Page:A Handbook for Travellers in Spain - Vol 1.djvu/20

[4] and security by carrying any prohibited goods with him. The objects most searched for are sealed letters and tobacco: if the lover of cigars has a considerable stock with him (a pound or so may pass), he is advised to declare it at once, pay the duty, and obtain a guia, or permit, which exempts him from further molestation. English fire-arms and gunpowder are prohibited. Sportsmen, however, who enter Spain from Gibraltar, may manage to introduce their own euns and ammunition.

As the Resguardos—the custom-house officers and preventive service—have a right to examine baggage, it is of no use to resist or lose time and temper; much more may be done by good humour, patience, civility, and a cigar: raise therefore no difficulties, but offer your keys, and profess the greatest readiness to have everything examined.

Duties.—As the tariff continually changes, travellers who wish to know the charges for foreign goods imported into Spain must consult the last edition of the Arancel de Aduanas, published at Madrid, and find out if any order has been issued which modifies the duties.

The money of Spain was assimilated to that of France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland, in 1868, when the Peseta of 4 Reals = 1 franc, was made the monetary unit.