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and security by carrying any prohibited goods with him. The objects most searched for are sealed letters and tobacco: if the lover of cigars has a considerable stock with him (a pound or so may pass), he is advised to declare it at once, pay the duty, and obtain a guia, or permit, which exempts him from further molestation. English firearms and gunpowder are prohibited. Sportsmen, however, who enter Spain from Gibraltar, may manage to introduce their own guns and ammunition.

As the Resguardos-the custom-house officers and preventive service -have a right to examine baggage, it is of no use to resist or lose time and temper; much more may be done by good humour, patience, civility, and a cigar: raise therefore no difficulties, but offer your keys, and profess the greatest readiness to have everything examined.

Duties. As the tariff continually changes, travellers who wish to know the charges for foreign goods imported into Spain must consult the last edition of the Arancel de Aduanas, published at Madrid, and find out if any order has been issued which modifies the duties.

§ 4.-SPANISH MONEY AND MEASURES.

The money of Spain was assimilated to that of France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland, in 1868, when the Peseta of 4 Reals = 1 franc, was made the monetary unit.

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The bank-notes in circulation vary in amount from 25 pesetas, or 100 reals, to 1000 pesetas.

It is most important for the traveller to know that the notes of no bank in Spain (not even those of the Bank of Spain) are circulable out of the city or town in which they are issued; he should therefore insist upon receiving his money in coin, and paper money should be avoided except by those who intend to make a lengthened stay in any of the larger towns, when local bank-notes may be used.

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The value of the old gold coins is reckoned when of full weighttheir exact value, however, is uncertain, as these large coins are much worn by time and the sweating by the fraudulent, and seldom have preserved their legal weight. Those deficient should be accompanied with a certificate stating their exact weight and value. This certificate may be obtained in the principal towns from the "Contraste or "fiel medidor," the person who is legally authorized to weigh gold coins supposed to be light, and his place is well known. The stranger must take care when he receives onzas, except from first-rate Spanish bankers or merchants, to see that these coins are of correct weight. It is better to have nothing to do with any onzas whatever.

Prior to 1875 the gold pieces of 100 reals which were struck weighed 8.387 grammes, and the rate of exchange at par was 96 reals = £1. In 1875, 1876, they were struck, weighing 8.06451 grammes, making the value at par 100 reals £1. The former rate of exchange (96 reals) is the one usually given in Madrid, Bilbao, or Seville; in other cities the traveller is fortunate if he gets 95 reals.

Accounts are now generally kept in pesetas and centimos; in 1865 the escudo was made the highest unit of account. Prior to that date the real and centimo were used in keeping accounts.

The dollar of Spain, so well known all over the world, is the Italian "colonato," so called because the arms of Spain are supported between the two pillars of Hercules. The ordinary Spanish name is "duro.” They are often, however, termed in banking and mercantile transactions pesos fuerte," to distinguish them from the imaginary "peso,' or smaller dollar of 15 reals only, of which the peseta is the diminutive. The traveller should insist upon receiving his money in 100-real pieces when exchanging his circular notes.

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Measures.-The French metrical decimal system was introduced by royal decree (13 July, 1849), and the metro, kilometro, and litro, are now the only official measures employed in Spain, although the old Spanish vara (yard), legua (league), and cuartilla (quart), are still often used by the tradespeople and peasant classes.

A mètre equals 1 yard 3 inches, or 1 vara 7 pulgadas. A kilometro 1093 yards 2 inches, =·621 of an English mile. A Spanish legua = 5.555 kilometres 3 English miles. A Spanish vara consists of 3 pies (feet), each of 12 pulgadas (inches), each of 12 lineas (lines), and equals 2.782 English feet. The English mile = 19253 Spanish yards. The English foot is 13 Spanish inches.

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Our quarter is about 5 Fanegas, 1 Celemin. 1 bushel is about 7 Celemines.

An Aranzada, or Spanish acre, is as much land as a pair of oxen can plough in a day; a Fanega is that quantity which requires a Fanega of grain to sow it.

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§ 5. STEAM COMMUNICATIONS.

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's steamers leave Gravesend every Wednesday and call at Gibraltar; they make the passage in about five days. To secure passages and obtain information apply at the Company's offices, No. 122, Leadenhall Street, or 25, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross.

Messrs. John Hall, junr., and Co.'s steamers from London Dock weekly for Lisbon, Gibraltar, Malaga, and Cadiz. Office, No. 1, New London Street, E.C. The length of passage outwards from London to Lisbon is about 5 days; Gibraltar, 9 days; Malaga, 13 days; Cadiz, 18 days; and homewards, Cadiz to Lisbon, 2 days; Lisbon to Vigo, 1 day; Vigo to London, 4 days. The stay at Lisbon is about 2 days; Gibraltar, 2 days; Malaga, 3 days; Cadiz, 4 days :-homeward, Lisbon, 1 day; Vigo, day. The fares are: Lisbon, £7; Gibraltar, £8; Malaga, £9; Cadiz, £10. The steamers leave Cadiz every Thursday evening homewards.

The Brazil and River Plate Mail steamers from Southampton call at Vigo and Lisbon. Apply to Royal Mail S. P. Co., 18, Moorgate Street, E.C. The Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamers from Liverpool take passengers for Bordeaux, Santander, Vigo, Corunna, and Lisbon. Offices, 31, James Street, Liverpool; and 5, Fenchurch Street, London. The Moss Steamship Company, from Liverpool every week to Bordeaux and Gibraltar. Agents, Messrs. James Moss and Co., 31, James Street, Liverpool.

Some of Messrs. Burn and MacIver's Mediterranean steamers (Cunard line) call at Gibraltar. Office, 1, Rumford Street, Liverpool; or Messrs. W. and W. S. Cunard, 6, St. Helen's Place, London, and 28, Pall Mall.

The French Transatlantic Mail steamers leave Marseilles for Cartagena every other Wednesday at 5 P.M., and Marseilles to Valencia (viâ Cette and Port Vendres) every other Saturday at 5 A.M. 1st Class: Cartagena, 79 francs; Valencia, 95 francs.

A. Lopez and Co.'s steamers run from Barcelona to Valencia, Alicante, and Cadiz, twice a month.

The Segovia Cuadra Company's steamers run to Barcelona and all the ports on the eastern coast as far as Seville; the passages are generally made during the nights, and the days are spent at the various ports.

The steamers on their arrival at Spanish ports are soon surrounded with boats to convey passengers on shore. The proper charges per tarif are a peseta per person, two reals per portmanteau, and one for each smaller package; a passenger without luggage has to pay two reals for being landed, or put on board. The word "tarifa" itself generally settles disputes.

The passenger steamers on the East Coast of Spain are neither so good nor so numerous as they were before the railways were made.

Forwarding of Luggage. If you wish to forward baggage or packages by these steamers, have them carefully directed, and take a receipt for them and forward it per post to your correspondent, desiring him to send for the articles the moment the steamer arrives, otherwise they will be liable to be left on board or lost.

The quickest way to get anything sent from England to Madrid, or vice versa, is by Messrs. John Hall's steamers, No. 1, New London Street, by the direct line from Lisbon to Madrid by Malpartida.

Heavy luggage may be sent from Madrid to England, via Seville, care of Messrs. MacAndrews and Co. It must be registered at the Atocha Terminus.

Packages may be sent to France through MM. Garrouste, 14, Calle de Tetuan. London agents, Messrs. Sutton and Co., Golden Lane, City. §6.-RAILWAYS AND ROADS-DILIGENCES-BAGGAGE-HORSES AND MULES. Railways in Spain. 1882.

The Railroad (Ferro Carril, or Camino de Hierro) now connects most of the principal cities of Spain (see Map). Whilst in 1848 only 18 Eng. miles of rail were open, in 1863 the mileage had increased to 2216; and now it may be estimated, according to the statement given by the Director of Public Works, that 7739 kilometres are open to public traffic; 1800 kilometres are now (1882) in construction. The rlys. of Spain were constructed principally by means of French capital, and at an enormous cost. They are, perhaps, the worst constructed and the worst managed lines in the world, and are dear, dirty, and dilatory.

Although the pace is slow compared with other parts of Europe, yet the advantage they afford in a quick transit over such dreary regions as the plain of Castile and La Mancha is immense. On most lines only 2 trains run in the 24 hours, and the fine scenery is often passed in the dark. The stoppages are frequent and long, and the delays at junction stations often wearisome, and of many hours' duration. Some of the best stations are very poor, and the secondary stations are often mere hovels. The extreme filthiness of every place to which railway servants and passengers of every class have access in common is much to be deplored. In most of the trains a first-class carriage is set apart for ladies only, marked "Reservado para Señoras." A well-ordered closet carriage, one for men and one for women, is attached to most trains. Travellers who object to smoking will be glad to know that every train is provided with a first-class carriage reservado para los no fumadores. Luggage robberies on railways are not uncommon; it is therefore better not to put money or valuables into the trunks which go in the van. Passengers are allowed to take a portmanteau or small amount of luggage in the carriage with them, which, if pressed for time, will be a great convenience, and enable them to avoid the long and weary delays at the station before the luggage is got ready. Travellers are advised to buy the official railway guide, published monthly, Indicador de los Caminos de Hierro de España y Portugal, price 2 reals. It may be had at the railway stations and libraries.

The principal stations are provided with Buffets; a good dinner, and plenty of time to eat it, are provided every four or five hours.

Diligences.

Since the introduction of the railway system into Spain, there has been a marked development in the construction of high-roads also; thus, whilst the total length of roads existing in Spain in 1855 was only 5920 Eng. m., it may be calculated that more than double that

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