We mentioned in one of our recent issues that a party from the summer colony residing at the Hotel Colón was preparing to pay a visit to the picturesque Sanctuary of Los Angeles, within the district of Alájar in the Sierra de Aracena; and indeed, at midnight on Wednesday, the expeditionaries, numbering thirty or slightly more, left the Colón theatre and made their way to the Zafra-Huelva railway station. Forming an enthusiastic and merry group, occupying the saloon car and several first-class compartments, they were borne on the wings of steam toward the object and destination of their journey. With some playing cards, others reading newspapers, some sleeping, those chatting, and some even casting the passionate notes of flamenco singing into the air with silvery voices, the night passed in a breath—a peaceful night (resembling November more than June), for it foretold a day of intense heat. At daybreak, the expedition alighted at the Jabugo-Galaroza station and, without stopping longer than necessary to take a light refreshment, they mounted the horses provided for the purpose and continued their journey toward Galaroza and Fuenteheridos, visiting the white marble quarries currently in operation along the way.

The arrival of so many travelers was a great event for the little village of Fuenteheridos. Mounted upon spirited beasts, they soon departed in a picturesque cavalcade toward the sanctuary, situated halfway between Alájar and Fuenteheridos and about half a league from each of these towns; the first half of the road traverses a forest of lush chestnut trees and ascends to the summit of a high mountain; the second half is a rapid descent down the steep mountainside, from which a vast and beautiful panorama is revealed.

On recent occasions, and not very remote ones, we have given detailed descriptions of the sanctuary and its picturesque location, and this dispenses us from making a new one now; we shall only say that at eleven in the morning, under the pleasant shade of the leafy trees surrounding the hermitage and beside the copious and icy spring, which is one of the attractions of that site for weary and thirsty travelers, the expedition arrived. It was the most opportune moment to see and know everyone: there was the well-known proprietor from Seville, Don Juan Vazquez, with his two daughters, as beautiful as they are kind and simple, and his son. Mr. D. Manuel de Ortigosa with his amiable wife and his lovely daughter. Mr. Don Enrique Tornero with his two graceful and charming sisters. Don Jorge Welton with his two sons, Enrique and Carlos, and his graceful and ever-youthful wife. Mr. D. Federico Lorent and his most beautiful lady. Mr. D. Guillermo Rodiger with his very kind wife and sister-in-law. Mr. Don José Tinoco de Castilla, Father Cruz, the parish priest of Fuenteheridos, Mr. D. Luis de Lastra, Mr. D. Alejandro Biec, D. Joaquín Brieba, Mr. Don Guillermo Sundheim junior, Mr. D. Antonio M. de la Jara, Mr. D. Adolfo Brieba, Mr. D. Luis de Lastra, D. Manuel Biec, Mr. D. Alejandro Brieba, Mr. Don Juan Vazquez junior, Don Pedro N. de Soto, the organizer of the same, the Alejandro Biec, D. Joaquín Brieba, Mr. Don Guillermo Sundheim, Enrique, Don José Motta, Don Miguel Latorre, D. Simon de Belga, D. Francisco Herrera, doctor of the Huelva to Zafra line, Mr. D. Guillermo Sundheim, our farewell being given to those happy passengers and to the aristocratic ladies at El Repilao by the train, which we left an hour later at Valdelamusa, to rejoin Mr. Sundheim, and in the afternoon the travelers set out, having started after a sumptuous banquet at the site of the white marble quarries in operation.

If the country lunch was magnificent, the dinner was equally so; both alternated profusely with national wines, and principally those of Andalusia, the most famous brands of the Giralda and Champagne; and bearing in mind that the diners came from different nations, the meal was a delicious international potpourri where there were dishes, sauces, stews, and garnishes for all tastes and palates. There were toasts, both at lunch and at dinner; at lunch, Messrs. Vazquez and Ortigosa toasted the services rendered to the province by Mr. Sundheim and the realisation and prosperity of his future projects. Mr. Tinoco and Father Cruz toasted the benefits that Mr. Sundheim has brought to the region and those he still intends to bestow upon it. At dinner, Messrs. Ortigosa and Vazquez repeated and expanded their toasts; the latter also toasted Miss Justina Sundheim, expressing his regret that an indisposition had deprived everyone of the pleasure of her presence.

Mr. Latorre spoke more or less as follows: «I rise to toast that all those attending this dinner may achieve their ideals, and these being realized, may they remember in the joys they have the respectful regard deserved by the splendid host who so selflessly, and with more than exquisite treatment, provides us with a feast comparable only to those described in the legends of “The Thousand and One Nights”; and I do not ask of everyone this remembrance for this stroke of genius, all the more to be appreciated when nothing obliges him to it, but for his paternal love for a region that owes him all that it is.»

The arrival of the train brought the toasts to an end. At half-past eleven, we arrived in Huelva, weary in body, yes, but joyful and satisfied in spirit.

(As published in La Provincia)