Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/239

 MALAGA.

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��The children crowd around him while he takes from a green box strapped over his shoulder, a tube made of light paste, on one end of which he puts a white foamy substance, composed of the whites of eggs and sugar. At this juncture, the little ones become frantic and jostle each other in a most uncer- emondius manner, in their eagerness to possess the delicate morsel. Each one is served and the poor old man goes on his way rejoicing ever the few quart as which will buy his daily bread. Barquillos are also obtained at restau- rants as an accompaniment for ices, and seem to be relished by children of a larger growth, as well as others.

The business of the ware houses commences at an early hour and con- tinues through the day ; carts drawn by mules are constantly passing while the industrious little donkeys may be seen marching in a line, following their lead- er, who has a bell to announce his coming. During the vintage, long lines of donkeys laden with boxes of raisins come from the vineyards, horses never being used excest in cabs and private carriages. The cab horses are poor, old animals which seem to have lived as long as nature intended, but are kept alive by some mysterious agency, and by dint of much urging and whip- ping manage to move at a slow pace. One day, when we were taking a drive, the horse suddenly stopped and the driver dismounted. To our inquiry, as to the cause of delay he replied, "no es nada" (it is nothing), resumed his seat and we started again, but had not pro- ceeded far when the animal absolutely refused to go ; this time we insisted up- on alighting and were coolly informed that the horse was only a little cansado (tired). Many more instances might be cited illustrating the manner in which dumb animals are abused in a country where there are no laws pro- hibiting it, or if such laws exist they are not enforced.

The animation prevailing through the day by no means diminishes as night approaches, although of a very different character. At twilight, the higher classes sally forth to the Alame-

��da or Muelle (mole), to enjoy the re- freshing breeze from the sea, while those of lower estate seek some place of rendezvous and indulge in their idle gossip. An occasional troubadour steals to some obscure corner and sends forth plaintive sounds from his faithful guitar, not unfrequently some youthful swain is inspired to add the charms of his voice, and the "Malague- nas" bursts forth in all its primitive sweetness. The enthusiasm of the Spaniards on hearing their national airs is something remarkable, they become quite wild with excitement and applaud in the most vociferous manner. For- eigners, also, who have spent some time in the country, share this enthusi- asm, which seems to be caused more by a certain rhthymical peculiarity, than by any extraordinary merit of the mu- sic itself.

The romantic days of Spain are past, when the lover stood beneath the bal- cony of his sweetheart, wooing her with the gentle strains of his guitar. To us it seems a matter of regret that this ancient custom no longer exists, but it undoubtedly relieves many anxious parents as it particularly favored clan- destine courtships. A Spanish gentle- man of our acquaintance who is blessed with seven daughters, and occupies a house containing twenty balconies, congratulates himself upon the- change in love-making as it would be impossi- ble to keep watch over all, even by constantly rushing from one balcony to another. At the present day the suitor is admitted to the salon, where he may converse with the object of his affec- tions, but always in the presence of her parents. Spanish mammas would be shocked at the freedom allowed Amer- ican girls in receiving visits from the opposite sex and accepting their escort to places of entertainment.

The feast of Corpus Christi was cele- brated in Malaga with much eclat. For two weeks previous preparations were going on for the fair, which takes place at this time, booths being ar- ranged on one side of the Alameda and filled with a variety of articles, useful and ornamental, calculated to please

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