the Peninsula, which was held by the Moors when driven from the rest of Spain. A cross-range, called the Iberian Mountains, which slopes steep to the east, runs from about the middle of the northern range, in the direction of the east end of the southern range, terminating at the Mediterranean. Between this cross-range and the east part of the Pyrenees runs the Ebro, which thus forms a second barrier between France and Spain. The possession of this river-basin has sometimes formed the object of French cupidity. The other river-basins all start from the Iberian Mountains, west of which the country slopes gradually down to the Atlantic, forming the high dreary central plateau of Spain. The rivers are separated by high and steep mountain chains: the Sierra Morena between the Guadalquivir and the Guadiana; the mountains of Toledo between the Guadiana and the Tagus; and the Sierra Guadarama and Sierra Estella, between the Tagus and the Douro. There were and are still few good roads through Spain and Portugal, and these are defended by fortresses at important points, besides offering many defensive positions in the rivers and mountain chains they crossed. Cross-communication between the roads and river basins was difficult. These considerations give the key to the whole strategy of the Peninsular War. The country being almost surrounded by the sea afforded to the English numerous points from which to attack the French army, which was described by Napoleon as "always on the frontier;" the mountainous nature of the country and the paucity of its resources gave great opportunities for guerilla warfare, and to the saying “ that in it a small army would be defeated and a large one would starve." The few main roads and the absence of good cross-communication between the river-basins gave Wellington the opportunity, by masterly combinations, of acting against the divided armies of the French and beating them in detail. When thus, in a series of campaigns, he had by the Lines of Torres Vedras and by the capture of Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo secured his own base against capture, he could securely advance in force against his enemy; and in his final campaign, while advancing himself direct on the road to France, he could send his lieutenant, Graham, to execute the famous flank march through the northern provinces, and meeting him at Vittoria, effect the final overthrow of the French forces in the Peninsula; then transferring his base of operations to the northern part of Spain, he could safely and securely drive the enemy over the Pyrenees and advance into France. § 24. MAPS. The Travelling Map engraved by Stanford expressly for this Handbook, is based upon the latest authorities, and will probably render any other unnecessary. The ordnance map of Spain, Mapa Itinerario Militar de España, in 20 sheets, is now completed and forms a good outline map, but no mountain ranges or hills are depicted thereon. This is a drawback in so undulating a country as Spain, but the distances in kilometres between each ciudad, villa, lugar, and aldea are clearly and correctly shown, and every camino carretero, herradura, and senda is plainly distinguishable. The best maps, however, are those of each modern province, with marginal plans of the chief towns and their environs, by Don Francisco Coello, scale ooooo. They are published at 6, Calle de la Magdalena, Madrid. § 25.-EVANGELICAL WORK IN SPAIN. In Madrid there are 7 Protestant Chapels : 1. Leganitos 4. Chapel, Church of England. Chaplain, Rev. R. H. Whereat. 2. Leganitos 4. Chapels and Schools, supported by the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, under the charge of Rev. John Jameson and the ex-padre Torños. 3. Madera Baja 8. Chapel and Schools, supported by the Society in Aid of Missions in Spain, Portugal, and Mexico (Episcopal), under the charge of the ex-padre Cabrera, Bishop-elect of the Episcopal Church of Spain. 4. Calatrava 27. Chapel and Schools, supported for the most part by German Christians, with help from Holland, Great Britain, and the United States, under the charge of Pastor Fliedner. There is also an Hospital and asile, where sick Protestants and children are received for a small charge. 5. Barrio of Peñuelas. Chapel and Schools, supported by the Irish Presbyterian Church. 6. Glorieta de Quevedo, Chamberi. Supported by English Christians, mostly by Mr. George Müller of Bristol. 7. A small meeting-room, supported by the American Baptist Society. Besides these there are: The Depôt of the British and Foreign Society, Preciados 46; Agent, R. Corfield, Esq. The Depôt of the Religious Tract Society, Jacometrezo, 59. The Depôt of the National Bible Society of Scotland, Leganitos 4. In Seville there are 4 Churches which formerly belonged to the Catholic Church, but three of them have been bought by the Episcopal Mission Society, and one by the Edinburgh Spanish Evangelization Society. The three former are 1. Church of the Assumption, Plaza del Museo. In this church there is English service every Sunday morning during the season. 2. Church of San Basilio, Calle Relator. 3. Church of the Marineros in Triana, on the opposite bank of the river. 4. Church of the Holy Trinity (formerly San Francisco de Paula), in the Calle de las Palmas. Under the charge of Don Manrique Alonso, Agent of the Spanish Evangelical Society. In Barcelona there are 3 principal Missions : 1. That of the Swiss Church, with Chapel and Schools. The pastor, M. Empaytaz, lives in Calle de las Cortes, 341. 2. That of the Wesleyans, in Calle Abaixadors, 10, under the charge of Rev. R. Simpson. 3. In the suburb of Gracia there are several halls, mostly supported by English Plymouth Brethren. In the other towns of Spain there are the following missions, taking them in order from the north:-Coruña, Pontevedra, Ferrol, Oviedo, Santander, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Zaragoza (these last 4 are under the charge of Messrs. Gulick, Agents of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and they have out-stations in Logroño, Pradejon and Tauste), Valladolid, Salamanca, Leon, Monistrol, near Montserrat, Figueras, Reus, Alcoy, Cartagena, Malaga (Calle Ste. Augustin 11, Episcopal Mission), Granada, Tendillas 7, supported by Spanish Evangelization Society, under charge of Dn. Jose Alhama, one of those who were banished in 1860 for their adherence to Evangelical doctrines. Around Barcelona there are a number of mission schools, which are self-supporting, as Hospitalet, Sans, Villafranca del Panadés, Rubi, Pont de Armentera. Cordoba, Candelaria 12, supported by the Spanish Evangelization Society, under the charge of Rev. Henry Duncan. Utrera, Huelva, Tarsis, Rio Tinto, Jerez-here there is an elegant Chapel and Schools built for the Mission of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, under the charge of Rev. J. Viliesid. San Fernando, Cadiz. Near Toledo there are two small mission stations, supported mostly by the people themselves in Camuñas and Mocejon. In the Balearic Isles, Mallorca and Minorca, the Wesleyans and Plymouth Brethren have several stations. In Palma de Mallorca, Calle del Rey 25. Hours of Service. Sundays, 10 or 11 A.M.; 4, or 8 or 83 P.M. Thursdays, 81 P.M. There is a Protestant Hospital and large Sunday-school at Madrid. Further information can be obtained on the subject from Mr. Albert Fenn, Calle Real 12, Chamberi; or Rev. C. Tugwell, Seville. Visitors, if in any difficulty, may ask: "Donde esta la capilla Evangelica?" |