File:Gibraltar and its sieges, with a description of its natural features (1879) (14746656256).jpg

Identifier: gibraltaritssieg00step (find matches)
Title: Gibraltar and its sieges, with a description of its natural features
Year: 1879 (1870s)
Authors: Stephens, Frederic George, 1828-1907
Subjects: Gibraltar -- Description and travel Gibraltar -- History Gibraltar -- History Siege, 1779-1783
Publisher: London, New York : T. Nelson
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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he rugged front of the Rock yawns with fissures,—los diantes de la vieja, or the old lady's teeth,—from each of which frown the black muzzles of heavy guns; while, in addition, the Old Mole, or Devils Tongue, projects its threatening mass into the sea. The isthmus is a sandy level, with patches of grass and vegetables, two parallel lines of British and Spanish sentinels, barracks of a squalid character for the Spanish soldiery, and still more squalid hovels for Spanish peasants. Here the ruins of Fort St. Philip remind us of the former existence of Spanish military works of a formidable character.Philip V. erected in 1751 two advanced forts, nowheaps of shattered masonry; one called after his tutelar saint, Felipe, the other after Santa Barbara,the patroness of the Spanish artillery. They were so strong, says Ford, that when the French advanced,in the Peninsular War, the modern Spaniards, being unable even to destroy them, called in the aid of our British engineers, under Colonel Harding, by
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CATALAN BAY FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN BATTERY. Pagt IJt. AN HISTORICAL ANECDOTE. 1 33 whom they were effectually dismantled. This is atleast un fait accompli, and they never ought to be allowed to be rebuilt, adds Ford, since to raiseworks before a fortress is a declaration of war; andas Buonapartes announced intention was to take Gibraltar, Sir Colin Campbell (afterwards Lord Clyde) was perfectly justified in clearing themaway, even without leave or license from the Spaniards. It was fortunate for many Spaniards that Campbell effected this work of destruction,for thus General Ballasteros was saved from annihilation, when the French pursued him and his un-disciplined mob of troops, by skulking under our guns. Yet no sooner was Ferdinand VII. replacedon the throne of Spain by British arms, than this man urged him to reconstruct the lines as both dangerous and offensive to England. Thereupon said General Don to the Spanish commander at Algesiras, If you begin, I will fire a gun; if that wont do, I s

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