rchment; two
bibles of the seventh century, one of which belonged to St. Isidore; the
missal used by Charles the Fifth in the monastery of Yuste; the poems of
Dante, manuscript of the poet's time, with illustrations; the laws of
Alonso the Tenth (surnamed the wise), and a volume of his poetical
works, with the music opposite those intended to be sung: two ancient
Chinese volumes, one on botany, the other on natural history, both
illustrated.

The next edifice I visited was the Alcazar, the largest and most
conspicuous building in Toledo. I expected to find there some Arab and
Roman remains, having so read in more than one tour. It was not until
some time after my visit that I obtained the information that the
Moorish palace occupied a different site. The present comparatively
modern building is principally of two epochs. On the east is the
original portion erected by Alonzo the Sixth. The entire north and south
fronts are probably additions of Philip the Second. The whole partakes
of a divided character between castle and palace: it is not remarkable
for any architectural merit, possessing neither beauty as a palace, nor
solidity as a fortress; and having been occupied as a military position
during the war of the succession, and more recently in that of
independence, its being already a ruin, before its modern appearance
would seem to legitimize such a state, causes no surprise. But its
position is superb. Occupying the most elevated point of the town, it
far exceeds the whole by the immense height of its walls, and commands
an admirable view of the surrounding country. The only object deserving
notice in this ruin is a colossal staircase, which occupies an entire
side of the court,--a length of about two hundred and fifty feet,--and
is ornamented by a light and elegant colonnade. This edifice ceased to
be a palace on the final establishment of the court at Madrid, and after
some time became the manufactory whence issued the famous silk and
velvet brocades, the fabrication of which has now ceased, but with which
Toledo formerly supplied the wardrobes of the court, and the
well-garnished sacristies of Spain's wealthiest cathedrals.

Descending from the Alcazar through the Plaza de Zocodover, and thence
towards the bridge of Alcantara, a few yards from the Plaza bring us in
view of the facade of the Hospital of Santa Cruz, or "de los ninos
expositos,"--foundling hospital. The institution owes its origin to the
Archbisho