The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-01
FROM MADRID TO 1HE BORDER.
Another RambIs Through Northern Spain
by "Gano."

Another RambIe Through Northern Spain
by "GAno."
KIND FRIENDS OF THE II. /. C.-Once
more greet you, and this time 1 will ask
you to go with me in my wanderings
through northern Spain, and this will end
my description of that country; but at
some future time, il it is desired by the
members. l will give an article on the
social customs and manner OF living Of the
Spanish people.
A two hours journey on the road north
from Madrid brings one to the Escurial.
The road winds perceptibly up among the
mountains, bare and brown, a country al
most incapable of cultivation because of
the rocks and powders that burden the
earth. Never was more bleak and I'M
attractive place selected for a royal resi-
dence than the barren, rugged height
among the Slerras where Philip III erected
this cold, stony monument to his favorite
and favoring saint, Lorenzo, of the grid
iron. This Philip is better known TO us
than most Spanish mOnarchs, having been
the son OF Charles Y and the husband of
Bloody Mary of England.
1t Is said that the only time Philip
ever appeared in battle array, in Spain at
least, was at the battle OF ST. Quentin,
which was fought on San Lorenzo's day,
TO which saint the king ascribed his VIC
tory and vowed to build grand temple
to his honor; he had also TO obey the IN
functions of his imperial father and build
a tomb worthy the relics OF their illus
trious family. The temple and mausoleum
were accordingly begun in l565, and fin
ished in twenty-one years, at an enormous
cost. The name Escurial Is derived from
the scOria or refuse of iron from former
iron mines near the site. Philip com
handed that the form of the edifice
should represent the gridiron on which
his patron saint is supposed to have suffered
martyrdom. During its construction Philip
turned royal recluse, and dwelt mostly
in little house few rods
away, in order to watch its progress. The
exterior is severely plain and is built of
the coolest possible granite, and within
the halls are OF a freezing temperature
always. That part Of the building which
constitutes the palace contains some valu-
able paintings and rich tapestry and fur
nishings. The library was once one of
the richest in Europe in manuscripts, as
well as printed literature. of the Arabs,
Spaniards, Greeks and Latjns, but it has
suffered from theft, iconoclasm, pillage
during wars and fires. In the center of
the pile rises the dome of the grand chapel,
$50 feet high. The roof is otherwise
vsulted, the columns massive. the high
altar magnificent. Beautiful and varied
marbles everywhere abound. At one side
OF the chancel is the window of the ROYAL
cell where Philip died. The stone ceiling
of the vestibule Is fiat and has no central
support, and is considered a marvel of
architectural skill. A solemn, gloomy,
black pail stands in the center of the
chapel, under the dome. Under this is
the pantheon, or royal tomb, a most mag
nificent death chamber, octagon in shape,
with tiers of green marble sarcophagi
bearing the names of the occupants in
gilt. Only kings and the mothers of
kings may lie here. Charles V and Philip
III are among the number. There are
other vaults richly sculptured and
adorned, but vet unfinished, where the
various infants of Spain do and will rest.
wonderful a splendid resting place, but
cold as death itself Sunshine is delicious
and warm. fresh air reviving after emerg-
ing from this.
And now we leave the Escurial that
eighth wonder OF the world, up among
the barren but grand Sierras and are hur-
ried northward past a villa and the con-
vent where once the great Isa-
bella rested for awhile and where
dwelt the "serafica madie," st.
Teresa. As twilight falls the scenery
becomes grand and awful under the shad-
ows and the lurid reflection of the sunset.
Before midnight the train rushes into the
station OF Valladolid amid Pickering gas
lamps and busting confusion of modern
times. How different must have been the
scene when some centuries AGO Chris
toPher Columbus was brought here in
chains g die in darkness and alone. Soon
after we pass Burgoo with the moonHhining
full on the towers of the cathedral which
beheld the birth of Cid, famous hero of
Spanish legend and romance, and before
whose affairs he kept the virgil OF his
knighthood and was sfterward married.
But We proceed on cur journey north