The New York herald., 1879-02-08

disturbed Alfonso had a noticeable tint of green in
his eyes. In l436 artillery hrst used by the
famous De Guzman, but the Moors defeated and
slew De Guzman and suspended the coffin contain
ing his remains from one of the turrets of the old
Moorish castle, where idle travellers 20 10 look
out upon the African hills and the plains Of Anda-
lusia. All this time matters going badly with
the Moslem The tide of war. which had flowed on
until it almost reached the Pyrenees. was ebbng.
The Duke of Medino -Sdonia son of Guzman in the
latter part of the fifteenth century made dash at
the fortress The spirit of Islam was faint indeed
for the town fell after a spiritless struggle The
wise policy of Queen Isabella confirmed the posses
sion. When Charles V. came in he took pains TO
strengthen the fortress. especially against Turkish
pirates who infested the coasts of tho Mediterra-
mean. Dashes made upon the fort and town.
from which it suffered. The crown also made
penal settlement of the place, which was not cacu-
lated to improve its tone. In the reign of Charles
begun those series Of works which are now
among the wonders Of the world. Philip H. and his
son continued these defences In the Spanish war
of the succession England began to extend her do
minions in the Mediterranean. and this purpose led
to another and decisive change in the fortunes of the
city.
THE ENGLISH OCCUPATION.
Marlborough was sent out to fight the French by
land and Admiral Rookie by sea. In 1704 Rookie made
up his mna to assal Gibraltar On the 21st of July,
in that year, in command of an English fleet en-
bracng sxty-three vessels. carrying 4.450 guns and
twenty thousand men. he made assault on the
fort which rendered after gallant defence, and
the flag Of England has since hoated from its
battlements. In October of the same year French
feet Of twenty-five vessels into the bay and be-
seged the fort. The siege lasted until April IL. 1705
causing the garrison much suffering. But reinforce
away In the Treaty of Utrecht clause was inserted
giving Gibraltar to England-England promising
that Jews Moors should have their residence in
Gibraltar. The surrender always a point
to tho proud Spaniard- In that day. writes Lord
Maben, there scarcely Spanish statesman .who
might not have applied to himself the saying Of
Queen Mary. and declared that when he died the
word Gibraltar would be found engraved on his
heart At one time it was proposed to give up Glib
raltar for Florida st. Domingo, but Spain declined
In 1927 the discomfort in Spain tho English
patton was one impelling cause of the and of
what is known the great siege Of Gibraltar. The
Spaniards had large army and they made pro-
longed attack. Some Moors and Jews within the
town entered into conspiracy to surrender. They
detected Two of the Moors were executed and
aferward fayed and their skins nailed to the town
gates. In 1857 Chatham offered give up Gibraltar
liton against England and restoring Mnorca. The
offer came too late Gibraltar remained with Eng.
land and was governed with q rapacity and shame
lessness that would delight the old masters Of New
York under Tammany Hall. Then came the Amer
ican Rebellion and the alliances between the Amer
leans and the French. Oddly enough, one of the
incidents of that the siege of Gibraltar in
1779. England was busy with her colonies and
Spain made another attempt to take the town. There
was blockade. during which the people lived on
fish and -four, .'smail fish. not larger than sprats
selling for two shillings. When the garrison were
almost starved into surrender an assault was
made. The fort fired red hot balls on the
ships. destroying of the largest arma-
ments that had been sent out by Spain. Elliott
who made this defence of the noblest in military
annals, became Lord Heathfcld. For four years the
gates closed and only opened in 17s3 when the
general peace concluded. King Charles of Spain
had staked the Of his nation the attack
and had failed. In the negotiations that led to
peace and the recognition Of American independence
Frankn suggested and the French urged the restora
ton of Gibraltar to Spain. He argued that Ports
mouth could be Justly claimed by Spain Gibral
tar by England. The question reached Parliament,
and Fox in his speech showed what he thought of
this town when he said that the American colonies
might have been saved to England had O feet been
stationed at Gibraltar to intercept the passage of
d'Estaing. Burke added in the debate that 'as a
post of war. post Of power. post of commerce
and post which made England valuable to her
friends and dreadful to her enemies" Gibraltar wss
invaluable Then England declared that no condi-
tions Whatever would induce the British nation to
cede the fortress to Spain. So the discussion ended
and with it the superhumsn efforts which Spain for
a century had made to win back her darling rock
Gibraltar has been in the possession Of the English
since 1904 That is very long time sovereignties
shift nowadays. for any country 90 hold foreign
possession. 1t was taken in war and has been held
ever since citadel Of English strength in the
Mediterranean. The Spaniard has never been
tent With the occupation of Gibraltar by foreigner
and yet there little in the island intrnsically
that the only object of it's being held by another
ton is q sentimental If Gibraltar were sold as
piece of real estate to the highest bidder it would
not bring much the wild headlands on the
western coasts Of North America. 1t is rock jutting
suddenly out of the habtable only its rim or
edge useful only as fortress. The English hold
nothing scarcely but tn, rock. There is little
patch of ground just behind. where the troops
manpuvrc, and then you cross into Spain.
AN AMERICAN WELCOME.
The sea was very calm from Cadiz but as
we entered Gibraltar Bay it began to roughen. The
first thing to welcome the American flag fly.
ing from one OF men-of-war. There was some
difficulty in distinguishing the vessel until we came
nearer when recognized Captain Robson and
several other officers old friends and shipmates
Of the steamship Vandalia. The General directed his
vessel to steam around the Vandalia, and cordial
greetings were exchanged between the two ships
As we headed into port the vandalia mounted the
yards and Captain Rcbeson in his barge to take
the General shore The American Consul, Mr..
Sprague. and two officers of Lord Napers staff met
the General and welcomed him TO Gibraltar in the
name of the general commanding. Amid a high sea.
which threw its spray most of the party, we
pulled ashore. on landing a guard of honor pre-
sented arms. and the General drove at once TO the
house Of Mr.. sprague. on the hill.
GENERAL GRANT N GIBRALTAR.
Mr. sprague has lived many years at Gibraltar and,
believe is the oldest consular officer in the service
of the United states General Grant is the third
President he has entertained at his house. Lord