appetites.
The last time we saw her was in the Puerto del Sol, as she rode in a
carriage behind the royal vehicle, with a lady companion by her side, to
whom she was talking very earnestly, accompanying her words with the
most energetic and emphatic gesticulation of the right forefinger. The
more we heard of this woman, the less we could respect her; and yet we
were told by intelligent natives that she is to-day very popular in
Madrid, much more so than in other parts of the country. If this is
true, it is only a reflection upon the moral instincts of the people
themselves. The royal palace is located upon a slightly rising site, and
is so isolated as to give full effect to its fine architecture and
excellent general design. It is the only building of a remarkable
character, architecturally, in the city; which, for a European capital,
is in this respect very ordinary and plain. The Madrid palace is
undoubtedly the largest and finest in Europe, and belongs to the Tuscan
style. It cost between five and six millions of dollars a hundred years
ago. The base is granite, but the upper portion is built of a fine white
stone, closely resembling marble. The royal family being at home, as
well as the ex-queen being there, we could not visit the palace, but
were told of its interior magnificence, by those familiar with it. It
contains a rich chapel, library, and theatre, with a remarkably
beautiful collection of tapestries. The throne room is said to be
gorgeous and its ornaments of lavish cost. In the absence of the royal
occupants, strangers are admitted under proper auspices.

The Prado is to Madrid what the Champs Elysees and the Bois de Boulogne
are to Paris,--a splendid avenue, through the centre of which runs a
continuous walk and garden, with elaborate stone fountains, somewhat
similar to the Unter den Linden of Berlin, or Commonwealth Avenue,
Boston, save that it is more extensive than either. The Prado nearly
joins the Public Garden on the borders of the city, in which there are
also fine carriage drives, roadways for equestrians, many delightful
shaded walks, and paths lined with flowers, myrtles, groves, and
sweet-leaved hedges, intermingled with fountains, lakes, arbors,
refreshment houses, etc. On Sundays and fete days these grounds are
thronged with citizens and their families for out-door enjoyment,
riding, and driving. Here also several military bands are distributed,
adding to the accumulated attractions. There