MURCIA, the capital of the above mentioned pro vince, is situated on a level spot in a large and beauti ful valley, watered by the Segura, and ornamented by ex tensive plantations of mulberry trees. It does not ap pear to have existed in the time of the Carthaginians or Romans; and is first mentioned about the end of the Gothic dynasty in Spain. it is frequently noticed in his tory after the beginning of the eighth century, as alter nately subject to the Caliphs of Cordova and the king dom of Granada ; and it was not till 1265 that it was taken possession of by Alphonso X. King of Castile.
The most ancient families in the place are of French origin ; and still bear names which indicate their descent from that nation. Murcia was formerly a fortified city ; and some remains of its walls and towers are still to be seen. The streets are very narrow, irregular, winding, and badly paved. The houses are ill built, and very fcw of them are worthy of notice. Many of them are of an cient architecture, and loaded with ornaments of sculp ture, in a bad taste, and of poor execution. There are no public edifices, except the churches ; some of which have a good appearance, and the cathedral particularly, though ill proportioned, and awkwardly designed, ex hibits many architectural ornaments, and contains a number of paintings. There are several promenades, and a botanic garden, capable of much improvement ; but the citizens seldom frequent any of these places of exercise and recreation.
There are manufactories of saltpetre and gunpow der in the town, on the king's account ; and others of earthen-ware, silk twist, silk stuffs, spart, and ribbons ; and the principal commerce of the place consists in ex porting the two last mentioned articles to Madrid.
It is the see of a bishop, whose diocese includes al most the whole present kingdom of Murcia, and who enjoys a revenue equal to 22,916/. 14s. 4d. The town contains eleven parishes, and a population of 60,000 in habitants; which includes, however, the inhabitants of the adjoining plain, who may amount to one-third of the whole number.
Many noble Spanish families reside in the place ; but the citizens in general spend their lives in sloth and indifference, and are totally ignorant of every thing be yond the boundaries of their city. They are of a yellow, sun burnt, and even livid complexion ; a gloomy and choleric temperament. Their indolent habits, bad food, and excessive use of iced-water, renders them subject to ill health. The universal remedy employed by them is bleeding in the hand ; and few of them are known, who do not lose blood ten or twelve time every year. See Laborde's view of Spain, vol. IL (q)