New-York tribune., 1868-09-23
THE KINGDOM or SPAIN.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESENT REVOLUTION
None OF the many revolutions which have occurred
during the reign of Isabella H. began with 40 br.
liant prospects OF speedy and complete success Az
the present. We publish to-day only the third dav,,
dispatches, and we have already announced that
nine provinces have pronounced for the insurgents.
that several others are swarming with rebels that
the communication with the capital is nterrupted.
that the Queen must remain near the frontier; that
the chiefs of the nsurrection marching upon the
capital that the Prime Minister has resigned and
fled. Never before there so much reason to hono
for the success Of the revolution Success OF
the revolution would mean in Spain the close of the
present period Of its history and the beginning OF
new and more glorious era. Spain, We wIil not saw
better governed but only less misgovened than shs
is at present. tS Mould soon occupy mnch higher rank
the position of Spain in the past and present and
her prospects in the future will aid in ILLUSTRATING
the vast Importance of the present movement:
TIE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE.
The Kingdom Of Spain was formerly divided into
twelve large divisions most OF which were, in olden
times independent Kingdoms as: Aragon Old and
New CASTLE, Gallicia Estremadura, Andalusfa
Grenada, Valencia, Catalonia, Navarro (inipuzoya
and the islands At present it is divided into "a
provinces The area of the Kingdom is about 10 Ocs
square miles. In this respect. 1t Is exceeded among
| the European States only by Russia, Turkey Swe
den, Austria, and France As Turkey in CONSEQUENCE
of its dsorganzation and Sweden in consequence Of
| its thin population. cannot claim position amons
the first States of Europe. Spain ght be the fourth
among the European States, if the increase of her
population had kept pace with the other civil
! lzed countries of the world. Such. however
| is not the case. For centuries Spain has remained
behind the other States. She has only population
of about 100000, and according to the latest CEN
sus, of 1851 the population is even said to have
decreased four per cent Italy and Prussia both the
interiors of Spain in point of area far ahead Of
her in point Of population. The re.slt might be
quite different The greater part Of the soil Of Spain
| is fertile. A density of population, as in Italy,
| Prussia, or Great Britain, would give her from
| 100000 to 100000, and density az in Belgium
would swell the population to over 60,00o.O0O Tbs
past history, both of the country and OF the people
| inhabitng it, gives ample proof that under good
| government Spain mg ght soon become one OF tia
| grand Powers of Europe.
FORMER GREATNESS AND DECLINE.
The unity Of the Spanish nation dates from ths
union of the crowns of Aragan and CASTLE at the be-
ginning of the sixteenth century by the marriage of
Ferdinand the Catholic and Isabella J. The new
monarchy after ITS foundation. found itself the
most powerful empire of the world Columbus dis
covered the New World, and soon enterprsing
Spanish generals conquered all its 1ourishing enl
pirps The grandson and successor of Ferdinand,
| Charles was at the same time Emperor of Germany
and thus the most powerful monarch OF Chrstend0n.
This connection between Spain and Germany ceased
with the death of Charles, his brother Ferdinand
succeeding him in tho Austrian possessions and as
Emperor of Germany, and his son Philip IN Spaln
But still with regard 10 territory Spain was the
first of European Powers Under wise rulers, her
history during the past three centuries might have
been one of unusual brllliancy but unfortunately
she was cursed, almost without interruption WIN lhs
worst class of rulers under when the greater part OF
of her colonies were lost and her former greatness
departed The following Is a list OF the monarchs
from the succession of Charles TO the present day
House OF H'p'0uFs ,,e Charles 'I'v ~ VI D'' lisa