The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-02


Spain, not insppropriateiy termed the modern
Messalina, and the inheritor Of ali the facile
virtues Of her worthy N Their, has, in all pro-
liability, by this time been brought 20 close.
AS much sinned against as SHINING, this unfor-
fortunate woman-the victim Of ths base in
triguee which linked her fate with an imbeoile,
and consigned her purposely 10 the uncontrolled
sway Of her own pa sions-is, perhaps, now a
disconsolatiye fugitive, flying, not before the
resentment Of outraged Spanish morality-for
on such points Castila an propriety is not over
nice-but before the political necessities that
are about TO convert the Peninsula into sort
OF provincial battlefield for the interests that
have been brought into conflict by the Eastern
question. Aslnight be expected, the Gear has
found it conveniep. to change the venue for
the decision of that issue; and, from present
appearances, the allies are likely to be sayed'
the trouble Of geing out Of their way to con-
from. it. Before many months are over all
Europe will be lighted up with the flames cf
war, and then the realities Of the Eastern DIFF
hculty will be brought home to every mans
door.
regard to the progress Of the insurrection, prove
that it has now reached q point where it will
be almost impossible to arrestit. The insurgents
are masters ofMadrid and in mostof the northern
and central provinces, along the eastern coast,
and down to Granada on the extreme south,
She revolutionary spirit is spreading like wild
fire Thus, Vittoria Burgos, Valladolid, San
Iona have almost simultaneously raised the
flag CT instruction, and the central and wes-
tern cities and towns have probably by this
time followed their example. The Cabinet has
been dissolved, and a new half ard-half minis
| try, composed of moderados and pr0gresistas.
has been formed n its stead This arrange
ment, however, can only be a temporary one,
as the men who compose the new ministry are
not of stamp calculated to inspire general
confidence in the nation, or to reconcile the vG-
rious pretensions and interests that will be now
called into conflict. Narvaez and .Espartero
are said to be both candidates for the conduct
Of public affairs; but under what new modific \
tions Of their old principles adopted to suit the
present critical position Of the kingdom, we
have yet to learn Narvaez will in all proba-
bility be opposed to any alteration in the pre-
sent regime, further than the removal Of his
enemies from all Offices Of power and trust, end
the Punishment Of Christina from Spain. He
desires no more favorable field for the graft
fcation of his ambition than the uncon-
trolled possession Of the supreme power,
subject only to the caprices and boutades
of a frivolous and pleasure-loving queen.
With the queen-mother and the Nunoz fac
ton removed out Of his way, he would have
nothing to fear from the influence of the inbe-
cile husband Of Isabella, whose feeble attempts
at political intermeddling have been only made
at the crafty suggestion Of those evil counsel
lors.
EsparterO ls. however, q man Of different
stamp, and the part which he will play in this
struggle of factions and interests becomes an
interesting subject for speculation. Notwith-
standing the disorders of his early life, he has
attained respectable position amongst Euro
pean statesmen, and his administration of the
public affairs Of Spain during the six years
that he was regent, was marked by modera-
ton and disinterestedness that single him out
as a bright exception to the general selfshness
and corruption that have characterized the con-
duct of public men in that country. Owing to
the intrigues by which his best intentions were
thwarted, he was unable to carry out the
patriotic views that he was known to
have formed for the regeneration of Spain.
Obliged, eventually to succumb to the re-
ascendency of the queen-mother's infence-
| hot fnf al hot al xvbs In 1aof
years has marred and defeated the efforts of
every Spanish statesman who has exhibited
desire to further the interests of his country
he abandoned his task in utter hopelesness. and
retired TO England, where he continued for
some time to reside, after the simple, unosten-
tatious manner Of 0 private citizen, avoiding
rather than counting the associations to which
his rank and personal merits would have en-
titled him After a brief sojourn abroad, he
obtained permission to return to Spain, where
he has ever since carefully abstained from
taking part in, or in any way mixing himself
up with, the intrigues Of the different political
parties that have been contending for power
If it be true, then, that Espartero has placed
himself at the head of the movement in his
own province, il is only another proof of the
serious character of the events of which Spain
is about to be the theatre. He must be con-
WINGED that the period has arrived when it is
necessary to put on end to the disorders and
scandals which have converted the css0mpt
entertained by the civilized world for the pre-
sent royal family OF Spain into feelings of in
dignation and establishment. From the caution
that has marked his previous conduct, it is evil
dent that he would not thus compromise
himself merely to obtain partial mti-
CATION OF the evils under which the country
has been so long suffering Assuming there
fore, the correctness of the statement that
he has cast aside the reserve that he has hitherto
maintained and has committed himself to the