At one time, indeed, the combination of untoward circumstances before alluded to, added to the loss of our extensive trade with Oran and Algiers--(occasioned by the imposition of prohibitory duties since the North of Africa became a French Colony)--and the vigilance of the _farmer_ who _rented_ the preventive cordon--himself an old smuggler--threatened annihilation to the trade of Gibraltar. But, at the present day, it once more "looks up:" smuggling, thanks to the lawless state of Spain, having again furnished occupation to the hardy mountaineers of Ronda and Granada, who, careless what may be the _form_ of Government at Madrid provided its authority does not extend to Andalusia, so as to prevent their having free access to the Calicoes and Tobacco of "_La Plaza_",[24]--have been alternately crying _Viva la Constitucion_ and _Viva el Rey absoluto_, for the last eighteen years. Having now, for the present, concluded my remarks upon Gibraltar, I will embrace the opportunity,--though "Almanzor" has already been kept an unconscionable time ready saddled--of saying a few words of these rude _Serranos_,[25] ere I take my reader amongst them. Smugglers by birth, education, and inclination, it could hardly be expected that they should be distinguished by the possession of any very resplendent virtues. Nevertheless, they are characterized by temperance, honesty, (apart their profession) hospitality, and noble-mindedness. Hardy and enduring, though generally averse to the occupation of husbandry, they can scarcely be termed indolent, since their favourite pursuit is one which exposes them to great fatigue. Proverbially vain, and supremely ignorant, they look upon their country as the first in the world, themselves as its bravest inhabitants: in the latter supposition, being perhaps nearly as far from the truth as in the former; their courage, such as it is, being rather of the tiger kind. Superstitious beyond all belief, and priest-ridden to the last degree, still their naturally caustic and witty temperament cannot be so bridled as to deter them from indulging in jokes and pleasantries, even at the expense of the ceremonies of their church, or the peccadilloes of their ghostly fathers. As I have stated before, they concern themselves but little with politics; but, having a most radical distaste for every species of taxation, the government that troubles them least in this particular--that is, which has the _least power_ of levying its dues--is naturally the most popular. In the eventful period in Spanish History, during which I mixed constantly with the natives of all classes, I found the _Serranos_ by turns _Realistas_,--_Constitucionalistas_,--_Serviles_,--_Liberales_, --_Moderados_,--and _Exaltados_: their opinions invariably changing for or against the existing [dis]order of things, according to the strength of the preventive cordon drawn round Gibraltar, and the support given to the local authorities in exacting the payment of taxes.