The Grit-advocate., 1905-08-04
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! Gem of Sunny Spain .
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Especial Correspondence.)

lie, one of the ancient capital
citios Of Spain, the seat successfully
OF I'ponician, Roman, Gothic, Moor
lsh and Spanish rulers, is one OF the
mo. charming of places for the idler
who wishes to see Spanish life at it's
bes'
II climate Is warm and delightful.
Flows bloom in its gardens almost
the year round. The oranges OF Sc
villo are esteemed as among the finest
proegced in the old world.
It's people are hospitable-"sylnpat
leo, as the Spanish call any one talk
ing kindly interest in another-indo-
len and gay. They enjoy life as only
southern Spaniard can. taking pro-
/ fouLI pleasure in sociability, in sing
Ing 'neir national songs, in playing
the aHtar. and in dancing. They are
as oarefree as any people one may
me- in Spain. and though the life Of
the city has not the bubbling ex-
uborance OF that in southern Italy, it
is bright enough to win for Seville the
chaTacter of joyous place.
IL" Spanish have a proverb that
"Ho who has seen Seville has seen
marvel" They are proud OF the
cit! Of its antiquity, the character
of il people, and the beauty of its
daughters.
Tho houses OF Seville are very old,
SOM Of them dating from the Moor
| ish reriod. 1t is place of quaint
doorways. odd windows, cha rming
patio and other characteristic archi-
tecnral features Of southern Spain. 1t
Is the home OF the cloaked gallant
singing a serenade at his lady's bal
con- to the accompaniment Of his
guitar, or standing in the shadow, by
her Jared window. whispering sweet
noth.ugs in her ear. 1t is the custom
of Seville to have counting conduct
ed thus, and lovers are jocularly called
'eaters of IRON"
Home Of the BuIifight.
To the casual traveller Seville pre-
sents besides the charm of It's life,
SOM attractions OF more than ordi-
nary interest. 1t is the home of the
bullieht, and holds the finest fights
in the country, except possibly those
at Madrid, which are under the pa
tronage of royalty. 1t is also, to 60
to the other extreme of the list. famous
as the birthplace and home of the great
painter Murllo. Its public buildings
are bsautiful, and their traditions go
back to the days of julius Caesars
resideAce in the city, which he ruled
for Rome.
Seville. like most Spanish cities.
has one distinguishing object of more
interest than all others. 1t Is the Gil
ralda tower, one OF the finest in the
world, whose beautiful proportions rise
grandly above the city's roofs. The
tower was erected in 1876, and was
consecrated by the Moors to use as
muezzin tower, from which the faith
full were called to prayer in the ad-
Joining mosque. When driven out Of
Seville in 1888 the followers of Ma
homet wished to destroy this tower.
rather than have it fall into the hands
of Christians. Their purpose was
happily thwarted, and one of the most
striking architectural features of
Spain preserved. 1t was not i'm
proved, however, by being incOrporat-
ed into the cathedral. or by the bel
fry added to it. The original tower
was $50 feet high. 1t is SO feet square
at the base. The material is stone
for the lower 81 feet, and above that
brick, relieved by tracery and ara
besques. The color of the tower ia
pink. It contains no staircase. the
ascent to the top being made up in
cIined planes, thirty-fve in number.