Description

Castilian Days is a collection of essays written by John Hay, a well-known American author, diplomat, and politician. The book is a travelogue that chronicles Hay's experiences during his stay in Spain, particularly in the Castile region, in the late 19th century. The essays are a vivid portrayal of the Spanish culture, customs, and traditions as observed by Hay during his travels. He writes about the architecture, art, and literature of Spain, and also delves into the country's history, politics, and social structure. Hay's writing style is engaging and descriptive, and he provides a unique perspective on Spain that is both informative and entertaining. Castilian Days is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of Spain, and a valuable resource for those studying the country's past or present.One does not soon forget the first sight of the full coliseum. In the centre is the sanded arena, surrounded by a high barrier. Around this rises the graded succession of stone benches for the people; then numbered seats for the connoisseurs; and above a row of boxes extending around the circle. The building holds, when full, some fourteen thousand persons; and there is rarely any vacant space. For myself I can say that what I vainly strove to imagine in the coliseum at Rome, and in the more solemn solitude of the amphitheatres of Capua and Pompeii, came up before me with the vividness of life on entering the bull-ring of Madrid. This, and none other, was the classic arena.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.