Scenes and Adventures in Spain Volume 1; From 1835 to 1840 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 Excerpt: ...on every floor. In the summer these balconies are covered with awnings, plain and ornamented; and then they form during the heat of the day, or in the evening, pleasant verandas to sit in on low chairs, the sides being opened to allow the breeze to circulate. Water is also occasionally thrown over the canvas during the great heats, thus cooling and refreshing these external boudoirs. There are a great number of casas de huespedes, or boarding-houses in Madrid. In good and central neighbourhoods, a bed-room, board, the use of the general saloon, and the advantages of the society of those assembling there in the evening, may be obtained for the payment of a dollar, or four shillings and two-pence a day. In less desirable quarters of the city, no doubt the price is much lower; and those who are abonado, that is, who make arrangements by the month or quarter, can do so on very advantageous turns. The house where I lived was a casa de huespedes, though the only boarders were a Deputy to Cortes--. a worthy gentleman, who generally voted with the Minister of the day--and one or two other respectable individuals. I should say that, in a majority of instances, a foreigner sojourning in Madrid would 190 LA PLAZA DE ORIENTE. do well to become a boarder in some respectable casa de huespedes, upon terms suitable to his means; availing himself of the sources of information which daily domestic intercourse would naturally place at his disposal. No people in the world are more polite, obliging, and anxious to serve those who conform to their habits, and are willing to appreciate them, than the Spaniards. I did not board with the family; but made an agreement for my apartments, and for my meals, at the hours which suited my convenience; the expense was, of course, somewhat ...