Historia de Barcelona

Categoría: The St. James’s medley

  • Cumpleaños de la reina, La cabaña del tío Tom en el Principal, hedor insoportable de ajo

    To-day, being the birthday of the King [sic], there were fine doings at Barcelona amongst those who were connected with the court. In the morning, all the officials and towns-people, dressed in their best, attended a levée, which was held at the palace of the Captain-General. We walked on the sea wall, fronting the palace, where several regiments were drawn up, the bands of each corps performing some excellent pieces in honour of the day. Guns were fired from the bastions, and the vessels in the harbour were dressed with flags. The scene was very stirring and novel. All the festivities being over at an early hour, the bands of the several regiments proceeded to the Rambla, where they again performed to crowds of admiring Barcelonese. It was altogether a very interesting day, and one not likely often to be witnessed by a passing traveller.

    In the evening, we went to the Theatre Principal, which is partly supported by the Government, and in which the Spanish drama is performed. Here we saw a Spanish version of «Uncle Tom’s Cabin,» adapted to meet the tastes of a southern audience, with lots of stabbing and heroism, and English liberality. The hero, George, turned out to be an English captain, who brought a frigate and English soldiers to rescue his poor slave wife. Three reals was only charged as entrance to the stalls, which were comfortable seats; though the odour of garlic was almost unbearable. We were relieved by the arrival of the Tharsis steam-boat, in which we intended to leave on Monday next, for Valencia.

  • Aliviado un domingo aburrido por una éxitosa manifestación a favor de la lluvia

    Except the walk on the Rambla, there is really nothing going on on Sunday. The inhabitants of Barcelona observe the Sunday very closely; no business is transacted, though they amuse themselves after morning mass. The priests are all dominant here; we were told to-day they had for some days watched the downward progress of the barometer, and, as prayers had been offered up for rain, they beheld with delight the descent of the mercury. A few hours before the rain actually fell, the Archbishop and clergy passed out in procession, singing a dirge for rain; and before they had completed their walk, they had the satisfaction of finding themselves drenched to the skin, and returned to their various churches, declaring that a miracle had been performed.