PREFACE. As the book which I here commit to the Travelling Public differs both in plan and execution from any other work devoted to the same subject, some apology will, I fear, be required on my part. At a period when railways and steamers have shortened distances and rendered communications so very easy and rapid, general handbooks, we think, ought to be adapted to these changes; in other words, that they should abandon their antiquated classification by routes and districts, now that diligences and posting have well-nigh disappeared, and become more practical, concise, cheaper, and handy. With this view the present Guide has been drawn up alphabetically, an arrangement by which, we think, much trouble may be avoided. Skeleton tours, both general and of provinces, have been laid out, the tourist being thus left at liberty to follow the itinerary best suited to his tastes and the season of the year. The work begins with some necessary remarks concerning the best season of the year for travelling in Spain, followed by an explanation of the various modes of travelling, different sorts of inns, usual prices, expenses, &c. The Guide-proper follows, divided into the principal cities in Spain and the former large provinces, or 'reinos' (now reduced to forty-nine provinces), which we have retained as possessing better marked differences in man, nature, and history. Before the description of a city is begun, we state the various means for reaching it from different places, the time required, fares, &c., and some details of the routes. The peculiarities of the climate are noticed, when necessary, and sometimes extensively examined. In the accounts of cities the principal sights only are described, and we have purposely omitted also mentioning more than cursorily several out-of-the-way towns and districts which very few of our readers would care to visit, whilst those who may feel so disposed will derive fuller information than our space could afford from the books on the subject, the titles of which are generally subjoined. By so doing we have been able to give fuller descriptions of the more important cities and their sights. Hotels have been recommended from personal experience and inspection. A small directory, useful to temporary residents, invalids, &c., is appended in many cases. Brief, critical lists of the best pictures to be seen, either at public galleries or in private collections, have been carefully drawn up on the spot and the best authorities consulted. In the 'General Information' we have included details that could not have found a place in the body of the work, and relative to topics which are sure to awaken the interest of most travellers, although we have not presumed to exhaust it. It has not been our object to display in the compilation of this portion research or pedantry of any sort, and here, as well as in the rest of this little work, which we diffidently commend to the indulgence of critics, we disclaim any pretensions to a literary composition. But whilst we thus beg to apologise for the form, we feel bound to state that the substance has been derived from the most trustworthy sources, and to add, that we have spared neither time, trouble, nor expense in collecting all the information we deemed might be welcome, and calculated to facilitate a tour through Spain. Those who know that country will alone be able to appreciate our efforts in that respect, and the difficulties which in such cases are usually to be overcome. Our object has been to give, in a portable and convenient form, all necessary and practical information respecting a tour in Spain, with a clear and elaborate description of all the cities, historical associations, scenery, &c., of this beautiful country, one of the least trodden and most interesting in Europe. Although our acquaintance with Spain and Spaniards is not the result of a partial tour, or of a hurried glance, but that of, we may say, the best portion of our existence, we have studiously avoided |