ible deserves the
effort of the two hundred yards' walk which separates it from the river
promenade. This Cistercian convent was founded towards the end of the
twelfth century by Alonzo the Eighth,--the same who won the famous
battle of the Navas de Tolosa. It occupies the site of the
pleasure-grounds of a royal retreat, as is indicated by the name itself.
In its origin it was destined for the reception, exclusively, of
princesses of the blood royal. It was consequently designed on a scale
of peculiar splendour. Of the original buildings, however, only
sufficient traces remain to confirm the records of history, but not to
convey an adequate idea of their magnificence. What with the
depredations of time, the vicissitudes of a situation in the midst of
provinces so given to contention, and repeated alterations, it has
evidently, as far as regards the portions to a view of which admission
can be obtained, yielded almost all claims to identity with its ancient
self.

The entire church, with the exception of a small portion partitioned off
at the extremity, and containing the high altar, is appropriated to the
nuns, and fitted up as a choir. It is very large; the length, of which
an estimate may be formed externally, appearing to measure nearly three
hundred feet. It is said this edifice contains the tomb of the founder,
surrounded by forty others of princesses. The entrance to the public
portion consists of a narrow vestibule, in which are several antique
tombs. They are of stone, covered with Gothic sculpture, and appear,
from the richness of their ornaments, to have belonged also to royalty.
They are stowed away, and half built into the wall, as if there had not
been room for their reception. The convent is said to contain handsome
cloisters, courts, chapter-hall, and other state apartments, all of a
construction long subsequent to its foundation. The whole is surrounded
by a complete circle of houses, occupied by its various dependants and
pensioners. These are enclosed from without by a lofty wall, and face
the centre edifice, from which they are separated by a series of large
open areas. Their appearance is that of a small town, surrounding a
cathedral and palace.

The convent of the Huelgas takes precedence of all others in Spain. The
abbess and her successors were invested by the sovereigns of Leon and
Castile with especial prerogatives, and with a sort of authority over
all convents within those kingdoms. Her poss