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

err. His genius was confessed by all, hut il was
genius that in no way prompted the interests of his
country, 1t served only to prop, defend, and i'd
vance himself; TO battle difficulties; To defeat foes;
to convert every accident, every chance, into new
stepping stones in his course. Whatever his biiih,
it was evident that he had received every nd
vantage of educaon and scholars extolled his
learning and boosted Of his patronage. While,
more recently, fihe daring and wild excuses of
the prohigate prince were, on the one hand, popu-
larry imputed to the guidance of Calderon, and in
creased The hatred generally conceived against him;
so, on the other hand, his influence over the future
monarch seemed to promise n new leasure to his
authority, aud struck fears into the councils of his
foes. In fact, the power of the upsnrl marquis
appeared so firmly rooted, the career before him so
splendid. that there were not wanted whisperers
who, in addition TO his other crimes, ascribcd to
Roderigo Calderon the assistance of The black art,
But the black art in which that subtle courler was
a proficient Is one that dispenses with necromuncy,
1t was the art Of devoting the highest intellect to
the most selfish purposes; an act that lhriyes toll
erably well for a time in The great world
lie had been for several weeks absent from
Madrid on secret mission; and to this, his first
public levee on his return, thrcnged all the rank
and chivalry ofSpan.
The crowd gave way as, with naughty air, in the
maturity of manhood, The Marquis de Sieie Iglesias
moved along. lie lisdained all accessories Of
dress to enhance the effect of his sngularly striking
exterior. Ills mantle and vest of black cloth made
in the simplest fashion, were unadorned with the
jewels that then constituted the ordinary insignia
of rank. His HAIR, bright and glossy as the ravens
plume, culed back from The lofty and command
ing brow, which, save by one deep wrinkle be-
tween the eyes, was not only as white, but a
smooth as marble. His features were aquelne and
regular; the deep olive of his complexion seemed
plain and clear when conirased by the rich jet OF
the mustache and pointed beard. The lighlness o
his tall and slender, but muscular form, made him
appear younger thnn he was; and, had it not beer
for the supcIciIous and scornfuI arrogance of hi,
air, which so seldom charac;eriIes gentle birth.
Calderon might have mingled with the lolies
magnates Of Europe, and seemed to the observer
the satcliest of group. 1t was one of those
rare forms that are made to command The one sex
and lhcnate the other But, on deeper scrutiny
The resessncss of the brilliant eve; the quiver Of
the upper lip; certain abruplness of manner and
speech, might have shown that greatness had
brought suspicion as well as pride. The special
tors beheId the hunsman on The height the hunts
man saw the abyss below, and rcspired with diff
dcully the air above.
The courllers one by one approached the mar
qus, who received them with very unequal cour-
'esv. To the common herd he was sharp,dry aud
bitter; 10 the great he was obscquions, yet with Il
certain grace and manliness Of hearing that ccva-
ted even the character Of serliiy; and all the
while, as he bowed low to Medina or n Guzman,
there was Il half upcrccp'ihlc morkery urhns in
The corners Of his mouth which seemed to imp,
that, while his policy crng"d, his heart dispi.rd.
To two OF three, whom he either personally liked
or honestly esteemed he was f,niur, hu, brief in
his address; to those whom he hh crusc 10 detes,
or TO dread-hiS foes ibis undcrmmcrs- he ASSUME
ed yet greater lrankness, mingled with the mos,
caressing insinualion Of voice and manner
Apart from tho herd, with folded arms and an
expression of coun,cnance in which much admira-
ton was blended with some curiosity and little
contempt, Don Martin Fonseca gazcd upon the
Eavoure.
j have done this man flvour,' thought he:
u have contributed towards his first rise; am
now his suppllant. Faith ], who have never
found sincerity Or gratitude in the camp, come 10
seek those hidden treasures AZ n court Well, we
are strange puppets, we morMls!'
Don Diego Snrmieno de Menloz, hid lust re-.
celved the smiling salnralion Of Caderon, when
the eye of the latter fell upon the handsome Tea
turers Of Fonseca, The blood mounted to his
brow; he hastily promised Don Diego all lha, he
desired; and, hurrying back through the crowd re
tired to his private cabinet. The lc,ec was bro.
ken up
AS Fonscca, who had caught the glance of the
secretary, and who drew no favorable omen from
his sudden evanshmenr, slowly turned to depart
with the rest, young man. plainly dressed ,ouch-
cd him on the shoulder.
1ou are Senior Don Martin Tonseca,
The same.
Follow me, il you please .senor, to my master,
Don Rodcrigo Calderon.
Fonscca's face frightened; he obeyed the sum
mons; and in another moment, he was in the cabi
ne, of the Sejanus Of Spain.
CHAPTER II.
Calderon received the young soldier at the door
OF his chamber with marked and almost affection
ate respect.
Don Martin, said he,nnd there seemed touch
nc lrin G,nlinI In il.l L l.;