It will, perhaps, here be asked whether the Basques do not possess popular poetry, like most other nations, however small and inconsiderable.They have certainly no lack of songs, ballads, and stanzas, but of a character by no means entitled to the appellation of poetry.I have noted down from recitation a considerable portion of what they call their poetry, but the only tolerable specimen of verse which I ever discovered amongst them was the following stanza, which, after all, is not entitled to very high praise:-"Ichasoa urac aundi, Estu ondoric agueri -Pasaco ninsaqueni andic Maitea icustea gatic."I.E."The waters of the sea are vast, and their bottom cannot be seen: but over them I will pass, that I may behold my love."The Basques are a singing rather than a poetical people.
Notwithstanding the facility with which their tongue lends itself to the composition of verse, they have never produced among them a poet with the slightest pretensions to reputation;but their voices are singularly sweet, and they are known to excel in musical composition.It is the opinion of a certain author, the Abbe D'Ilharce, who has written about them, that they derived the name CANTABRI, by which they were known to the Romans, from KHANTOR-BER, signifying sweet singers.They possess much music of their own, some of which is said to be exceedingly ancient.Of this music specimens were published at Donostian (San Sebastian) in the year 1826, edited by a certain Juan Ignacio Iztueta.These consist of wild and thrilling marches, to the sound of which it is believed that the ancient Basques were in the habit of descending from their mountains to combat with the Romans, and subsequently with the Moors.
Whilst listening to them it is easy to suppose oneself in the close vicinity of some desperate encounter.We seem to hear the charge of cavalry on the sounding plain, the clash of swords, and the rushing of men down the gorges of hills.This music is accompanied with words, but such words! Nothing can be imagined more stupid, commonplace, and uninteresting.So far from being martial, they relate to every-day incidents and appear to have no connexion whatever with the music.They are evidently of modern date.
In person the Basques are of the middle size, and are active and athletic.They are in general of fair complexions and handsome features, and in appearance bear no slight resemblance to certain Tartar tribes of the Caucasus.Their bravery is unquestionable, and they are considered as the best soldiery belonging to the Spanish crown: a fact highly corroborative of the supposition that they are of Tartar origin, the Tartars being of all races the most warlike, and amongst whom the most remarkable conquerors have been produced.
They are faithful and honest, and capable of much disinterested attachment; kind and hospitable to strangers; all of which points are far from being at variance with the Tartan character.But they are somewhat dull, and their capacities are by no means of a high order, and in these respects they again resemble the Tartars.
No people on earth are prouder than the Basques, but theirs is a kind of republican pride.They have no nobility amongst them, and no one will acknowledge a superior.The poorest carman is as proud as the governor of Tolosa."He is more powerful than I," he will say, "but I am of as good blood;perhaps hereafter I may become a governor myself." They abhor servitude, at least out of their own country; and though circumstances frequently oblige them to seek masters, it is very rare to find them filling the places of common domestics;they are stewards, secretaries, accountants, etc.True it is, that it was my own fortune to obtain a Basque domestic; but then he always treated me more as an equal than a master, would sit down in my presence, give me his advice unasked, and enter into conversation with me at all times and occasions.Did Icheck him! Certainly not! For in that case he would have left me, and a more faithful creature I never knew.His fate was a mournful one, as will appear in the sequel.
I have said that the Basques abhor servitude, and are rarely to be found serving as domestics amongst the Spaniards.
I allude, however, merely to the males.The females, on the contrary, have no objection whatever to enter houses as servants.Women, indeed, amongst the Basques are not looked upon with all the esteem which they deserve, and are considered as fitted for little else than to perform menial offices, even as in the East, where they are viewed in the light of servants and slaves.The Basque females differ widely in character from the men; they are quick and vivacious, and have in general much more talent.They are famous for their skill as cooks, and in most respectable houses of Madrid a Biscayan female may be found in the kitchen, queen supreme of the culinary department.