who had furnished large sums of money to promote the rising against his confiding sister-in-law, and, in fact, never ceased his machinations against every person and every thing that stood in his way, until death fortunately removed him from the arena of Spanish politics, his one overmastering ambition unfulfilled.  He had neither managed to ascend the throne himself, nor see any of his children seated there, except for the few months that Mercedes, “beloved of the King and of the nation,” shared the throne of Alfonso XII.

The Infanta Isabel, except for the episode of her exile in France, has always lived in the Royal Palace of Madrid, having her own quarters, and her little court about her.  At times she has been the butt of much popular criticism, and even dislike, but she has outlived it all, and is now the most popular woman in Spain.  It must have required no common qualities to have lived without discord—­as a separated wife—­with her brother and her younger sisters; then with Queen Mercedes, her cousin as well as sister-in-law; again, during the time of the King’s widowhood and her own elevation to the rank of Princess of Asturias, and, finally, since the second marriage of her brother, and his untimely death, with Maria Cristina and her young nephew and nieces.

One thing is to be said in favour of Isabel II.  Deprived of all ordinary education herself, as a part of the evil policy of her mother, she was careful that her own children should not have to complain of the same neglect.  One and all have been thoroughly educated:  the Infanta Paz, now married to a Bavarian Archduke, has shown considerable talent as a poetess; and the Infanta Isabel is universally acknowledged to be a clever and a cultivated woman, inheriting much of her mother’s charm of manner, and noted for ready wit and quick repartee.  Her popularity, as I have said, is great, for she is careful to keep up all the Spanish customs.  She is constantly to be seen in public, and, above and beyond all things, she never fails in attendance at the bull-fight, wearing the white mantilla.  This alone would cover a multitude of sins, supposing the Infanta to be credited with them; but there has never been a breath of scandal connected with her.  She is very devout, and never fails in the correct religious duties and public appearances.  At the fair, and on Noche buena, she fills her carriage with the cheap toys and sweetmeats which mean so much to Spanish children, and she must be a veritable fairy godmother to those who come within her circle.  She takes a close personal interest in many sisterhoods and societies for the help of the poor.  In a word, she is muy simpatica and muy Espanola.  What could one say more?