LETTERS
FROM
SPAIN.
BY
DON LEUCADIO DOBLADO.
SECOND EDITION.
REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR.
LONDON:
HENRY COLBURN, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1825.
J. GREEN, PRINTER, LEICESTER-STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE.
Thata work like the present should appear ina Second Edition, implies such a reception fromthe Public as demands the most sincere gratitudeon my part. I am anxious, therefore, to make theonly return I have in my power, by adding, as Iconceive, some value to the work itself; not, indeed,from any material corrections, but by stampingthe facts and descriptions which it contains,with the character of complete authenticity. Thereaders of Doblado’s Letters may be sure that inthem they have the real Memoirs of the personwhose name is subscribed to this address. Even[Pg iv]the disguise of that name was so contrived, as tobe a mark of identity. Leucadio being derived froma Greek root which means white, the word Dobladowas added, in allusion to the repetition of myfamily name, translated into Spanish, which mycountrymen have forced upon us, to avoid thedifficulty of an orthography and sound, perfectlyat variance with their language. In short, Dobladoand his inseparable friend, the Spanish clergyman,are but one and the same person; whoseorigin, education, feelings, and early turn of thinking,have been made an introduction to the personalobservations on his country, which, with adeep sense of their kindness, he again lays beforethe British Public.
JOSEPH BLANCO WHITE.
Chelsea, June 1st, 1825.
Someof the following Letters have been printedin the New Monthly Magazine.
The Author would, indeed, be inclined tocommit the whole collection to the candour of hisreaders without a prefatory address, were it notthat the plan of his Work absolutely requires someexplanation.
The slight mixture of fiction which these Letterscontain, might raise a doubt whether thesketches of Spanish manners, customs, and opi[Pg vi]nions,by means of which the Author has endeavouredto pourtray the moral state of hiscountry at a period immediately preceding, and inpart coincident with the French invasion, may notbe exaggerated by fancy, and coloured with a viewto mere effect.
It is chiefly on this account that the Authordeems it necessary to assure the Public of thereality of every circumstance mentioned in hisbook, except the name of Leucadio Doblado.These Letters are in effect the faithful memoirs of areal Spanish clergyman, as far as his charac