Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-12-21
mo ISL
what a Merchant saw I'm Europe.
MALAGA. SPAIN. April 3.

MALAGA. SPAIN, April 8.
Dear Ones at Home We have look
ed the impersonation of disgust and pic
turs Of disappointment this week past
Twas our intention to be cossting the
Algerian shores ere this; but Ue missed
the steamer hence to Gibraltar last Tues
day, and after giving thorough vent to
our vexstion of spirit and solacing our
disappointed hopes. we tried to reason +
Providence in it,-at the same time We
knew twas nothing but the stuPlo'ty o.
that contemplate Joe at the Alismao7
Fonda, who took express care 10 assure uF
that there was an abundance OF time TO
reach the steamer. But just such little
ocoprrenoes will often work mighty
changes, and this one has caused US te
abandon all idea of Algiers, Malta ano
Sicily, and we shall coast along the east
ern shore of Spain, thence to Msrsaiiies
Let me review the events since last
wrote you. There are none OF especial
importance, and perhaps you will THINK
with me that 'twould be a blessed relief
to get clear of Malaga. Last Tuesday
when we saw our predioament, and learn
ed that for number of days no steamer
would 90 to Gibraltar, we sat Us down op
the bench of the Allamads, trio OF de-
lection personiAed. You might have
thought us q Robinson Crusoe band on
some far-off island, or a Nspoleenio band
exiled to ST.. Helena. Willie was among
the first to speak. "Five days here
Judge, I'll del twill kill me " He look
ed as if no meant it. William favored
horses and guides, and ride overland to
Algeoerias but we priced our lives toe
highly TO give that suggestion much
thought. II I had some doubts concern
ing the expedeucy of dying for my coun-
try at home, now have more doubt az to
the advissbility of dying abroad at the
hands of merciless briganda, getting nc
credit for it. At last we settled down to
an uumurmuring acceptance of the stu
ation, and taking a guide went to the
Spanish Cemetery, which is tree-lined and
studded with great beds of richly bloom
ing flowers, the mountain air clarified by
the snow range, and the soft breezes OF
the mediterranean playing amidst thi'
prodigslity of verdure would be most re-
freshipp, were it not occasionally burden
ed with that most offensive of all etiuvia.
4
the stencil from purifying human bodies
This arises from the peculiar manner OF
Sp 4nish burial. Malaga being subject a.
cert ain seasons of the year to the rsvsgt
of malsrious diseases, the sanitary lawt
are very iisid.
At this season Of the year, after the
digit of life, "a hours ara granted for the
removal of the body from tbs city. Dur
ing the heat of GUNNER, and if the pre-
veiline disease be of very malignant
type, but four hours are permitted. The
spanish dead are brought here and enoased
in the vaults of these high walls which
Completely hedge in three SIDES OF the
grounds. In these vaults, which ar
thought to be air tight, the body is en-
oased for five years, and then taken ou'
and buried 10 tbs family vault or tn
buryipg ground. The front of each O.
these wall vaults has its image and it,
candle sockets. From ten to twelve g.
night the d of all Saints" each year
the friends of the deceased assemble IL
front Of the tomb, and filling these sockets
with lighted capdles, they pray the saint'
10 intercsde with greater saints until Pc
ter IL reached, and then to Virgin Msry
the mother of God. How they can toler
ate this sickening air, even amidst min
gled devotion and grief. cannot under
stand. We pass under exquisite arche'
of evergreen over peculiar Spanish pave
ment outside tho line of vsults, (be it said
that each of "a held hia proboscis and raj
a. he paced the linee). Here ia the ground
OF intern ept which has no monuments.
but low fencing which borders each o.
the thickly strewn graves. The fencing
4, painted blue, black and white, as TASTE
b AZ dictated If taste has entered into the
ealculstion}. The fsnciful palings are in
v riably surmouuted by wooden cross.
Y slow buttercups, in the greatest profu'
sion, mipgle amidst the CANDY oolors
which give an appearance of childish Ca
price, rather than the sweet, sad solemnity |
of city of the deed. Our guide points |
10 a black cross on the opposite white
wall. and says. Gentlemen, there lies the
subject of q thrilling story" We lie down
upon the velvety green grass and pillow
eur heads among the buttercups, 10 hear
our guides story of the black cross over |
the way. De continued, with great earn
estnesa, "a charming Senorits, the maid
Of rich old lady once living over there
In the valley, had reckless, rowing ban
dit lover, who induced the girl, with the
hope to secure the old lady's riches, to
kill her. The old lady was sleeping in
her chair one bright morning, when the
5eRerita straugled her and threw her
body down the well. She did not seek
The valuables and flee to the mountains as
was presoncerted, but crazed by thoughts
II the awful deed, remained in possession
# the old lsdy's home. Murder will out
,ere in Spain as it will every where, and
he was soon detected, thrown into prison,
md then confessed the crime. The people
II Malaga pitied the poor creature, end
hey petitioned Queen Isabella to remit
he death sentence which soon hung over
Ter. Isabella was unrelenting; the people
persisted in their pleadingp, and for three
opg, weary years that poor creature faded
way in the foul damp Of the dungeon.
finally che yes brought forth to the gar
0tins chair. Yen know We pat criminals