While I was here, News came of the Battle of Almanar and Saragosa; and giving the Victory to that Side, which they espous’d (that of King Philip) they made very great Rejoycings.  But soon, alas, for them, was all that Joy converted into Sorrow:  The next Courier evincing, that the Forces of King Charles had been victorious in both Engagements.  This did not turn to my present Disadvantage:  For Convents and Nunneries, as well as some of those Dons, whom afore I had not stood so well with, strove now how most to oblige me; not doubting, but if the victorious Army should march that way, it might be in my Power to double the most signal of their Services in my Friendship.

Soon after an Accident fell out, which had like to have been of an unhappy Consequence to me.  I was standing in Company, upon the Parade, when a most surprizing flock of Eagles flew over our Heads, where they hover’d for a considerable time.  The Novelty struck them all with Admiration, as well as my self.  But I, less accustomed to like Spectacles, innocent saying, that in my Opinion, it could not bode any good to King Philip, because the Eagle compos’d the Arms of Austria; some busie Body, in hearing, went and inform’d the Corrigidore of it.  Those most magisterial Wretches embrace all Occasions of squeezing Money; and more especially from Strangers.  However finding his Expectations disappointed in me, and that I too well knew the length of his Foot, to let my Money run freely; he sent me next Day to Alercon; but the Governor of that Place having had before Intelligence, that the English Army was advancing that way, refus’d to receive me, so I return’d as I went; only the Gentlemen of the Place, as they had condol’d the first, congratulated the last; for that Corrigidore stood but very indifferently in their Affections.  However, it was a warning to me ever after, how I made use of English Freedom in a Spanish Territory.

As I had attain’d the Acquaintance of most of the Clergy, and Religious of the Place; so particularly I had my aim in obtaining that of the Provincial of the Carmelites.  His Convent, tho’ small, was exceeding neat; but what to me was much more agreeable, There were very large Gardens belonging to it, which often furnished me with Sallading and Fruit, and much oftner with Walks of Refreshment, the most satisfactory Amusement in this warm Climate.  This Acquaintance with the Provincial was by a little Incident soon advanced into a Friendship; which was thus:  I was one Day walking, as I us’d to do, in the long Gallery of the Convent, when observing the Images of the Virgin Mary, of which there was one at each end; I took notice that one had an Inscription under it, which was this, Ecce, Virgo peperit filium:  but the other had no Inscription at all; upon which, I took out my Pencil, and wrote underneath, this Line: 

     Sponsa Dei, patrisque parens, & filia filii.