Madrid, I have mentioned in the former chapter, is supposed to contain 170,000 inhabitants; but this is partly conjecture,--no census having been lately made. In the year 1790, there died in Madrid 5915 persons; and 4897 were born: and in the year 1810, 3786 persons died; and 5282 were born. The following was the consumption of Madrid, in the year 1825: 230,000 sheep; 12,500 oxen; 70,000 hogs; 2,417,357 arrobas[A] of charcoal; 13,245 arrobas of soap; 40,809 arrobas of oil; 800,000 bushels of corn; 500,000 arrobas of wine; 50,000 arrobas of snow; 30,000 arrobas of candles; and 18,000 bushels of salt: and supposing, as there is reason to believe, that since that time the population of Madrid has increased 5000, the addition of a thirty-fifth part to these sums, will give nearly the present consumption of Madrid.
Madrid, although, with the exception of Constantinople, the most interesting city in Europe to visit, owing to the perfect novelty of scene which it presents even to him who has travelled through every other country, would not be an agreeable permanent residence. It is not like Paris, or Rome, or Vienna; in any of which cities a stranger may, if he pleases, live nearly as he lived in his own country. In Madrid, this is impossible; the hotels are execrable; boarding houses there are none; and although a stranger may find lodgings, he will find Spanish habits in them. Of the state of society, and of the diversions, I have already given some idea. These possess much interest to a stranger, but not any permanent attraction; so that after he has remained in Madrid long enough to gratify his curiosity with the novel spectacle of a people differing from all the rest of the world, in dress, habits, amusements, modes of life, and modes of thinking, he will begin to feel some desire to know what the world beyond Spain is doing; because of this, he can know nothing within Spain. But let no traveller leave Madrid to return to England. Seville and Granada lie beyond; and when the Castiles have lost their attraction, Andalusia and its thousand charms await him.
Before closing this chapter,--the last that has any reference to Madrid,--let me give some information respecting the price of provisions, &c.
