Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-14
LETTER FROM SPAIN.
SOME ECTES OF TRAVEL FROM A
SACRAMENTAN ABROAD.
Among the Works and Ruins of
Past charlottesville
Architecture-Etc

Observation-Disclosures
Architecture-Etc.
Special Correspondence OF the gEcoRp-U UNION.
CoRDovA SPAIN, March u, 1888.
A blow-pipe in the hands of skilled
workman becomes means for the fusion
of metals. Cordoya seems to have been
/ the blow-pipe of history, and the skilled
workman was the manipulation of events
This dull, outlandish town, so conspicuous
for its present inactivity and poverty, was
once the chosen abode, the avenue, the
artery where the accumulated stores OF
ancient learning, culture and refined civil
iization were concentrated, and thence dis
persed among the races destined to receive
them. When, by some predestined law.
Europe slept, Supplied and dragged BY
gross superstitions; when philosophy was
no more, and man was either prince, priest
or slave; when fires consumed flesh and
parchment that dared to express an opinion:
when british and ignorant might tri-
umphed over right, then it was that Cor
dova performed her mission. Having per-
formed it, it has now shrunk back to its
normal station, taking its allotted place in
the economy of history The Roman first
paved the way, then the rude Goth as
cended step in the ladder of civilization.
After him came the Moor. This coming
of the Moor was destined to bring forth
results
FRUITFUL TO THE CAUSE OF CIVILIZATION
And human freedom. How strange it is
that the race OF nomads, the robber tribes
of Asia, the unlettered herdsmen of the
plains, should become the schoolmasters of
the world, the conservators of knowledge,
the founders of science, the disciples of
liberation. Much as we may wonder at
this seeming strange event, we cannot
deny its reality. The strangest event,
however, is that when the work of this
Moorish race had been performed it re-
turned to Asia the same nomads, the same
unlettered herdsmen of the plains. Under
Abd-el- Rahman the city of Cordova be-
came the city of light. Colleges, univer-
sites and schools abounded. In time
Avicebron and Averroes each had their
disciples The Greek and Roman classics
were studiously rehearsed; chemistry.
pm DtGdflI
sciences and Cordova, with its million in
habitants,
BECAME THE LIGHT OF EUROPE.
The..fore-runner of the reformation, the pre-
cedent of American Independence. Within
the city limits are yet to be seen evil
dences of the presence of these great
historic characters. The Romans have left
an imperishable monument in the great
bridge across the Quadalquiver. 1t is as
finn and solid to-day as when the last
Roman workman had completed his task
upon it.
I If there is any doubt as to the past great
ness of the Moors, glance at the remain
ing monuments of their former abodes of
activity will soon dispel that doubt.
Chief among them is the Mezquita, 1.-THE
Mosque), now the Cathedral. With the
exception of some minor transformations.
the great structure stands to-day testi-
monial of the grandeur of their conception
and execution. Covering five acres, this
edifice, the most singular in the world,
more than any other landmark left by
man, wildly illustrates the capabilities
aud possibilities latent in the human mind.
A race of nomads became, as it were, trans
formed into a glorious nation of master
workers.
THE LABYRINTH OF COSTLY coLoNNADEs,
As far as the eye can see, the inimitable
and wonderful mosaic work, with colors
and workmanship as enduring as time, the
intricacy and delicacy of design, all these
attest the wonderful art and skill of it's
builders. Although there is no attempt at
=, 20 la
any incongruity-all is harmony and origi-
nality. So massive is this structure that
it is destined to remain monument, a
testimonial to human skill, human dignity
and human greatness.
There are other Moorish landmarks
here, but they are so transformed that
they can no longer be described as they
were. An exception, however, may be
made in the case of the three flour mills
on the Gaudlquiver. We went Ito see
them yesterday and found men a. work
grinding grain into flour precisely as when
the Moors ruled in Cordova. A short dis
lance from this place we were shown what
remained of the garden Of the Alcazar. A
few of the fountains, the fish ponds, the
marble steps and irrigating bitches cut in
solid stone are yet here and the water
from the Moorish aqueducts still flows as
in the days of yore. In front of the tower
of the Alcazar we were shown the place of
the auto de fe, where men, women and
children were burned to death by the In
quisitors. Almost every city in Spain
possesses one of these horrible squares.
The old Alcazar was formerly the abode of
the Inquisition. 1t is now used as prison.
Here is the narrow, winding streets. Not
withstanding that the city has dwindled
from 100000 down to $4,000 inhabitants,
the people are huddled up into the small
est space possible. Very few of the streets
are wide enough to permit wagon or car
riage to pass, and as result the city is as
quiet as a cemetery. A short distance
from the city there are smelling works,
reducing ores. The mine and works are
operated by Englishmen. The soil in the
vicinity of Cordova is similar to that in
Placer county Much of it is red land,
with bedrock from six inches to three feet
| deep, though some spots are to be found in
! the uplands where the soil is deeper.
The church bells are ringing here al
most constantly, and the people especially
the women-when they go to the Cathe-
dral, bring camp-stools with them, as there
are no chairs or benches.
Last evening the English-speaking
visitors at the hotel secured two Spanish
guitar players and all assembled in our
rooms until near 10 P. NJ. to hear them
play. They performed a number of An
dalusian airs. Shortly after several Span
ish ladies from the hotel paid us visit
and one of them called on her little
daughter, a child about y years, who
danced several Spanish dances. The An
dalusian music is none other than the
Arabian music, such as may be heard at
Alexandria and Cairo. The same style of
music may even yet be heard at any
orthordox synagogue in Europe.
Tomorrow we go to Seville, and from
thence to Granada and the Alhambra.
DAVID LUBIN.
Humbug.
Barnum said: The American people
| like tn he humbugged.n This NAV be true