[7] Vale of Avoca.
[8] These verses are adapted to a Spanish glee, usually sung by the muleteers, and set for four voices. Those who have been in Spain during the British war there, will recollect the air by the following popular gingle, sung mostly by the muleteers while travelling.
“General Morillo
E su division,
Rumpe la cabeçà
De Napoleon.”
Tre lo ri, tri lo, &c.
[9] Cooking-pots.
[10] These were not, properly speaking, the true Spanish bull-fights, for there was not a convenient place for such an entertainment; but exhibitions much less harmless and more exhilarating. The four gates of the square were shut at twelve o'clock in the day, enclosing a vast concourse of people within an area of about the same extent as one of the smaller squares in London, on each side of which the houses were supported by piazzas. At a given signal, one of seven bulls was let in amongst the people, who fled, of course, at his approach, with the exception of two or three expert men, armed with a small dart and a red cloak; the latter to deceive the animal and cover his eyes, as he fiercely ran at it; while the former was to serve as an irritating instrument against him, in order to increase his fury. When the animal was quite wearied with running after the populace, he was withdrawn, and another bull, fresh and fierce, was let in. Thus they continued until six o'clock; and, considering the nature of the exhibition, it is astonishing that but few received any injury.
[11] Several French prisoners of war (chiefly surgeons) appeared that night in the ball-room, and mingled as cordially with their enemies as if they had been their best friends.
[12] The midshipmen who commanded these parties, were all steady officers of not less than four or five-and-twenty years of age.
[13] Alas! Flushing.
[14] On the night succeeding the surrender of Flushing, the most terrific thunder-storm raged for several hours.
[15] Another case of rank cowardice, hooded with boasting and swaggering, will be found in the sketch entitled “A Rough Passage to Portugal,” at another part of this work.