The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-06

and Scencs-iho W."
and Content
Copyright, isac, by Edgar l.. wakcman'l
Palma. Majorca, Feb 2.-The three prih-
eipal islands OF the Balearic group are III
size and importance. respectively MaJo'csr
Miuorca and Iyiza The first is but s'A'y
miles from east to west and hity n','e'
from north to south. Cabrera ana os"o'
lesser islets belong TO the group nus .no'9
are trifling In size, almost uninhao'oeo .''-a
OF little general interest. Inc PoPui-''
of the islands now exceeds So,Voo sous
One of my first enthrallments mere wos
nv the water carriers OF Palma ihey
a.. not so naive as those OF the AHoreS
40 hoId az those Of italian cities, 50 NoiuP
.uo,,s as those OF Lisbon nor as IAN
s,,,orons-eved and petite as those OF Ora
nada and Seville. But ! could not heiP
,b;nking that here an artist would
end hundreds of perfect models Tor
pacheI al the Well. Tall, 1.-THE, slender
but shapely maidens are THESE ana Ihelr
dress. carriage, features and ways constant
ly increase ones admiration ana interest.
For DAYS found myself, against all
apparent reason, drawn to this fountain and
that. and making all manner OF mental ex-
cuse for what my judgment scourged me
with As an accusation Of improperly. At
ter,nt ne might TO study all other lowly.
becone interested in the majestic cathedral,
or essay tramps into the interior, back came
20 the fountains to contemplate these fair
maidens and endeavor TO unravel the
strange spell they had cast upon me.
Their attire adds rare charm TO all
else. Their tiny feet were incased In dainty
slippers. A skirt of loosely woven dark
stuff fell in close and graceful folds about
their long and shapely limbs. Over this
lay short, napkinlike apron, spotlessly
white. A dark bodice, low at the neck.
displayed exquisite shoulders and breast,
and its sleeves. stopping ut the elbow,
where an edging Of white was seen, showed
the lower half of beautifully nodded
arms. The head is bare. covered by
wealth OF hair coiled low and heavily IN
the neck, giving in the sunlight the blue
black luster of tie grape. The forehead Is
strangely wide for the Latin type, and the
eyebrows which almost meet, have the
low. wide arch. The eyes are large. lumi-
nous. melting, sad; and never were seen
eyelashes of such length and blackness on
other women. The nose is finely chiseled
and the nOstrils are thin and have per
ceptible tremor. An oval chin, dazzling
teeth, mouth that suggests the hot blood
of the south, chastened by endless repres-
sion, with lips of scarlet, complete face
of Madonnahke depth and feeling.
In professions of a dozen to score, wend-
ing their way to and from or when loi-
tering beside the fountains, they form
groupings against the quaint old walls be-
meath the lonely palms fit for Tadema's
master hand. Their burdens are nevercar~
ried upon their heads. The bottom of the
empty or filed ever always rests upon the
right hip. the handle against the carrier'i
breast, and her half barred right arm is
flung carelessly around the vessel just be-
low its mouth.
All inquiries regarding these beautiful
water carriers Of Palma brought from the
native population shrug Of the shoulder
with a contemptuous smile and the sneer-
ing words:
LA Chatetd~
That meant "a little long cared owl"
could not understand why these radiant
maidens could have so offensive name. ]
followed some of them about the city and
then to their homes. 1t brought me TO
strange quarter, where strange people,
with kindly yet sad and sInileless faces
wrought in all labor with that patience
and diligence which characterize but one
race Of men, This was in the "Chueta"
quarter Of Palma, and this is the story OF
the folk that live within il;
Death TO the Jews" was the brutal cry
of all good Christians in southern Europe
toward the end Of the Fourteenth century.
In Palma they were prosecuted with re-
lentless fury, beaten with crosses of wood
they had been compelled to kiss and their
houses looted and sacked. During Passion
week of 1896 they were so desperately
baited that some Jews attached a slave,
whom they named Jesus" to cross and
Knocked him iii secret revenge. -Four OF
the Jews concerned In the affair were con-
demned TO be burned to death.
Their sentences were then committed to
death by hanging on condition OF becom-
ing Christians. AS the fury Of the Chris
tians seemed to promise the murder OF all
the Jews Of Palma, not only did the four
condemned men embrace Christianity, but
within two days time more than 200 were
baptized, and eventually the entire Jewish
population followed their example. The
descendants Of these are the folk OF the
Chueta quarter. They profess Christian
fly, though living wholly apart from the
Ma3orcans Of Palma Many are rich; most
are artisans, such as silversmiths, weavers
OF embroidexies and the like, all are hon.
est, clearly and Industrious But their
bearded. solemn men, and these faces by
the fountains, betray, If but family, the
memory OF those olden tragedies which
oan never DO effaced from their inner lives
and hearts.
In Palma and throughout the fair Bal
carlo tales studies of the deepest interest
are among the people themselves, and then
among the lowliest OF these The city has
few great lions for sightseers who are al
ready familiar with the southern cities Of
Europa II one has friends, or can secure
them, 1t Is true that there are no more
beautiful and exquisite examples of the
Moresque-Spanish interiors than can be
found In Palma's homes. The stonework
while never ON 30 grand scale. rivals in
dehcacy of texture and richness of orna
mentation anything to be found within the
walls Of ALEXANDRIA.
The scenery of the bay. though not 50
noble as that of Naples, is far more win
some and enchanting Then there is the
ancient fortress, the Castle OF Deliver ris
ing from one Of the heights Of the circling
shore 1t is 800 years old. and its dun
geons, patio and Gothic arched galleries
arc among the most interesting specimens
Of medieval architecture in Europe.
Palma's cathedral. one of the most males
tic I'm che Latin con ries was buiit more