Page:A Handbook for Travellers in Spain - Vol 1.djvu/24

[8] The quickest way to get anything sent from England to Madrid, or vice versâ, is by Messrs. John Hall’s steamers, No. 1, New London Street, by the direct line from Lisbon to Madrid by Malpartida.

Heavy luggage may be sent from Madrid to England, viâ Seville, care of Messrs. MacAndrews and Co. It must be registered at the Atocha Terminus.

Packages may be sent to France through MM. Garrouste, 14, Calle de Tetuan. London agents, Messrs. Sutton and Co., Golden Lane, City.

The Railroad (Ferro Carril, or Camino de Hierro) now connects most of the principal cities of Spain (see Map). Whilst in 1848 only 18 Eng. miles of rail were open, in 1863 the mileage had increased to 2216; and now it may be estimated, according to the statement given by the Director of Public Works, that 7739 kilometres are open to public traffic; 1800 kilometres are now (1882) in construction. The rlys. of Spain were constructed principally by means of French capital, and at an enormous cost. They are, perhaps, the worst constructed and the worst managed lines in the world, and are dear, dirty, and dilatory.

Although the pace is slow compared with other parts of Europe, yet the advantage they afford in a quick transit over such dreary regions as the plain of Castile and La Mancha is immense. On most lines only 2 trains run in the 24 hours, and the fine scenery is often passed in the dark. The stoppages are frequent and long, and the delays at junction stations often wearisome, and of many hours’ duration. Some of the best stations are very poor, and the secondary stations are often mere hovels. The extreme filthiness of every place to which railway servants and passengers of every class have access in common is much to be deplored. In most of the trains a first-class carriage is set apart for ladies only, marked “Reservado para Señoras.” A well-ordered closet carriage, one for men and one for women, is attached to most trains. Travellers who object to smoking will be glad to know that every train is provided with a first-class carriage reservado para los no fumadores. Luggage robberies on railways are not uncommon; it is therefore better not to put money or valuables into the trunks which go in the van. Passengers are allowed to take a portmanteau or small amount of luggage in the carriage with them, which, if pressed for time, will be a great convenience, and enable them to avoid the long and weary delays at the station before the luggage is got ready. Travellers are advised to buy the official railway guide, published monthly, Indicador de los Caminos de Hierro de España y Portugal, price 2 reals. It may be had at the railway stations and libraries.

The principal stations are provided with Buffets; a good dinner, and plenty of time to eat it, are provided every four or five hours.

Since the introduction of the railway system into Spain, there has been a marked development in the construction of high-roads also; thus, whilst the total length of roads existing in Spain in 1855 was only 5920 Eng. m., it may be calculated that more than double that