The streets of Malaga always present an animated1 appearance. One never sees here that dead calm which pervades2 many of our northern cities in midsummer. At all hours of the day the air resounds3 with the sonorous4 voices of men and boys calling out whatever they may have to sell. Fish of all kinds, fruits, live turkeys and many other things may be obtained in this way, with the additional entertainment of listening to a loud and heated discussion between the servant and vender5 regarding the price. If the latter chances to be a boy, he summons a flood of tears to his assistance, having acquired, as a part of his occupation, the faculty6 of crying when occasion demands. The servant, accustomed to mechanical weeping, is immovable and the youthful imposter is finally compelled to receive a fair price for his wares7.
Every afternoon at five o’clock, an old man with a bright, cheerful face passes our window calling out “barquillos” in a clear, musical voice which makes itself heard at a long distance. The children crowd around him while he takes from a green box strapped9 over his shoulder, a tube made of light paste, on one end of which he puts a white foamy10 substance, composed of the whites of eggs and sugar. At this juncture11, the little ones become frantic12 and jostle each other in a most unceremonious manner, in their eagerness to possess the delicate morsel13. Each one is served and the poor old man goes on his way rejoicing ever the few quartas which will buy his daily bread. Barquillos are also obtained at restaurants as an accompaniment for ices, and seem to be relished14 by children of a larger growth, as well as others.
The business of the ware8 houses commences at an early hour and continues through the day; carts drawn15 by mules16 are constantly passing while the industrious17 little donkeys may be seen marching in a line, following their leader, who has a bell to announce his coming. During the vintage, long lines of donkeys laden18 with boxes of raisins19 come from the vineyards, horses never being used except in cabs and private carriages. The cab horses are poor, old animals which seem to have lived as long as nature intended, but are kept alive by some mysterious agency, and by dint20 of much urging and whipping manage to move at a slow pace. One day, when we were taking a drive, the horse suddenly stopped and the driver dismounted. To our inquiry21, as to the cause of delay he replied, “no es nada” (it is nothing), resumed his seat and we started again, but had not proceeded far when the animal absolutely refused to go; this time we insisted upon alighting and were coolly informed that the horse was only a little cansado (tired). Many more instances might be cited illustrating22 the manner in which dumb animals are abused in a country where there are no laws prohibiting it, or if such laws exist they are not enforced.
The animation23 prevailing24 through the day by no means diminishes as night approaches, although of a very different character. At twilight25, the higher classes sally forth26 to the Alameda 227or Muelle (mole), to enjoy the refreshing27 breeze from the sea, while those of lower estate seek some place of rendezvous28 and indulge in their idle gossip. An occasional troubadour steals to some obscure corner and sends forth plaintive29 sounds from his faithful guitar, not unfrequently some youthful swain is inspired to add the charms of his voice, and the “Malaguenas” bursts forth in all its primative sweetness. The enthusiasm of the Spaniards on hearing their national airs is something remarkable30, they become quite wild with excitement and applaud in the most vociferous31 manner. Foreigners, also, who have spent some time in the country, share this enthusiasm, which seems to be caused more by a certain rhythmical32 peculiarity33, than by any extraordinary merit of the music itself.
The romantic days of Spain are past, when the lover stood beneath the balcony of his sweetheart, wooing her with the gentle strains of his guitar. To us it seems a matter of regret that this ancient custom no longer exists, but it undoubtedly34 relieves many anxious parents as it particularly favored clandestine35 courtships. A Spanish gentleman of our acquaintance who is blessed with seven daughters, and occupies a house containing twenty balconies, congratulates himself upon the change in love-making as it would be impossible to keep watch over all, even by constantly rushing from one balcony to another. At the present day the suitor is admitted to the salon36, where he may converse37 with the object of his affections, but always in the presence of her parents. Spanish mammas would be shocked at the freedom allowed American girls in receiving visits from the opposite sex and accepting their escort to places of entertainment.
The feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated38 in Malaga with much eclat39. For two weeks previous preparations were going on for the fair, which takes place at this time, booths being arranged on one side of the Alameda and filled with a variety of articles, useful and ornamental40, calculated to please the eye and lighten the pockets of passers-by, while others were provided with these substantial things needful to satisfy the wants of the inner man. At night the Alameda was most brilliantly illuminated41 by long lines of lights extending the whole length on either side, also across the centre at intervals42, with occasional circles and clusters, producing a most dazzling effect. At each end, in front of the fountains were erected43 two pavillions, one under the direction of a club styled the “Circulo Mercantil,” the other by the members of the “Lycio” both of which were handsomely decorated with flags and flowers and provided with comfortable seats. We availed ourselves of the opportunity to attend the balls given in these pavillions, and found them exceedingly diverting. In the centre, a space was reserved for the dancers, who tripped the “light fantastic” with apparent enjoyment44, notwithstanding the disadvantages of little room and much heat. The toilettes of the ladies were varied45 and elegant, displaying a taste which would do credit to Worth himself, while the national costume, worn by a few young ladies, far exceeded the most charming conceptions of that famous artist. This costume, called the “Maja,” is extremely picturesque46, especially when combined with the piquant47 faces and nonchalant airs of the Spanish girls. It consists of a skirt of bright red or blue satin, edged with a broad trimming of black chenille; with this is worn a black velvet48 bodice, the hair is arranged in finger puffs49, with a high comb placed jauntily50 on one side, and a few flowers gracefully52 twined among the dark tresses; a Spanish mantilla, and laced slippers53, just disclosed beneath the short skirt, complete this beautiful costume, rich in fabric54, but simple in design, and above all allowing a graceful51 freedom which our present straight laced fashions render 228impossible. Weary of the brilliancy and animation of the ballroom55, we passed to the garden where tables were arranged for refreshments56, and amid the sound of inspiring music and the gentle murmur57 of the fountain, partook of delicate viands58 served by attentive59 waiters. The arrangement of these pavillions was perfect in every respect, contributing in the highest degree to the comfort of the guests, and long shall we bear in remembrance the pleasant evenings they afforded us.
On Corpus Christi day a long and imposing60 procession marched through the principal streets, carrying an image of the “Virgin” robed in black velvet elaborately embroidered61 in gold, and a large “Custodia” of solid silver containing the “host.” The clergy62, in their clerical gowns, with their faces plump and glossy63, walked along in a self-satisfied manner, confident of good cheer in this world, whatever may await them in another. The civil and military authorities added their dignified64 presence, followed by a large concourse of people with wax candles. The streets and balconies were filled with men, women, and children of all ages and classes, every available space being occupied. In the afternoon a bull fight took place, and a ball in the evening ended the programme of the day.
In the midst of the festivities of the week, the Queen’s illness was announced, causing a suspension of all gayety, and her subsequent death was followed by a season of mourning. The Alameda was stripped of its superfluous65 adornings, and the sound of music no longer filled the air with its sweet harmonies. Funeral services were solemnized in the Cathedral, and many a fervent66 prayer ascended67 to Heaven for the repose68 of the dead, and the resignation of the bereaved69 young King.
The End
The End
点击收听单词发音
1 animated | |
adj.生气勃勃的,活跃的,愉快的 | |
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2 pervades | |
v.遍及,弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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3 resounds | |
v.(指声音等)回荡于某处( resound的第三人称单数 );产生回响;(指某处)回荡着声音 | |
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4 sonorous | |
adj.响亮的,回响的;adv.圆润低沉地;感人地;n.感人,堂皇 | |
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5 vender | |
n.小贩 | |
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6 faculty | |
n.才能;学院,系;(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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7 wares | |
n. 货物, 商品 | |
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8 ware | |
n.(常用复数)商品,货物 | |
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9 strapped | |
adj.用皮带捆住的,用皮带装饰的;身无分文的;缺钱;手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词);用皮带抽打;包扎;给…打绷带 | |
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10 foamy | |
adj.全是泡沫的,泡沫的,起泡沫的 | |
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11 juncture | |
n.时刻,关键时刻,紧要关头 | |
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12 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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13 morsel | |
n.一口,一点点 | |
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14 relished | |
v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 );从…获得乐趣;渴望 | |
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15 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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16 mules | |
骡( mule的名词复数 ); 拖鞋; 顽固的人; 越境运毒者 | |
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17 industrious | |
adj.勤劳的,刻苦的,奋发的 | |
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18 laden | |
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的 | |
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19 raisins | |
n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 ) | |
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20 dint | |
n.由于,靠;凹坑 | |
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21 inquiry | |
n.打听,询问,调查,查问 | |
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22 illustrating | |
给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 ); 说明; 表明; (用示例、图画等)说明 | |
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23 animation | |
n.活泼,兴奋,卡通片/动画片的制作 | |
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24 prevailing | |
adj.盛行的;占优势的;主要的 | |
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25 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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26 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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27 refreshing | |
adj.使精神振作的,使人清爽的,使人喜欢的 | |
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28 rendezvous | |
n.约会,约会地点,汇合点;vi.汇合,集合;vt.使汇合,使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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29 plaintive | |
adj.可怜的,伤心的 | |
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30 remarkable | |
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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31 vociferous | |
adj.喧哗的,大叫大嚷的 | |
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32 rhythmical | |
adj.有节奏的,有韵律的 | |
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33 peculiarity | |
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖 | |
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34 undoubtedly | |
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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35 clandestine | |
adj.秘密的,暗中从事的 | |
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36 salon | |
n.[法]沙龙;客厅;营业性的高级服务室 | |
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37 converse | |
vi.谈话,谈天,闲聊;adv.相反的,相反 | |
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38 celebrated | |
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 | |
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39 eclat | |
n.显赫之成功,荣誉 | |
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40 ornamental | |
adj.装饰的;作装饰用的;n.装饰品;观赏植物 | |
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41 illuminated | |
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
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42 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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43 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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44 enjoyment | |
n.乐趣;享有;享用 | |
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45 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
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46 picturesque | |
adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
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47 piquant | |
adj.辛辣的,开胃的,令人兴奋的 | |
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48 velvet | |
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的 | |
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49 puffs | |
n.吸( puff的名词复数 );(烟斗或香烟的)一吸;一缕(烟、蒸汽等);(呼吸或风的)呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧 | |
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50 jauntily | |
adv.心满意足地;洋洋得意地;高兴地;活泼地 | |
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51 graceful | |
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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52 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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53 slippers | |
n. 拖鞋 | |
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54 fabric | |
n.织物,织品,布;构造,结构,组织 | |
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55 ballroom | |
n.舞厅 | |
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56 refreshments | |
n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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57 murmur | |
n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言 | |
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58 viands | |
n.食品,食物 | |
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59 attentive | |
adj.注意的,专心的;关心(别人)的,殷勤的 | |
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60 imposing | |
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 | |
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61 embroidered | |
adj.绣花的 | |
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62 clergy | |
n.[总称]牧师,神职人员 | |
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63 glossy | |
adj.平滑的;有光泽的 | |
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64 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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65 superfluous | |
adj.过多的,过剩的,多余的 | |
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66 fervent | |
adj.热的,热烈的,热情的 | |
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67 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68 repose | |
v.(使)休息;n.安息 | |
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69 bereaved | |
adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去(希望、生命等)( bereave的过去式和过去分词);(尤指死亡)使丧失(亲人、朋友等);使孤寂;抢走(财物) | |
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