It was not an invasion contested by arms, but a youthful civilisation that threw out roots in every part.

The principle of religious liberty which cements all great nationalities came in with them, and in the conquered towns they accepted the Church of the Christians and the synagogues of the Jews.

The Mosque did not fear the temples it found in the country, it respected them, placing itself among them without jealousy or desire of domination.

From the eighth to the fifteenth century the most elevated and opulent civilisation of the Middle Ages in Europe was formed and flourished.

While the people of the north were decimating each other in religious wars, and living in tribal barbarity, the population of Spain rose to thirty millions, gathering to herself all races and all beliefs in infinite variety, like the modern American people.