THE REPUBLIC OF ANDORRA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1672, 29 April 1884, Page 2

THE REPUBLIC OF ANDORRA.

The little monarcbial-republic of Andorra commences once more to cause ill-foeling between' the French and Spain, who manage it under a dualcontrol regime. Strictly its 150 square miles of territory makes it an off-shoot of tho Spanish territory of Aragon, and, following a feudal arrangement, subject to tho Bishopric of TJrgel. The 68,000 inhabitants speak only Spanish, and in their manners' tire the samej it pays an annual tribute to France of 960 francs, and its chief utility to France consists in smuggling her products into Spain, the inhabitants being celebrated for their ability and ruse in that kind of work. The name of the ], valley comes from the Arabic Al darra, meaning a thickly wooded region; the wood of oak and, fir are now rare, caused by the inhabitants 1 felling the timber, and that barrenness has been followed by a washing away of the soil. 1 The people prepare a little smelting iron, and a special cloth owing its reputation to being steeped in a sulphurous stream, as Damascus blades are reported to owe their superiority to a dip ia a select river. There is no written law among the Adorrians; what the French and the Spanish viguirs (Vicaires or Viconites) declare to be just, that .is the law. Tho eldest son of the family is the patriarch. His younger brothers must obey him, and work for him, if they intend to have his protection and hospitality. Grazing, especially for sheep, is their chief occupation, There are six parishes each of the latter elect four members '•j to form a general council for the ad- f ministration of local affairs. Since 1860 a puff of universal suffrage has swept through the valley, as all the heads of families are now, voters where 1 , formerly only the biggest proprietors exercised, that right. It is on this point confusion has arisen. Spanish dragoons have galloped through the realm, a common feat, and' Franco threatens to send her cuiraissera (o enjoy tho steeplechase also.