The New York herald., 1873-08-23

resolve to repel the enemy.D Full upon
me came the recollection OF the boastful
confidence, and the fearful lack OF energy which j
had seen In the North in the battles between the
Carlists and republicans and the appreciation Of
the knowledge ] had already gained Of the vast
distance between the advanced Powers Of Europe
and Spain. Nothing put utter ignorance OF the art
OF war could have caused any resolute people to
leave one OF the most important approaches to
valencia so scantily defended, and nothing but
scaniy resources have prevented the government
from avaiing itself Of this open road to the heart
OF the city In rebellion. Three steamers would
carry troops enough from Alicante to the Grao
In one day, which would enable commanders
70 march them at night straight by the
citadel into the city without opposition. OF even
tne ordinary rules OF war, the rudimenta tai duty
OF an armed force about to inaugurate hostilities
these purblind volunteers have no conception.
passengers 60 to and fro between the port and the
city without opposition, or at least any very
great opposition, while the personal safety and
liberty OF the rebels might be endangered by the
lack OF ordinary sagacity and prudence.
we were permitted to pass unQuestioned on our
way the driver and his tartana were left behind.
Coming by the tobacco factory, we saw few more
OF the rebels; they crowded its doorway or lay in
rows on the sidewalk under the shade, or sat in
groups discussing-l have no doubt the what-may-
happen tomorrow or the next day.
dld not hear as In 1869 the screaming Of shot
and smell, or the singing OF musket bullets did
see the groups OF officers and the lines OF eager
marksmen peering from behind embrasures and
stone grif1ins for having once passed the tobacco
factory we seemed to be alone in the great city.
Each street was empty, the houses were jealousy
closed the shutters excluded the light OF day. and
the always sombre looking stone houses appeared
nhrat han rpon ahv
on every side, and their immense altitude OF stone
brick and tapia with their windowless walls and
deep cavernous doors but heightened the solem-
nifty and reality OF emptiness.
Whoever has visited Valencia will remember it
for crowded streets and It's merry making gayety-
loving appearance; Tor the voice OF busy COM
merce and the laughter Of mirth-ioving
sons and daughters, Tor the voices OF her
market women and the cries OF the imcrack
hawker; for the life and stir, the commOtion and
signs OF populous city, which so absorb the new
comer's eyes, ears and senses THAT he has no time
TO raise the eye to observe the quaint architecture
OF Goth and Moor, or the traces OF the rich past.
A SILENT, VACANT CITY.
Where are the girls the bellies OF gay Valencia,
with their easy grace Of movement and matchless
beauty OF iace9 Where are the lair beings whose
eyes were unequalled for their lustre, and whose
quick, lively sparkles were always source OF
wonder to the Northern stranger? Where have
the joyous cavalcades and prancing horses gone
with all their handsome, b!ackeyed riders, that
so used to win our admiration for their
equestrian grace and the rich caparison
of their Moorish barbs9 Where are the gaily
dressed peasants with their assels and tags, their
dancing leet and restlessness OF limbs that ever
moved TO the sound OF cymbal and guitar Emp
tiress, hoowness and vacancy have succeeded to all
the mirth and revelling JOY and spirit OF vaencian
lite. The empty houses echo footsteps, and
there is no human voice to attract the ears which
have involuntarly lent themselves to listen to the
echoes which one house reverberates TO the other,
We reach the Fonda de Paris, and while we break
our fast with the viands which this capital hotel
always furnishes, the gray headed waiter, who
here in 1869 and remembers me, begins to tell the
news Of the day.
''There are %, 900 volunteers in the city the
grows), and no number OF troops can take the city
II they hold out. seventy five soldiers of the
column of velarde came In this morning, and they
say that the soldiers Of Velarde viii come IN and
join us to man. We have nearly thirty cannons
posted at the barricades. the Plaza de TOros is u
OF men, every government house has got It's de-
tenders and they all swear to hght to the DEATH"
After breakfast accompanied my fellow traveller
who is an Engshman, to the house Of the British
Vice Consul, who said:-
'There about eight thousand volunteers in
the city, who have about twenty cannon alto
gether. while the government troops number about
seven thousand men and have twelve siege guns.
l went over to the camp OF the General yesterday
evening, and he says that he Is about to issue a
proclamation, and twenty-iour hours afterwards
if his terms are not complied with, he says
HE WILL SURELY BOMBARD THE CITY.
He demands that the troops be permitted 20 enter
the city; that the Junta OF Public Safety shall be
dissolved, and tnat the government authorities
shall be recognized. AS came back to the city
noticed the outskirts were alive with reconnoitring
parties, and assure you that If they had gone
much further they would have captured the Gen.
era,. BY George! never saw such fellows. How
eager they were With hands on their triggers
they stepped out in all directions. ! think they
will fight, you know, and they are good marksmen.
The people of Valencia famous for their aim |
shall not leave Valencia until the last moment; but
when the bombardment begins don't stop, and
wouldn't advise you to stop, either Shells are no
respecters OF persons or things.n
In answer to some other questions he said -'I
know the Junta do not agree among themselves as
to what course to take. Some are for recognizing
the government; others, the reds, are Tor never
surrendering. The President Of the Junta who Is q
gentleman, is for giving in his adhesion to the gov
ernmeut' ue wouu Hiuch TatneT Tue Wnoie tniDg
was over. 1t has been told mel don't know how
true 1t is-that several battalions have agreed to
hang out the white flag as soon as the troops have
entered. know the Captain OF the company which
guards the bank--it Is right opposite to your
hotel-has told me he will DO 1t, and really think
that If the troops only boldly entered here there
would hardly be a shot fred"
have given you two sides Of the story. Pascual
my driver, and the waiter Of the hotel for one. and
the British Vice Consul for the other side. I am
too newly arrived to be able to form any definite
judgment upon what may happen.
hear, as close my letter. distant shots in the
direction OF the bul-ring. am told that an hour
ago battalion OF volunteers sailed out OF the city,
bearing black nag, with the cross-bones on it.
This party OF extreme irreconcilables NAV have