The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-29
qHE STORY OF DON CARLOS.


the beginning of the present year at Madrid.
His very last discovery was n detailed ac-
count of the arrest, trial, and execution of
Don Carlos son of King Philip III, purporting
to be written by Fray Juan de Avila, the
Princes confessor, and an eyewitness of the
proceedings he describes. A summary of
this document is given by Mr.. Cartwright in
the Memorial Sketch" of Bergenroth, which
he has just published in London. In repro
ducing the substance of this vivid and start
ling narrative, it is needful to say that Ber-
genroth died before he had fully satisfied
himself as to its genuineness. The story is
as follows:-'Don Carlos was young prince
very much inclined to do what pleased him
without any respect for others. He
his father, King Philip, until the King
married his third wife, Isabel of France. Isa-
bel was of the same age as Don Carlos, and
uncommonly handsome. Don Carlos fell in
love with her, and made her declaration GI
f0rnpd, which the Queen was weak enough to
answer, begging him to desist from his suit,
because she, being bound by the most sacred
ties to his father, could never be his. This
letter miscarried, and came, the priest says
he does not know in what way, into the hands
of Philip, who, finding it by far too warm,
strongly reprimanded his wife and his son,
and forbade them, under severe penalties, to
see each other or to write to one another.
Don Carlos, instead of repenting conceived a
very strong hatred of his father, and relished
any misfortune that might befall him." One
result of this was that he entered into CORE
spondence with the Prince of Orange and
Counts Egmont and Horn, promising to Join
their movement, and, if possible, to persuade
his father to give him the command of the
troops in the Low Countries, which he
could then transfer, together with himself, to
the ranks of the insurgents. Again the Prince
was unlucky in papers revealing the project,
or, at least, suggesting scent of it, falling
into his fathers hands. First, the King pro-
fessed to believe that it was case of heresy,
and arresting Don Carlos referred him to the
Inquisition. They pronounced the Prince to
be good Catholic, and the King next resolved
to proceed against him for high treason. He
himself dictated the accusation, which was
signed by three priests, of whom one was the
Princes own confessor, and the author of
this memoir. The King told them to keep
the proceedings secret in order not to make
public the shameful conduct of his son, and,
he added, although he was perfectly justified,
there are people who would think him hard
and sanguinary if they were to know the
truth He intended, therefore, afterwards to
have the rumor spread that Don Carlos had
died of illness, or something similar"
At first Don Carlos denies categorically,
and in the most determined manner, all the
charges against him. Torture is threatened,
but he still persists in his denial Torture is
then actually applied; the hangman, who,
with his assistant, has been brought blindfold
to the house, fastens the cords to his hands,
and he and his assistant give four turns. The
accused heaves deep sigh and remains as
though he were dead. They throw water
over his face and he RECEIVERS. When the
executioner prepares himself to continue, the
Prince declares that he will tell the truth.
The same questions are read to him which he
had denied. He confirms all of them. The
court declares the inquisition concluded, and
DEGREES that the cause is to be 'heard. Then
the,record proceeds as follows
The court assembled. Antonio Perez repeated his
accusation, and asked that Don Carlos be beheaded.
Escovedo (who is spoken of throughout as counsel
for Don Carlos but who was really one OF the judges
repeats his defense, and asks at all events mder
seats at the table at the right and left of the Pre-
sident. They confer The President pronopnces
the sentence OF death and conlscation of all pro-
perty against the Prince Don Carlos of Austria.
(The sentence, dated 2lst Of February, is verbatim
nserted The sitting concluded at to dayoreSS M e & The
They found him saying prayers. Vargas informed him
that the sentence was pronounced. The King read all
the proceedings with great attention. and especially
the final Judgment. He asked, lis all conformed tO
law?" i'Yes SIRE" answered Vargas. "Have all
means OF accusation and defense been exhausted 2,
''Yes, SIRE" repeated Vargas ''we have conducted
o. the case as though the Prince were common sub.
ject, and this is the result" 81 observe here an
Prince has not been asked how many accomplices
he has, and who they are" Vargas excused himself
should confess he would not sign the sentence
We all were astonished at the hrmness OF mind
(e1,terez) of the King, for, according to ouI
manner Of understanding "a neuSrO n'odo d
entender), he should have shown sorrow
for the fate that was prepared for his son. He with
a serene face, and without betraying the least sign
of grief serenely and calmly signed the sentence OF
mis- son." The King retained the papers, in order tC
examine them more at leisure The Judges and wit
nesses went to ask the Prince about his accompices
The Prince said he had none and II he had, he would
not betray them. Vargas admonshed him, but to nc
purpose When they returned to the King, and in
formed him OF the answer OF the Prince, he OBJ
Served:-"He is very generous but l wish he were
less So" The King delivered the sentence t
The next night the judges and witnesses went L
the room OF the Prince, whom they found in bed
and who seemed to be surprised. AS there was nj
clerk, Vargas read to him the sentence. The Prince
was frightened, and exclaimed, "Is there no help?
No." answered Vargas, "the King has already
ut is impossible" !" he exclaimed, ''that my fathe
pushes things to such extremes. want TO see him
60 and ask him to come; he will perhaps nullify tn
sentence" The Prince broke out in tears. Thos
who were present were moved. Escoved
went to inform Philip OF the wishes OF his son. Ph
answered that he would not see him. becaus
he had already delivered him into the hands OF jus
tice, and the Judgment was Just. Although the sen
tence must be executed, he forgave him. Whe
EscOvedO came back with this answer, the Prime
was in despair. Those who were present comforte
him, and the Prince, being young man OF hig
spirits, became caImeT when am l to o., be exc exc
days" The Prince begged to be executed on tn
spot, or next day at latest. AS he wished TO be lei
alone, all, with the exception OF the confessor, weI
to inform the King OF his demand. The Kin
granted il.
The conversations of the confessor wit
the Prince are next given, the Prince declai
ing his only desire being to do justice to tn
Flemish, who against all reason and justic
were oppressed; and that the Queen was en-