own pen.  In the compilation of the Laws of the Partidas from the Justinian and Wisigothic Codes, he had also a share,—­how large a one must in like manner remain for ever unknown.  On the whole, it may be said of him, that, like our James I., he was an extraordinary instance of weakness and learning.  Of his vanity, the well known saying has been often adduced,—­that if he had been consulted at the creation of the world, he could have advised some things for the better.  If this saying were really uttered—­which there are strong reasons to doubt—­it is probable that the king had no blasphemous intention in view, but that he was merely ridiculing the then received system of Ptolemy.”

The following curious account of Alfonso’s punishment for his alleged blasphemy has never been noticed by any writer in this country.  It is a translation of an extract made by Ortiz (Compendio Cronologica de la Historia de Espana, tom. iv. p. 184.  Madrid, 1797), from a MS. in the Royal Library of Madrid:—­

“On Saturday, April 2, aera 1332 (A.D. 1294), king don Alfonso having heard mass at the hour of tierce in the city of Seville, entered into his chamber, as he had long been wont, to pray before an image of St. Mary; and while he was praying, a sudden shining light filled the room, like unto the light of fire; and in this light appeared an angel’s face exceedingly beautiful.  And when the king saw it he was much afraid, and he said, ’I conjure thee, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to tell me what thou art,—­whether thou art a good or evil spirit!’ And the angel answered, ’Fear not; a messenger am I unto thee, as thou wilt soon perceive.  Well, thou knowest how, on such a day, being at table in this city, thou didst blaspheme, and say, that if thou hadst been with God the Father when he made the world and all things in it, thou couldst have mended many of them; and that many others would have been done which were not done.  And God the Father was much offended with thy saying (supposing it possible for Him to be offended), and he was very wroth with thee; wherefore the Highest gave sentence against thee, to the effect that, since thou didst despise Him who made thee and gave thee honour among men, so shouldest thou be despised by thine own offspring, and shouldest be degraded from thine high estate, and in lowliness end thy days!  Which sentence was revealed to an Augustine friar, while in his cell at Molina studying a sermon that he was to preach the following day.  This friar told it in confession to his superior, and the superior to the infante don Manuel, who loves thee like his own soul.  And in a week don Manuel came to this city of Seville, and said to thee, “Tell me, I pray thee, whether thou didst ever speak so and so?” and thou repliedst, “that thou didst speak thus, and wouldst speak so again.”  Wherefore don Manuel was sore grieved, and exhorted thee to amend, and ask pardon of God; yet thou heardest him not.  And for that thou mayest know how all