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<P>Kurlansky's book is indeed a fine one. More generally one can note that 1) the Basques have been a most important group in the development of Hispanic and French Culture and 2) modern pilgrims passing through the Basque country find them to be a pleasant and hospitable people.</P>
<P>Anti-Basque predjudice amongst pilgrims, however, does have a long history. Aimery Picaud's 12th century Pilgrims Guide (book 5 of the Codex Calixtinus) is in part an anti-Basque screed. As a small sample "the impious Navarrese and the Basques used not merely to rob the pilgrims going to St. James, but also to ride them as if they were asses," (Melczer translation, p. 93), and indeed even the environment of the Basque country was poisonous: "the water of all rivers one encounters between Estella and Logrono has been recognized as deadly" (Ibid, p. 89). </P></DIV>
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<DIV>E. O. Pederson</DIV>
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<DIV>Seattle, WA
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