The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-10-03 00:00:00

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ter them in the facts vi I Id shalt ose
'winder of my wits'. •
When the Prince of the Asturias seized the sceptre
of Spain, be resolved to signalize his accession to the
Throne by several acts of vengeance and cruelty ; but
this plan he could not execute, as the precipitate era.
vol of Murat was as obstacle. After recompensing
his favourites in a prorate manner, the new King
hastened to Madrid, to compliment the French Gene-
ral, and enjoy in his tern the honours of a triumph.
The Prado was then the theatre of his brilliant suc-
cesses, and he frequently exhibited himself in public
to gain tire favour of the People, towards whom he
was extremely attentive. But what was his surprise,
then, on entering bit Palace, the King did not see
the Doke of Berg appear • before him with of-
fer of submission, though the latter was lodged with
his Staff in tits Royal apartments !—This circoma
stance could Got fail to alarm a mind naturally sus-
picious; bat his suspicions became still more iosop-
portable, when two days elapsed, and yet the sew
comers failed to compliment the Chief of the Nation,
with whom they were settled, fortified, sod living very ; •
commodiously. At length, on the third day, the
Prince being enable any longer to contain his imp.
tieiice,adlpted the resolution of making the edvances ,
himself; and ia the manner of a vassal of Moral, en. I
ther than that of a Sovereign of Spain, he entered the. a
apartment of the French General, who, with s polite
and affable air, received his Majesty in quality of
Priace of the Asturias, without giving Mm any sotto l •
title than that of Royal High's/no. JFeedistand wee
irritated; but such was his position, that he amid
not give loose to his resentment against the aodecioes
stranger, whose insolence was backed by a hundred
and fifty thoessnd warlike troops, well mounted aid
well equipped. Oor principal object being to make
known the misfortuues of the unhappy King,
Charles IV. we shall enter into the history of his
son, only in so far as it is directly connected with
that of his father. We promise, however, to publish
separately the history of Ferdinand VII.
Whilst the affairs of the State were assuming so
equivocal an aspect, that Murat refused the title of •
Majesty to the new King, whom he dial tint wish to
recognize, the legitimate King of Spilt (Charles I V.),
confined in the Castle of Aranjuoz, separated froth
the rest of the world, the victim of the most towers
sufferings, was consumed by the dreadful agonies
which persons in the confident!! of his son, caused
him to endure. By the greatest good fortune I then
succeeded, though not without difficulty. its intro.
diming myself into the apartments of the King, then
my master. My unexpected entrance astookhed his
Majesty, who, in a feeling and noble tone said to me
—" A. . . . what motive can induce you to
brass danger, and to visit in these abodes of pro-
scription a King, betrayed by his son, and abandon-
ed by his subjests ? Leave this place; for if my us-
grateful son should succeed in discovering the rash.
nets of your steps, he would not fail to sacrifice you
to his vengeance."—" Sire," I answered, 66 the
feeling of fear is unknown to me ; I have sworn
fidelity to your Majesty, and death alone can pot au
end to my duty."
(To be continued.)