The National tribune., 1892-12-01

mostly been built on speculation. and are let
out for lodgings. | suppose it is somewhat
after the fiat system. The shops have a
somewhat Partisan appearance, with big
display in the window. This is the display
counter" so to speak, and anyone is not sup
posed 10 enter without being prepared to pur-
chase. Ii they do not do so, the proprietor is
generally offended at the loss of his valuable
time.
To see the life in the streets one would
think that there were several million people
living in Madrid. In no other city, not ex-
ceptng London. Paris, or New York la &c
seen such crowded streets as is the daily sight
here. The Alcala-the principal thoroughfare-
has broad and spacious pavements In the
afternoon, as far us the eye can see this is
literally crowded with people moving slowly
along. 1t and many other streets are continu-
ally SO full that it is impossible TO hurry along
Everybody moves slowly, and the best way is
to curb your impatienee and move with the
crowd. The only other plan is to get out in
the street and run the risk of being knocked
down by the traffic.
Where such crowds come from is mystery
Madrid contains population of only half a
million, and there are no suburbs and no large
towns near. The villages are also few and far
between.
In talking with some English and other
foreigners | found out the secret of the largo
crowds No one they all say does anything
1t is fact that the crowd on the streets never
seems TO have any particular objective point.
They move along, talking, greeting acquaint-
anceS, gazing at shop windows, etc. etc
Yet the shop-llecpers are never busy. How
ever great the crowd outside there is no rush
inside, A few. of course, pass in and ont con-
tinually, but there it ends. Most people work
six days and rest the seventh. But as / saw it
epitomized, the Madrilenians rest six days
and on the seventh go to the bull fight or some
other harmless amusement.
A good system OF street cars exists. They
are almost like the American pattern, and are
drawn by mules. They make very good time
too-in that respect they are equal to other
cities But the cabs-they are simply beneath
criticism. Poor carriages drawn by sleepy
horse and driven by a still sleepier driver
that is the Madrid cab outfit. Ny own expert
ence and that of Others is that can walk almost
as quick, and am sure to save my temper con-
siderably more. than by being jolted over the
streets behind such an excuse for horse.
Private equpages however, will rival those
in any other city. Hyde Park. London, or
Central Park, New York, can hardly furnish
finer turnouts. Some magnificent teams of
prancing, high-lfed horses are to be seen
daily here In fact, think have never seen
prettier ones anywhere than l saw during my
stay IN Madrid.
Picturesque costumes have not entirely dis
appeared even in the Capital. One can see any
day the genuine Spanard in his velvet suit
and wearing his broad sombrero. Also, the
farmer can be seen coming into the city lead
ing or driving donkey laden with some
produce. Not the least picturesque
is the long string of from five to seven mules
htehed one in front of the other and drawing
some peculiarly-shaped two-wheeled cart--re-
sembling a prairie schooner more than any
thing else.
The peasant women, too, still wear their
peculiar costume. which here consists of short,
full skirts and bright-colored handkerchief
on the head. Each district has its peculiar
and / will treat more Of them in
future letter.
In Madrid itself everything national has
disappeared before the invasion .of the latest