this afforded me some opportunity of speaking of the New Testaments and the Bible Society.What I said excited attention, and presently all the officers and dependents of the house, great and small, were gathered around me, from the governor to the porter.As it was necessary to open the boxes to inspect their contents, we all proceeded to the court-yard, where, holding a Testament in my hand, I recommended my discourse.I scarcely know what I said; for I was much agitated, and hurried away by my feelings, when I bethought me of the manner in which the word of God was persecuted in this unhappy kingdom.My words evidently made impression, and to my astonishment every person present pressed me for a copy.Isold several within the walls of the custom-house.The object, however, of most attention was the Gypsy Gospel, which was minutely examined amidst smiles and exclamations of surprise;an individual every now and then crying, "COSAS DE LOSINGLESES." A bystander asked me whether I could speak the Gitano language.I replied that I could not only speak it, but write it, and instantly made a speech of about five minutes in the Gypsy tongue, which I had no sooner concluded than all clapped their hands and simultaneously shouted, "COSAS DEINGALATERRA," "COSAS DE LOS INGLESES." I disposed of several copies of the Gypsy Gospel likewise, and having now settled the business which had brought me to the custom-house, I saluted my new friends and departed with my books.
I now revisited Mr.Phillipi, who, upon learning that it was my intention to proceed to Cadiz next morning by the steamer, which would touch at Bonanza at four o'clock, despatched the chests and my little luggage to the latter place, where he likewise advised me to sleep, in order that Imight be in readiness to embark at that early hour.He then introduced me to his family, his wife an English woman, and his daughter an amiable and beautiful girl of about eighteen years of age, whom I had previously seen at Seville; three or four other ladies from Seville were likewise there on a visit, and for the purpose of sea-bathing.After a few words in English between the lady of the house and myself, we all commenced chatting in Spanish, which seemed to be the only language understood or cared for by the rest of the company; indeed, who would be so unreasonable as to expect Spanish females to speak any language but their own, which, flexible and harmonious as it is, (far more so I think than any other,) seemed at times quite inadequate to express the wild sallies of their luxuriant imagination.Two hours fled rapidly away in discourse, interrupted occasionally by music and song, when I bade farewell to this delightful society, and strolled out to view the town.
It was now past noon, and the heat was exceedingly fierce: I saw scarcely a living being in the streets, the stones of which burnt my feet through the soles of my boots.Ipassed through the square of the Constitution, which presents nothing particular to the eye of the stranger, and ascended the hill to obtain a nearer view of the castle.It is a strong heavy edifice of stone, with round towers, and, though deserted, appears to be still in a tolerable state of preservation.I became tired of gazing, and was retracing my steps, when I was accosted by two Gypsies, who by some means had heard of my arrival.We exchanged some words in Gitano, but they appeared to be very ignorant of the dialect, and utterly unable to maintain a conversation in it.They were clamorous for a gabicote, or book in the Gypsy tongue.Irefused it them, saying that they could turn it to no profitable account; but finding that they could read, Ipromised them each a Testament in Spanish.This offer, however, they refused with disdain, saying that they cared for nothing written in the language of the Busne or Gentiles.They then persisted in their demand, to which I at last yielded, being unable to resist their importunity; whereupon they accompanied me to the inn, and received what they so ardently desired.
In the evening I was visited by Mr.Phillipi, who informed me that he had ordered a cabriolet to call for me at the inn at eleven at night, for the purpose of conveying me to Bonanza, and that a person there who kept a small wine-house, and to whom the chests and other things had been forwarded, would receive me for the night, though it was probable that Ishould have to sleep on the floor.We then walked to the beach, where there were a great number of bathers, all men.
Amongst them were some good swimmers; two, in particular, were out at a great distance in the firth of the Guadalquivir, Ishould say at least a mile; their heads could just be descried with the telescope.I was told that they were friars.Iwondered at what period of their lives they had acquired their dexterity at natation.I hoped it was not at a time when, according to their vows, they should have lived for prayer, fasting, and mortification alone.Swimming is a noble exercise, but it certainly does not tend to mortify either the flesh or the spirit.As it was becoming dusk, we returned to the town, when my friend bade me a kind farewell.I then retired to my apartment, and passed some hours in meditation.