The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-03-10

ont some capacities as courtcr, was wholly in
competent to those duties Of IL minister OIL which
he had set his ambition and his grasp.
Such was the state of parties in the court of
Philip the Third at the time in which we COM
mence our narrative in the ante chamber of Don
Rodcrgo Calderon.
Il, is not to be endured, said Don Felix de Castro,
an old noble whose sharp features and diminutive
stature proclaimed the purity of his blood and the
antiquity of his descent.
! Just three quarters of an hour and five minutes
have waited for audience to fellow who would
once have thought himselfhonored if had ordered
him to call my COACH said Don Diego sarmicno
de Mendoza.
Then, if it chafe you so much, gen,lemen,wh
come you here at all' | dare say Don Roderigo
can dispense with your attendance
| This was said blunlly by young noble of good
mion, whose impetuous and irritable temperament
betrayed itself by an Impotence orgesiure and mo-
lion unusual am' ng his countryman Sometimes
he walked with uneven stride to and fro the apart
ments, unheeding the stately groups whom he jos
tied or the reproving looks he attracted; sometimes
he paused abruptly, raised his eyes, muttered,
twitched his cloak, or played with his swordknol;
or, turning abruptly round upon his solemn neigh
bors as some remark on his strange bearing struck
his ear, brought the blood 10 many naughty cheek
by his stern gaze of defiance and dsdain. 1t was
easy TO perceive that this personoge belonged 10
a uibe--rash, van,and young who are eager TO take
offence and to provoke quarrel. Nevertheless, the
cavalier had noble and great qualities. A stranger
TO courts, in the camp he was renowned for Il
chivalrous generosity and an ex,ravagant vaour
that emulated the ancient heroes of Spanish ro-
maunt and song. Ills was dawn that promised
a hot noon, and glorious eve. The name of this
brave soldier was Martin Tonseca. lie was of an
ancient but impovished house, and related in re-
mote degree 20 the Duke de Lerma. In his earl
lest youth he had cause to consider himself the
heir 10 wealthy uncle on his mothers side; and
with those expectations, while still but boy, he
had been invited to court by the cardinal duke
Here, however, the rude and blunt sincerity of his
bearing had so greatly shocked the formal hypo-
|
crisos Of the court, and had more than once so
seriously offended the minister, that his powerful
kinsman gave up thought of pushing Fonseca' s
fortunes at Madrid, and mcdlalcd some plausible
excuse for banishing him from court. AT this
time the rich uncle, hitherto chldless, mar
'Oied a second time, and was blessed with an heir
1t was no longer necessary TO keep terms with Don
Martin, and he suddenly received an order TO join
the army on the frontiers, Here his courage soon
distinguished. him; hut his honest nature still stood
in the way of his promotion. Several years caps-
ed, and his rise had been infinitely slower than
that Of men not less inferior to him in birth than
merit. Some months since, he had repaired to
Madrid 10 enforce his claims upon the government
but, instead of advancing his suit he had con,rived
to effect u serious breach with the cathedral, and
been abruptly ordered back to the camp, Once
more he appeared a, Madrid; but this time i, was
TO plead desert and demand honours.
| In any country but Spain under the reign Of
Philip the Third, Martin Fonseca would have risen
early TO high fortunes But, as we have said, his
talents were not those Of the na,terer or tho hypo-
critic; and it was fmnlter of establishment 10 the
calculations around him to see Don Martin Fonsccn
in the ane-room Of Roderigo Caldcron, Count
Olivia, Marquis de Sieic Iglcsias, secretary to the
king, and parasite and lavor,c Of the Infant of
Spain.
why come you here at all p repeated the
young soldier,
'Senor,' answered Don Felix Do Castro, with
great gravity, I'VE have business with Don Roder-
igo Men Of our situation must attend to the ar
la'rS oil the state, no matter by whom transacted
']'hal is, You must crawl on your knees to ask
Tor pensions and governorships and transact the
Affairs Of the state, by putting your hands into the
Golfers
'senor' growled Don Felix, angrily as his hand
played with his swordbct.
''rush' said the young man, sccrfully, turning
on his heel
The folding.doors were thrown open, and all
conversation ceased at the entcrance of Don Rod.
erigo CaIdcron
This remarkable parsonage had risen from the
situation Of a confidential scribe TO the Duke of
Lcrma TO the nominal rank Of secretary to the king,
to the real saton of auiocrat of Spain. The birth
OF the hvorltc Of fortune was exceedingly obscure.
lie had long affected to conceal it; but, when he
found curiosity had proceeded into serious inyes,i
CATION of his origin, he had suddenly appeared to
make virtue of necessity; proclaimed of his own
accord, that his father was common soldier of
NaIladold; and even invited 10 Madrid and lodged
in his own palace his IowbOrn progenor This
pruden, iranhness disarmed maevolcncc on the
score of birth. Bu., when the old solder died, ru.
mors went abroad that he had confessed, on hi,
death bed, that he was no, in any way related to