# A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Isabella II., Queen of Spain

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ISABELLA II., QUEEN OF SPAIN,
Was born at Madrid, October 10th., 1830. Her father, Ferdinand the Seventh, died when she was three years and six months old; Isabella was immediately proclaimed Queen, and her mother, Maria Christina, Regent of Spain. The biography of Maria Christina will be found in its place; we need only say here, that her influence had made her daughter Queen, by persuading Ferdinand to issue his famous decree, styled pragmatic, revoking the Salic law which prohibited the rule of a female sovereign. This law, introduced into Castile by the Bourbon family on their accession to the Spanish throne, could not have had much root in the affections of a loyal people, who kept the traditionary memory of their glorious Queen, Isabella the First, still in their hearts; and this child-queen was another Isabella. There is no doubt that the bulk of the ​nation inclined warmly to sustain her claims, and but for the influence of the priests and fanatical monks in favour of the bigoted Don Carlos, younger brother of the deceased Ferdinand, there would have been no bloody civil war. That Isabella the Second was the choice of the people is proved by the acts of the legislative Cortes, which in 1834 almost unanimously decreed that the pretender—Don Carlos, and his descendants—should be for ever exiled from the Spanish throne; and this decree was confirmed by the constituent Cortes in 1836, without a single dissentient voice.
Isabella the Second, thus made queen by her father's will, was acknowledged by the national authority, and surrounded from her cradle with the pomp and observance of royalty; yet her childhood and youth were, probably, less happy than that of any little girl in humble life, who has a good mother and a quiet home, where she may grow up in the love of God, the fear of evil, and in steadfast devotion to her duties. Isabella was nurtured among the worst influences of civil strife and bloodshed, because religious fanaticism as well as political prejudices were involved in the struggle. When she was ten years old, her mother, Maria Christina, resigned the regency and retired to France; Espartcro became regent. Isabella was for three years under the influence of instructors of his choosing; and he endeavoured, there is no doubt, to have her mind rightly directed. By a decree of the Cortes, the young queen was declared to have attained her majority on the 16th. of October, 1843; she has since reigned as the sovereign of Spain, and has been acknowledged such by all the European and American governments.
In 1845, Maria Christina returned to Madrid, and soon obtained much influence over Isabella. This, it was apparent, was used to direct the young queen in her choice of a husband. Isabella had one sister, Louisa, the Infanta, who was next heir to the crown, if the eldest died without offspring. Those keen rivals for political power, England and France, watched to obtain or keep a paramount influence in Spanish affairs. The selfish policy of Louis Philippe, aided by Guizot and Maria Christina, finally prevailed, and forced upon the Spanish nation a prince of the house of Bourbon as husband of Isabella. There were two Bourbon princes, brothers, Francisco and Enrique, sons of Don Francisco, brother of Maria Christina; of these, the youngest had some talent and was attractive; the eldest was weak in intellect and disagreeable in manners; if Isabella could be prevailed upon to marry this imbecile, and a son of Louis Philippe could obtain the hand of the Infanta Louisa, the predominance of French influence would be secured. It was done—both plans succeeded, and Isabella soon afterwards conferred on her husband the title of king.
It hardly seems credible that a crowned queen would thus give apparently, her free assent to her own marriage, if the bridegroom had been utterly hateful to her. But two circumstances are certain—she was not old enough to make a judicious choice; and she was urged into the measure while she did not wish to marry at all. She appeared to resign herself to the guidance of others, and doubtless hoped she might find happiness.
But this contentment with her lot did not long continue. Early in the following year, 1847, there arose a dislike on the part of the queen towards her husband, and soon the royal pair became ​completely estranged from each other, and neither appeared together ill public, nor had the slightest communication in private. The people seemed to sympathize warmly with the queen, and she was loudly cheered whenever she drove out, or attended any of the theatres or bull-fights at Madrid.
On the accession of Narvaez to office, as President of the Council, he used his utmost endeavours to effect a reconciliation, and at length succeeded. The meeting between the royal pair occurred October 13th., 1847.
Since then there have been estrangements and reconciliations; it seems almost hopeless to anticipate conjugal happiness, or even quiet, for Isabella. The only event which appeared likely to give a new and healthy tone to her mind, was motherhood. She gave birth to a son in the autumn of 1850, but, unfortunately, the child lived only a few hours. She has since given birth to another child, which also died in infancy. If these children had survived, and her affections had thus been warmly awakened, there would be little doubt of her becoming a changed being. That she has talents of a much higher order than was given her credit for in childhood is now evident. She certainly possesses great physical courage, and a strong will. She manages the wildest and most fiery steed with the coolness and skill of a knight of chivalry. She delights in driving and riding, and exhibits much, even daring energy. She is prompt in her attention to the duties of her government; and, what is best of all, she evinces that sympathy for her people, and confidence in their loyalty, which are never felt by a crafty, cruel, or selfish ruler. In all her speeches from the throne there is a generous, even liberal spirit apparent and were it not for the obstacles which priestcraft interposes, there can be little doubt that the queen would move onward with her government to effect the reforms so much needed. In "features and complexion," Isabella bears a striking resemblance to her father, Ferdinand the Sixth, and his line of the Bourbons; but her forehead has a better development, and she is, undoubtedly, of a nobler disposition.