When I came to the outward Court, I met with a _Spanish_ Gentleman of my Acquaintance, and we went into the _Piazza's_; whilst we were talking there, I saw several Gentlemen passing by having Badges on their Breasts; some white, some red, and others green: My Friend informed me that there were five Orders of Knighthood in _Spain_. That of the Golden Fleece was only given to great Princes, but the other four to private Gentlemen, _viz_. That of _Saint Jago, Alacantara, Saint Salvador de Montreal_, and _Monteza_. He likewise told me, that there were above ninety Places of Grandees, but never filled up; who have the Privilege of being cover'd in the Presence of the King, and are distinguished into three Ranks. The first is of those who cover themselves before they speak to the King. The second are those who put on their Hats after they have begun to speak. The third are those who only put on their Hats, having spoke to him. The Ladies of the Grandees have also great Respect show'd them. The Queen rises up when they enter the Chamber, and offers them Cushions. No married Man except the King lies in the Palace, for all the Women who live there are Widows, or Maids of Honour to the Queen. I saw the Prince of _Asturia's_ Dinner carried through the Court up to him, being guarded by four Gentlemen of the Guards, one before, another behind, and one on each Side, with their Carbines shoulder'd; the Queen's came next, and the King's the last, guarded as before, for they always dine separately. I observed that the Gentlemen of the Guards, though not on Duty, yet they are obliged to wear their Carbine Belts. _SAINT Isodore_, who from a poor labouring Man, by his Sanctity of Life arrived to the Title of _Saint_, is the Patron of _Madrid_, and has a Church dedicated to him, which is richly adorned within. The Sovereign Court of the Inquisition is held at _Madrid_, the President whereof is called the Inquisitor General. They judge without allowing any Appeal for four Sorts of Crimes, _viz_. Heresy, Polygamy, Sodomy and Witchcraft, and when any are convicted, 'tis called the Act of Faith. Most People believe that the King's greatest Revenue consists in the Gold and Silver brought from the West Indies (which is a mistake) for most Part of that Wealth belongs to Merchants and others, that pay the Workmen at the Golden Mines of _Potosi_, and the Silver Mines at _Mexico_; yet the King, as I have been informed, receives about a Million and a half of Gold. The _Spaniards_ have a Saying, that the finest Garden of Fruit in _Spain_ is in the middle of _Madrid_, which is the _Plaza_ or Market Place, and truly the Stalls there are set forth with such variety of delicious fruit, that I must confess I never saw any Place comparable to it; and which adds to my Admiration, there are no Gardens or Orchards of Fruit within some Leagues.