The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-03-25

the country gradually fell into de-
cay, until it has become an impov-
erished land of beggars.
At one time Spain as well as
Southern France was in the possess
sion of the MOOrs. Evidences of
their of occupation still remain In
the kingdom. Splendid palaces and
magnificent buildings of various
kinds were erected. The most fa-
nous of all there is the Alhambra,
which remains to-day in a good
state of preservation, and is a monu-
ment to the taste and skill of the
Moorish architects and builders.
There is building called the Es-
curial, situated at New CASTLE,
which has been called the eighth
wonder of the world 1t is an i'm
mense granite structure, and in size.
and magnificence exceeds any build
ing of its kind in the world. The
story is told that during battle on
Aug. 10, 1867, King Philip besOught
the aid of St. Lorenzo, and vowed
that if he would give him victory he
would erect monastery to his hon
or; and the Escurial was built in
fulfillment of that vow. In its walls
is a magnificent octagOnal chamber
called the Pantheon. 1t is royal
tomb, and along its eight sides are
many sarcOphagi of black marble.
None save kings and the mothers of
kings are buried there.
AS regards their personal charac-
teristics, the Spanish are an easy
| ONinO anH Vlaocnro- lnuinn VNanNla
They are addicted to the daily sizes
ia, to music, dancing, and the bull
fight. Their houses are usually
poorly furnished, bare OF all COM
forts, and far from clearly.
Should the present unpleasant
ness between Spain and the United
States result in war, it would bring
many changes to the kingdom. The
many warning factions among them
selves would join hands in the COM
mon cause against the United
States. 1t would also be likely to
result in the overthrow of the
present government and the assump-
ton of the crown by Don Carlos.
For number of causes, Spain was
at one time the most opulent king
dom in all Europe. About the
eighteenth century it began to de-
cline in power and glory, and has
fallen into state of complete stagna-
ton. The spirit of enterprise seems
to be entirely extinct in the people,
and they have passed from labor and
aff1uence to squalor and Incidence.
Before the beginning of the present
century, however, it began to throw
off thn 10 10
possessed it; and there has been
quickening thrill of new life felt all
through the nation. The movement
has been more rapid since 1851 than
that of any of the great European
powers. The population has greatly
Increased, and is still increasing.
Agriculture is now carried on with
greater activity and success than
has been done for many years, and
the manufacturing interests are pro-
crossing along all lines. In 1913 not
a mile of railway had been con-
structed, but now they are laid be-
tween all the leading centers of
population.
Until lately the Roman Catholic
religion was the only faith tolerated
by the law. Before the suppression
of the mOnasteries in 1886 about one
fifth of the population was engaged
in the service of the church.
Two thirds of the population is
composed of agriculturists, miners,
shepherds, and sailors one-seventh,
of merchants and tradesmen; the re-
mainder, of officials, army, nobility,
clergy, nuns, and beggars. This lat
ter class is one of the very largest
Of all, owing perhaps to the large
number of benevolent institutions.
In 1860 there were l,028 charitable
institutions, which supported 500,-
600 people.
Spain has large cotton manufacto-
ries, and also produces in consider
, able quantities valuable silks. Fine
paper is made in TolOsa, and there
are number of small factories at
other places. Lead, copper, and tin
I are to be had there in abundance;
quicksilver is also wrought, and
. there are large deposits of coal and
iron ore. The latter is so imper-
fectly used that large quantities are
, imported from other places.
I Perhaps there is no feature Of
q Spanish interests which is of so
much Importance just now to all
: American people as her navy. In
= 1884 she had l26 vessels, the major
, ity being steam, and carrying 437
guns.-Youth's Advocate.