It is impossible to stir out of doors in Valencia, without being beset by beggars, and by others also more decent in appearance, resembling work-people: the latter are those persons who were formerly engaged in the silk manufactories, but who are now thrown out of work by the diminished trade that followed the loss of the colonies. As for the common beggars, I can only attribute their abundance in Valencia to the easy relief which they find at the convents. Formerly, throughout every part of Spain, the convents fed the poor, and fed idleness at the same time; but now, with the exception of the poor orders of friars, who still continue to give alms, this practice has been discontinued; and to this improvement, for I cannot call it by a better name, I am inclined to refer the fact, that in those cities which were formerly the most distinguished for the numbers of beggars by whom they were infested, I found few: and when in Valencia, I saw every street swarm with them, and every door beset by them; and when I learnt that this city was an exception to the rest of Spain, inasmuch as almost every one of the forty-nine convents distribute indiscriminate charity, it was impossible to avoid the conclusion, that this had the effect of encouraging idleness, and beggary along with it. In Valencia, every idle person is sure of his dinner; and he endeavours, by begging, to supply himself with a few of those superfluities which the convent does not provide for him. The church dignitaries, and the archbishop, give nothing to the poor. The revenues of the archbishop amount, at present, to about 17,000_l._ sterling per annum--an immense sum for Spain--and whatever part of this sum he can spare from his own expences, he employs in the erection and endowment of convents. It is only a year ago, since he endowed a new convent at the port of Valencia, the erection of which cost him forty thousand dollars--almost half a year’s revenue. Short-sighted man! twenty years more, and no trace of his ill-directed generosity will remain; but it is possible, that the wealth which he destines to maintain a corrupt system, to foster idleness, and dim the light of knowledge, may, before half a century pass away, be directed into other channels, and be employed in disseminating truth, and supporting useful institutions. Let us hope that it may be so.