I cannot here omit an accidental Conversation, that pass'd between General _Mahoni_ and my self in this Place. After some talk of the Bravery of the _English_ Nation, he made mention of General _Stanhope_, with a very peculiar _Emphasis_. "But," says he, "I never was so put to the Nonplus in all my Days, as that General once put me in. I was on the road from _Paris to Madrid_, and having notice, that that General was going just the Reverse, and that in all likelyhood we should meet the next day: Before my setting out in the Morning, I took care to order my gayest Regimental Apparel, resolving to make the best Appearance I could to receive so great a Man. I had not travell'd above four Hours before I saw two Gentlemen, who appearing to be _English_, it induc'd me to imagine they were Forerunners, and some of his Retinue. But how abash'd and confounded was I? when putting the Question to one of 'em, he made answer, _Sir, I am the Person_. Never did Moderation put Vanity more out of Countenance: Tho' to say Truth, I cou'd not but think his Dress as much too plain for General _Stanhope_, as I at that juncture thought my own too gay for _Mahoni_. But," added he, "that great Man had too many inward great Endowments to stand in need of any outside Decoration." Of all Diversions the King takes most delight in that of Shooting, which he performs with great Exactness and Dexterity. I have seen him divert himself at Swallow shooting (by all, I think allow'd to be the most difficult) and exceeding all I ever saw. The last time I had the Honour to see him, was on his Return from that Exercise. He had been abroad with the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_, and alighted out of his Coach at a back Door of the Palace, with three or four Birds in his Hand, which according to his usual Custom, he carried up to the Queen with his own Hands. There are two Play-houses in _Madrid_, at both which they act every Day; but their Actors, and their Music, are almost too indifferent to be mentioned. The Theatre at the _Bueno Retiro_ is much the best; but as much inferior to ours at _London_, as those at _Madrid_ are to that. I was at one Play, when both King and Queen were present. There was a splendid Audience, and a great Concourse of Ladies; but the latter, as is the Custom there, having Lattices before them, the Appearance lost most of its Lustre. One very remarkable Thing happen'd, while I was there; the _Ave-Bell_ rung in the Middle of an Act, when down on their Knees fell every Body, even the Players on the Stage, in the Middle of their Harangue. They remained for some Time at their Devotion; then up they rose, and returned to the Business they were before engag'd in, beginning where they left off.