Minorca continued to be a very important base for the operations of the British fleet, whence Lord Keith obtained his memorable successes on the coast of Egypt. But when the Peace of Amiens was signed on March 26, 1802, Minorca was ceded to Spain. The long connection of the little island with England was thus severed for ever, and to the Minorcans was only left a tradition and a memory of happier and more prosperous times.
Such prosperity as Minorca has since enjoyed has been due to her excellent harbour, the fame of which as a safe place of refuge gave rise to Andrea Doria’s well-known proverb:
Los puertos del Mediterraneo son. Junio, Julio, Agosto y Puerto Mahon.
So long as sailing ships were the means of locomotion at sea, crowds of merchant vessels frequented the port. It was also visited by the British fleet in the Mediterranean, which always received a cordial welcome in memory of the good old times. The Spanish Government undertook stupendous works of fortification at Cape Mola, on the eastern side of the entrance of Port Mahon. The introduction of steam reduced the importance of the harbour, which became less and less frequented. The garrison was withdrawn and the works at Cape Mola were abandoned, all sources of wealth to the islanders. Minorca has indeed fallen from its high estate. There is stagnation and poverty. A former Consul,[37] in lamenting this decadence, truly said that ‘those who do visit Minorca will find a bright little town and friendly inhabitants, some of whom yet express in broken English their love for England, while they speak joyously and feelingly of the good and flourishing times when Minorca was under British rule.’
Abdalla, son of Musa, conquered the Balearic Isles, 10
Acart de Mur, master of the camp in the Minorca conquest, 231
Alagon, Blasco de, Federigo’s general, 99, 103
Albareda, Señor, Grand Hotel, Palma, and hotel at Porto Pi, 218
Alcudia, 8; Charles V. landed at, 176; Majorcan nobles escape to, 182; Pedro Paz in command at, 183; siege, 183, 184; relieved, 185, 186; honoured, 189
Alemany, Geronimo, historian of Majorca, 191, 198
Alfavia, country seat of Benahabet, 28, 41; inherited by the Santa Cilia family, 156; passed to the Bergas and Zafortezas, 156; position and description, 156, 157; the memorial chair at, 157