In July 1808, the French, under General Thomières, robbed this church of Our Lady of Nazareth; their booty, in jewels and plate, was estimated at more than 200,000 cruzados. Jose Accursio das Neves, the Portugueze historian of those disastrous times, expresses his surprise that no means should have been taken by those who had the care of these treasures, for securing them in time. Care, however, seems to have been taken of the Great Diana of the Temple, for though it is stated that they destroyed or injured several images, no mention is made of any insult or damage having been offered to this. They sacked the town and set fire to it, but it escaped with the loss of only thirteen or fourteen houses; the suburb or village, on the beach, was less fortunate: there only four houses of more than 300 remained unconsumed, and all the boats and fishing-nets were destroyed.—_Historia da Invasam, &c._, t. 4. p. 85. * * * * * _Spreading his hands and lifting up his face, &c._—I. p. 8. My friend Walter Scott’s _Vision of Don Roderick_ supplies a singular contrast to the picture which is represented in this passage. I have great pleasure in quoting the stanzas; if the contrast had been intentional, it could not have been more complete. But, far within, Toledo’s Prelate lent An ear of fearful wonder to the King; The silver lamp a fitful lustre sent, So long that sad confession witnessing: For Roderick told of many a hidden thing, Such as are lothly utter’d to the air, When Fear, Remorse, and Shame, the bosom wring, And Guilt his secret burthen cannot bear, And Conscience seeks in speech a respite from Despair. Full on the Prelate’s face, and silver hair, The stream of failing light was feebly roll’d; But Roderick’s visage, though his head was bare, Was shadow’d by his hand and mantle’s fold, While of his hidden soul the sins he told, Proud Alaric’s descendant could not brook, That mortal man his bearing should behold, Or boast that he had seen, when conscience shook, Fear tame a monarch’s brow, remorse a warrior’s look. This part of the story is thus nakedly stated by Dr. Andre da Sylva Mascarenhas, in a long narrative poem with this title,—_A destruiçam de Espanha, Restauraçam Summaria de mesma_. _Achouse o pobre Rey em Cauliniana Mosteiro junto ao rio Guadiana._ _Eram os frades fugidos do Mosteiro Com receos dos Barbaros malvados, De bruços esteve el Rey hum dia inteiro Na Igreja, chorando seus peccados: Hum Monge veo alli por derradeiro A conhecer quem era, ouvindo os brados Que o disfarçado Rey aos ares dava, Este Monge Romano se chamava._