Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-03-04
Ka;iriG, Spain.

This city is wholly destitute CT adustiy aGd
commerce, aud essen mb'es. besides the mechanic
mono but cffcc seekers ard hangers Oh atcourt.
Therefore 6 pauist;o2 Of Ioungels and thieves
of time, which here, every ora has On hand, fill
thc streets and p-one1sGes Throughout the
day until late ir he evening. Thus, 10 connec-
ton with tic gay displays 10 tie shop windows.
etc., the impression Of European cspital is
to,erably produced.
The city has ctoeria look, and appears el.
togethe. like en exotic ia Spaiu. The streets
are thro1se! Ejth gay dresses, cquiDages, and
lively groups oi people. Then there is tho
world famed Prado, which consists Of long and
vide macadamiz, ID aycuu:a, lined with situated
trees-for the climate and soil ale hostile 10 rich
vegetation-aDd separated by well cultivated
squares aud shrubbery and flowers. Here every
rosd and by Hsy is alive With the beauty and
fashion of Madrid, which 10 tie SDan!ard il the
centre Of earthly magniicelc,. Hlther the city
dismissss, every afternoon, lis unemployed To-
mates, who return only with nighItali, when the
cafes receive the pleasure seeking croTts and
afford weak bottled beer, lemonade and lces,
from the sno1y GIadarrama to the abstemous
aud liquacious Spaniard OF either seq, By III
o'clock, they thence retire 10 tneIr homes to
digest Spanish sapDcr (the secrets oi which
never Cls:crc7ej) 10 the s9und or the plsr0 aoG
the eyer bu:y tcagua; for, 1cxt to sunshine,
which tha Sy.Dard leaves Ills cold, uncoutort'
able hoEe 10 enjoy, scandal, gossip, the "on
dts" Of court eni politics. i1rui the vital alrln
which his C.eota! Imagination rcvcls, year
out, ycGr 10, yield hin un!iln5Cd satisfaction.
The kings pa!ao' is, perhaps. the hG's: 1 IN
Elrope. Tue roons are co truly royal scale,
immensely high and large; The ceilings adorned
With toelable lrescjcs; curta!ls -Uf the richest
embroidery; the walls respleDdeut with velvet
hanging, famous pictures, r:ctuslous OF
precious n.a!bes ~ the .roocls and halls,
grand proportions aud eXoelieH: style Ct the
interior architecture, etc. Inc royal gar
ders here and at hTaGj1tz aro merely agree
able, since the trees, which the SpaolaIds cut
down all over Spain, secLi to have taken refuge
uuder royal wings; oud delight here With CRATE
lul shade. Tue gardens are arranged lc the
mathematical style of Louis AlV'5 tim6--
straight liOcs and circles aud ovals. celebrating
q triumph over the EaslIsh idea OF picturesque
gardening. Tie roya! armUry 10 Madrid is tho
mCst complete ir existence, aDd ct great bis.
torical iatcsrcst On enterrg The long saloon
ycu seem 70 step, at oucc. :nto the tlmes OF
koighthcod and chi7a!ry. 4 ea7alcade offul'y
armed koigh1s on horseback, n Tho :ruo mcdl-
aeval style occupies the centre. The celiiog is
covered With flags tskcn from tho Mcorc or
Turk. The walls biis'le with swords. shields,
and other inGtnmen's CT Wartarc-caDuona,
guus, representing 10 shape ard make the
whole history Ct tao Gua=mith5 arf, ioTiicG
pieces, ETC., @. tho cha5ta I0ti1g Austrian
Spanish kirgs, from tau cums!cs: specimens
of torme, times to tho clegsut preSat of Napo'
leon to Charles |, all sparkling With diamonds,
rutics etc. Here ycu SEQ the suits which
were gora Dy The mos. tlIlous Knights, kiogs
aud perors of Spsla AID Germany, while the
aruo. of tbs Moor5. their swords aad saddles.
help to bey7tch the antiquarian.