[3] What Lecky says about the seventh and following centuries might be applied to the religion of the upper classes in Spain to-day: “It is no exaggeration to say that to give money to the priests was for several centuries the first article of the moral code” (“History of European Morals,” ii. 216). [4] I know several cases of lads of fourteen or fifteen who return after working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the fields, to sit over their A B C and pot-hooks until they can keep their eyes open no longer, while the rest of the family look on and encourage the student. [5] One of the various local terms for what the guide-books call _olla podrida_--a universal dish in Spain. [6] Lecky, “History of European Morals,” ii. 213. [7] Sweet cakes and _patisserie_, the foundation of which is generally finely grated stale bread. [8] Two favourite sweetmeats. [9] From the Basque _ama_, a mother; applied to the head servant in the house of a priest or other man living alone. [10] Hume, “Modern Spain,” p. 550. [11] It is said--although I repeat the statement with all reserve--that there are “parish” doctors employed by the Municipality of Madrid who refuse to prescribe for a dying child unless the mother can show her marriage certificate. [12] “Modern Spain,” p. 563. [13] It was stated as a fact that nineteen men in one regiment had been shot for refusing to go into action, and an Ultramontane of my acquaintance, who never reads anything but the newspapers of his own party and never travels ten miles from his own village, solemnly assured me that the tale was true! [14] I was told at the time that many people in Madrid thought the bomb was thrown on behalf of the Pretender. [15] The names of the monastery and of all the people concerned were given me, but I refrain for obvious reasons from publishing them. [16] It is said that the Association of Social Defence promises its working men members a retaining fee of 3 pesetas a day should political exigencies compel them to leave their work at any time, the average labourer’s wages all over the country being from 1.50 to 2 pesetas. It has not been possible to obtain trustworthy information, either as to terms of membership or the actual numbers who have joined the league during the last twelve months, but there is evidence that it has no influence among the working classes generally. [17] I have been told by an English friend that a Spanish acquaintance of his has, to his knowledge, lately made a substantial sum by selling arms to the Religious Orders. [18] Most of them had been re-opened after Moret took office in October, 1909, as already mentioned. [19] This story evidently relates to the early days of the Cuban war. [20] This is not the only statement of the kind that I have heard. [21] “Modern Spain,” p. 531.