Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-08-01

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has suffered considerably from the havoc.
In all parts OF the town one meets mon
asteries, converts and churches which
have been rified by the enemy, whether
French or Spanish. The museum OF VAL
ladotid is composed entirely, or very near
| " SO, OF what was taken by force from
religious houses. And all the barracks
for the soldiers stationed here were once
monssteries. Besides this the finest build
| ings on the Plaza were one vast monas-
terry, and its beautiful colonnade, no
doubt, formerly marked the cloister. Re-
ligious orders were banished from the
country and their property taken by the
government. Kings and conquerors seem
to love to despoil unsrmed religions of
their property. | certainly 30 not think
such acts are either just or brave. II
might means right, tits all right.
| "a curious custom prevails here OF
clothing the statue of the Blessed Virgin
In real garments, and also statues repre-
senting the Holy Infant Jesus. Again we
and that they place garment on Our
| Lord on the cross, which extends from
the waist down to the toes, completely
soDcssling ths legs, just like pstticoat.
This surprises one at first, but after a
while you get used to it. What the oh
| ject can be in this ] know not; but GER
tainly it has not happy effect, regarded
+, from an artistic point OF view.
| "Every church has its feast, which Is
! celebrated with rejoicings, not only by
! the religious ceremonies within the
church, but also by Examinations, fire.
I works, music and dancing without tat
least in many cases, not in ALL. On the
I eve OF the feast a large bonfire is kept
! burning in a neighboring square, (per-
! haps even several of them) . shower OF
/ rockets is sent heavenwsrd, music is fur
nished from drum and fageolet, and a
large company OF young men and young
women dance away the Spa ish dance to
8, .heir hearts content.
( "On the day OF the feast the church is
draped with decorations solemn high
I mass is celebrated with band OF stringed
instruments in the choir loft. A sermon
appropriate to the occasion is preached
and in the evening they have 'salve,
consisting of vocal and instrumental
( music, and the principal piece sung is a
/ hymn TO the Blessed Virgin. After the
services in the church are concluded, the
band retlres outside to stand erected for
them and discourses sweet strains of
music for some time, during which rock
cts are sent flying into space. The church
is also illuminated as well rs several pri-
waite residences bull-fght is one OF
the unusual sights seen while at Valla-
dolid.
From Ayils our journey led to the
Escorial. The Spaniards say, according
to one OF our guide books, that the Es-
corral 10 the eighth wonder OF the world.
am fully prepared to admit that it is
certainly a wonderful building, taken al
together as II stands, while any Of its
parts may easily be surpassed by places OF
less pretention. 1t is an immense struc-
ture, built by Phillip II In fulhllment Of
vow, aitsr the victory OF st. Quintin. 1t
was destined to be at once a monastery, a
palace and tomb for the royal line Of
Spain.
MADRID AND TOLEDO
Madrid Is but a few hours ride from
the Escorial. Next to Paris, tbs in many
respects the most charming place we have
met. 1t has all that one would expect to
meet in grand capitol. One does not
find here, however, the grand storehouses,
factories and workshops, that speak at
once of strength and prosperity. Here
we saw the first horse-cars that we met
since leaving Paris.
'sThe sights 10 be observed here are
numerous, but the most interesting places
we visited are the Royal Museum of Art,
the Royal Palace, the Royal Armory, the
botanical gardens, the Gardens de Bueno
Retro the Prado, the chamber OF deputies
or Cortes, and the library.
SAT last we left for Toledo, where we
! spent a short time. This is an old Ara ian
! city with very narrow, winding streets,
| built ON lofty, rocky cliff overlooking
the river Tagus and presents very pic
turesque appearance on the approach.
| The most noticeable thing about it, how
ever, after viewing the quaint old city
itself, is its cathedral, which is one Of the
/ best in Spain.
awe arrived in the very heighth of the
fete Of Toledo. The square was crowded
with peddlers OF various wares and in the
evening there was grand Illumination in
the gardens outside the city walls, while
/ fireworks were shot of from the heights
above. The fete was the octave OF the as
sumption OF the Blessed Virgin, Aug. q.
/ The Examinations were on a large scale.
Lanterns In hundreds OF thousands were
strung on the trees around US and formed
in arches on posts erected for the purpose,
while the whole city and neighborhood
were out on parade TO enjoy the sights.
"we next hastened on to Cordova,
which presents the same narrow and
winding streets as Toledo, the same diff
ficulty in finding ones way, and has also
! a renowned cathedral. This is also one OF
the old Moorish cities, much talked of in
romance of knights errantry, and is very
| interesting as q curiosity, besides its his
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