[Gutenberg 63020] • Madrid · an historical description and handbook of the Spanish capital

This illustrated volume was published in 1909 and is part of the

Spanish Series.

From the Preface:

Madrid is but a nursling among the cities of

Spain. Marius Fulvius laid siege to Toledo

nearly two centuries before the birth of Christ,

and it is not until a thousand years later that

we find the first historical mention of Madrid.

London, under the title of Augusta, was one of

the most important towns of Britain more than

five hundred years before Don Ramiro II. of Leon

razed Majerit, as it was then called, in 939.

This is the first authoritative reference we have

to Madrid. In 1540, Charles V. abandoned the

time-honoured capitals of Valladolid, Seville,

Zaragoza, and Toledo, to nurse his gout in the

brisk, rarefied air of Madrid. In 1560 the city

was declared " the only Court " by Philip IL,

and styled " Imperial y Coronada, muy noble y

muy leal" ; Ferdinand VII., in 1814, added the

words " y muy heroica."

Despite the flattering and dignified official

epithets that have been bestowed upon it, Madrid

possesses many natural features which militate

against its popularity as a residential centre ;

but, despite its isolated and elevated position

and the treacherousness of its climate, the

city has not deserved the strictures that have

been passed upon it by captious and prejudiced

critics. For Madrid is a city of broad thorough-

fares, magnificent public buildings, and handsome

houses ; and, since it has been rescued from its

geographical remoteness by being made the

centre of the Spanish railway system, it has

become one of the most accessible and prosperous

capitals of Europe.

In devoting a volume to an historical and

descriptive account of Madrid, I am not only

fulfilling a duty which could not be neglected

in any serious attempt to make this Spanish

Series useful and comprehensive, but I am also

inspired with a hope of being able to dissipate

many of the erroneous and defamatory impressions

that are current with regard to the Spanish

capital. I have approached the task from the

standpoint of a resident writing for visitors to

the city, and if my notes are biassed in favour

of my subject, I can only say that I have a sincere

liking and admiration for the city, and I have

spoken of its people as I have found them. The

Spanish metropolis is modern ; it is imbued

with the principles of modem progress ; and

while one never ceases to rejoice in the unfalter-

ing, unchanging adherence to an immemorial

past, characteristic of Toledo, one may feel an

interest, equally keen and appreciative, in the

spirit of new Spain which is to be found in Madrid.

Not the least pleasant part of an author's

privilege in penning a preface is the opportunity

it affords him of acknowledging the assistance

and courtesy he has received in the accomplish-

ment of his task. To Mr W. Gallichan my thanks

are due for assistance received in the compilation,

and I am also grateful to Senor Don J. Lacoste

and Messrs - Hauser y Menet for their kindness

in permitting me to reproduce many of the

illustrations that adorn this little book.

A. F. C.

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CONTENTS

I.