The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-24 00:00:00

NARVAEZ, DUKE OF VALENCIA.

The death is announced of Marshal Narvaez, Duke of
Valencia, at the age of 68. Few men of the present cen-
tury have exercised so important an influence upon the
politics of their country, and fewer still have displayed so
many parts with such successful results. Marshal
Narvaez began life as 'a soldier in the patriot army that
fought against Napoleon. He attained distinction and
promotion rapidly, as well by his daring as by his skill, and
when the war of liberation came it found him already
high in command. At the commencement of the Carlist
war he took side with the Queen, and was rapidly pro-
moted for the ability he displayed in the first contest
with the Carlist troops. But when the last hope of the
Carlists was extinguished, then arose that unhappy feud
which for so many years disturbed the tranquillity of
Spain—the quarrel with the Queen Mother. Narvaez
warmly espoused the cause of Christina. Opposed
by Espartero, he joined the ranks of the disaf-
fected, and assisted in 1841 in the organisation of
an insurrection for the overthrow of Espartero.
which, however, failed, and compelled Narvaez to
fly from Spain. Two years later he Lad better fortune.
A movement, principally organiied by Narvaez, was sef
on foot which led to the downfall of Espartero, and
brought back his rival in triumph into Spain, finally
procuring for him the title of Duke of Valencia.
Queen Christina returned, and Narvaez was made
Prime Minister. In 1846 another turn of the wheel
took place, and Narvaez was displaced, finding a
post at Paris as Ambassador. The following year
found him again in power, and this time apparently more
firmly than ever. So the rest of his life alternated. The
retirement of Espartero only made way for a more
dangerous rival, O'Donnell, who by his campaign in
Morocco eclipsed the memories of Narvaez's previous
exploits. But O'Donnell in his turn succumbed to. a Pro•
nunciamento, and Narvaez reigned in his stead. His last
appointment as Prime Minister dated from 1866. Since
that year various attempts have been made to unseat him—
military Mattes, street risings, and party votes—but they
have all signally failed. Both O'Donnell and Prim, the idol
of the Spanish soldiery, have taken part in them ; but
Narvaez has been more than a match for his enemies.
The most serious affair, perhaps, was the last rising _
Madrid, when Narvaez was compelled to Placel
severemseiil
n
wound in quelling the insurrection. at the head of the royal troops, and received
undoubtedly loyal to his Queen, a i
fine N
sol
true patriot from his own point of view; but, judgedadrivear,ez andN was
undoubtedly s
foe to liberty, a man of coup
a •
atul by no beenine
aennsc'ne af Nr,ioet
ing to plant upon n
d
this country, as his intrigues in regard toi
rigour, opposed by instinct to the constitutional system
from our standpoint, lie was a thsordou,egtaht roefacetxitorneimste,
of ,
anish soil
to the policy
which the best friendsc Spain
the Spanish marriages, and his treatment of our Minister,
Arr. Henry Thilwer, very clearly prove. By his death
the Queen has lost a loyal and dutiful subject and a
soldier prepared for any emergency. It may be doubted
whether she can replace him, and whether the system
which lie has supported can exist without him. The pro-
bability is that a great change is imminent, and that, their
most dreaded opponent gone, the Liberals will make a
desperate effort to reverse the policy which the strength of
character of Narvaez has so long kept in the ascendant.

Mr. Frank Buckland has deposited about 1,000
young salmon in the river Itchen this week.

WM: LATE EDITION of " THE SUN " at
JAMES SPEEDY'S, "The Wellington," Wellington-street,
Strand.