The National tribune., 1892-12-01


listed as magnet 10 diaw TO itself, as center,
the national life.
Yet al Madrid during several days sojourn
tried to assign spne plausible reason for its i'm
portant post ION A: the end of that time i,
like scores OF o:heIs failed. to reach satisfactory
conclusion by some it is claimed to have been
founded TO fulfill the morbid vow of some ar
bitrary sovereign. Nothing could surely serve
better as an explanation.
Let those " ho conceive of Spain as a country
teemiug with fTa;iiCai vegetation and with a
climate which Is PARADISE TO the cold biooded,
just disabase !heif minds of that idea by half.
Madrid i Ia the center of the country. Over
this section bew LASTS which can be equalled
in severity oi,iy the vast Western praires.
Then in Sun,mor he contrast is equally great
The city is tspas; 10 the scorching blasts of j
southern sun.
Let me give you an idea of its situation. 1t
is surrounded On all sides ty vast wind blown
plains. Not tree. and scarcely bush, is in
sight. The whole has an aspect of extreme
desolateness. From distance the city appears
like a white spot Oh the horizon. As you ap-
proach nearer this whiteness merely expands,
Tor the buildings are all of that color There
is nothing commanding in appearance; it is
ill-sdRpte1 for defense; ii is situated on an al
most waterless river; there is nothing to tenn
per the heat or shelter from the cold. So the
result is that the city is poor sanitarum for
OF ali The Capitals Of Europe Madrid has per-
hsps the worst climate. 1t is colder than Paris
or London. With such climate il is Won
der that Madrid ever reached an Importance
greater than that of 4 second-rate provincial
village.
1t has, however, one advantage stated above.
1t is situated in the center of the State. and no
doubt this WIS one Of the chief reasons for lis
choice as Capital. Communication with it is
about equal from any direction. Now the sys-
tenn oil railways spreading over the country
has made Madrid the center. 1t is the hub
from which the spokes diverge in every direc-
fion TO all parts Of the country.
With all these drawbacks Madrid has been
made an attractive city. 1t might almost be
called beautiful, the clear-white of the build
ings Stands cut so prominent from the dull
brown color of the soil. A number of broad
streets decorated with rows of trees, something
resembling houievards pleasant promenades,
have added their. attractions. Numerous
"plazas or squares serve to give an idea of
yoomIncss as a relief TO the cloSeness of the
older parts with their narrow streets.
l Utterly at variance with other Spanish towns,
Madrid looks like a modern city with the ex-
ception Of few retired streets everything
looks comparatively new and respectfully clean.
In this respect il will compare favorably with
other European Capitals. The public build
4ASeI aAAhvuSu hoL PftttHliOus, iOok neat anu
attractive. The architecture is fair and dis
credit 10 the Nation. The officials are obligng,
and, as far as consistent with their nature,
prompt The Spaniard does not understand
the meaning of the word promptness in the
American sense. So that statement must be
taken with some suitable modification.
The best WAY to get along here is first, when
you want anything done always allow plenty
of time; second. say you want it in half the
time you actually need il. Then you may pos
fibly receive it without being seriously incon-
venienced. These two will resolve themselves
into one m0tto-Never be in a hurry.
cigeret coes great way here. It serves as
an introduction to good fellowship. 1t is al
ways good plan TO gain the good will of Senior
Espanol by Offering him cigaret from your
package. il will 20 a great ways, and is on the
whole cheap method, for Spanish cgarets are
rs cheap the quality is bad
The Spaniard smokes always and every
where. II you go III barbershop TO be shaved,