New-York tribune., 1909-04-11


The useful Spanish Series edited hv Mr |
calvert which already embraces some fifteen |
,.l.rnes and Is 10 bo extended b. seven or eight
-e-e- IS specially strengthened by this book on
,rsa-id. Despite its modern character the city
* q course, peculiarly important to the tray
zrer and i is well TO have. apart from Baedeker
.r5 Murray, work constituting kind of pan-
cana Of the Spanish capital. MI Calvert has
-sysr done mis- work better. His brief text COW
- The ground not ina5equately and his illus
.-aticns. which are always intended 10 be of
r-sater NalUa in this series. are both numerous
nd ve- chosen The author is skilful in hold /
-~c The balance true between those extremes of
ssri-stion and depreciation in which observers
g ,ho ety are not seldom inclined to indulge !
- tr.,h is that il is easy TO So 10 either ex-
.-ne Visit Madrid in favorable weather. en-
~ sympatheticaily into the life of the city !
-.Ee due allowance for the errors OF taste int-
---h % modernized people have not unnatural =
.H,u. and you come away with charming i'm
--.zsou. 0n he other hand. one who is be
--zyei into d sickness by a dusty afternoon
--rd ANA who simply cannot down with the
--ght,. * aspects OF = city emulous of Partisan
.g.upie. has only to witness a bullfight and his
.-- O. disgust and wrath i fun. The judicious
f-sier.aT Viu take pains 10 Aold middle
alrso-
NJ. Calvert is wise in his observations on the
r-ris5a- ambitions of Madrid As he says. the
"a. rn.-f-et~ the modern 81 irit in Spain rather
.san cl.. u.larval atmosphere. it d pes not live
s-on us Ia~r Ike Cordova and Toledo. Madrid
-s.i-es -a I., q progressive. modern municipal
r. TIE. streets arc broad the system Of light
+rc is modern there are electric tramcars, |
MOTOR cars and London and Partisan vehicles in
tl.. -r.n-raalc lcsr,s The streets are deluged with
The --- hus. -hre, times day. and the nuisance
a. -E.- dust IS thereby abated' French infu-
en-. .s no GoaHt- 10 be regretted when il pro-
fg-ss e4ery architecture and positively vulgar
interior decoration But in the main il has
ten VALUABLE. leading the inhabitants Of Madrid
toward q f,,r,r standard Of comfort 50 that
,s,.r tHtt I,egnes every year more attractive
and .ao-. convenient: Moreover, while the
modern -ar1on OF Rome. for example. viii often
tt-eat,- 70 iu5ure or entirely efface some pre-
l5srs monument Il antiquity. the natural devel-
,,1uer- of Madrid 4 progressive city Of the
Irts,ur tlT, rarely If involves the sacrifice
,f aIE priceless souvenir OF the past. 1t was
III urtil The sixteenth century that Madrid was
made .the only court,' representative of all
er1la slere previous capitals had been identi- /
fri With specific kingdoms. and il is far from |
ra in those architectural glories which in other
r--st European cities have 10 be protected from !
M march II commerce. Things like the beau /!
.-aI Iortal af The Latina the hospital of the
ranr.g-..r IN the Gale De Toledo. which is /
Go3n r .-r illustration, are comparatively /
re
Yet there - much that Is picturesque in !
ra5rl The lif. of The city is vivid and fun of ,
movement. NIr. Calvert effectively sketches its
r1a-arterlslics noting all the salient traits of |
ne Nad-5l-no in th- street, in the cafes and .
,reatr,s. IL the clubs. and 50 on. His statement
ttat II Is necessary 20 own a carriage and pair
u 5-i4r 10 figure .u Madrid society" needs. per
5ars a little qualification. The grandee whose
tr.ure a.ss du-ndled SO that he cannot main {
tam N eqa!page worthy Of his name viii not
rake any effort 20 keep up appearances Z
r. viii t4k, his afternoon drive in hired cab I
and ylu hold ms own in society. In other
Eards while fashion holds sway in Madrid the 7
ancient Spanish pride has suffered abate- I
Ernt. and a. fine simplicity maintains itself
amgslde AL the splendoTs fostcred at court T
=. Calvert appropriately notes the Eact that (
re atique,-- Tor which Spanish society has al
rsys been noted = still preserved, but without 7
;he exaggerated rigidIty which some writers J
Sill 4sg-it. % IT, He observes. TOO, that the (
gEenHrs a. the bullring are increasing in I
H-mhs- f1r 81. adds that they are still in
minority and reasonably suEmiscs that tau ]
roma by u. di. very slowly in Spain. He ;
gives some Interesting pages 10 The ring and J
% n. arr .r ID. buinghter. bringing out the j
I-o.a-rL s.-..-saess with which the Spaniard /,
tlkes bis .-E.-.te sport. The successful bull +,