Letter from Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorouki (Dolgorukov), Barcelona, to Washington Irving, 1828 January 14 : autograph manuscript signed.

A letter mostly about Barcelona. Dolgorouki says that the countryside is as interesting in itself as it is because of the events of which it has recently been the theater. He says that it is rich and offers no indication of a recent revolution. He says that the society of Barcelona is in a state of total decadence. What a pity that such an industrious, active people of such strong character is condemned to never rise to its true potential and level of good will. He has been to see the archivist of Aragon, who has been in touch with Mr. Navaretis. The archivist has told him that despite many attempts, he has been unable to find anything about Christopher Columbus [about whom Irving completed a biography in 1828]. He sends regards to Mr. [David] Wilkie and talks about the free art school in Barcelona, which has more than 500 students who have few paintings to use as models, except a few from the Spanish school. He says that industry is destroyed in Valencia but still flourishing in Barcelona. American[?] independence has completely ruined Spain. Mentions Madame D'Oubril, Irving's brother, and Antoinette [Bolviller].