Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/289

 A MINIATURE CALVARY

wand of industry in the hand of the Spirit of Progress; that she may be wakened from her dreamy lethargy, shake off the faded laurels won in driving forth the Moors, and seek fresh wreaths of glory in the arena of modern activity and enterprise. The kingdom which sent Columbus to our shores should be ashamed to play the laggard now. From Ronda we make our way in trains that are as leisurely as they are unluxurious, to fair Seville. At last, however, we reach our destination, and find ourselves upon the Great Plaza near the entrance to Seville's most famous street, the Calle de las Sierpes. We have arrived at the epoch of the great annual Fair or Feria, an event which brings hither from all corners of Spain and from many foreign lands, eager crowds of pleasure-seekers, showmen, travelers, and pickpockets. I had been warned by a Spanish gentleman to look well to my watch and valuables, while my friend had been urged in most serious terms to refrain from appearing in knickerbockers, lest he should be a cause of public tumult;