Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton by Daniel Defoe

D >> Daniel Defoe >> Military Memoirs of Capt. George Carleton

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18

So soon as I arrived at _Madrid_, I made it my Business to enquire out,
and wait upon Father _Fahy_, Chief of the _Irish College_. He received
me very courteously; but when I acquainted him with the Treatment I had
met with from _Brennan_, and had given him an Account of his other
scandalous Behaviour, I found he was no Stranger to the Man, or his
Character; for he soon confirm'd to me the Honour _Brennan_ first
boasted of, his considerable Family, by saying, that scarce an Assize
passed in his own Country, without two or three of that Name receiving
at the Gallows the just Reward of their Demerits. In short, not only
Father _Fahy_, but all the Clergy of that Nation at _Madrid_, readily
subscribed to this Character of him, _That he was a Scandal to their
Country_.

After this, I had nothing more to do, but to get that Father to go with
me to _Pedro de Dios_, who was the Head of the _Dominican_ Cloyster, and
Dean of the Inquisition. He readily granted my Request, and when we came
there, in a Manner unexpected, represented to the Dean, that having some
good Dispositions towards Mother-Church, I had been diverted from them,
he feared, by the evil Practices of one _Murtough Brennan_, a Countryman
of his, tho' a Scandal to his Country; that under a Pretence of seeking
my Conversion, he had lay'd himself open in a most beastly Manner, such
as would have set a Catholick into a vile Opinion of their Religion, and
much more one that was yet a Heretick. The Dean had hardly Patience to
hear Particulars; but as soon as my Friend had ended his Narration, he
immediately gave his Orders, prohibiting _Murtough's_ saying any more
Masses, either in _Madrid_, or any other Place in _Spain_. This indeed
was taking away the poor Wretches sole Subsistence, and putting him just
upon an Equality with his Demerits.

I took the same Opportunity to make my Complaints of the _Corrigidor_;
but his Term expiring very soon, and a Process being likely to be
chargeable, I was advised to let it drop. So having effected what I came
for, I returned to my old Station at _la Mancha_.

When I came back, I found a new _Corrigidor_, as I had been told there
would, by the Dean of the Inquisition, who, at the same Time, advised me
to wait on him. I did so, soon after my Arrival, and then experienced
the Advice to be well intended; the Dean having wrote a Letter to him,
to order him to treat me with all Manner of Civility. He show'd me the
very Letter, and it was in such particular and obliging Terms, that I
could not but perceive he had taken a Resolution, if possible, to
eradicate all the evil impressions, that _Murtough's_ Behaviour might
have given too great Occasion for. This serv'd to confirm me in an
Observation that I had long before made, That a Protestant, who will
prudently keep his Sentiments in his own Breast, may command any Thing
in _Spain_; where their stiff Bigotry leads 'em naturally into that
other Mistake, That not to oppose, is to assent. Besides, it is
generally among them, almost a work of Supererogation to be even
instrumental in the Conversion of one they call a Heretick. To bring any
such back to what they call Mother Church, nothing shall be spar'd,
nothing thought too much: And if you have Insincerity enough to give
them Hopes, you shall not only live in Ease, but in Pleasure and Plenty.

I had entertain'd some thoughts on my Journey back, of taking up my old
Quarters at the Widow's; but found her so intirely converted by her
_Clerico_, that there wou'd be no room to expect Peace: For which
Reason, with the help of my fair _Vicinos_, and _Don Felix_, I took
another, where I had not been long, before I received an unhappy Account
of _Murtough's_ Conduct in _Murcia_. It seems he had kept his Resolution
in going thither; where meeting with some of his own Countrymen, though
he found 'em stanch good Catholics, he so far inveigled himself into
'em, that he brought them all into a foul chance for their Lives. There
were three of 'em, all Soldiers, in a _Spanish_ Regiment, but in a fit
of ambitious, though frantick, Zeal: _Murtough_ had wheedled them to go
along with him to _Pedro de Dios_, Dean of the Inquisition, to declare
and acknowledge before him, that they were converted and brought over to
Mother Church, and by him only. The poor Ignorants, thus intic'd, had
left their Regiment, of which the Colonel, having notice, sent after
them, and they were overtaken on the Road, their _Missionair_ with them.
But notwithstanding all his Oratory, nay, even the Discovery of the
whole Farce, one of them was hang'd for an Example to the other two.

It was not long after my Return before News arriv'd of the Peace; which
though they receiv'd with Joy, they could hardly entertain with Belief.
Upon which, the new _Corrigidor_, with whom I held a better
Correspondence than I had done with the old one, desired me to produce
my Letters from _England_, that it was true. Never did People give
greater Demonstrations of Joy, than they upon this Occasion. It was the
common cry in the Streets, _Paz con Angleterra, con todo Mundo Guerra_;
And my Confirmation did them as much Pleasure as it did Service to me;
for is possible, they treated me with more Civility than before.

But the Peace soon after being proclaimed, I received Orders to repair
to _Madrid_, where the rest of the Prisoners taken at _Denia_ had been
carried; when I, by reason of my Wounds, and want of Health, had been
left behind. Others I understood lay ready, and some were on their March
to _Bayone_ in _France_; where Ships were ordered for their
Transportation into _England_. So after a Residence of three Years and
three Months; having taken leave of all my Acquaintance, I left a Place,
that was almost become natural to me, the delicious _Sainte Clemente de
la Mancha_.

Nothing of Moment, or worth observing, met I with, till I came near
_Ocanna_; and there occurred a Sight ridiculous enough. The Knight of
the Town, I last came from, the ever renown'd _Don Quixot_, never made
such a Figure as a _Spaniard_, I there met on the Road. He was mounted
on a Mule of the largest size, and yet no way unsizeable to his Person:
He had two Pistols in his Holsters, and one on each side stuck in his
Belt; a sort of large Blunderbuss in one of his Hands, and the fellow to
it slung over his Shoulders hung at his Back. All these were accompany'd
with a right _Spanish Spado_, and an Attendant _Stiletto_, in their
customary Position. The Muletier that was my guide, calling out to him
in _Spanish_, told him he was very well arm'd; to which, with a great
deal of Gravity, the Don returned Answer, _by Saint Jago a Man cannot be
too well arm'd in such dangerous Times_.

I took up my Quarters that Night at _Ocanna_, a large, neat, and well
built Town. Houses of good Reception, and Entertainment, are very scarce
all over _Spain_; but that, where I then lay, might have pass'd for good
in any other Country. Yet it gave me a Notion quite different to what I
found: for I imagined it to proceed from my near Approach to the
Capital. But instead of that, contrary to all other Countries, the
nearer I came to _Madrid_, the Houses of Entertainment grew worse and
worse; not in their Rates do I mean (for that with Reason enough might
have been expected) but even in their Provision, and Places and way of
Reception, I could not however forbear smiling at the Reason given by my
Muletier, that it proceeded from a piece of Court Policy, in Order to
oblige all Travellers to hasten to _Madrid_.

Two small Leagues from _Ocanna_ we arrived at _Aranjuez_, a Seat of
Pleasure, which the Kings of _Spain_ commonly select for their place of
Residence during the Months of _April and May_. It is distant from
_Madrid_ about seven Leagues; and the Country round is the pleasantest
in all _Spain, Valencia_ excepted. The House it self makes but a very
indifferent Appearance; I have seen many a better in _England_, with an
Owner to it of no more than five hundred Pounds _per Annum_; yet the
Gardens are large and fine; or as the _Spaniards_ say, the finest in all
_Spain_, which with them is all the World. They tell you at the same
Time, that those of _Versailles_, in their most beautiful Parts, took
their Model from these. I never saw those at _Versailles_: But in my
Opinion, the Walks at _Aranjuez_, tho' noble in their length, lose much
of their Beauty by their Narrowness.

The Water-works here are a great Curiosity; to which the River _Tagus_
running along close by, does mightily contribute. That River is let into
the Gardens by a vast number of little Canals, which with their
pleasing _Maeanders_ divert the Eye with inexpressible Delight. These
pretty Wanderers by Pipes properly plac'd in them, afford Varieties
scarce to be believ'd or imagin'd; and which would be grateful in any
Climate; but much more, where the Air, as it does here, wants in the
Summer Months perpetual cooling.

To see a spreading Tree, as growing in its natural Soil, distinguish'd
from its pineing Neighbourhood by a gentle refreshing Shower, which
appears softly distilling from every Branch and Leaf thereof, while
Nature all around is smiling, without one liquid sign of Sorrow, to me
appear'd surprizingly pleasing. And the more when I observ'd that its
Neighbours receiv'd not any the least Benefit of that plentiful
Effusion; And yet a very few Trees distant, you should find a dozen
together under the same healthful _Sudor_. Where art imitates Nature
well, Philosophers hold it a Perfection: Then what must she exact of us,
where we find her transcendent in the Perfections of Nature?

The watry Arch is nothing less surprizing; where Art contending with
Nature, acts against the Laws of Nature, and yet is beautiful. To see a
Liquid Stream vaulting it self from the space of threescore Yards into a
perfect Semi-Orb, will be granted by the Curious to be rare and strange:
But sure to walk beneath that Arch, and see the Waters flowing over your
Head, without your receiving the minutest Drop, is stranger, if not
strange enough to stagger all Belief.

The Story of _Actaeon_, pictur'd in Water Colours, if I may so express my
self, tho' pretty, seem'd to me, but trifling to the other. Those seem'd
to be like Nature miraculously displayed; this only Fable in Grotesque.
The Figures indeed were not only fine, but extraordinary; yet their
various Shapes were not at all so entertaining to the Mind, however
refreshing they might be found to the Body.

I took notice before of the straitness of their Walks: But tho' to me it
might seem a Diminution of their Beauty: I am apt to believe to the
_Spaniard_, for and by whom they were laid out, it may seem otherwise.
They, of both Sexes, give themselves so intolerably up to Amouring, that
on that Account the Closeness of the Walks may be look'd upon as an
Advantage rather than a Defect. The grand Avenue to the House is much
more stately, and compos'd as they are, of Rows of Trees, somewhat
larger than our largest Limes, whose Leaves are all of a perfect Pea
bloom Colour, together with their Grandeur, they strike the Eye with a
pleasing Beauty. At the Entrance of the Grand Court we see the Statue of
_Philip_ the Second; to intimate to the Spectators, I suppose, that he
was the Founder.

Among other Parks about _Aranjuez_ there is one intirely preserved for
Dromedaries; an useful Creature for Fatigue, Burden, and Dispatch; but
the nearest of kin to Deformity of any I ever saw. There are several
other enclosures for several sorts of strange and wild Beasts, which are
sometimes baited in a very large Pond, that was shown me about half a
League from hence. This is no ordinary Diversion: but when the Court is
disposed that way, the Beast, or Beasts, whether Bear, Lyon, or Tyger,
are convey'd into a House prepar'd for that purpose; whence he can no
other way issue than by a Door over the Water, through, or over, which
forcing or flinging himself, he gradually finds himself descend into the
very depth of the Pond by a wooden Declivity. The Dogs stand ready on
the Banks, and so soon as ever they spye their Enemy, rush all at once
into the Water, and engage him. A Diversion less to be complain'd of
than their _Tauridores_; because attended with less Cruelty to the
Beast, as well as Danger to the Spectators.

When we arrived at _Madrid_, a Town much spoken of by Natives, as well
as Strangers, tho' I had seen it before, I could hardly restrain my self
from being surprized to find it only environ'd with Mud Walls. It may
very easily be imagin'd, they were never intended for Defence, and yet
it was a long time before I could find any other use, or rather any use
at all in 'em. And yet I was at last convinc'd of my Error by a sensible
Increase of Expence. Without the Gates, to half a League without the
Town, you have Wine for two Pence the Quart; but within the Place, you
drink it little cheaper than you may in _London_. The Mud Walls
therefore well enough answer their Intent of forcing People to reside
there, under pretence of Security; but in reality to be tax'd, for other
Things are taxable, as well as Wine, tho' not in like Proportion.

All Embassadors have a Claim or Privilege, of bringing in what Wine
they please Tax-free; and the King, to wave it, will at any Time
purchase that Exemption of Duty at the price of five hundred Pistoles
_per Annum_. The Convents and Nunneries are allowed a like Licence of
free Importation; and it is one of the first Advantages they can boast
of; for, under that Licence having a liberty of setting up a Tavern near
them, they make a prodigious Advantage of it. The Wine drank and sold in
this Place, is for the most part a sort of white Wine.

But if the Mud Walls gave me at first but a faint Idea of the Place; I
was pleasingly disappointed, as soon as I enter'd the Gates. The Town
then show'd itself well built, and of Brick, and the Streets wide, long,
and spacious. Those of _Atocha_, and _Alcala_, are as fine as any I ever
saw; yet is it situated but very indifferently: For tho' they have what
they call a River, to which they give the very fair Name of _la
Mansuera_, and over which they have built a curious, long, and large
Stone Bridge; yet is the Course of it, in Summer time especially, mostly
dry. This gave occasion to that piece of Railery of a Foreign
Embassador, _That the King would have don wisely to have bought a River,
before he built the Bridge_. Nevertheless, that little Stream of a River
which they boast of, they improve as much as possible; since down the
Sides, as far as you can see, there are Coops, or little Places hooped
in, for People to wash their Linen (for they very rarely wash in their
own Houses) nor is it really an unpleasing Sight, to view the regular
Rows of them at that cleanly Operation.

The King has here two Palaces; one within the Town, the other near
adjoining. That in the Town is built of Stone, the other which is called
_Bueno Retiro_, is all of Brick. From the Town to this last, in Summer
time, there is a large covering of Canvas, propt up with tall Poles;
under which People walk to avoid the scorching heats of the Sun.

As I was passing by the Chapel of the _Carmelites_, I saw several blind
Men, some led, some groping the Way with their Sticks, going into the
Chapel. I had the curiosity to know the Reason; I no sooner enter'd the
Door, but was surprized to see such a number of those unfortunate
People, all kneeling before the Altar, some kissing the Ground, others
holding up their Heads, crying out _Misericordia_. I was informed 'twas
Saint _Lucy's_ Day, the Patroness of the Blind; therefore all who were
able, came upon that Day to pay their Devotion: So I left them, and
directed my Course towards the King's Palace.

When I came to the outward Court, I met with a _Spanish_ Gentleman of my
Acquaintance, and we went into the _Piazza's_; whilst we were talking
there, I saw several Gentlemen passing by having Badges on their
Breasts; some white, some red, and others green: My Friend informed me
that there were five Orders of Knighthood in _Spain_. That of the Golden
Fleece was only given to great Princes, but the other four to private
Gentlemen, _viz_. That of _Saint Jago, Alacantara, Saint Salvador de
Montreal_, and _Monteza_.

He likewise told me, that there were above ninety Places of Grandees,
but never filled up; who have the Privilege of being cover'd in the
Presence of the King, and are distinguished into three Ranks. The first
is of those who cover themselves before they speak to the King. The
second are those who put on their Hats after they have begun to speak.
The third are those who only put on their Hats, having spoke to him. The
Ladies of the Grandees have also great Respect show'd them. The Queen
rises up when they enter the Chamber, and offers them Cushions.

No married Man except the King lies in the Palace, for all the Women who
live there are Widows, or Maids of Honour to the Queen. I saw the Prince
of _Asturia's_ Dinner carried through the Court up to him, being guarded
by four Gentlemen of the Guards, one before, another behind, and one on
each Side, with their Carbines shoulder'd; the Queen's came next, and
the King's the last, guarded as before, for they always dine separately.
I observed that the Gentlemen of the Guards, though not on Duty, yet
they are obliged to wear their Carbine Belts.

_SAINT Isodore_, who from a poor labouring Man, by his Sanctity of Life
arrived to the Title of _Saint_, is the Patron of _Madrid_, and has a
Church dedicated to him, which is richly adorned within. The Sovereign
Court of the Inquisition is held at _Madrid_, the President whereof is
called the Inquisitor General. They judge without allowing any Appeal
for four Sorts of Crimes, _viz_. Heresy, Polygamy, Sodomy and
Witchcraft, and when any are convicted, 'tis called the Act of Faith.

Most People believe that the King's greatest Revenue consists in the
Gold and Silver brought from the West Indies (which is a mistake) for
most Part of that Wealth belongs to Merchants and others, that pay the
Workmen at the Golden Mines of _Potosi_, and the Silver Mines at
_Mexico_; yet the King, as I have been informed, receives about a
Million and a half of Gold.

The _Spaniards_ have a Saying, that the finest Garden of Fruit in
_Spain_ is in the middle of _Madrid_, which is the _Plaza_ or Market
Place, and truly the Stalls there are set forth with such variety of
delicious fruit, that I must confess I never saw any Place comparable to
it; and which adds to my Admiration, there are no Gardens or Orchards of
Fruit within some Leagues.

They seldom eat Hares in _Spain_ but whilst the Grapes are growing, and
then they are so exceeding fat, they are knocked down with Sticks. Their
Rabits are not so good as ours in _England_; they have great plenty of
Patridges, which are larger and finer feather'd than ours. They have but
little Beef in _Spain_, because there is no Grass, but they have plenty
of Mutton, and exceeding good, because their Sheep feed only upon wild
Potherbs; their Pork is delicious, their Hogs feeding only upon
Chestnuts and Acorns.

_MADRID_ and _Valladolid_, though Great, yet are only accounted
Villages: In the latter _Philip_ the Second, by the persuasion of
_Parsons_ an _English_ Jesuit, erected an _English_ Seminary; and
_Philip_ the Fourth built a most noble Palace, with extraordinary fine
Gardens. They say that _Christopher Columbus_, who first discover'd the
West Indies, dyed there, tho' I have heard he lies buried, and has a
Monument at _Sevil_.

The Palace in the Town stands upon eleven Arches, under every one of
which there are Shops, which degrade it to a meer Exchange.
Nevertheless, the Stairs by which you ascend up to the Guard Room (which
is very spacious too) are stately, large, and curious. So soon as you
have pass'd the Guard Room, you enter into a long and noble Gallery, the
right Hand whereof leads to the King's Apartment, the left to the
Queen's. Entring into the King's Apartment you soon arrive at a large
Room, where he keeps his _Levee_; on one side whereof (for it takes up
the whole Side) is painted the fatal Battle of _Almanza_. I confess the
View somewhat affected me, tho' so long after; and brought to Mind many
old Passages. However, the Reflection concluded thus in favour of the
_Spaniard_, that we ought to excuse their Vanity in so exposing under a
_French_ General, a Victory, which was the only material one the
_Spaniards_ could ever boast of over an _English_ Army.

In this State Room, when the King first appears, every Person present,
receives him with a profound Homage: After which turning from the
Company to a large Velvet Chair, by which stands the Father Confessor,
he kneels down, and remains some Time at his Devotion; which being over,
he rising crosses himself, and his Father Confessor having with the
motion of his Hand intimated his Benediction, he then gives Audience to
all that attend for that purpose. He receives every Body with a seeming
Complaisance; and with an Air more resembling the French than the
_Spanish_ Ceremony. Petitions to the King, as with us, are delivered
into the Hands of the Secretary of State: Yet in one Particular they
are, in my Opinion, worthy the Imitation of other Courts; the Petitioner
is directly told, what Day he must come for an Answer to the Office; at
which Time he is sure, without any further fruitless Attendance, not to
fail of it. The Audience being over, the King returns through the
Gallery to his own Apartment.

I cannot here omit an accidental Conversation, that pass'd between
General _Mahoni_ and my self in this Place. After some talk of the
Bravery of the _English_ Nation, he made mention of General _Stanhope_,
with a very peculiar _Emphasis_.

"But," says he, "I never was so put to the Nonplus in all my Days, as
that General once put me in. I was on the road from _Paris to Madrid_,
and having notice, that that General was going just the Reverse, and
that in all likelyhood we should meet the next day: Before my setting
out in the Morning, I took care to order my gayest Regimental Apparel,
resolving to make the best Appearance I could to receive so great a Man.
I had not travell'd above four Hours before I saw two Gentlemen, who
appearing to be _English_, it induc'd me to imagine they were
Forerunners, and some of his Retinue. But how abash'd and confounded was
I? when putting the Question to one of 'em, he made answer, _Sir, I am
the Person_. Never did Moderation put Vanity more out of Countenance:
Tho' to say Truth, I cou'd not but think his Dress as much too plain
for General _Stanhope_, as I at that juncture thought my own too gay for
_Mahoni_. But," added he, "that great Man had too many inward great
Endowments to stand in need of any outside Decoration."

Of all Diversions the King takes most delight in that of Shooting, which
he performs with great Exactness and Dexterity. I have seen him divert
himself at Swallow shooting (by all, I think allow'd to be the most
difficult) and exceeding all I ever saw. The last time I had the Honour
to see him, was on his Return from that Exercise. He had been abroad
with the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_, and alighted out of his Coach at a
back Door of the Palace, with three or four Birds in his Hand, which
according to his usual Custom, he carried up to the Queen with his own
Hands.

There are two Play-houses in _Madrid_, at both which they act every Day;
but their Actors, and their Music, are almost too indifferent to be
mentioned. The Theatre at the _Bueno Retiro_ is much the best; but as
much inferior to ours at _London_, as those at _Madrid_ are to that. I
was at one Play, when both King and Queen were present. There was a
splendid Audience, and a great Concourse of Ladies; but the latter, as
is the Custom there, having Lattices before them, the Appearance lost
most of its Lustre. One very remarkable Thing happen'd, while I was
there; the _Ave-Bell_ rung in the Middle of an Act, when down on their
Knees fell every Body, even the Players on the Stage, in the Middle of
their Harangue. They remained for some Time at their Devotion; then up
they rose, and returned to the Business they were before engag'd in,
beginning where they left off.

The Ladies of Quality make their Visits in grand State and Decorum. The
Lady Visitant is carry'd in a Chair by four Men; the two first, in all
Weathers, always bare. Two others walk as a Guard, one on each Side;
another carrying a large Lanthorn for fear of being benighted; then
follows a Coach drawn by six Mules, with her Women, and after that
another with her Gentlemen; several Servants walking after, more or
less, according to the Quality of the Person. They never suffer their
Servants to over load a Coach, as is frequently seen with us, neither do
Coachmen or Chairmen go or drive as if they carried Midwives in lieu of
Ladies. On the contrary, they affect a Motion so slow and so stately,
that you would rather imagine the Ladies were every one of them near
their Time, and very apprehensive of a Miscarriage.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18