“The edges of the Rock on all sides are tunnelled: and these galleries form a series of casemates, with embrasures, or port-holes, every thirty or forty yards, through which the great guns are pointed. These galleries are in tiers, or stories, and there are miles of them. They were made just before the French Revolution began, nearly a hundred years after the English got possession.”
“They must have cost a pile of money,” suggested Murray.
“Yes; and it costs a pile of money to support them,” added the doctor. “Five thousand troops are kept here in time of peace. Some British statesmen have advocated the policy of giving or selling the Rock to Spain; for it has been a standing grievance to this power to have England own a part of the peninsula. But in other than a military view the Rock is valuable to England. Whatever wars may be in progress on the face of the earth, her naval and commercial vessels can always find shelter in the port of Gibraltar.”
“But I don’t see how it could prevent ships of war from entering the Mediterranean Sea,” added Sheridan.
“I doubt whether it could ever do that except by sheltering a fleet to do the fighting; for no gun in existence could send a shot ten or twelve miles,” replied the doctor.
By this time the party had reached the entrance of the galleries, and they went in to view what the surgeon had described. The students were amazed at the extent of the tunnels, and the vast quantities of shot and shell piled up in every part of the works; at the great guns, and the appliances for handling them. They walked till they were tired out; and then the party descended to the town for a lunch.
“This isn’t much of a city,” said Murray, as they walked through its narrow and crooked streets to Commercial Square, where the hotels are located.
“I believe the people do not brag of it, though it contains much that is interesting,” replied the doctor. “You find all sorts of people here: there are Moors, Jews, Greeks, Portuguese, and Spaniards, besides the English. This is a free port, and vast quantities of goods are smuggled into Spain from this town.”
They lunched at the Club-House; and it was a luxury to sit at the table with English people, who do not wear their hats, or smoke between the courses. After this important duty had been disposed of, the party walked to the alameda, as the Spaniards call it, or the parade and public garden as the English have it. It is an exceedingly pleasant retreat to an English-speaking traveller who has just come from Spain, for every thing is in the English fashion. It contains a monument to the Duke of Wellington, and another to General Lord Heathfield. The party enjoyed this garden so much that they remained there till it was time to go on board of the ship.
Three days were spent at the Rock, and many courtesies were exchanged between the sailors and the soldiers. The students saw a review of a brigade, and the officers were feasted at the mess-rooms of the garrison. The principal was sorely tried when he saw the wine passing around among the military men; but the students drank the toasts in water. In return for these civilities, the officers were invited on board of the vessels of the squadron; the yards were manned; the crews were exercised in the various evolutions of seamanship; and a bountiful collation was served in each vessel. Everybody was happy.