Evenforfemaleagencythereisaplaceinhersystem。Todevoutwomensheassignsspiritualfunctions，dignities，andmagistracies。Inourcountry，ifanobleladyismovedbymorethanordinaryzealforthepropagationofreligion，thechanceisthat，thoughshemaydisapproveofnodoctrineorceremonyoftheEstablishedChurch，shewillendbygivinghernametoanewschism。Ifapiousandbenevolentwomanentersthecellsofaprisontopraywiththemostunhappyanddegradedofherownsex，shedoessowithoutanyauthorityfromtheChurch。Nolineofactionistracedoutforher;anditiswelliftheOrdinarydoesnotcomplainofherintrusion，andiftheBishopdoesnotshakehisheadatsuchirregularbenevolence。AtRome，theCountessofHuntingdonwouldhaveaplaceinthecalendarasSt。Selina，andMrs。FrywouldbefoundressandfirstSuperioroftheBlessedOrderofSistersoftheGaols。
PlaceIgnatiusLoyolaatOxford。Heiscertaintobecometheheadofaformidablesecession。PlaceJohnWesleyatRome。HeiscertaintobethefirstGeneralofanewsocietydevotedtotheinterestsandhonouroftheChurch。PlaceSt。TheresainLondon。
Herrestlessenthusiasmfermentsintomadness，notuntincturedwithcraft。Shebecomestheprophetess，themotherofthefaithful，holdsdisputationswiththedevil，issuessealedpardonstoheradorers，andliesinoftheShiloh。PlaceJoannaSouthcoteatRome。ShefoundsanorderofbarefootedCarmelites，everyoneofwhomisreadytosuffermartyrdomfortheChurch;asolemnserviceisconsecratedtohermemory;andherstatue，placedovertheholywater，strikestheeyeofeverystrangerwhoentersSt。Peter’s。
Wehavedweltlongonthissubject，becausewebelievethatofthemanycausestowhichtheChurchofRomeowedhersafetyandhertriumphatthecloseofthesixteenthcentury，thechiefwastheprofoundpolicywithwhichsheusedthefanaticismofsuchpersonsasSt。IgnatiusandSt。Theresa。
TheProtestantpartywasnowindeedvanquishedandhumbled。InFrance，sostronghadbeentheCatholicreactionthatHenrytheFourthfounditnecessarytochoosebetweenhisreligionandhiscrown。Inspiteofhisclearhereditaryright，inspiteofhiseminentpersonalqualities，hesawthat，unlesshereconciledhimselftotheChurchofRome，hecouldnotcountonthefidelityevenofthosegallantgentlemenwhoseimpetuousvalourhadturnedthetideofbattleatIvry。InBelgium，Poland，andSouthernGermany，Catholicismhadobtainedcompleteascendency。TheresistanceofBohemiawasputdown。ThePalatinatewasconquered。
UpperandLowerSaxonywereoverflowedbyCatholicinvaders。TheKingofDenmarkstoodforthastheProtectoroftheReformedChurches:hewasdefeated，drivenoutoftheempire，andattackedinhisownpossessions。ThearmiesoftheHouseofAustriapressedon，subjugatedPomerania，andwerestoppedintheirprogressonlybytherampartsofStralsund。
Andnowagainthetideturned。Twoviolentoutbreaksofreligiousfeelinginoppositedirectionshadgivenacharactertothewholehistoryofawholecentury。ProtestantismhadatfirstdrivenbackCatholicismtotheAlpsandthePyrenees。Catholicismhadrallied，andhaddrivenbackProtestantismeventotheGermanOcean。Thenthegreatsouthernreactionbegantoslacken，asthegreatnorthernmovementhadslackenedbefore。ThezealoftheCatholicswaxedcool。Theirunionwasdissolved。Theparoxysmofreligiousexcitementwasoveronbothsides。OnepartyhaddegeneratedasfarfromthespiritofLoyolaastheotherfromthespiritofLuther。Duringthreegenerationsreligionhadbeenthemainspringofpolitics。TherevolutionsandcivilwarsofFrance，Scotland，Holland，Sweden，thelongstrugglebetweenPhilipandElizabeth，thebloodycompetitionfortheBohemiancrown，hadalloriginatedintheologicaldisputes。Butagreatchangenowtookplace。ThecontestwhichwasraginginGermanylostitsreligiouscharacter。Itwasnow，ononeside，lessacontestforthespiritualascendencyoftheChurchofRomethanforthetemporalascendencyoftheHouseofAustria。Ontheotherside，itwaslessacontestforthereformeddoctrinesthanfornationalindependence。Governmentsbegantoformthemselvesintonewcombinations，inwhichcommunityofpoliticalinterestwasfarmoreregardedthancommunityofreligiousbelief。EvenatRometheprogressoftheCatholicarmswasobservedwithmixedfeelings。TheSupremePontiffwasasovereignprinceofthesecondrank，andwasanxiousaboutthebalanceofpoweraswellasaboutthepropagationoftruth。ItwasknownthathedreadedtheriseofanuniversalmonarchyevenmorethanhedesiredtheprosperityoftheUniversalChurch。Atlengthagreateventannouncedtotheworldthatthewarofsectshadceased，andthatthewarofstateshadsucceeded。Acoalition，includingCalvinists，Lutherans，andCatholics，wasformedagainsttheHouseofAustria。Attheheadofthatcoalitionwerethefirststatesmanandthefirstwarrioroftheage;theformeraprinceoftheCatholicChurch，distinguishedbythevigourandsuccesswithwhichhehadputdowntheHuguenots;thelatteraProtestantkingwhoowedhisthronetoarevolutioncausedbyhatredofPopery。TheallianceofRichelieuandGustavusmarksthetimeatwhichthegreatreligiousstruggleterminated。ThewarwhichfollowedwasawarfortheequilibriumofEurope。When，atlength，thepeaceofWestphaliawasconcluded，itappearedthattheChurchofRomeremainedinfullpossessionofavastdominionwhichinthemiddleoftheprecedingcenturysheseemedtobeonthepointoflosing。NopartofEuroperemainedProtestant，exceptthatpartwhichhadbecomethoroughlyProtestantbeforethegenerationwhichheardLutherpreachhadpassedaway。
SincethattimetherehasbeennoreligiouswarbetweenCatholicsandProtestantsassuch。InthetimeofCromwell，ProtestantEnglandwasunitedwithCatholicFrance，thengovernedbyapriest，againstCatholicSpain。WilliamtheThird，theeminentlyProtestanthero，wasattheheadofacoalitionwhichincludedmanyCatholicpowers，andwhichwassecretlyfavouredevenbyRome，againsttheCatholicLewis。InthetimeofAnne，ProtestantEnglandandProtestantHollandjoinedwithCatholicSavoyandCatholicPortugal，forthepurposeoftransferringthecrownofSpainfromonebigotedCatholictoanother。
ThegeographicalfrontierbetweenthetworeligionshascontinuedtorunalmostpreciselywhereitranatthecloseoftheThirtyYears’War;norhasProtestantismgivenanyproofsofthat\"expansivepower\"whichhasbeenascribedtoit。ButtheProtestantboasts，andboastsmostjustly，thatwealth，civilisation，andintelligence，haveincreasedfarmoreonthenorthernthanonthesouthernsideoftheboundary，andthatcountriessolittlefavouredbynatureasScotlandandPrussiaarenowamongthemostflourishingandbestgovernedportionsoftheworld，whilethemarblepalacesofGenoaaredeserted，whilebandittiinfestthebeautifulshoresofCampania，whilethefertilesea—coastofthePontificalStateisabandonedtobuffaloesandwildboars。Itcannotbedoubtedthat，sincethesixteenthcentury，theProtestantnationshavemadedecidedlygreaterprogressthantheirneighbours。TheprogressmadebythosenationsinwhichProtestantism，thoughnotfinallysuccessful，yetmaintainedalongstruggle，andleftpermanenttraces，hasgenerallybeenconsiderable。ButwhenwecometotheCatholicLand，tothepartofEuropeinwhichthefirstsparkofreformationwastroddenoutassoonasitappeared，andfromwhichproceededtheimpulsewhichdroveProtestantismback，wefind，atbest，averyslowprogress，andonthewholearetrogression。CompareDenmarkandPortugal。WhenLutherbegantopreach，thesuperiorityofthePortuguesewasunquestionable。Atpresent，thesuperiorityoftheDanesisnolessso。CompareEdinburghandFlorence。Edinburghhasowedlesstoclimate，tosoil，andtothefosteringcareofrulersthananycapital，ProtestantorCatholic。Inalltheserespects，Florencehasbeensingularlyhappy。YetwhoeverknowswhatFlorenceandEdinburghwereinthegenerationprecedingtheReformation，andwhattheyarenow，willacknowledgethatsomegreatcausehas，duringthelastthreeCenturies，operatedtoraiseonepartoftheEuropeanfamily，andtodepresstheother。ComparethehistoryofEnglandandthatofSpainduringthelastcentury。Inarms，arts，sciences，letters，commerce，agriculture，thecontrastismoststriking。ThedistinctionisnotconfinedtothissideoftheAtlantic。ThecoloniesplantedbyEnglandinAmericahaveimmeasurablyoutgrowninpowerthoseplantedbySpain。Yetwehavenoreasontobelievethat，atthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury，theCastilianwasinanyrespectinferiortotheEnglishman。Ourfirmbeliefis，thattheNorthowesitsgreatcivilisationandprosperitychieflytothemoraleffectoftheProtestantReformation，andthatthedecayofthesoutherncountriesofEuropeistobemainlyascribedtothegreatCatholicrevival。
AboutahundredyearsafterthefinalsettlementoftheboundarylinebetweenProtestantismandCatholicism，begantoappearthesignsofthefourthgreatperiloftheChurchofRome。Thestormwhichwasnowrisingagainstherwasofaverydifferentkindfromthosewhichhadprecededit。Thosewhohadformerlyattackedherhadquestionedonlyapartofherdoctrines。Aschoolwasnowgrowingupwhichrejectedthewhole。TheAlbigenses，theLollards，theLutherans，theCalvinists，hadapositivereligioussystem，andwerestronglyattachedtoit。Thecreedofthenewsectarieswasaltogethernegative。TheytookoneoftheirpremisesfromtheProtestants，andonefromtheCatholics。Fromthelattertheyborrowedtheprinciple，thatCatholicismwastheonlypureandgenuineChristianity。Withtheformer，theyheldthatsomepartsoftheCatholicsystemwerecontrarytoreason。
Theconclusionwasobvious。Twopropositions，eachofwhichseparatelyiscompatiblewiththemostexaltedpiety，formed，whenheldinconjunction，theground—workofasystemofirreligion。ThedoctrineofBossuet，thattransubstantiationisaffirmedintheGospel，andthedoctrineofTillotson，thattransubstantiationisanabsurdity，whenputtogether，producedbylogicalnecessity，theinferencesofVoltaire。
HadthesectwhichwasrisingatParisbeenasectofmerescoffers，itisveryimprobablethatitwouldhaveleftdeeptracesofitsexistenceintheinstitutionsandmannersofEurope。Merenegation，mereEpicureaninfidelity，asLordBaconmostjustlyobserves，hasneverdisturbedthepeaceoftheworld。
Itfurnishesnomotiveforaction。Itinspiresnoenthusiasm。Ithasnomissionaries，nocrusaders，nomartyrs。IfthePatriarchoftheHolyPhilosophicalChurchhadcontentedhimselfwithmakingjokesaboutSaul’sassesandDavid’swives，andwithcriticisingthepoetryofEzekielinthesamenarrowspiritinwhichhecriticisedthatofShakspeare，Romewouldhavehadlittletofear。Butitisduetohimandtohiscompeerstosaythattherealsecretoftheirstrengthlayinthetruthwhichwasmingledwiththeirerrors，andinthegenerousenthusiasmwhichwashiddenundertheirflippancy。Theyweremenwho，withalltheirfaults，moralandintellectual，sincerelyandearnestlydesiredtheimprovementoftheconditionofthehumanrace，whosebloodboiledatthesightofcrueltyandinjustice，whomademanfulwar，witheveryfacultywhichtheypossessed，onwhattheyconsideredasabuses，andwhoonmanysignaloccasionsplacedthemselvesgallantlybetweenthepowerfulandtheoppressed。
WhiletheyassailedChristianitywitharancourandanunfairnessdisgracefultomenwhocalledthemselvesphilosophers，theyyethad，infargreatermeasurethantheiropponents，thatcharitytowardsmenofallclassesandraceswhichChristianityenjoins。
Religiouspersecution，judicialtorture，arbitraryimprisonment，theunnecessarymultiplicationofcapitalpunishments，thedelayandchicaneryoftribunals，theexactionsoffarmersoftherevenue，slavery，theslavetrade，weretheconstantsubjectsoftheirlivelysatireandeloquentdisquisitions。WhenaninnocentmanwasbrokenonthewheelatToulouse，whenayouth，guiltyonlyofanindiscretion，wasbeheadedatAbbeville，whenabraveofficer，bornedownbypublicinjustice，wasdragged，withagaginhismouth，todieonthePlacedeGreve，avoiceinstantlywentforthfromthebanksofLakeLeman，whichmadeitselfheardfromMoscowtoCadiz，andwhichsentencedtheunjustjudgestothecontemptanddetestationofallEurope。Thereallyefficientweaponswithwhichthephilosophersassailedtheevangelicalfaithwereborrowedfromtheevangelicalmorality。TheethicalanddogmaticalpartsoftheGospelwereunhappilyturnedagainsteachother。OnonesidewasaChurchboastingofthepurityofadoctrinederivedfromtheApostles，butdisgracedbythemassacreofSt。Bartholomew，bythemurderofthebestofkings，bythewarofCevennes，bythedestructionofPort—Royal。OntheothersidewasasectlaughingattheScriptures，shootingoutthetongueatthesacraments，butreadytoencounterprincipalitiesandpowersinthecauseofjustice，mercyandtoleration。
Irreligion，accidentallyassociatedwithphilanthropy，triumphedforatimeoverreligionaccidentallyassociatedwithpoliticalandsocialabuses。Everythinggavewaytothezealandactivityofthenewreformers。InFrance，everymandistinguishedinletterswasfoundintheirranks。EveryyeargavebirthtoworksinwhichthefundamentalprinciplesoftheChurchwereattackedwithargument，invective，andridicule。TheChurchmadenodefence，exceptbyactsofpower。Censureswerepronounced:bookswereseized:insultswereofferedtotheremainsofinfidelwriters;butnoBossuet，noPascal，cameforthtoencounterVoltaire。ThereappearednotasingledefenceoftheCatholicdoctrinewhichproducedanyconsiderableeffect，orwhichisnowevenremembered。Abloodyandunsparingpersecution，likethatwhichputdowntheAlbigenses，mighthaveputdownthephilosophers。ButthetimeforDeMontfortsandDominicshadgoneby。Thepunishmentswhichthepriestswerestillabletoinflictweresuffficienttoirritate，butnotsufficienttodestroy。Thewarwasbetweenpowerononeside，andwitontheother;andthepowerwasunderfarmorerestraintthanthewit。Orthodoxysoonbecameasynonymeforignoranceandstupidity。Itwasasnecessarytothecharacterofanaccomplishedmanthatheshoulddespisethereligionofhiscountry，asthatheshouldknowhisletters。ThenewdoctrinesspreadrapidlythroughChristendom。PariswasthecapitalofthewholeContinent。Frenchwaseverywherethelanguageofpolitecircles。TheliterarygloryofItalyandSpainhaddeparted。ThatofGermanyhadnotdawned。ThatofEnglandshone，asyet，fortheEnglishalone。TheteachersofFranceweretheteachersofEurope。TheParisianopinionsspreadfastamongtheeducatedclassesbeyondtheAlps:norcouldthevigilanceoftheInquisitionpreventthecontrabandimportationofthenewheresyintoCastileandPortugal。Governments，evenarbitrarygovernments，sawwithpleasuretheprogressofthisphilosophy。
Numerousreforms，generallylaudable，sometimeshurriedonwithoutsufficientregardtotime，toplace，andtopublicfeeling，showedtheextentofitsinfluence。TherulersofPrussia，ofRussia，ofAustria，andofmanysmallerstates，weresupposedtobeamongtheinitiated。
TheChurchofRomewasstill，inoutwardshow，asstatelyandsplendidasever;butherfoundationwasundermined。Nostatehadquittedhercommunionorconfiscatedherrevenues;butthereverenceofthepeoplewaseverywheredepartingfromher。
Thefirstgreatwarning—strokewasthefallofthatsocietywhich，intheconflictwithProtestantism，hadsavedtheCatholicChurchfromdestruction。TheOrderofJesushadneverrecoveredfromtheinjuryreceivedinthestrugglewithPort—Royal。Itwasnowstillmorerudelyassailedbythephilosophers。Itsspiritwasbroken;itsreputationwastainted。InsultedbyallthemenofgeniusinEurope，condemnedbythecivilmagistrate，feeblydefendedbythechiefsofthehierarchy，itfell:andgreatwasthefallofit。
Themovementwentonwithincreasingspeed。Thefirstgenerationofthenewsectpassedaway。ThedoctrinesofVoltairewereinheritedandexaggeratedbysuccessors，whoboretohimthesamerelationwhichtheAnabaptistsboretoLuther，ortheFifth—
MonarchymentoPym。AtlengththeRevolutioncame。DownwenttheoldChurchofFrance，withallitspompandwealth。SomeofitspriestspurchasedamaintenancebyseparatingthemselvesfromRome，andbybecomingtheauthorsofafreshschism。Some，rejoicinginthenewlicence，flungawaytheirsacredvestments，proclaimedthattheirwholelifehadbeenanimposture，insultedandpersecutedthereligionofwhichtheyhadbeenministers，anddistinguishedthemselves，evenintheJacobinClubandtheCommuneofParis，bytheexcessoftheirimpudenceandferocity。
Others，morefaithfultotheirprinciples，werebutcheredbyscoreswithoutatrial，drowned，shot，hungonlamp—posts。
Thousandsfledfromtheircountrytotakesanctuaryundertheshadeofhostilealtars。Thechurcheswereclosed;thebellsweresilent;theshrineswereplundered;thesilvercrucifixesweremelteddown。Buffoons，dressedincopesandsurplices，camedancingthecarmagnoleeventothebaroftheConvention。ThebustofMaratwassubstitutedforthestatuesofthemartyrsofChristianity。Aprostitute，seatedonachairofstateinthechancelofNotreDame，receivedtheadorationofthousands，whoexclaimedthatatlength，forthefirsttime，thoseancientGothicarcheshadresoundedwiththeaccentsoftruth。Thenewunbeliefwasasintolerantastheoldsuperstition。Toshowreverenceforreligionwastoincurthesuspicionofdisaffection。Itwasnotwithoutimminentdangerthatthepriestbaptizedtheinfant，joinedthehandsoflovers，orlistenedtotheconfessionofthedying。TheabsurdworshipoftheGoddessofReasonwas，indeed，ofshortduration;butthedeismofRobespierreandLepauxwasnotlesshostiletotheCatholicfaiththantheatheismofClootzandChaumette。
NorwerethecalamitiesoftheChurchconfinedtoFrance。Therevolutionaryspirit，attackedbyallEurope，beatallEuropeback，becameconquerorinitsturn，and，notsatisfiedwiththeBelgiancitiesandtherichdomainsofthespiritualelectors，wentragingovertheRhineandthroughthepassesoftheAlps。
ThroughoutthewholeofthegreatwaragainstProtestantism，ItalyandSpainhadbeenthebaseoftheCatholicoperations。
Spainwasnowtheobsequiousvassaloftheinfidels。Italywassubjugatedbythem。ToherancientprincipalitiessucceededtheCisalpinerepublic，andtheLigurianrepublic，andtheParthenopeanrepublic。TheshrineofLorettowasstrippedofthetreasurespiledupbythedevotionofsixhundredyears。TheconventsofRomewerepillaged。ThetricolouredflagfloatedonthetopoftheCastleofSt。Angelo。ThesuccessorofSt。Peterwascarriedawaycaptivebytheunbelievers。Hediedaprisonerintheirhands;andeventhehonoursofsepulturewerelongwithheldfromhisremains。
Itisnotstrangethatintheyear1799，evensagaciousobserversshouldhavethoughtthat，atlength，thehouroftheChurchofRomewascome。Aninfidelpowerascendant，thePopedyingincaptivity，themostillustriousprelatesofFrancelivinginaforeigncountryonProtestantalms，thenoblestedificeswhichthemunificenceofformerageshadconsecratedtotheworshipofGodturnedintotemplesofVictory，orintobanqueting—housesforpoliticalsocieties，orintoTheophilanthropicchapels，suchsignsmightwellbesupposedtoindicatetheapproachingendofthatlongdomination。
Buttheendwasnotyet。Againdoomedtodeath，themilk—whitehindwasstillfatednottodie。EvenbeforethefuneralriteshadbeenperformedovertheashesofPiustheSixth，agreatreactionhadcommenced，which，afterthelapseofmorethanfortyyears，appearstobestillinprogress。Anarchyhadhaditsday。
Aneworderofthingsroseoutoftheconfusion，newdynasties，newlaws，newtitles;andamidstthememergedtheancientreligion。TheArabshaveafablethattheGreatPyramidwasbuiltbyantediluviankings，andalone，ofalltheworksofmen，boretheweightoftheflood。SuchasthiswasthefateofthePapacy。
Ithadbeenburiedunderthegreatinundation;butitsdeepfoundationshadremainedunshaken;andwhenthewatersabated，itappearedaloneamidsttheruinsofaworldwhichhadpassedaway。
TherepublicofHollandwasgone，andtheempireofGermany，andthegreatCouncilofVenice，andtheoldHelvetianLeague，andtheHouseofBourbon，andtheparliamentsandaristocracyofFrance。Europewasfullofyoungcreations，aFrenchempire，akingdomofItaly，aConfederationoftheRhine。Norhadthelateeventsaffectedonlyterritoriallimitsandpoliticalinstitutions。Thedistributionofproperty，thecompositionandspiritofsociety，had，throughgreatpartofCatholicEurope，undergoneacompletechange。ButtheunchangeableChurchwasstillthere。
Somefuturehistorian，asableandtemperateasProfessorRanke，will，wehope，tracetheprogressoftheCatholicrevivalofthenineteenthcentury。Wefeelthatwearedrawingtoonearourowntime，andthat，ifwegoon，weshallbeindangerofsayingmuchwhichmaybesupposedtoindicate，andwhichwillcertainlyexcite，angryfeelings。Wewill，therefore，makeonlyonemoreobservation，which，inouropinion，isdeservingofseriousattention。
Duringtheeighteenthcentury，theinfluenceoftheChurchofRomewasconstantlyonthedecline。UnbeliefmadeextensiveconquestsinalltheCatholiccountriesofEurope，andinsomecountriesobtainedacompleteascendency。ThePapacywasatlengthbroughtsolowastobeanobjectofderisiontoinfidels，andofpityratherthanofhatredtoProtestants。Duringthenineteenthcentury，thisfallenChurchhasbeengraduallyrisingfromherdepressedstateandreconqueringherolddominion。Nopersonwhocalmlyreflectsonwhat，withinthelastfewyears，haspassedinSpain，inItaly，inSouthAmerica，inIreland，intheNetherlands，inPrussia，eveninFrance，candoubtthatthepowerofthisChurchovertheheartsandmindsofmen，isnowgreaterfarthanitwaswhentheEncyclopaediaandthePhilosophicalDictionaryappeared。Itissurelyremarkable，thatneitherthemoralrevolutionoftheeighteenthcentury，northemoralcounter—revolutionofthenineteenth，should，inanyperceptibledegree，haveaddedtothedomainofProtestantism。
Duringtheformerperiod，whateverwaslosttoCatholicismwaslostalsotoChristianity;duringthelatter，whateverwasregainedbyChristianityinCatholiccountrieswasregainedalsobyCatholicism。Weshouldnaturallyhaveexpectedthatmanyminds，onthewayfromsuperstitiontoinfidelity，oronthewaybackfrominfidelitytosuperstition，wouldhavestoppedatanintermediatepoint。BetweenthedoctrinestaughtintheschoolsoftheJesuits，andthosewhichweremaintainedatthelittlesupperpartiesoftheBaronHolbach，thereisavastinterval，inwhichthehumanmind，itshouldseem，mightfindforitselfsomeresting—placemoresatisfactorythaneitherofthetwoextremes。
AndatthetimeoftheReformation，millionsfoundsucharesting—place。WholenationsthenrenouncedPoperywithoutceasingtobelieveinafirstcause，inafuturelife，orintheDivinemissionofJesus。Inthelastcentury，ontheotherhand，whenaCatholicrenouncedhisbeliefintherealPresence，itwasathousandtoonethatherenouncedhisbeliefintheGospeltoo;
and，whenthereactiontookplace，withbeliefintheGospelcamebackbeliefintherealpresence。
Webynomeansventuretodeducefromthesephenomenaanygenerallaw;butwethinkitamostremarkablefact，thatnoChristiannation，whichdidnotadopttheprinciplesoftheReformationbeforetheendofthesixteenthcentury，shouldeverhaveadoptedthem。Catholiccommunitieshave，sincethattime，becomeinfidelandbecomeCatholicagain;butnonehasbecomeProtestant。
Hereweclosethishastysketchofoneofthemostimportantportionsofthehistoryofmankind。OurreaderswillhavegreatreasontofeelobligedtousifwehaveinterestedthemsufficientlytoinducethemtoperuseProfessorRanke’sbook。WewillonlycautionthemagainsttheFrenchtranslation，aperformancewhich，inouropinion，isjustasdiscreditabletothemoralcharacterofthepersonfromwhomitproceedsasafalseaffidavitoraforgedbillofexchangewouldhavebeen，andadvisethemtostudyeithertheoriginal，ortheEnglishversion，inwhichthesenseandspiritoftheoriginalareadmirablypreserved。
WAROFTHESUCCESSIONINSPAIN
（January1833）
HistoryoftheWaroftheSuccessioninSpain。ByLORDMAHON。
8vo。London:1832。
ThedayswhenMiscellaniesinProseandVersebyaPersonofHonour，andRomancesofM。Scuderi，doneintoEnglishbyaPersonofQuality，wereattractivetoreadersandprofitabletobooksellers，havelonggoneby。Theliteraryprivilegesonceenjoyedbylordsareasobsoleteastheirrighttokilltheking’sdeerontheirwaytoParliament，orastheiroldremedyofscandalummagnatum。Yetwemustacknowledgethat，thoughourpoliticalopinionsarebynomeansaristocratical，wealwaysfeelkindlydisposedtowardsnobleauthors。Industry，andatasteforintellectualpleasures，arepeculiarlyrespectableinthosewhocanaffordtobeidleandwhohaveeverytemptationtobedissipated。Itisimpossiblenottowishsuccesstoamanwho，findinghimselfplaced，withoutanyexertionoranymeritonhispart，abovethemassofsociety，voluntarilydescendsfromhiseminenceinsearchofdistinctionswhichhemayjustlycallhisown。
Thisis，wethink，thesecondappearanceofLordMahoninthecharacterofanauthor。Hisfirstbookwascreditabletohim，butwasineveryrespectinferiortotheworkwhichnowliesbeforeus。Hehasundoubtedlysomeofthemostvaluablequalitiesofahistorian，greatdiligenceinexaminingauthorities，greatjudgmentinweighingtestimony，andgreatimpartialityinestimatingcharacters。Wearenotawarethathehasinanyinstanceforgottenthedutiesbelongingtohisliteraryfunctionsinthefeelingsofakinsman。HedoesnomorethanjusticetohisancestorStanhope;hedoesfulljusticetoStanhope’senemiesandrivals。Hisnarrativeisveryperspicuous，andisalsoentitledtothepraise，seldom，wegrievetosay，deservedbymodernwriters，ofbeingveryconcise。Itmustbeadmitted，however，that，withmanyofthebestqualitiesofaliteraryveteran，hehassomeofthefaultsofaliterarynovice。Hehasnotyetacquiredagreatcommandofwords。Hisstyleisseldomeasy，andisnowandthenunpleasantlystiff。HeissobigotedapuristthathetransformstheAbbed’EstreesintoanAbbot。WedonotliketoseeFrenchwordsintroducedintoEnglishcomposition;
but，afterall，thefirstlawofwriting，thatlawtowhichallotherlawsaresubordinate，isthis，thatthewordsemployedshallbesuchasconveytothereaderthemeaningofthewriter。
NowanAbbotistheheadofareligioushouse;anAbbeisquiteadifferentsortofperson。ItisbetterundoubtedlytouseanEnglishwordthanaFrenchword;butitisbettertouseaFrenchwordthantomisuseanEnglishword。
LordMahonisalsoalittletoofondofutteringmoralreflectionsinastyletoosententiousandoracular。Weshallgiveoneinstance:\"Strangeasitseems，experienceshowsthatweusuallyfeelfarmoreanimosityagainstthosewhomwehaveinjuredthanagainstthosewhoinjureus:andthisremarkholdsgoodwitheverydegreeofintellect，witheveryclassoffortune，withaprinceorapeasant，astriplingoranelder，aherooraprince。\"ThisremarkmighthaveseemedstrangeattheCourtofNimrodorChedorlaomer;butithasnowbeenformanygenerationsconsideredasatruismratherthanaparadox。Everyboyhaswrittenonthethesis\"Odissequemloeseris。\"ScarcelyanylinesinEnglishpoetryarebetterknownthanthatvigorouscouplet，\"Forgivenesstotheinjureddoesbelong;
Buttheyne’erpardonwhohavedonethewrong。\"
Thehistoriansandphilosophershavequitedonewiththismaxim，andhaveabandonedit，likeothermaximswhichhavelosttheirgloss，tobadnovelists，bywhomitwillverysoonbeworntorags。
ItisnomorethanjusticetosaythatthefaultsofLordMahon’sbookarepreciselythefaultswhichtimeseldomfailstocure，andthatthebook，inspiteofthosefaults，isavaluableadditiontoourhistoricalliterature。
Whoeverwishestobewellacquaintedwiththemorbidanatomyofgovernments，whoeverwishestoknowhowgreatstatesmaybemadefeebleandwretched，shouldstudythehistoryofSpain。TheempireofPhiliptheSecondwasundoubtedlyoneofthemostpowerfulandsplendidthateverexistedintheworld。InEurope，heruledSpain，Portugal，theNetherlandsonbothsidesoftheRhine，FrancheComte，Roussillon，theMilanese，andtheTwoSicilies。Tuscany，Parma，andtheothersmallstatesofItaly，wereascompletelydependentonhimastheNizamandtheRajahofBerarnowareontheEastIndiaCompany。InAsia，theKingofSpainwasmasterofthePhilippinesandofallthoserichsettlementswhichthePortuguesehadmadeonthecoastofMalabarandCoromandel，inthePeninsulaofMalacca，andintheSpice—
islandsoftheEasternArchipelago。InAmericahisdominionsextendedoneachsideoftheequatorintothetemperatezone。
Thereisreasontobelievethathisannualrevenueamounted，intheseasonofhisgreatestpower，toasumneartentimesaslargeasthatwhichEnglandyieldedtoElizabeth。Hehadastandingarmyoffiftythousandexcellenttroops，atatimewhenEnglandhadnotasinglebattalioninconstantpay。Hisordinarynavalforceconsistedofahundredandfortygalleys。Heheld，whatnootherprinceinmoderntimeshasheld，thedominionbothofthelandandofthesea。Duringthegreaterpartofhisreign，hewassupremeonbothelements。HissoldiersmarcheduptothecapitalofFrance;hisshipsmenacedtheshoresofEngland。
Itisnoexaggerationtosaythat，duringseveralyears，hispoweroverEuropewasgreaterthaneventhatofNapoleon。TheinfluenceoftheFrenchconquerorneverextendedbeyondlow—watermark。Thenarroweststraitwastohispowerwhatitwasofoldbelievedthatarunningstreamwastothesorceriesofawitch。
WhilehisarmyenteredeverymetropolisfromMoscowtoLisbon，theEnglishfleetsblockadedeveryportfromDantzictoTrieste。
Sicily，Sardinia，Majorca，Guernsey，enjoyedsecuritythroughthewholecourseofawarwhichendangeredeverythroneontheContinent。ThevictoriousandimperialnationwhichhadfilleditsmuseumswiththespoilsofAntwerp，ofFlorence，andofRome，wassufferingpainfullyfromthewantofluxurieswhichusehadmadenecessaries。WhilepillarsandarcheswererisingtocommemoratetheFrenchconquests，theconquerorsweretryingtomanufacturecoffeeoutofsuccoryandsugaroutofbeet—root。TheinfluenceofPhilipontheContinentwasasgreatasthatofNapoleon。TheEmperorofGermanywashiskinsman。France，tornbyreligiousdissensions，wasneveraformidableopponent，andwassometimesadependentally。Atthesametime，SpainhadwhatNapoleondesiredinvain，ships，colonies，andcommerce。ShelongmonopolisedthetradeofAmericaandoftheIndianOcean。AllthegoldoftheWest，andallthespicesoftheEast，werereceivedanddistributedbyher。Duringmanyyearsofwar，hercommercewasinterruptedonlybythepredatoryenterprisesofafewrovingprivateers。EvenafterthedefeatoftheArmada，EnglishstatesmencontinuedtolookwithgreatdreadonthemaritimepowerofPhilip。\"TheKingofSpain，\"saidtheLordKeepertothetwoHousesin1593，\"sincehehathusurpedupontheKingdomofPortugal，haththerebygrownmighty，bygainingtheEastIndies:
soas，howgreatsoeverhewasbefore，heisnowtherebymanifestlymoregreat:……HekeepethanavyarmedtoimpeachalltradeofmerchandisefromEnglandtoGascoigneandGuiennewhichheattemptedtodothislastvintage;soasheisnowbecomeasafrontierenemytoallthewestofEngland，aswellasallthesouthparts，asSussex，Hampshire，andtheIsleofWight。
Yea，bymeansofhisinterestinSt。Maloes，aportfullofshippingforthewar，heisadangerousneighbourtotheQueen’sislesofJerseyandGuernsey，ancientpossessionsofthisCrown，andneverconqueredinthegreatestwarswithFrance。\"
TheascendencywhichSpainthenhadinEuropewas，inonesense，welldeserved。Itwasanascendencywhichhadbeengainedbyunquestionedsuperiorityinalltheartsofpolicyandofwar。Inthesixteenthcentury，Italywasnotmoredecidedlythelandofthefinearts，Germanywasnotmoredecidedlythelandofboldtheologicalspeculation，thanSpainwasthelandofstatesmenandofsoldiers。ThecharacterwhichVirgilhasascribedtohiscountrymenmighthavebeenclaimedbythegraveandhaughtychiefs，whosurroundedthethroneofFerdinandtheCatholic，andofhisimmediatesuccessors。Thatmajesticart，\"regereimperiopopulos，\"wasnotbetterunderstoodbytheRomansintheproudestdaysoftheirrepublic，thanbyGonsalvoandXimenes，CortesandAlva。TheskilloftheSpanishdiplomatistswasrenownedthroughoutEurope。InEnglandthenameofGondomarisstillremembered。Thesovereignnationwasunrivalledbothinregularandirregularwarfare。TheimpetuouschivalryofFrance，theserriedphalanxofSwitzerland，werealikefoundwantingwhenbroughtfacetofacewiththeSpanishinfantry。InthewarsoftheNewWorld，wheresomethingdifferentfromordinarystrategywasrequiredinthegeneralandsomethingdifferentfromordinarydisciplineinthesoldier，whereitwaseverydaynecessarytomeetbysomenewexpedientthevaryingtacticsofabarbarousenemy，theSpanishadventurers，sprungfromthecommonpeople，displayedafertilityofresource，andatalentfornegotiationandcommand，towhichhistoryscarcelyaffordsaparallel。
TheCastilianofthosetimeswastotheItalianwhattheRoman，inthedaysofthegreatnessofRome，wastotheGreek。Theconquerorhadlessingenuity，lesstaste，lessdelicacyofperceptionthantheconquered;butfarmorepride，firmness，andcourage，amoresolemndemeanour，astrongersenseofhonour。Thesubjecthadmoresubtletyinspeculation，therulermoreenergyinaction。Thevicesoftheformerwerethoseofacoward;thevicesofthelatterwerethoseofatyrant。Itmaybeadded，thattheSpaniard，liketheRoman，didnotdisdaintostudytheartsandthelanguageofthosewhomheoppressed。ArevolutiontookplaceintheliteratureofSpain，notunlikethatrevolutionwhich，asHoracetellsus，tookplaceinthepoetryofLatium:
\"Captaferumvictoremcepit。\"Theslavetookprisonertheenslaver。TheoldCastilianballadsgaveplacetosonnetsinthestyleofPetrarch，andtoheroicpoemsinthestanzaofAriosto，asthenationalsongsofRomeweredrivenoutbyimitationsofTheocritus，andtranslationsfromMenander。
Innomodernsociety，noteveninEnglandduringthereignofElizabeth，hastherebeensogreatanumberofmeneminentatonceinliteratureandinthepursuitsofactivelife，asSpainproducedduringthesixteenthcentury。Almosteverydistinguishedwriterwasalsodistinguishedasasoldierorapolitician。
Boscanborearmswithhighreputation。GarcilasodeVega，theauthorofthesweetestandmostgracefulpastoralpoemofmoderntimes，afterashortbutsplendidmilitarycareer，fellswordinhandattheheadofastormingparty。AlonzodeErcillaboreaconspicuouspartinthatwarofArauco，whichheafterwardscelebratedinoneofthebestheroicpoemsthatSpainhasproduced。HurtadodeMendoza，whosepoemshavebeencomparedtothoseofHorace，andwhosecharminglittlenovelisevidentlythemodelofGil—Blas，hasbeenhandeddowntousbyhistoryasoneofthesternestofthoseironproconsulswhowereemployedbytheHouseofAustriatocrushthelingeringpublicspiritofItaly。
LopesailedintheArmada;CervanteswaswoundedatLepanto。
ItiscurioustoconsiderwithhowmuchaweourancestorsinthosetimesregardedaSpaniard。Hewas，intheirapprehension，akindofdaemon，horriblymalevolent，butwithalmostsagaciousandpowerful。\"Theybeveryewyseandpoliticke，\"saysanhonestEnglishman，inamemorialaddressedtoMary，\"andcan，thorowetherwysdome，reformandbrydelltheyrownenaturesforatyme，andapplyetheirconditionstothemanersofthosemenwithwhomtheymeddellgladlyebyfriendshippe;whosemischievousmanersamanshallneverknoweuntyllhecomeunderthersubjection:butthenshallheparfectlyeparceyveandfelethem:whichthyngeI
prayeGodEnglandneverdo:forindissimulationsuntylltheyhavetherpurposes，andafterwardsinoppressionandtyrarnnye，whentheycanobtaynethem，theydoexceedallothernationsupontheearthe。\"ThisisjustsuchlanguageasArminiuswouldhaveusedabouttheRomans，orasanIndianstatesmanofourtimesmightuseabouttheEnglish。Itisthelanguageofamanburningwithhatred，butcowedbythosewhomhehates;andpainfullysensibleoftheirsuperiority，notonlyinpower，butinintelligence。
Buthowartthoufallenfromheaven，OLucifersonofthemorning！Howartthoucutdowntotheground，thatdidstweakenthenations！Ifweoverleapahundredyears，andlookatSpaintowardsthecloseoftheseventeenthcentury，whatachangedowefind！ThecontrastisasgreatasthatwhichtheRomeofGallienusandHonoriuspresentstotheRomeofMariusandCaesar。
Foreignconquesthadbeguntoeatintoeverypartofthatgiganticmonarchyonwhichthesunneverset。Hollandwasgone，andPortugal，andArtois，andRoussillon，andFrancheComte。IntheEast，theempirefoundedbytheDutchfarsurpassedinwealthandsplendourthatwhichtheiroldtyrantsstillretained。IntheWest，Englandhadseized，andstillheld，settlementsinthemidstoftheMexicansea。
Themerelossofterritorywas，however，oflittlemoment。Thereluctantobedienceofdistantprovincesgenerallycostsmorethanitisworth。Empireswhichbranchoutwidelyareoftenmoreflourishingforalittletimelypruning。AdrianactedjudiciouslywhenheabandonedtheconquestsofTrajan;andEnglandwasneversorich，sogreat，soformidabletoforeignprinces，soabsolutelymistressofthesea，assincethelossofherAmericancolonies。TheSpanishEmpirewasstill，inoutwardappearance，greatandmagnificent。TheEuropeandominionssubjecttothelastfeeblePrinceoftheHouseofAustriawerefarmoreextensivethanthoseofLewistheFourteenth。TheAmericandependenciesoftheCastilianCrownstillextendedfartotheNorthofCancerandfartotheSouthofCapricorn。Butwithinthisimmensebodytherewasanincurabledecay，anutterwantoftone，anutterprostrationofstrength。Aningeniousanddiligentpopulation，eminentlyskilledinartsandmanufactures，hadbeendrivenintoexilebystupidandremorselessbigots。ThegloryoftheSpanishpencilhaddepartedwithVelasquezandMurillo。ThesplendidageofSpanishliteraturehadclosedwithSolisandCalderon。Duringtheseventeenthcenturymanystateshadformedgreatmilitaryestablishments。ButtheSpanisharmy，soformidableunderthecommandofAlvaandFarnese，haddwindledawaytoafewthousandmen，illpaidandilldisciplined。England，Holland，andFrancehadgreatnavies。ButtheSpanishnavywasscarcelyequaltothetenthpartofthatmightyforcewhich，inthetimeofPhiliptheSecond，hadbeentheterroroftheAtlanticandtheMediterranean。Thearsenalsweredeserted。Themagazineswereunprovided。Thefrontierfortresseswereungarrisoned。Thepolicewasutterlyinefficientfortheprotectionofthepeople。Murderswerecommittedinthefaceofdaywithperfectimpunity。Bravoesanddiscardedserving—men，withswordsattheirsides，。swaggeredeverydaythroughthemostpublicstreetsandsquaresofthecapital，disturbingthepublicpeace，andsettingatdefiancetheministersofjustice。Thefinanceswereinfrightfuldisorder。
Thepeoplepaidmuch。TheGovernmentreceivedlittle。TheAmericanviceroysandthefarmersoftherevenuebecamerich，whilethemerchantsbroke，whilethepeasantrystarved，whilethebody—servantsofthesovereignremainedunpaid，whilethesoldiersoftheroyalguardrepaireddailytothedoorsofconvents，andbattledtherewiththecrowdofbeggarsforaporringerofbrothandamorselofbread。Everyremedywhichwastriedaggravatedthedisease。Thecurrencywasaltered;andthisfranticmeasureproduceditsnever—failingeffects。Itdestroyedallcredit，andincreasedthemiserywhichitwasintendedtorelieve。TheAmericangold，tousethewordsofOrtiz，wastothenecessitiesoftheStatebutasadropofwatertothelipsofamanragingwiththirst。Heapsofunopeneddespatchesaccumulatedintheoffices，whiletheministerswereconcertingwithbedchamber—womenandJesuitsthemeansoftrippingupeachother。
EveryforeignpowercouldplunderandinsultwithimpunitytheheirofCharlestheFifth。IntosuchastatehadthemightykingdomofSpainfallen，whileoneofitssmallestdependencies，acountrynotsolargeastheprovinceofEstremaduraorAndalusia，situatedunderaninclementsky，andpreservedonlybyartificialmeansfromtheinroadsoftheocean，hadbecomeapowerofthefirstclass，andtreatedontermsofequalitywiththeCourtsofLondonandVersailles。
ThemannerinwhichLordMahonexplainsthefinancialsituationofSpainbynomeanssatisfiesus。\"Itwillbefound，\"sayshe，\"thatthoseindividualsderivingtheirchiefincomefrommines，whoseyearlyproduceisuncertainandvarying，andseemsrathertospringfromfortunethantofollowindustry，areusuallycareless，unthrifty，andirregularintheirexpenditure。TheexampleofSpainmighttemptustoapplythesameremarktostates。\"LordMahonwouldfinditdifficult，wesuspect，tomakeouthisanalogy。NothingcouldbemoreuncertainandvaryingthanthegainsandlossesofthosewhowereinthehabitofputtingintotheStatelotteries。Butnopartofthepublicincomewasmorecertainthanthatwhichwasderivedfromthelotteries。WebelievethatthiscaseisverysimilartothatoftheAmericanmines。Someveinsoforeexceededexpectation;somefellbelowit。Someoftheprivatespeculatorsdrewblanks，andothersgainedprizes。ButtherevenueoftheStatedepended，notonanyparticularvein，butonthewholeannualproduceoftwogreatcontinents。Thisannualproduceseemstohavebeenalmostconstantlyontheincreaseduringtheseventeenthcentury。TheMexicanmineswere，throughthereignsofPhiliptheFourthandCharlestheSecond，inasteadycourseofimprovement;andinSouthAmerica，thoughthedistrictofPotosiwasnotsoproductiveasformerly，otherplacesmorethanmadeupforthedeficiency。WeverymuchdoubtwhetherLordMahoncanprovethattheincomewhichtheSpanishGovernmentderivedfromtheminesofAmericafluctuatedmorethantheincomederivedfromtheinternaltaxesofSpainitself。
AllthecausesofthedecayofSpainresolvethemselvesintoonecause，badgovernment。Thevalour，theintelligence，theenergywhich，atthecloseofthefifteenthandthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury，hadmadetheSpaniardsthefirstnationintheworld，werethefruitsoftheoldinstitutionsofCastileandArragon，institutionseminentlyfavourabletopublicliberty。
TheseinstitutionsthefirstPrincesoftheHouseofAustriaattackedandalmostwhollydestroyed。Theirsuccessorsexpiatedthecrime。Theeffectsofachangefromgoodgovernmenttobadgovernmentarenotfullyfeltforsometimeafterthechangehastakenplace。Thetalentsandthevirtueswhichagoodconstitutiongeneratesmayforatimesurvivethatconstitution。
Thusthereignsofprinces，whohaveestablishedabsolutemonarchyontheruinsofpopularformsofgovernmentoftenshineinhistorywithapeculiarbrilliancy。Butwhenagenerationortwohaspassedaway，thencomessignallytopassthatwhichwaswrittenbyMontesquieu，thatdespoticgovernmentsresemblethosesavageswhocutdownthetreeinordertogetatthefruit。
Duringthefirstyearsoftyranny，isreapedtheharvestsownduringthelastyearsofliberty。ThustheAugustanagewasrichingreatmindsformedinthegenerationofCiceroandCaesar。ThefruitsofthepolicyofAugustuswerereservedforposterity。
PhiliptheSecondwastheheiroftheCortesandoftheJustizaMayor;andtheylefthimanationwhichseemedabletoconqueralltheworld。WhatPhiliplefttohissuccessorsiswellknown。
TheshockwhichthegreatreligiousschismofthesixteenthcenturygavetoEurope，wasscarcelyfeltinSpain。InEngland，Germany，Holland，France，Denmark，Switzerland，Sweden，thatshockhadproduced，withsometemporaryevil，muchdurablegood。
TheprinciplesoftheReformationhadtriumphedinsomeofthosecountries。TheCatholicChurchhadmaintaineditsascendencyinothers。Butthoughtheeventhadnotbeenthesameinall，allhadbeenagitatedbytheconflict。EveninFrance，inSouthernGermany，andintheCatholiccantonsofSwitzerland，thepublicmindhadbeenstirredtoitsinmostdepths。Theholdofancientprejudicehadbeensomewhatloosened。TheChurchofRome，warnedbythedangerwhichshehadnarrowlyescaped，had，inthosepartsofherdominion，assumedamilderandmoreliberalcharacter。Shesometimescondescendedtosubmitherhighpretensionstothescrutinyofreason，andavailedherselfmoresparinglythaninformertimesoftheaidoftheseculararm。Evenwhenpersecutionwasemployed，itwasnotpersecutionintheworstandmostfrightfulshape。TheseveritiesofLewistheFourteenth，odiousastheywere，cannotbecomparedwiththosewhich，atthefirstdawnoftheReformation，hadbeeninflictedonthehereticsinmanypartsofEurope。
TheonlyeffectwhichtheReformationhadproducedinSpainhadbeentomaketheInquisitionmorevigilantandthecommonaltymorebigoted。Thetimesofrefreshingcametoallneighbouringcountries。Onepeoplealoneremained，likethefleeceoftheHebrewwarrior，dryinthemidstofthatbenignantandfertilisingdew。Whileothernationswereputtingawaychildishthings，theSpaniardstillthoughtasachildandunderstoodasachild。Amongthemenoftheseventeenthcentury，hewasthemanofthefifteenthcenturyorofastilldarkerperiod，delightedtobeholdanAutodafe，andreadytovolunteeronaCrusade。
Theevilsproducedbyabadgovernmentandabadreligion，seemedtohaveattainedtheirgreatestheightduringthelastyearsoftheseventeenthcentury。Whilethekingdomwasinthisdeplorablestate，theKing，Charles，secondofthename，washasteningtoanearlygrave。Hisdayshadbeenfewandevil。Hehadbeenunfortunateinallhiswars，ineverypartofhisinternaladministration，andinallhisdomesticrelations。Hisfirstwife，whomhetenderlyloved，diedveryyoung。Hissecondwifeexercisedgreatinfluenceoverhim，butseemstohavebeenregardedbyhimratherwithfearthanwithlove。Hewaschildless;andhisconstitutionwassocompletelyshatteredthat，atlittlemorethanthirtyyearsofage，hehadgivenupallhopesofposterity。Hismindwasevenmoredistemperedthanhisbody。Hewassometimessunkinlistlessmelancholy，andsometimesharassedbythewildestandmostextravagantfancies。
Hewasnot，however，whollydestituteofthefeelingswhichbecamehisstation。Hissufferingswereaggravatedbythethoughtthathisowndissolutionmightnotimprobablybefollowedbythedissolutionofhisempire。
Severalprinceslaidclaimtothesuccession。TheKing’seldestsisterhadmarriedLewistheFourteenth。TheDauphinwould，therefore，inthecommoncourseofinheritance，havesucceededtothecrown。ButtheInfantahad，atthetimeofherespousals，solemnlyrenounced，inherownname，andinthatofherposterity，allclaimtothesuccession。ThisrenunciationhadbeenconfirmedindueformbytheCortes。AyoungersisteroftheKinghadbeenthefirstwifeofLeopold，EmperorofGermany。ShetoohadathermarriagerenouncedherclaimstotheSpanishcrown;buttheCorteshadnotsanctionedtherenunciation，anditwasthereforeconsideredasinvalidbytheSpanishjurists。Thefruitofthismarriagewasadaughter，whohadespousedtheElectorofBavaria。TheElectoralPrinceofBavariainheritedherclaimtothethroneofSpain。TheEmperorLeopoldwassonofadaughterofPhiliptheThird，andwasthereforefirstcousintoCharles。Norenunciationwhateverhadbeenexactedfromhismotheratthetimeofhermarriage。