Robert Semple
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 56
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 edition. Excerpt: ...doubtful whether to proceed or halt here for the night, I was pressed to adopt the latter resolution, which I at length declared my, intention of doing. Immediately many offers were made me of accommodation for the night, and it was not until after strong entreaties that I was persuaded partly to accept of one of them. Having ordered a bed to be procured for me at the post-house, I accompanied one of the Spaniards, who appeared the most warm in his offers, to his own habitation: the name of this hospitable man was Don Francisco de Paula de Rovles: he had been a soldier in his earlier years, and had even served against the English, but his present enthusiasm was highly raised in fa-_ vour of that nation, ' which he declared he had never been able thoroughly to consider as hostile to his own. I found his house neat and well furnished, and was received by his wife with the utmost kindness and attention: in a short time a. dinner was set before me in a far more comfortable style than I had witnessed since leaving Lisbon; nor was it possible for my kind hostess sufliciently: to shew her attention;.h.e.r choicest fruits, her best conserves, the oldest wine, the bestliqueurs, were heaped upon the board, and I was pressed with almost more than Highland hospitality to taste of every delicacy. During my repast a most venerable priest entered the room, and seated himself without much ceremony in the principal seat: he entered: into conversation, and even deigned to join de Rovles and his wife in their lamentations for the fate of the English army, and its General, who had died in the Spanish cause. After a short pause, the Priest exclaimed, " I should like you English, well enough, but there are so few Christians among you: "--Such an...