A Handbook for Travellers in Spain Volume 2 (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. 1855 Excerpt: ...St. John, Guido: and a noble Florentine cartoon of the Virgin and Child. The university moved from time-honoured AlcaU to Madrid, much as if Oxford had been transported to Gower Street, is placed in the Culle Ancha de San Bernardo: here are some splendid carvings (see p. 709). Thence to the royal palace, which certainly is one of the most magnificent in the world. It has two open plazas: that to the E., del Orient?, was begun by Joseph, as a sort of Place de Carousel; but the invaders having demolished eighty-seven houses, just left the space a desert of dust and glare, and impassable in the dog-days. Ferdinand VII. removed the ruins, had the locality levelled, and commenced a magnificent theatre and colonnade. The site, indeed, was handy to the royal residence; but by no means so for the citizens iu general, as the plaza is in a distant angle of the town. The theatre was built in equal defiance of economy and a good plan. It has been likened to the back of a dress-coat. There is a fine-ball room inside, and here the national cortes long sat, and now, during winters, a tolerable Italian company performs. Although not good for sound and hearing, the interior is handsome; the crimson lining of the boxes decorated in white and gold, sets off the dark sex. The Balneal or stalls are comfortable. Public balls and carnival masquerades arc given in this theatre. The gardens with royal statues, &c, were finished by A. G. Arguelles. In the centre of a circular garden is one of the finest equestrian statues in the world, which was moved in 1844 from the Bien Jtetiro gardens. It represents Philip IV. mounted on his war charger, witching the world with noble horsemanship, and seen as became a king, who was pronounced by the Duke of Newcastle, an equestrian authority...