SPAIN AND THE CAUSES OF HER WRITTEN AFTER READING A JOURNEY THROUGH SPAIN, IN THE YEARS 1786 and 1787, BY THE REV. JOSEPH Townsend. "The political history of that country and its finances, ought to be kept in perpetual remembrance, for the instruction of kings and their ministers." Lord Kames. As the reader of this book accompanies the author in his journey, he receives from him descriptions of places, and narrations of events, with such observations as they suggest to his reflecting and sagacious mind. When we join, on the road, a traveller whose conversation is pleasing, and with whom we have the prospect of continuing some time, we usually feel a curiosity to know who he is; and when we have made him out, we can judge more correctly of his opinions, and determine more certainly of what degree of confidence he is worthy. The Rev. Joseph Townsend was, as the title page indicates, a clergyman; and his ministry continued from 1764, when he took orders, to Nov. 6th, 1816, when he died. In 1765 he published a work entitled "Every Christian a new creature;" and Lady Huntingdon describes him as "a very ready, lively, humble man, who far surpassed her expectations, and was one of the most acceptable of her preachers." (See her memoirs, 2, 42.) Hence we infer that he belonged to the class of evangelical divines, and that he commenced his ministerial course in connection with the Calvinistic Methodists; but there is some reason to think that in a few years he deviated from them, and conformed to the general example of clergymen. In personal appearance he was a remarkable man; tall in stature; large and muscular in his limbs; with a countenance which indicated energy, decision, and sternness; and a voice which was strong and sepulchral, and, when exerted, very loud. In general knowledge, various information, and sound practical wisdom, few men could be compared with him. He studied medicine, in his youth, under Dr. Cullen; and the success of his practice among his poor parishioners, and the excellence of two medical works that he published,* attest his skill and proficiency in that science. In what relates to painting, architecture, mineralogy, agriculture, manufactures, commerce, and political economy, it is apparent that his acquisitions are extensive, and his opinions judicious.† The diversified scenes that occurred in his different routes, the manners and morals of the people, the natural history, finances, manufactures, and political economy, of the country, are copiously and particularly * The physician's vade mecum, 1794. A guide to health, 2 Vols. 1795. + Warner's literary recollections, Vol. 2, p. 95. described; and most objects which would be accounted deserving of notice seem to have engaged his attention. In Popish countries, the churches are always the grand ornament of every place; and therefore he always visits them, and pourtrays them to our view; and as in every country the price of provisions is an important consideration, he never omits to mention that subject. In the author and his book there is much to instruct and please; but in the kingdom through which he travels there are many things to blame and deplore. In Catalonia, indeed, we find manufactures established and commerce flourishing; the towns and villages populous, and the land cultivated and fertile; but in other parts we proceed long distances without seeing a house, or meeting a human being; and we arrive at places which once flourished in numbers and prosperity, but are now sunk in decay. The law is so weak, life and property are so insecure, and assassinations so frequent, that it is dangerous to travel without a guard, or to go to bed without locking the room door. Abuses prevail in all departments; and he who attempts to reform them, often finds that he has to contend with insurmountable difficulties, and to struggle with unconquerable opposition. Clergymen, being bound to celibacy, are generally depraved; this depravity is notorious and undeniable; and its influence on public morals is most pestilential. Lawyers are so venal that the ends of justice are de feated, the wisest enactments are evaded, and evildoers go on with impunity. Physicians are illiterate and unskilful; but their work is equal to their reward, for their profession is lightly esteemed, and their services are miserably requited. A large proportion of the people have no employment, but spend their time in idleness, with all its attendant evils, and subsist on the daily dole of bread and broth, or of milk and potatoes, which they receive at the gates of convents, monasteries, and episcopal mansions. This state of things plainly indicates woeful degeneracy and blundering mismanagement. The nature of charity is so little understood, and the operation of it is so injudicious and injurious, as to increase and aggravate the evils which it intends to relieve and remedy. The government is so despotic and so badly administered, that, in a country which is eminently favoured by providence, abounds with natural blessings, and might rank high in the scale of nations, the land lies waste, and the scenery around presents a dreary and revolting aspect; the houses are untenanted, and the villages are verging to ruin; the people are wicked and wretched, and the face of society, where it is seen, is deformed by indolence, filth, and barbarity. In describing the blasting influence of tyranny, Burke refers to "the finest countries in the most genial climates in the world, which are wasted by peace more than any countries have been worried by war; where arts are unknown, where manufactures languish, where science is extinguished, where agriculture decays, where the human race itself melts away and perishes under the eye of the observer;"* and this description applies to most parts of Spain, with sad propriety. There are doubtless many exceptions to such a representation ; but it is true to a lamentable extent. What a contrast to this state of things is the account which is given of Spain in former ages! Under the domination of the Romans, the country was so fertile, and its produce of corn so abundant, that, after supplying the wants of its numerous inhabitants, large quantities were exported to Italy; and under that of the Moors it was extremely populous and flourishing. In the tenth century, we are told there were eighty capital cities, three hundred of the second and third orders, and villages so thickly scattered that there were no fewer than twelve thousand in the plain of Seville.† The goodness of the soil, the industry of the people, and the advantages of its peninsular situation for trade, exalted Spain to such a degree of prosperity that it was accounted, at one period, the richest country in the world. How then did it fall from this eminence; and by what causes was it reduced to its present state of degradation? The answer to these questions will suggest one of the most important and useful lessons that the records of modern history teach to an observant and reflecting mind. • Burke's works, Vol. 5, p. 233. + Lord Kames's sketches of man, Vol. 2, p. 233. |