CHAPTER IV.

MADRID.

The King, Queen, and Royal Family; Personal Appearance of Ferdinand; a Royal _Jeu d’esprit_; the King’s Confidence in the People, and Examples; Character of the King; a Carlist’s Opinion of the King; Favourites,--Calomarde,--Alegon,--Salsedo,--the Duque d’Higar; Rising Influence of the Queen; Habits of the Royal Family; Court Diversions; Rivalry of Don Carlos; the Queen’s Accouchement, and Views of Parties; Detection of a Carlist Plot; the Salic Law; Court Society; Persons of Distinction, and Ministerial Tertulias; Habits and Manner of Life of the Middle Classes; a Spanish House, and its Singular Defences; Abstemiousness of the Spaniards; Evening and Morning Visits; Balls and Spanish Dancing; Character of Spanish Hospitality; Spanish Generosity and its Origin; Examples of Ostentation; Morals; Gallantry and Intrigue; the Morals of the Lower Orders; Religious Opinions in the Capital, and Decline of the Priestly Influence; Jesuitical Education; the Influence of the Friars; Causes of the Decline of Priestly Influence, and the Continuance of that of the Friars; Convent Secrets; Curious Exposé at Cadiz; Devotion in Madrid 112