Juass, which royal residence, and when formed, seated themselves on the benches placed on both siles for that "purpose. They then heard was celebrated by the most excellent the archbishop of Laodicea, coadjutor of the archbishop of Seville, and deputy of that kingdom after which the following oath, which had been previously taken by that prelate, was administered by him, upon the book of the holy Evangelists, to all the most serene deputies: fulfil such great hopes, which were the more properly conceived, in proportion to the dig nified sincerity with which the most august proceeding which the nation has ever witnessed has been celebrated. The most sereng deputies being placed in their respective stations, and the President having pronounced a short but appropriate discourse, the Junta declared itself legitimately constituted, without any prejudice to the absentees, who, according to the agreement of yesterday, are to compose the Junta of government, in absence of our king and master Ferdinand VII. and ordered a literal certification of this act to be drawn up, and directed to the president of the council, for his information, and that of the tribunal, In the meantime communications are made to him of the last orders agreed on. MARTIN DE GAROY, General Secretary ad interim. Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Sept. 27, 1808. "You swear by God and his Holy Evangelists, and by Jesus Christ crucified, whose "sacred image you have here present, that in the employment and functions of a mein"ber of the Central Supreme Junta of go"vernment of the kingdom, you will defend and promote the preservation and increase of our Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Religion; that you will be loyal to, and defend our august sovereign Ferdinand VII, and his rights and sovereignty; that you will promote the preservation of our rights and privileges, our laws and usages, Buonaparte has deceived himself and us "and especially those relative to the succes very greatly if he do not make Catalonia the family, and those also scene of tremendous exploits before longe ticularly laid down in the His inain effort will certainly be made in the province of Biscay, and in the North West of the Peninsula; but the Eastern coast must expect its share of the convulsions attendant on the atrocities of the times. We have " sion the are Same laws and finally, that you will promote everything conducive to the general **welfare and happiness of this kingdom, and the amelioration of its customs, keep ing secret ever thing that should be so, proteculig the laws from every evil, and ** persecuting their chemies even at the hazard of your life, safety, and property?So I swear. "If you do so, God be your helper; and if not, may he punish you, as one who has taken bis holy name in vain. Amen." A solenin Te Deum was sung by the community of barefooted monks of St. Pasqual of this place; and this religious act being concluded, the Junta passed in front of the fine battalion of light troops of Valentia, which was formed in two files from the entrance of the chapel to the staircase of the royal palace, and adjourned to one of the principal halls destined at present for the sitting of the juntas. The opening of the gates of the royal palace, which had been so long shut, the inelancholy solitude of the magnificent habitation of our kings, and the remembrance of the epoch at which, and of the reasons for which, they were shut up, drew tears even trom the firmest of the spectators. The enthusiasm and interest felt by the people increased, when the inost serene deputies proceeded to the great gallery of the principal front of the palace, from which the actual president ad interim, Count Florida Blanca, again proclaimed King Ferdinand, and the people followed, often expressing by lively acclamaLions their joy, and the affections with which they were inspired by a body who were to already [Vide Panorama, Vol. IV. p. 1146] suggested some particulars relating to this pro vince; in the present paper we shall endea vour to complete them by original commu nications from another quarter. We begin our account with Lerida; A city, the walls of which are bathed by the Segra: this river, which forced Cæsar to dis. play the whole of those vast resources which distinguished his genius, presents the soldier who follows his course with an extensive field for meditation and study. From Siuda the first city in Catalonia on the side of Arragon, you next reach Cervera; a city which overlooks a spacious and fruitful plain. Not far from Cervera, is the mountain, of Cardonna, overed on the top with a forest of pines, and containing within its bulky sides an inexhaustible salt mine, on. which the rays of the sun play with such curious effect as to make it appear a quarry of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. This salt is hard enough even to admit of vases, uras, boxes, and various other utensils being formed of it. Having passed Iqualada, a city which offers nothing that can fix a traveller's attention, you teach Molin del Rey, a remarkable town for is picturesque situation, its numerous paper mills, and the beautiful bridge five hundred and fifty paces in length across the Lobregat, a rivulet which swells into a dangerous 106 rent after a day's rain, although you might wade across it in fine weather. an appearance of great neatness. Fortified-on the land side, this city is protected on the west by Mount Jouy, a lofty mountain crowned with a fortress, from the centre of which rises a signal tower. Between the fortress and the foot of the mountain are vineyards and houses which decorate its sides. On the eastern side the city is overlooked by a citadel Between Iqualda and Molin del Rey, you have on your left the prospect of MontSerrat, celebrated for its monastery, and the sixty friars whose virtues obtained praise even from a philosopher of the day. The archbishop of Auch, the bishops of Tarbes and Castres passed part of the season of perse-built by Philip V. the purpose of which cution in that retreat, and through their piety and resignation in adversity, acquired the esteem and veneration of their hospitable pro tectors. Like all churches in Spain, the convent of Mont-Serrat possesses immense property, aceumulated by the piety of the faithful. But who can explore that part of the mountain called the desert, without experiencing a sentiment of respect and admiration for those anchorets, who inhabit thirteen hermitages, built on the points of sharp rocks like so many pyramids, which give the mountain an aspect both hideous and picturesque? Those hermits are for the most part old officers or gentlemen, who having long been tossed on the stormy sea of the passions, seek and find true felicity in meditation and silence. These impending rocks, these delightful vallies, covered with cool shades and carpeted with rich verdure; these streams of limpid waters preeipitating themselves down the sharp edges of the rocks; the doleful croaking of birds of prey that keep slowly hovering over the black points of rocks that seem to reach the clouds; the soft melody of the nightingale, that breaks on the astonished ear; these hermits you meet prostrate before a cross placed at the entrance of some grotto; those contrasts plunge the soul in a delightful reverie, and sensations little short of divine. From Molin del Rey the distance is only four leagues to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. The road follows the banks of the Lobregat for some time, and afterwards leaves it meandring across a fruitful plain on the right. After having passed through several well built and opulent villages, we come to the covered cross; thus called from a lofty cross, placed under an arch supported by coJums. It is difficult to imagine a inor pleasant landscape and a more majestic prospect, than that which is discovered from this hill. To the right and left the sight loses itself on a plain covered with orange, lemon, olive, fig,and almond trees, set in rows, parting the different estates, or scattered about in the fields. Some pretty country houses and manufactories, the white walls of which reflect the rays of the sun, offer an agreeable contrast with the deep green of the trees. At the distance of a league, and directly opposite, stands the city of Barcelona. It seems as if fresh from the hands of the workmen: the houses painted white on the outside, give it seems rather to awe the inhabitants than to protect them: though it might answer this last intention if absolutely necessary. The sea on the south terminate the picture by a vast semicircular horizon. If, while going down the soft declivity that leads from the covered cross to Barcelona, we look behind us, the eye is agreeably engaged by a chain of mountains that border the plain on the north. The summit of those mountains is covered with groves of pine trees; the sides with vineyards in a high state of cultivation; the foot with villages and country houses farther than the eye can reach, vieing with each other in beauty and elegance. On Sundays and other festivals the inhabitants of Barcelona visit these country houses for diversion and pleasure. Whoever desires to meet with an instance of commercial activity and industry, let him visit Barcelona. Men think of, talk about, and concern themselves in, nothing but speculations; the merchants and manufacturers are crowded together. The city of Barcelona may easily be walked around in an hour, yet it contains 180,000 souls, and the churches, convents, and palaces are numerous, and cover much ground.. The trade of this city consists principally in wine and brandy with the north, in cotton, stuffs and paper with America. Holland alone draws, on an average, 80,000 pipes of wine or brandy yearly from Barcelona. Corn from the coasts of Africa, and flour from the United States of America form other branches of trade; but that with Turkey is abandoned. The Barcelonians supplied the Turks formerly with the caps they use instead of hats. The king invited them some years ago to resume that lucrative branch of trade, but they do not seem inclined to it. If the Barcelonians neglect much longer the cleansing of their port, before fifty years have elapsed, merchant ships will not be able to enter it. The river Lobregat at the west, and that of Besos at the east, bring down sands which the currents drift into the bay, where they form a bar which vessels of 400 tons burthen can scarcely get over. It is easy to perceive that the sea retires gradually: the little town of Barcelonette, built by the Marquis de la Mina, and separated from Barcelona by a bastion, the walls of which the sea bathed formerly, now appears to be land which the sea has abandoned. In the gale of the 228 Dec. 1802, the sea recovered on thre N. N. E. of Barcelonette a space of about thirty fathom of the ground it had quitted during the ten preceding years. Three houses were demolished by the waves. Had this retrograde movement of the sea any connection with the earthquake which was felt at that time from St. Petersburgh to Algiers? I leave this problem to the determi nation of the learned. The Dutch, feeling the advantage of preserving the port of Barcelona, proposed to the Spanish government to dig a new port in the plain between Mount Jouy and the city of Barcelona; this plain is now occupied by gardens which supply the inhabitants with vegetables. They offered to defray the expence, to build the quays, and in compensation for the funds they destined to it, they requested an exclusive privilege of exportation for thirty years. His catholic majesty did not think proper to accede to their proposal. Various plans have been presented since; but till this day they content themselves with the placing some (maries salopes) in the port, vessels employed to cleanse the ports, that do not take up in six months so much sand as an easterly or S. westerly gale brings in a few hours. At the time of their majesties' journey to BarceJona in 1802, the king, in return for the testimonies of affection shewn him by the Barcelonians, gare up soine duties on merchandize, on condition that their produce should be applied to the necessary works for the preservation of the port. The most remarkable public buildings are: -The custom-house, the front of which is built in marble. The great room of this edifice is allotted to the meeting of merchants at exchange hours, and serves as a ball-room during the carnival. Also the barracks, a very beautiful building, which may be considered as a sort of fortification to the city. These barracks, of an immense extent overlook the city walk, and one of the largest squares or places in Barcelona: they can only be entered by two gates, which are open on the sides and placed under two batteries that command the sea. Turn the guns and they would destroy the city. One of the gates opens toward the road leading to the fortress on Mount Jouy. The sovereigns of Spain are known to have employed every means to intimidate the Caalonians, whose restless and turbulent spirit has caused them to revolt several times. The courage and energy they displayed in the defence of Barcelona would have reflected credit on them, had they been legally employed. But that spirit of insurrection is quelled, and in the war of 1793 the Catalonians gave proofs of their loyalty and zeal. The situation, the walks, and the very air which is breathed at Barcelona, concur to make it one of the most pleasant residences. It might be wished that the word dines (money) were a little less frequent. That word it is said is the second that children are taught to pronounce; and Dios (God) the first. The wags go so far as to say, that these two words make but one in the Catalonian language. These who love to admire Roman monuments, ought not to quit Catalonia without going to Tarragona, where the Scipios dwelt. It is distant 25 leagues from Barcelona. Before reaching Villa Franca, about half way between Barcelona and Tarragona, the traveller should stop at the bridge of Llo danet: this bridge, of a stupendous and bold construction, jeins two lofty mountains over the top of which the road passes. An impetuous torrent rolls along between the two rocks with a dreadful noise. Two leagues before we reach Tarragona, we pass under a triumphal arch, admirably preserved to this day. The construction of this monument dates as far back as the reign of Trajan. Still following the high road, coasting the sea, appears a little wood of pine trees; where, on the right hand, in a semi-circular open place, we contemplate a tomb which the hand of time has not spared: two small shrubs which have taken root, and grown through the crevices, overshade this monument: the moss that covers it does not totally conceal two slaves in the attitude of grief. It is not known whose loss they are supposed to deplore. To this monument is attached the name of Scipio's Tomb. On reaching the top of the high mountain on which the city of Tarragona is built, after admiring the boundless prospect of the ocean, we may examine the walls of a palace of Augustus, which partly serve to enclose the building wherein the governor of the city lodges; we may also explore the remains of an amphitheatre, and read several inscriptions of a more modern date, on stones which the Emperor Charles V. placed in the bastions; and trace an aqueduct which supplied the inhabitants of the Roman Tarragona with wa ter from a distance of seven leagues. We have already spoken of the port which the citizens of Tarragona had undertaken. It required no less than the constancy and perseverance of Spaniards to surmount the natural obstacles to this work: but they are in a great measure overcome, and the inha bitants begin to enjoy the reward due to their labours. This city must necessarily deprive Barcelona in time of that trade which occasions its present prosperity. The port of Salon receives at present only the ships that come to take in the 40,000 pipes of wine or brandy which the city of Rens, about a league in land, experts annual ly. It is in this small but commercial city | crowned with redoubts. It was on the Flu that the most extensive glass houses of Catalonia are established. Switzerland and Italy are visited in quest of picturesque and striking prospects; but I think it difficult to find in those countries any thing more curions and variegated than the road from Barcelona to the Pyrenees, to which route we now return. A painter would stop at every step, and always find soare new landscape to delineate. Having travelled for the space of four leagues in the plain where Barcelona is built, we reach Mataro, a very pretty little town, surrounded with orchards, filled with orange, lemon, almond, and granate trees. Mataro carries on a considerable wine trade, and has several silk, cotton, and lace manufactories, which supply Spanish America with these articles On leaving Mataro, we quit the plain; the prospects now lose the monotony of their formier regularity, and become truly romantic. Ascending and descending hills covered with vineyards and country houses; crossing val lles filled with olive, orange, and fig trees; sometimes reaching the point of a rock we behold the sea several hundred fathoins below, and fear to be precipitated into it; but a winding in the road discovers a village, the houses of which are of a dazzling whiteness; with its fisheries in front and gardens behind. Having reached the bottom of the hill, and crossed this village, we are delighted with the Beatness and industry every house exhibits. At the doors we see children, and young girls, for the most part remarkably healthy and handsome, employed in making lace for the supply of the West Indies, and be guiling their labour with innocent songs. Happiness beams on their features, and sinplicity and candour in their deportment. The carriages and travellers that are for ever passing before them do not divert their attention for an instant. Such are the towns of Arend de Mar, Canet (this has a port and carries on trade with America), St. Pol, Callella and Pineda. At the distance of about half a league from the last we hid adieu to the sea, and enter a mountainous country, covered with green oaks, cork-trees (ulconorques), and farze. This gloomy prospect is often diversified by pleasant and fruitful vallies, and after having forded the river Tudara, we enter a plain, overlooked by the city of Girone, built on the declivity of hills, covered with forts and entrenchments. From Girone to Figueras is about four hours travelling across a well enltivated country; the military traveller may observe the position of Col de Riols, occupied by the Spanish army that defended the passage of the Fluvia, a river that meanders through a narrow valley at the foot of the hills, which the Spaniards -had | via that Don Joseph Urrutia stopped the progress of the invading army, and from the position of Col de Riols that he wished to undertake the plan he had conceived to drive back the French beyond the mountains: which project peace prevemed. We ford the Fluvia and reach Figueras, after two hours march. When we visit the castle of San Fernando, that masterpiece of fortification, the walls and all external works of which are built in free stone; and the barracks, infirmary, stables, storehouses, ramparts and even burying ground are caseinated; when we see that castle, which was defended by 8,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry, furnished with a numerous artillery, and supplied with plenty of provisions and ammunition, we ask how it could be possible that such place should have capitulated without firing a shot? When peace with France had been signed, the king of Spain ordered a Court of Inquiry into the conduct of the officer who commanded in San Fernando. He was sentenced to die, but instead of having his head placed on the gates of the place where he had disgraced himself, his catholic majesty commuted the sentence into perpetual banish ment. On quitting Figueras we cross à gìore of olive trees. The roval carabineers evinced there several times that the whole aring was not composed of such nien as the governor of San Fernando. After passing the bridge of Molins, we perceive a cross on the left; it marks the place where the count of La Union fell, as he was storming a battery which he had very nearly reached. That general was always true and brave, but his success was not constant. Following the Kigh road constantly overlooked by batteries which were erected either for the attack or defence of the two armies ? the mind is led to inquire what benefits remain to compensate for all that blood spilt for the good of the present and future generations? Some few more names inscribed on the registers of human immortality! "Af ter indulging a few melancholy refléxious--La Jonquieras, the last Spanish habitation, presents itself. Two hours are sufficient to pass from hence to Perthus, the first French village. Perthus lies at the foot of the fortress of Bellegarde,' the bastions and walls of which still bear the marks of Spanish valour, and the talents of Don Antonio Ricardos. Catalonia, which we have just quitted, was inhabited by the Goths and Alans, who named it Gothalonia. It measures seventy": leagues in length from east to west, and forty and forty-eight in its least and greatest breadth it has upwards of eighty leagues of coast along the Mediterranean. The climate is very healthy, and near the ast delightfully temperate in consequence of the sea breeze, which springs up at ten o'clock every morning, and ceases soon after sunset. The heat of the summer is very supportable; and the winter is scarcely felt on the sea shore, the mountains contiguous to the Pyrenees are covered with snow during the winter, and the cool breeze that blows from that part of the north contributes to the salubrity of the plains. The population of this principality amounts to about 1,400,000 souls, according to the calculation made some years ago. HYDROPHOBIA. To the Editor of the Literary Panorama. Sir,-As every thing relating to this dreadand though it has escaped your notice in ful malady may be interesting to the public, China (Vol. I. p. 44.), yet the following your review of Mr. Barrow's voyage to Cochin excerpt seems to claim attention; ---It shews that hydrophobia in the east is produced by the bite of various animals. "The Dutch doctors in Java," says Mr. B." are of opinion that certain cases of hydrophobia which have occurred, notwith This province is generally mountainous. Pine, chesnut, beech, and green oak trees are found on the mountains; corn is culti-standing no instance of canine madness was vated in the plains, but not in sufficient quantity for the consumption of the inhabitants. Catalonia abounds in marble, jasper, and alabaster quarries. Mines of silver, lead, iron, tin, alum and vitriol, are found there like wise.. MOUNTAIN ASH-TREE BEARING PEARS. We have already given the history of several unique or remarkable trees: the following may certainly be added to them. Report speaks of a mountain ash-tree in the forest near Bewdly bearing pears. This identical tree was described by Alderman Pitts of Worcester, in the Philosophical Transactions as long ago as the year 1678: it still flourishes in the forest of Wyre, near Bewdley, in full strength and beauty. A few years ago it was accurately and scientifically described by Mr. Sowerby in his English Botany, under the name of the Pyrus Domestica. The plate 350 of that useful and elegant work represents a branch of the tree bearing fruit 'and flowers, which was sent to the editor, as a specimen, by Lord Viscount Valentia, who then resided in the neighbourhood at his seat at Over Asley. This tree is, I believe, quite a rarity, and I think likely to remain so, as every endeavour to propagate it has hitherto failed of success. The country people call it the "Witty Pear Tree." ever known on the island, may be attributed to climate, and the state of the constitution as affected by it. The bite of the large Indian rat, commonly called the Bandicoot, is supposed to occasion hydrophobia and certain death. The bite of an euraged man is said to be as certain of producing hydrophobia as that of a mad dog; two cases of which had happened not long before our arrival. "A man, in a moment of rage which originated in a furious scuffle, bit another in the arm. Three days after the patient was attacked with fever, but no particular regard was had to the wound.. The surgeon observed that he was in a state of continued delirium; and that he had a strong aversion to water. On the fourth day the surgeon an entering the apartment, found him stab bing himself repeatedly with a knife. When a glass of water was presented to him, the most ghastly spasmodic convulsions were ob servable in his face, and over his whole body, accompanied with such a degree of terror that he exclaimed: "Water! Oh Jesus, have mercy on me!" This terror increased on wiping his bloody hands with a wet napkin, when, in convulsive agonies, he called out, "Oh God, water!" Perceiving. clearly that hydrophobia had supervened from), the bite received in anger, the surgeons resolved to treat him accordingly, but he died in the afternoon of the same day. It is probable that the seeds or saplings of this tree, it being out of the common course of nature, may not have prolific power suf- Pliny classes the bite of a man among ficient to propagate their species. We would the very worst of wounds given in this man recommend a trial of the Chinese method of ner. Dr. Le Dulx mentions, in the “Transtreating the branches; [compare article CHI- actions of the Batavian Society," several in». NA, in OBSERVANDA EXTERNA, of the pre- stances of hydrophobia succeeding to the sent Number] and if some of the most promi- bite of enraged animals, as the case of a boy, sing could be induced by careful management bit by a duck; and of a feeder of cocks, to take root, by that means, they would, no doubt retain the same powers as they posses who, being pecked in the hand by one of these animals in separating it from its antago sed while united, to the parent tree. This ap-nist, died under every symptom of hydropho pears to us to he the most probable mean of establishing this accidental specimen into a species! Query the morality of such a vioFation of the permanent laws of nature ? bia and madness.. The bite of the commons |