Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-22
Remarkable Letter from Prince
Henry of bourbon.

A Remarkable Letter from Prince
Henry of bourbon.
A translation of the extraordinary let
ter Don Enrique de Bourbon, cousin Of
Queen Isabella, and brother TO her hus-
band. Don Francisco, as addressed to
the Regent, is published. II was at 6rst
believed to be apocryphsl, ana its charges
against General Prim considered so seri-
ous that none of the papers would publish
it; but the printer having called on one
of the editors and exhibited Don En-.
rique's written authority to him to litho-
graph ii, oil doubts as to its authenticity
are removed, and two or three of the
Madrid newspapers have inserted it in
full. o
The following is the portion of it
which has reference to Prims dealings
with the ex Queen Isabella:
After the 10Th of September l hastened
my return to Paris, so as to be in time to
visit the Conde de Reus, from whom i
wal, the object of the most extreme and
affectionate reception. o In the course OF
our conversation, the first day, the name
of the Queen was mentioned. l stated
what knew of her dispositions. = This
point is supremely interesting (este punto
es sobremanero interesante)," said Cen
eral Prim to me; but as his visitors and
occupations were many, we had to aus
pend the conversation, and he fixed the
day following, very early in the morning,
for us to meet again. A few hours after
leaving the house Of the Conde de Reus, /
went to the palace of the Queen, to study
her dispositions. Her first words were
respecting Prim, and her questions di'
rected to know if had seen him. an
swered dryly, "Yes, that he professed
friendship, and hoped the confession
would not annoy her. " So far from
this" she answered me, with animation,
tell him / like him much, and that |
would like to see him, either in your house
or any other" Impossible" / replied;
but even if it might be, what end could
result from it, before the triumphant rev.
olution and the legitimate sovereignty
The Queen being convinced of the wild.
ness of her idea, limited herself to give
me her message, and to assure me she
would be prompt to abdicate as soon as
her husband arrived from Germany, and
agreed to it," You are losing time, /
replied, sin not complying Immediately
with your morals and political duty, and
in not submitting loyalty to the princi-
Piles of the revolution. You should not
be afraid of liberty, for all good men wish
and love it; this august liberty, beautiful
and pure ss virgin, not the liberty Of
the tavern, made by company of bac-
chantes and satyrs." {" I could not accept
libertad de caltos, she exclaimed, always
the same Isabella. ! could do no less
than auswer her with warmth: "Popery
(Papism), with the faith of Felipe and
Carlos ii, of the House of Austria, has
caused the ruin of their imitators, the
Bourbons. Slaves of the superstitions
on distorted religion, they
have become brutalized under the feet of
The clergy, and, believing themselves in.
visibly protected by the gods created in
heir weak imsginatioDs, have defied
he light of reason and of common sense,
and have fallen from the throne headloug,
without ell the benedictions of the great
1icar of Christ Joined to the prayers Of
he bishops, and the sprinklings Of the
Holy Mother Church being worth any
hing to save them r. "You speak, En-.
.ique, like a free-thinker," she replied.
Il feel honored to be one, Isabella"
Iaid /. "and / think better results would
,rise from having your son inspired with !
Votaire than with Loyols." II would |
lot object, Enrique, that my Alfonso
hould accept ibertad de cultos with the
,ther precepts of the epoch" said she,
: but / venerate the Pope, and wish to
lie Catholic, and not lose my soul"
Isabella, being lost as Qaeen, you
ose nothing more; but do not lose the
Toung tree. Let it grow and form its
zap with all the mortal sins of the ex-
communicated nineteenth century" was
ny reply. All the anxiety Of the Queen
vas about my visit to General Prim. On
ny leaving her she said: g Don't fail to-
morrow, then come here Immediately"
You may count upon that, but IL be
loes not speak of you, or give me occs-
ion, I will say nothing The following
lay went TO General Prim at the hour
.greed. After words Of mutual affection,
,ut inclosing myself in my silence, GEN
.ral Prim asked me, Have you seen the
lusen p "Yes, Don Juan" answered,
: but l should have said nothing 10 you
you had not named her" / related
III; making him understand that not be-
ieving in miracles was not one Of those
vho believed in the resurrection Of de-
upct kings, but ell my action and ell my
iounsel had been reduced 10 telling her
that was the duty the Queen ought to
empty With as mother on the one side,
md 90 q spaniard on the other, 30 as
lot TO engender discords., The Conde de
aeus, after hearing me with particular
.ttention and great benevolence, ex-
,ressed himself revolutionarily, though
nth the greatest confederation aud per.
onal affection 10 the Queen, exclaiming.
: oh, that she had listened 70 the excel
ent counsels Of her illustrious mother,
iona Maria Christina de Bourbon r BE
,ontinued With emphasis, si6 iatal-
Il, and, believing that shateyer happens
: produced By fate, ! don't say that the
3ourbons might not yet return 70 Spain
D the person Of the iunecent Prince
mt Is !. pecesssrY for the Qneen 10 con
rii5uis 10 i, sas sid Il With loyalty and
she should take care DOT
o waste her money 10 sterile s0aspirs-
.ies To treat 9TH the Government she /