the gardens; it IL a most charming
| spot but ~ winter Eurus makes sport OF all. The
SHOWS OF Alps cover the mountains aud the chils OF
| Nova Zembla freeze all In doors.
The Palace ls like Versailles on a small scale-It
has an Gll de BGuf.of It's own; 1t has a chapel; 1t
looks upon parteres ana vstas OF cascades IN front;
back forms truncated triangle; front and centre
OF 1t IL for majesty, wings for suite back building
prayer, can0nlgos nunci0, stable acqueys, guards.
IL IL built or granite and sort OF red limestone.
Along the front OF the central portion are range OF
| engaged Cornthan columns, above which stand
four caryatdes; on wings are engaged columns OF
the Ionic order. The palace Is two stories high with
| French roof. The lower story entrances and win.
! dows are strongly protected by folding gates. In
| BDhlnxes