The Sun.
London, England, 1847-09-09 00:00:00

5,11. Th

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1847

One Administration has succeeded another with
such rapidity in the Spanish capital, as almost entirely
to dissipate the confidence of the population in the
stability of the Government. Lisbon, with all its
political vicissitudes and coups or etats, has scarcely
afforded a spectacle at all comparable, in point of
fickleness and diversity, to that which has been visible
during the last fifteen months in the Council
Chambers of Madrid. With a comparatively few ex-
ceptions, however, all these changes have been effected
somewhat after the fashion of the glittering ara-
besques of a kaleidoscope. Each Cabinet has been
essentially different in character from its predecessor,
and yet its difference has mainly consisted in the re-
arrangment of the same members in other capacities.
Some of the former officials have been dismissed, it is
true, and some hitherto undistinguished politicians
have been summoned to a participation in the Govern-
ment; but, recently, the principal alteration in the
Ministry has chiefly consisted in the relative situation
of the Ministers.
Another change of this description at Madrid
has already been recorded in our columns. An-
other convulsion of affairs has jostled the Spanish
statesmen into a combination hitherto unattempted—
just as the stained glass and coloured beads are shaken
into a novel irradiation in the optical toy already
mentioned. Instead of beholding the supreme au-
thority abandoned to the possession of the Afrance-
sados that most abhorred and traitorous of
factions the Spaniards behold the seals and
portfolios of office still retained in the hands of
a species of intermediate party. They still perceive
SALAMANCA at the head of the Financial Department,
and SOTELLO at the head of the Marine Department.
They discover PATRICIA DE LA EscosuxA installed
as Minister of the Interior ; FERNANDO CORDOVA, of
War ; GOYENAS, Of Justice ; Itos DE OLANO, of
Public Works, Commerce, and Public Instruction ;
and ALAIX elevated to military supremacy, as Captain-
General of Madrid. Startling as this Administration
is, under the circumstances, it is startling rather as a
prevention of evil than as an acquisition of good. It
is viewed with approbation by the subjects ofISABELLA
as having chosen rather to assume the perils and
responsibilities of Government, instead of permitting
the advancement of a shameless Administration
under the direction of the notorious and sanguinary
NARVAEZ.
Inasmuch as Queen ISABELLA has spurned the in-
sidious assistance (Heaven save the mark !) of
General NARVAEZ, she has in no inconsiderable de-
gree enhanced her popularity. By rejecting the
Cabinet tendered to her by that ruthless soldier,
her Most Catholic MAJESTY has achieved a triple ad-
vantage ; she has destroyed the little influence still
retained by NARVAEZ himself; she ha worsted the
atrocious machination of the French SOVEREIGN, and
has gratified her people by becoming the instrument
of that twofold disappointment. Spain is becoming
bound to the fortunes of its young and abused Mo-
narch by the ties of gratitude, as well as by those
of profound commiseration. It is becoming more
than ever probable that, in the event of any perilous
emergency, ISABELLA may, like MARIA THERESA,
be sustained in her royal isolation by that thrilling
and sublime oath, sworn by a whole nation on their
swords—" Moriamur pro rege nostro 1' At this
moment she may, with peculiar veracity, utter that
vaunting exclamation of the great Louts—"L' itat,
c'est moi 1" for in her hands are concentrating the
reins of power. ISABELLA is gradually identifying
herself with her people; she is rendering the reten-
tion of the Spanish diadem upon her brow a matter
of deep interest to the multitude, by associating
with the maintenance of her authority the existence
of Iberian nationality.
There is an interest beyond that of romance or
fairyland
in the events which are transpiring during
these our days in the palaces of Castile. Those
who can sympathise with precocious misfortunes,
will observe with emotion the silent struggle
young Princess to vindicate her own'
character,
of
and
in so doing to achieve the happiness and emancipa-
tion of an illustrious but degenerated kingdom.
They will not be tracking the fictitious careers of
Gloriana or an Imogen ; they will be contemplating
the strife of a living Queen against overt cupidity
and latent malice. The scene of this mo-
mentous drama is a dominion invested with a
thousand august and historic memories ; and the
Sovereign against whom are directed all the guile
and audacity of a neighbouring monarchy is a female
scarcely emerged from childhood. Whatever good
qualities are evinced by ISABELLA are those innate
tendencies to virtue and magnanimity which have
survived the temptations to vice and the contagion of
debauchery, by which she has been habitually sur-
rounded since the days of her infancy. Yes what-
-Never noble traits of disposition are traceable in the
\ 3.-:<;;.\f `conduct of her Most Catholic MAJESTY are evidences
. • .
#A• of an mb grn purity, the more beautiful and lustrous
7- .
i 2
rom the contaminating
atmosphereera n.
shtehbroausgbegh
nwchoimch.
- theyhavepassed withoutoblit
palled to withstand alone and unaided thecwhirlwinds
sma,
- of social as well as political temptation.
by her own depraved and villanous proceedings,
vierely deprived tho infe,nt QuLzll of hnt natural
protect',', ;,at. ;ip h 6: hi: ria,4t u:1
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