Spanish Life in Town and Country, Including Portuguese Life in Town and Country

Book excerpt: Given plenty of water, and Madrid is an ideal place for flowers. Such carnations as those which are grown in the nursery gardens there are never seen elsewhere-they are a revelation in horticulture; nor are the roses any less wonderful. The bouquet with which a Spaniard, whether hidalgo or one of your servants, greets your birthday is generally a pyramid almost as tall as yourself. It needs to be placed in a large earthenware jar on the floor, and if you should be happy enough to have a good many friends, there is scarcely room for anything else in your gabinete. -from "Chapter IV: Spanish Society" At the turn of the 20th century, British and American tourists and travelers were only just beginning to explore the beauty of Spain and acquaint themselves with her people. This ode to a romantic and-in 1902, when this volume was published-increasingly cosmopolitan nation is a wonderful introduction to the nation at the time, exploring the land and its inhabitants, popular amusements, politics and government, commerce and agriculture, religion and education, arts and literature, the etiquette at the royal court, the position of women, the wonders of Madrid, and much more. Also included: chapters on "Portuguese Life in Town and Country" by Eugene E. Street. OF INTEREST TO: students of European culture, armchair travelers