
NOTE
PREFACE
I SPANISH CHARACTER - I.—Stray Opinions
II TRAVELLING IN SPAIN
III ON THE SPANISH FRONTIER
IV ESKUAL-ERRIA - I.—Basque Country
V IN REMOTE NAVARRE
VI SPANISH CITIES
VII IN OLD CASTILLE
VIII THE DESERT AND THE SOWN
A loosely bound tapestry of observations, this book gathers the author's wandering thoughts on Spain’s landscapes, language, and folklore. Rather than a systematic study, it reads like a companion for a leisurely holiday, offering vivid snapshots of rugged highlands, sun‑baked plains, and the shimmering courtyards of old towns. The prose captures the harsh beauty of wind‑blown villages, the guttural rhythm of Castilian speech, and the colorful proverbs that pepper daily conversation. It invites listeners to taste the “parfum du terroir” that makes the peninsula feel both foreign and familiar.
Beyond geography, the author sketches the spirit of Spain’s regional rivalries, from Andalusian pride to Galician reticence, and the stubborn originality that resists modern conformity. Short essays draw on literature, travel anecdotes, and folk sayings, hinting at the birthplace of the picaresque novel and the enduring vigor of its poets. Listeners will find a portrait that is neither polished tour guide nor academic treatise, but a lively, sensory wander through a land of sun, snow, and relentless intrigue.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (354K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Josep Cols Canals, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2016-09-07
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1882–1950
A British scholar and travel writer with a deep knowledge of Portugal and Spain, he helped bring Iberian literature, history, and culture to English-speaking readers. His books range from literary studies to vivid country portraits that are still widely read in the public domain.
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