Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-12-14
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What n Merchant saw I'm Europe.

MALAGA, STAIN, March 81.
Dear Ones at Home Yesterday was
Sunday, the day pleasure crowned of each
week in Spain. The harvest day for
gambling house keepers, cock fighters,
the Cirouses, theatres, snd brothels of
every description. from the lowest den of
inf4my, to the eilded saloon and the mag
nifioent parlor where sin is cloaked in a
garb of refinement, polished by veneertng
of culture and vanished with suavity of
demeanor. The bull fights, which are
advertised by flaming show bills will
succeed holy week, and will prove another
Sunday delight for these people who have
an odd way of blending the extremes of
cultivated pleasure aud debasing sensu-
ality. l presume that you will be shocked
when tell you that we have concluded
to join in the hilarity and plessure-mak-
ing of the Sabbath day. Not for conferm-
ity's sake, but, for the purpose of better
knowing tho people, their manners and
customs. We did it somewhat yesterday
and felt conscience smitten last evening,
but I have thooghtfully considered the
question and have concluded that II an
TO know the people, l must do in Rome
as the Romans do. Last evening at five
O'Clock we left our hotel and prom en- ,ded
the Alamada. Each Spanish city of any
importance has its Alsmsde, which is an
open plaza generally on the main street.
two or three hundred feet wide, and may
be two thousand feet long. This, at NAL
aga, has its grand promenade between
lines OF beautiful treea, and at either end
a playing fountain throwing streams and
jets of water pure as crystal. Midway
between the fountains is an orchestra
weather will permit, the governmental
band of forty one pieces discourses oper-
attic airs with music calculated for "trip
ping the light fantastic toe.' Last even
ing thousands of people were assembled
From the whining beggar and screaming
fruit vepder, to the rich merchant and the
yelled beauty. Officers of the Spanish
and English navy. the civil guard. and
gaily dressed Spanish soldiers. Peasants
in knee breeches and Andslusisu hats,
with pistol and knife hung careless in
their eirdIes. Priests in long black gowns
and skull caps, their beads and the cruel
fix about the waist or neck. 1t il surpris-
ing how generally repulsive of visage
these Malaga priests are. Invalids from
distant chimes, and children innumerable.
All are mineling in the grand promenade
and appear to be inspirited by the lively
music. Upon the bslmy cir the tidal
waves of sweet harmony told us that the
band had struck up a waltz, and then the
children paired off for the dance. My
attention was particularly attracted to
pair of blsck-eyed Spanish sis
ters, of the upper class, I should
think. They were plainly and handsomely
attired and INTERVIEWING their delicate
bare arms they danced with an ease and
grace and motion decidedly captivating.
The pretty little children of Spain I
am desperately in love with them, bat
the big children sre more artful, and
snossed in false dignity, more repeling
than attractive. Malaga being CONNER.
cisl city. it isquite devoid Of pictures or
works of art. 1t is a very old place, and
as far back as A. d. TIA it was in possess
sion Of tie Romans and Cloths, and then
the Moors, from whom Ferdinand rescued
II In 1487, after desperate and protract-
ed Siege. The city has an immense trade
and ranks as the chief seaport Of Andalu.
ala Its wines, grapes, raisine, olives, fgs|