There are wine-shops and taverns in Madrid, but the seats are not luxurious, and there is no display of carved mahogany and engraved glass, and no separation of the classes. The “accommodation” may be somewhat rude; still the wine is good and cheap, and the tone and atmosphere of the _posada_ are more wholesome than those of the London public-house. A glass of the wine of the country can be bought for a penny in these taverns, and the finest wines cost only a few pence the glass. Immense wine-barrels flank the walls, and there is an array of spirit and fruit syrup bottles behind the counter.
The chief hotels of Madrid are the Hotel de la Paz, Hotel del Universo, the Roma, and the Hotel de Paris. They are centrally situated, and fairly well appointed. The meals are _almuerzo_ and _comida_, corresponding to luncheon and dinner. There is no meal in Spain resembling the hearty English breakfast. The Spaniard takes a cup of chocolate and a dry roll upon rising, and goes about his business or his pleasure until eleven or twelve o’clock, when _almuerzo_, the first real meal of the day, is served.
Some of the Spanish dishes are only palatable to English people after a taste for them has been sedulously cultivated. Many of the viands are flavoured with garlic. The _menu_ for _comida_ consists of soup, fish, an egg dish, meat, sometimes a _puchero_ or stew, and cakes and fruit. Table wine is usually provided free of charge. Every man smokes in the dining-room, both during and after meals.
Among the best restaurants are the Fornos, the Italiano and the Inglés.
_Specially drawn for The Spanish Series_]
THE FOUNTAIN OF CYBELE AND CALLE DE ALCALÁ.]
THE NORTHERN RAILWAY STATION AND ROYAL PALACE.]
THE CORTES. TWO BRONZE LIONS IN FRONT OF THE PALACE.]
RECEPTION ROOM AT THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. DECORATED BY DON A. MÉLIDA.]
RECEPTION ROOM AT THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. DECORATED BY DON A. MÉLIDA.]
FAÇADE OF THE HOSPITAL. CALLE FUENCARRAL.]
PORTAL OF THE HOSPITAL OF THE CONCEPTION OR “LA LATINA” IN THE CALLE DE TOLEDO.]
PORTAL AND STAIRCASE OF THE HOSPITAL DE LA LATINA.]
THE TREASURY OFFICE IN THE CALLE DE ALCALÁ.]
SOUTHERN FAÇADE OF THE MUSEUM AND THE STATUE OF MURILLO.]
NATIONAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. EAST FAÇADE.]