We are now full of warlike reports; Juntas of Realistas; four thousand are to march from this province, and two hundred valientissimos from Sevilla, who will eat Dom Pedro in a Gaspacho They say that the Spaniards are determined to interfere, which will very much interfere with my remaining in Spain; but I hope, if you think the horizon cloudy and bad for a gentleman’s health, that you will give me a timely hint, to get a little sea-bathing at Gibraltar. Spaniards deal so much in hyperbole, that one never knows what to believe; they say that you and the Frenchman have taken down your arms (if the Frenchman did his tombstones and cocks it would be no bad thing). They also say that Sartorius[31] has taken Dom Miguel’s ships, all except the large one. These news came per London steamer. However, the Realistas are certainly in a bustle; of that there can be no doubt, and it looks warlike. God help poor fallen Spain! The cholera and a French army marching in at once, and the plentiful crop of weeds which will sprout up out of the earth, like the armed men of Cadmus. The Liberals and discontented are overjoyed; they are like Mother Cary’s chickens, which only come out when there are symptoms of foul and dirty weather. I wish Dom Pedro was hung in the Tripas of Dom Miguel, as the Spaniards say of the English and French. Many thanks for your passport for Don Luis. He has written a letter to me, full of thanks for your good nature to him, and will no doubt draw your portrait gratis. We have nothing new here. Colonel Buller talking incessantly and unceasingly of his uniform; if he does not make haste, they will declare war before he gets it. His friend Mr. Horner sits in a corner. There have been magnificent doings at the Alhambra, and I hear that Dionysia’s dress and magnificence are the talk of the town. Travelling is quite safe, as José Maria is looking after the robbers instead of being looked after. Sevilla, Sept. 19 [1832]. By desire of Don José I enclose you an account of the gay doings in the Alhambra in honour of His Serene Highness Don Francisco de Paula. You may depend upon it that, in knocking up their trumpery lamps and chandeliers, they have cruelly injured the beautiful Moorish stucco, and probably have whitewashed over the little remnants of its former gilding. We have the supreme felicity of being honoured by the royal presence, and have had a grand bull-fight (the cause and effect), given by the Maestranza,[32] in which Don Rafael Gusman (a descendant of Gusman el Bueno) killed a bull, who, in his dying spring, bounded over the barrier and died between it and the spectators, a lance aficionados [enthusiasts] as algo raro [somewhat unusual], and much applauded by His Highness and the Majos of Seville. This occupies much conversation, of course, and Dom Pedro and the cholera are at a discount. As to Doms Miguel and Pedro, even the Spaniards are disgusted at their want of fight. What two blackguards, to disturb the peace of the Peninsula!