The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-25

said dance was going on, to which he
thought We might gain admission. The
edihce had once been a splendid mansion,
judging from the highly ornamented ia
cade-a row Of battered statues filling
nitches along the walls and an escutcheon
over the doorway bearing the lilies of
/ France quartered with the arms Of Cas-
tile. 1t was probably the residence OF
some titled grandee, before the Gitanos
made this a rallying place. But its glo-
ries had vanished long, long ago, together
with the fortunes Of its owner and the
heads and arms Of the NEUROLOGICAL heroes
! in their nitches. Now ruin and decay
hung over all, the windows were curtain
ed thick with cobwebs and the doors shut
and barred. But there were indications OF
merry life within-the tinkIe Of guitars.
the rhythmical pattering OF feet. the cIink-
ing Of glasses and castinets and high
pitched voice singing the familiar ballad
! beginning:
Breoe q pie como AEdaluz,
Los oias De matadaro.
The guide gave a resounding knock upon
the door when instantly all was silent as
the grave. Another laundering knock
brought . villainous- looking face to the liz
tie square opening halfway up the oaken
door. when lengthy explanations ensued.
in which the word amigos lfriendsl was
frequently used; then some coin changed
hands and the door was thrown wide-to
be quickly barred after We had entered
Why the gypsies make such a secret OF
their dances in these days is not known
since civil law no longer interferes with
them. In times past royal ediCts have Oft
en- been issued against them. and for cen
turtles the church has never ceased to hurl
anathemas at them. but in vain. The scene
hot
it was picturesque. We were in "a spa
cious patio. or liner courtyard, planted with
orange trees laden with golden fruit and
in the centre OF the grove the remains Of
. beautiful Moorish fountain. At least 200
persons were present, Of all ages and both
seXes-most OF them semi 10
doubt, If not worse But true Spanish DO
likeness prevailed, whatever their senti-
ments toward Los Estranjeros" De
taching himself from the crowd a young
man came forward and made US welcome
in the usual extravagant but meaningless
phrase. bestowing upon us the house and
all its contents. He was a handsome fell
low, in a wild, reckless sort Of way, veri-
table hero Of the operate stage and dressed
for the part TO perfection. in black velvet
knee breeches. leggins Of yellow leather
richly embroidered green velvet Jacket
with double rows Of pesetss tsilyer coins)
lot DuOoNs, ana upon MS mead the ma
tional catanes. the ugliest hat in exist
ence. which seems TO have been modelled
upon a wash bowl. We we're told that he
was the owner Of the house and a very
wealthy man; and it was afterward whis-
pered in our ear that his riches came
through smuggling and certain secret ex-
petitions 10 the mountains, the object of
which would better not be too closely en-
quired into We were given seats close
10 an elevated platform. where we had A
fine opportunity TO study the faces Of the
crowd, and TO note that the fiery eyes Of
many glittered with anything but pleasure
at the intrusion Of strangers. Women
were largely in the majority. all in the
most brilliant colurs, gorgeously embroid
cred silk shaWls and garanded with fow-
ers. Some wore girdles Of alternate red
and white roses: others had their Jet black
hair entirely concealed by q solid mat OF
rosebuds extending to the eyebrows and
covering the head ike a closely fitting cap
The orchestra was composed OF tambour-
ines. kettle drums. and guitars, and their
monotonous tune was accompanied by some
of the spectators. who clapped their hands
and chanted a bsrbaric melody in the Gil
tano iargon.
Suddenly a tail girl glided upon the
platform and began the ole She was
dressed in a skirt OF yellow silk. reaching
half way between knees and ankle a low
Heckcd basque Of scarlet velvet, and