Daily Cincinnati Republican

ANECDOTE OF POLINARIO, THE SPANISH ROBBER.

The following anecdote is extracted from the work of a recent traveller, from Inglis' Spain in 1830.' The traveller, in the course of his peregrinations, stopped one night at a posada, or inn, in the south of Spain, and sat down at a sort of table d'hote, with such company as had gathered at the said place of repose and refreshment.

Towards the conclusion of supper, a guest of no small importance took his place at the table; this was no other than the celebrated Polinario, during eleven years the dread of half of Spain, and now following the honest calling of guard of the Seville diligence. I never saw a finer man, or one whose appearance more clearly indicated the profession which he had abandoned. I could not help fancying that his countenance expressed a certain uneasiness of mind, and contempt of peaceable persons like myself, which an assumed suavity of manner was unable altogether to conceal: this suavity of manner, is however, very remarkable, and I believe is in perfect accordance with his conduct when a robber: for Polinario was never guilty of an act of wanton cruelty or barbarity, but along with the most fearless courage, he always evinced a certain forbearance, not uncommon among Spanish banditti; but in him having a deeper seat than the mock civility of a Spaniard thief, arising rather from a softness at heart, which afterwards led to a change in his mode of life. The history of his change is curious and I pledge myself for its authenticity.

The usual range of Polinario was the northern parts of the Sierra Morena and the southern parts of La Mancha; and here he remained during eleven years.

A few years ago, understanding that the Archbishop of Grenada would pass through Sierra Morena in his carriage, without other attendants than his servants, he lay in wait on the prelate, and stopped his carriage. The Archbishop of course delivered his money, and Polinario having received it, asked his blessing; upon this, the Archbishop began to remonstrate with the robber, setting forth the heinousness of his offences, and the wickedness of his life: but Polinario interrupted the Archbishop, by telling him that it was of no use remonstrating upon his manner of life, unless his Grace could obtain pardon for the past, because, without this, it was impossible he could change his mode of living.

The Archbishop of Grenada is a good man; and feeling a real desire to assist Polinario in his half expressed desire of seeking a better way of life, he passed his word that he would obtain for him his Majesty's pardon, and Polinario came under solemn promise to the Archbishop, that he would rob no more. In this way the matter stood for eleven months before the Archbishop could obtain the pardon he had promised; and during all this time Polinario was obliged to conceal himself from the pursuit which the offer of a considerable reward had long before instigated. At length, however, the pardon was obtained, and Polinario was free to lead an honest life. He admits, however, that he is not contented with the change, and makes no hesitation in saying, that the promise made to the Archbishop, alone prevents him from returning to his former profession; but he says the Archbishop kept his word to him; and he will keep his word to the Archbishop.