Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIX. SALAMANCA. VALLADOLID. When we arrived at Medina, we found that we had an hour-and-a-half to wait. We were bound for Salamanca. This ancient city lies on a branch line, and is only reached by one train each day. With characteristic indifference to the convenience of passengers, this train arrives at 4.30 a.m. Tired and cold we settled ourselves in the waiting room at Medina el Campo, to get through the time as best we might. I entered into conversation with a French gentleman wearing the ribbon of the Legion of Honour. He was carrying a small photographic apparatus, and had taken a large number of views in all parts of Spain. He told me he had been trying to travel with the help of Delavigne's Guide Diamant and that it was the worst guide he had ever used. He said he knew the author and intended to advise him to travel with his own guide-book. I think if he follows that advice he will make an unsatisfactory tour. I have used a good many of the Joanne series and "Spain and Portugal" is decidedly the worst. Presently our attention was attracted by a man in a dirty white blouse who was talking in a loud voice for the benefit of the passengers. That his face and hands were filthy might perhaps be due to the fact that he was travelling through the night, but there was a general dirtiness and shagginess about him which was evidently habitual with him. He spoke very fluently and his arguments went to prove that Spain was the greatest country in the world. Someone mentioned America. "You talk of America," said the shaggy one, "Why it is due to the Spanish Christopher Columbus that America is not at this moment an uncultivated waste. No, Spain is the great country of the world--where do you find the greatest tenacity of purpose, the deepest philosophy...
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