Gateway of Fuenterrabia
The Gentleman here stopt, and I found he had related his little History with great Ingenuity. I thank’t him for it, and offer’d these Ladies my Endeavours, and those of my Friends, to appease their Family: Which Offers they accepted, and testifi’d their Acknowledgments.
Some Ladies of the Town, who came to see me, wou’d stop me; they proposed to me to go to the Religioses, whose Convent is so pleasantly situated, that the Prospect has no Bounds: You may see thence, at the same time, the Sea, Ships, Towns, Woods and Fields. They spake much in praise of the Voices, Beauty, and good Humour of these Religioses. Add to this, that the ill Weather was so increast, and the Snow fal’n in so great abundance, that no body advised me to proceed in my Journey. I was in suspence a while, but the Impatience I had to be at Madrid, prevail’d over all these Considerations, and I parted the next Morning. I have receiv’d of my Banker the Money I want.
But I must not forget to tell you, That the Inhabitants of this Town have a particular Priviledge, and of which they are not a little proud; which is, That when they Treat of any Affairs with the King of Spain, and that it is directly with him, he is oblig’d to speak with them bareheaded. I could not get the Reason from ’em for this.
I am told I must furnish myself with good store of Provision, to prevent starving in some places through which we must pass; and Gammons of Bacon, dried Tongues, being much esteem’d in this Country, I have therefore taken up a good quantity; and as to the rest, we have sufficiently provided. Now this being the Post-day, I would not omit this occasion of informing you of what has hapned to me; and testifying, that I am,
Yours.
From St. Sebastian,
Feb. 20, 1679.