Spanish Life in Town and Country

About this book

Spanish Life in Town and Country is a comprehensive survey of Iberian society written at the turn of the twentieth century. Its authors, L. Higgin and Eugène E. Street, divide the work between Spain and Portugal, offering separate chapters on geography, institutions, customs and the arts. The opening chapter sets the tone with a sweeping introduction that contrasts the romantic myths of travelers with the “innate courtesy” of the Spanish people, while also warning against the shallow judgments of uninformed tourists. From the bustling plazas of Madrid to the rural valleys of Galicia, the book promises a detailed portrait of each province, illustrated with engravings of peasants, bull‑fighters and cityscapes, and anchored in a historical narrative that traces Spain’s evolution from the reign of the Catholic Monarchs to the constitutional monarchy of Alfonso XII.

The prose is that of a learned Victorian traveler, dense with observation, occasional digression, and a didactic voice that seeks to correct foreign misconceptions. Its style combines factual reporting with moral commentary, reflecting the period’s fascination with ethnography and nation‑building. Readers who enjoy exhaustive cultural histories, antique travel literature, or scholarly explorations of 19th‑century European politics will find it rewarding, while those preferring brisk narratives or modern literary flair may find the length and tone demanding.