“The tombstones seem to have inscriptions upon them,” continued the former, after a short pause; “let us approach and examine them: they will at least declare the country we are in, by the language in which they may be written.”
The idea struck Edric as feasible, and they entered the cemetery. “You are right, Edric,” said the doctor; “we are in Spain, for here lie the mortal remains of Don Alfonso, that mighty hero of the Bourbon race, who, you doubtless remember, was the first that conquered the northern part of Africa, and by transferring the seat of the Spanish empire to Fez, contributed so powerfully to the civilization and conversion to Christianity of all that vast territory.”
“And who destroyed Spain as a monarchy, by so doing,” added Edric.
“It is true,” replied the Doctor, “that Spain, finding itself too mighty for a province, shook off in consequence the yoke of his descendants, and erected its present republic, which it most probably would never have done if the seat of government had remained at Madrid. But that is trifling compared with the inestimable benefits produced to the world at large, by the civilization and reduction to a Christian state, of such a mighty empire as that of Morocco. Had it not been for that, we might still have remained in the degrading ignorance in which mankind were immersed for so many centuries respecting the interior of Africa:—Timbuktu would never have risen to its present eminence in science and commerce; the real course of the Niger would never have been discovered: and the sources of the Nile still remained wrapped in oblivion. Yes, mighty shade! thou wert indeed a hero! Calumny may assail thy fame, and unenlightened minds cavil at the wonders of thy glory; but one firm and attached votary still remains to thee, and thus he humbly bends to do thee homage.”
So saying, the doctor prostrated himself upon the tomb, and reverentially kissed the cold marble inscribed with the hero’s name.—“Hold! hold!” cried a man, rushing from behind a small temple, and seizing him, whilst in an instant Edric and his tutor found themselves surrounded by soldiers, whose grim visages spoke them inured to blood and warfare.—“Wretch!” exclaimed the leader, apostrophizing the terrified doctor; “thy life shall soon pay the forfeit of thy crimes. Away with him!” continued he, addressing his soldiers; “bear him before the next alcaide, and let him there suffer the punishment the law enacts against all those who dare to praise the actions or worship the memory of the tyrannic Alfonso—Away with him, I say!”
“Mercy! mercy!” implored the doctor.
“Impossible!” said the leader sternly; “do you not know that this is a land of liberty, and that we abhor the very name of tyranny and oppression? How then can the admirer of a tyrant hope for mercy at our hands? Away with him, I say, and with his companion also; for as they appear to be associates, no doubt their principles are the same.”
“And do you call this a land of liberty?” asked Edric reproachfully.
“Hear him! he blasphemes!” cried the soldiers; “gag him if he dare again to breathe such impiety!” and amidst their shouts and execrations, Edric and his tutor were dragged away. Taught by this lesson that the liberty of the republican Spaniards did not extend to the tolerance of any opinions except their own, Edric and the doctor did not again venture to speak; and they soon, to their infinite dismay, found themselves in the presence of the alcaide; who, however, luckily for our travellers, happened to be a man of some sense and liberality. He smiled when he heard the substance of the facts gravely stated against the prisoners. “This case requires a private hearing,” said he: “Velasquez, conduct the prisoners to my own apartment.”
“We will have no private hearing,” clamoured the people and the soldiers. “The crime was public, and the punishment should be so too; we will not be gulled.”
“But, gentlemen,” said the magistrate, “supposing these prisoners to be part of a gang of conspirators who have been plotting against the state, it might defeat the ends of justice to have them examined publicly, as it is possible—mind, gentlemen, I only say, as it is possible—some traitors may lurk even among the crowd before me, who might give intelligence to other parties interested, who might be thus enabled to make their escape.”
“Aye, now you speak reason,” said the mob; “we are always willing to listen to reason;” and without farther remonstrance they permitted the alcaide and the prisoners to retire.
“You see, gentlemen,” said the alcaide, shutting the door of the room carefully, and placing chairs, in which he invited his prisoners to sit down, “that all is not liberty which is called so, and that a mob can occasionally be as tyrannical as an emperor. I know that in reality there is not a shadow of complaint against you; yet I dare not release you, as my own life would be the forfeit if I did. You must thus submit to a temporary restraint, which you may rest assured I shall not only endeavour to shorten, but shall render as light as possible whilst I am compelled to inflict it.”
“My dear sir,” said the doctor, “we are exceedingly obliged by your kindness. If we had not met with you, I do not know what would have become of us. I could not have believed people were in existence so illiberal as these Spaniards, or that any human beings could be so weak as to fancy themselves in a land of liberty whilst they are practising the most refined tyranny.”
“And yet my countrymen are neither fools nor hypocrites,” returned the alcaide; “but, like many other people, they deceive themselves, and talk about freedom till they fancy they possess it. Their great fault, however, has been, that they did not know where to stop; and as even virtue becomes vice when carried to the
