north [and, of course, that the Norths had to take a northerly course]. As one who had come almost direct from the neighbourhood of the Spanish war then raging on the north-east coast of Africa, between Spain and Morocco, it would be expected that some opinion should be given. Of the effect of the war the newspapers had told them, but what the war was about or what the object professedly in view was, he doubted if the great bulk of the Spaniards themselves could explain. Centa, a sort of African Gibralta on a small scale, had been for some centuries a kind of advanced post for Spain on the coast opposite to our own rock fortress, from which it was distant only a few hours’ sail. They possessed no more territory around it than we had on the north side of the Strait; and for all purposes of utility beyond that of warlike exercise, might as well be without it. But there was a rooted hatred between Spaniards and Moors, dating, probably from before the Gothic Kings. Well, Spain had now for some time – at all events, since she had had a settled Government under Queen Isabella – been feeling herself to be behind hand amongst European Nationalities. She was now led by an Irish Prime Minister; for, O’Donnell, though a Spanish grandee, was of Milesian extraction, and he probably thought the most rapid road to European distinction was by the sword. Latterly too, the finances of Spain had begun to improve; and this new state of things was so agreeable, that, like spendthrifts in private life, she sought an opportunity of shining before the world in preference to paying her debts. It was reported that Spain wished to send her quota to the allied army in the Crimea, and it was notorious that she offered to take the military charge of Rome if Louis Napoleon had withdrawn his troops. The crusade on the African coast, the lecturer thought had been unwisely undertaken; but the nation was positively mad on the subject. They were as ready to fight Moors of Morocco as their ancestors, under the most Catholic Sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella, were to encounter those of Grenada. The Spanish priesthood too, though shorn of their former great revenue, and occupying a far less influential status than in the olden time, encouraged this feeling and seemed to heartily throw themselves into the movement. They were warring for an “idea”, and they hardly knew what. It was said that the thoughtful statesmen of Spain had a feeling that a great national movement would tend to raise the Spanish character, and so encouraged this otherwise objectless expedition by way of exciting the energies of the people. His (the lecturer’s) party, was at Malaga and at Cadiz, in the thick of the military movements. It was sad to see the sick returning by ship-loads to find very little hospital accommodation. At Malaga the crier was sent round to beg the loan of beds, linen and other necessaries for the wounded from such of the wealthy as were patriotically or humanely dis-
