Understanding Spain - Livres de poche

UNDERSTANDING SPAIN By Swing Galloway N, Y. quot. . . A WARM SPANISH NIGHT AT GRANADA, WHEN THE ALHAMBRA WAS FLOODED WITH THE WHITE LIGHT OF A SEMI-TROPIC MOON . . . quot Pate 279 UNDERSTANDING SPAIN BY CLAYTON SEDGWICK COOPER Author of quot The Bratsilians and Their Cmntry, quot quot Under standing South America, quot quot Undentwdwg Udy, quot Etc. FREDERICK A. NEW TORI To THEODORE DICKINSON MY FRIEND PREFACE A old fable relates that Jupiter once came down from Heaven to take a look about and note the progress of arts and civi lisation. A terrestrial guide who attended him pointed out the kingdoms of this lower world. quot That, Sire, is France, and that is England, quot said the guide, whereupon Jupiter expressed his astonishment at the progress made. u And please Your Majesty, this is Spain, quot continued the guide. quot You need not have told me, quot said the Roman god, quot I knew it at once. It remains exactly the same as when I created it 1 quot This is still somewhat the impression people have of present-day Spain, unless they have vis ited the country recently and witnessed the grad ual but certain awakening to new life and activity along varied lines. While in a sense every hour Is a transition hour In the life of nations and in dividuals, there are certain periods that are marked with quite a definite cleavage between yesterday and today. In such a period Spain is viii PREFACE now found It has been my object to show the outstanding features of this change in Spanish life and civilisation iaJixe ieijrns of the people themselves rather than by means of the many an cient monuments and works of art and architec ture, all of which have been treated at length In many booksContrasts with modern men and methods, as they exist in Europe and America, have been pointed out at times, and the country s requirements as her most intelligent sons see them, and as they appear to an outsider, are outlined. The author would express his sincere thanks for favours rendered by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Spain, all of whom share with the author the belief that this old and his toric country is now moving out towards a new place in the family of nations. k Miami Beach, May i, 1928 CONTENTS JACK PREFACE vii I THE CHARM OF SPAIN Every One Has Built His Castles There Feminine Charms quot Thou Foster Child of Silence and Slow Time quot Land of Melancholy and His toric Beauty The Sensuous Charm of the Orient Distinctive Characteristics Seques tered Mountain People Where the Gods of Beauty and Romance Find Sanctuary . . i II TENDENCIES Use of Natural Resources Land of Paradox Changes in Press and Politics The Evidence of African Heritages quot Spain for the Span iards, quot the Slogan Repressive Measures in Labour Circles Attitude Toward the United States The League of Nations Evolution or Revolution . . . . ., 21 III TgE SPANIARD OF TODAY People, Not Principles, the Determining Factors Outstanding Characteristics of Present-day CONTENTS AGE Spaniards quot The Land of the Stare quot Pri macy of the quot Gentleman quot Class Composite Racial Strains The Pace Is Slow Tendency to Isolation Colonisation in Morocco Indi vidualism Courage and Virility . ...