"King Philip built El Escorial as his tomb. Today, it stands a gray and gloomy monument upon a barren hill, and in its vaults are buried the kings and queens of Spain.
"Among the marble tombs, there is one which looks like a round, white birthday cake. It is the tomb of the children—young princes and princesses.
"King Philip watched the building of this immense palace from a rocky seat on a hill above. And later when he was very ill, he used to lie in his bedroom next to the chapel and listen to the church services.
"Ho, hum! I am a sleepy, lazy old clock. But then, all clocks in Spain grow lazy, for we are seldom used. Everybody is always late.
"Yet here is a funny thing. I have been told that Spain produces more quicksilver than any other country. Think of that! Quicksilver!"
| PILAR LOOKED AT THE FAN |
The Faded Fan From Valladolid
"I am a fan. I belonged to a lady who lived in the town of Valladolid (väl´yä-thō̍-lēth´). It was built by a Moor named Olid, and was called Valle de Olid, Valley of Olid.
"The names of many important men are connected with Valladolid. King Philip II was born there. The Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, were married there. Cervantes (sẽr-văn´tēz), the author of 'Don Quixote' (dō̍n kē̍-hō´tā̍), that famous Spanish romance, lived there; and Christopher Columbus died there."
The Saucy Bonnet From Segovia