Note 37 — BARCELONA
Reading edition
An idea of Spain's romance of soul can be gathered from the rules and regulations of her national police, the Civil Guard, who may be called the descendants of Isabella's Santa Hermandad.
"1. Honour must be the chief motive for the Civil Guard, to be preserved intact and without a flaw. Once gone, honour can never be regained.
" ... 3. The force must be an example to the country of neatness, order, bearing, good morals and spotless honour....
"8. The Civil Guard ought to be regarded as the protector of the afflicted, inspiring confidence when seen approaching.... For the Civil Guard must freely give his life for the good of any sufferer.
" ... 9. Whenever a member of the Civil Guard has the good fortune to render a service to anyone, he must never accept, if offered, a reward, bearing in mind that he has done nothing but his simple duty.
" ... 27. The Civil Guard will refrain with the greatest scrupulousness from drawing near to listen to any knot of people in street, shop, or private house, for this would be an act of espionage, altogether outside the office and beneath the dignity of any member of the force."
That such rules have molded her exemplary constabulary, no one will deny who has traveled much in Spain. They are loved and respected by the people; witness this popular song:
"Atenta á la vida humana Siempre la Guardia Civil ... Y por eso en todas partes Benediciones la acompañan, Por eso Dios la protege Cuando al peligro se lanza, Por eso la canto yo Con el corazón y el alma: Viva la Guardia Civil Porque es la gloria de España!"