There is not much to see in Cadiz but its Cathedral and the busy life
of its people, who number 70,000. It is thoroughly calcimined in
chromatic tints and looks fine as you approach it from the sea, but
your enthusiasm wanes somewhat when you get into the picture and see
that there are many places where the gilt has been knocked off the
gingerbread and has not been put back again. But we must all take off
our hats to the "old town," for it was there, indisputably, that
Columbus rigged up and started for America. If he had only known what
he was about and the people had understood all that was to happen, they
would have had a brass band on the pier and have set off plenty of
skyrockets in the evening. 'Twas ever thus! The "knockers" boo-ed him
from their shores and said he was crazy, but history plants his feet on
the topmost rung of fame long after the bitter end, when short commons
were with him uncommon short.